Smudging is a Native American method of cleansing with incense. The preferred material for smudging is sage. Materials needed are sage in the raw leaf form a large sea shell in which to burn the sage, a fire starter, which may be matches or a cigarette lighter, and a large bird feather. The purpose of smudging is to use the vibratory energy of the smoke to cleanse the subtle energy fields of the body, the chakras, and the aura. It will also remove negative vibrations from furniture and whole rooms.

Put a handfull of sage in the sea shell, light it, and as soon as it flame well, smother it out so it smokes. Cleanse yourself first by using the feather to spread the smoke over all the parts of your body you can reach. Pass the bowl around the back several times until you have those areas smudged. If you are smudging a room use your feather to wave smoke into the comers, the walls, drapes, furniture, and any other objects in the room. ~

When you smudge a person, have them face one of the four directions. North if they want wisdom, East brings new beginnings, South gives protection and West helps to end things. Tell them to hold their arms out from their sides, palms down, parallel to the ground. Fan the smoke to cover the head and work your way down to the feet. Be sure every part of the front and sides of the body are smudged. When you reach the feet, draw a line in front of the feet with your feather, sealing the front of the body. Wa1k around to the back of the body. Smudge from the feet up to the top of the head. Wa1k back around to the front and face the person. Say this prayer, "Great Spirit, take this man (or woman) and seal him (or her) to the service of Mother Earth. HO!"