Sage Cleansing

[MysticEnchantress]

Hello everyone,
Does anyone know any sage cleansing rituals? I have sage but have not used it yet because I have read that it should be burnt in a specific shell (I do not own the shell recommended), does it matter?
I feel that I may have alot of negative energy around me and I would like to rid myself of it...
Any suggestions
Thank you

[Iris]

Hmm. Not sure on the specifics, but if I'm purifying a new tool or something, I usually just pass it through the smoke and ask for some kind of blessing.

A warning, if you haven't used sage before: Some kinds smell like pot when you burn it.

[Skylights]

Hmmm... I don't see why you'd need a specific shell for burning sage, or anything else for that matter, as long as it was heat resistant.

Sometimes the suggestions you find in books or other people's spells are just that: suggestions. If a certain shell works best for whoever wrote the ritual, then naturally that's what they might insist on using, but unless there is a specific reason given to the contrary, I think you should be able to use anything.

[WolfWitch]

I agree with Skylights here. I have a couple of sage bundles and to use them in cleansing, I just lit one end and waved it over the object to be cleansed(making sure that the smoke and fumes passed over and around the object. That's it.

WW.

[[Ebony Rose]]

I've never heard of burning sage in a shell. Gotta be some sort of local or tribal thing.

If you have purchased sage bundles for smudging, all you need is an ash tray or other heat resistant container to set it in to be sure it's out when done with it.

If you have wild sage that you have cut and dried, don't use it like a smudge stick. It will not burn like a smudge stick, it might burn faster than you expect, or it could spark. Try burning it like incense, but be careful of what you burn it over.

If it's fresh, you can boil it, but use an old pan as boiled sage will leave a scum that does not wash out of some metals.

[Raven451]

I have never heard of burning sage in a shell as well...I imagine it would be good to put it out in the shell so as to collect up the excess sage that falls off to dispose of when you are finished ..but anything can be used for that..I use a Bundle of Sage and Cedar Mix and it works wonders ..If you are cleasing the space before a Ritual or Cleansing your House of Negativity or Cleasing tools there are different techniques for each of those things..Cleasing your house I start from the far back corner of my house and work my way out in a sweeping motion ..ending at my front door..all the while visualizing that I am sweeping all the negativity as I go..Cleasing your ritual space is the basically the same ..just visualize the negativity being removed and charging with positive ..There are probably chants that you can do as well but I'm still learning and don't know any yet..lol..Same with Cleansing your tools..just brush them under the smoke visualizing..I know there are chants for that as well but like I said..I'm still learning myself..

Bright Blessings,

Lori

[HPCrowley]

The shell is used simply as a holder and as a surface to snuff it out on. I'm sure that it's bowl-like shape and ease of availability made it convenient for the Native Americans. As a plus, the shell is a feminine symbol; the "stick" is obviously a masculine one. Using these together adds balance to the ritual. Just swirl the bundle around yourself/work area clockwise and state your cleansing intent boldly, and you will be fine.

[Addalaide]

The shop a fue towns away sells a shell/sage kit with instuctions, i mentiond it to a older woman at a county fair and she almost jumped out of her skin, she said it was very disrepectful to burn it in that type of a shell and i should never do it. if i remeber correctly the shells are about the size of your hand and white/beaige and very ruff on the outside and the insite is very very very shiny with a pinkish purple tone. Is that the one thay where talking about selling you?

Also i have seen braided...sweet grass?... and i was told you where sposta burn it after the sage or something ( only herd it from this guy and no where ealse really)

[Brandon_Jay]

usually when I use any ritual involving sage (and when I plan on moving) I simply a white sage bundle and homemade clay container filled with dirt or salt to snuff the bundle and catch the ashes

[Addalaide]

I'm about to move, and i wrought up a ritual that dosnt involve sage, when i cleanse my apartment i use only salt usaly, i cant aford any sage now...salt is alot cheeper, i also have way more than i need and i donno how.

[Brandon_Jay]

Good point,

I currently have no sage and I cleansed my apartment today after cleaning. It worked fine with some chanting, salting and prayer.

You can also sprinkle water instead or with salt. Water can also purify.

But don't use a lot, just sprinkles, mildew in carpet is not very pure

[Addalaide]

Yeah sometimes i make saltwater cause walking over salt sometimes herts and it sticks to your feet.(i dont like to vacume it up, i have herd some people do) And sadly this place has mold in the walls so i dont think a little mildew in th carpet will effect it any. *is very happy about moving to a better apt*

Witch acculy brings me to a question i have been meaning to ask. I was kinda wanting to report that to codes but i belive in the 3 folds law, so if i get them in trubbal wont it come back to me x3? I mean we already have enught going on in our lives we dont need 3x more..

[Brandon_Jay]

If your talking about reporting the mildew I see no harm in that. I know there are a thousand points of view on the affect of the three-fold. I currently have no opinion on dogma or karma.

For the sake of anyone else moving into that apartment I would go ahead and cleanse then report anything that should be fixed or needs attention.

P.s. Congrats on getting a new place. I think my fiance and I are also to upgrade to a better apartment after this lease.

[Addalaide]

Yes i was going to cleans the apartment after we left. Cause i didnt wany anyone ealse to have to much trubal.

[[ravenwing]]

The use of sage in cleansing is Native american in origin, and is done as follows:

The traditional burning can be in one of two ways. The use of a Sage bundle, which is lit and burned, then snuffed out. Or loose Sage may be burned in the container of your choice (an Abalone shell being the traditional container - but any will do).
To cleanse an area, (lets say an apartment) you would open all your windows and doors (to give the evil spirits a way to leave) and begin in whatever corner of whatever room is the FARTHEST from the entrance you use most often. (The back corner of the back room of the apt for example).
You work your way from there around the walls of every room (quietly chanting your request for the bad energy to leave), closing windows and doors as you pass them - until you have gone all the way around and ended up at your main door. At this point you step out, and extinguish the Sage. Your place is now cleansed.

Something else not many people realise is that the Native Americans perform another part to this. Once your place is cleansed, you need to protect it from bad energies entering when outsiders visit you. this is done one of two ways as well. Some people use two amethyst points on either side of their door (pointy ends facing OUT away from the door). The more traditional way is to light and burn a Sweetgrass Braid. Tamp it out and then mount it over your door. Mount it with the ends pointing DOWN (sort of like an upside down horseshoe). Either of these will cause a visitor to "drop" his bad energies at your doorway, thereby protecting your pace. And fear not, that person will automatically pick them up when they leave.