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With spring being the season of cleaning what better time to not only clean out those closets and organize those shelves but  also the proverbial cobwebs . Clear and clean the energy in you home and welcome good energy  by making and burning smudge sticks . 

 Smudging uses handheld bundles of dried herbs and flowers, which are then bound in twine and burned. The smoke is said to help purify the air and invite good energy into the home.  When burned, smudge sticks give off a resinous smoke it is said to burn up toxic energy and bring things back into balance. Aside from an increased sense of calmness, the benefits also include increased well-being, clarity, optimism and physical energy. 

 There are lots of different herbs traditionally used for smudging, but some are easier to find than others. Some of my favorite easy-to-find herbs include:

• Sage – Considered one of the most prized and sacred herbs, sage instills peace and tranquility.
• Cedar – Often used for renewal, protection and grounding.
• Rosemary – Great for promoting mental acuity and purification.
• Rose – Usually burned in love, luck, grief, and healing rituals.
• Lavender – Cultivates peace of mind and restfulness.
• Frankincense – Often used to send prayers and intentions to the gods.
• Eucalyptus – Gives any room a relaxing, spa-like feel.

When we bought our farm we were fortunate enought to have a large rosemary and sage plant established already on our property. To source material to make your own smude stick you can most of the time forage your yard or know someone who has the materials growing in there yard. 

I choose to use sage to make my smudge sticks . My sage plant was in need of a haircut and fiqured what better time to experiement with the cuttings and make my own smudge sticks, 

• Roughly 15 sprigs of fresh herbs, like rosemary, sage and thyme
• scissors
• twine

1. Start by trimming your flowers and herbs to size. Secure a long piece of twine around the base of your herb bundle and continue wrapping it until you reach the top. You want to make sure to wrap the twine as tightly as you can so that it stays bound when the flowers dry and shrink.
2. When you reach the top, tie your twine securely and trim the excess. Trim off any herbs that happen to be sticking out of the bundle.
3. Set your smudge stick aside and allow it to dry for at least two weeks.
4. To use, light your dried smudging stick with a lighter or match.
5. Starting at the Eastern most room of your home, circle around the room clockwise, wafting the smoke as you go.
6. Continue moving in a clockwise direction through the rest of your home, purifying each room similarly.
7. Finally, extinguish the smoke under either running water and set it aside to dry. You can reuse the same smudge stick until there is nothing left to burn.

Well freinds thats it. This little DIY is a fun and easy project and perfect for this time of year to introduce the new season of life. Be sure to get outside and make this project a family activity and be sure to tag me and share with me if you try it. 

Until Next time, 

Mama Bee