All of these things can be used to energetically refresh your aura and any space you inhabit – even your wallet to help heal financial burdens and instability.
See below for tips on where to find these simple and inexpensive tools and how to use them.
Palo Santo, (“Holy Wood”)
A mystical tree that grows on the coast of South America. Related to Frankincense, Myrrh and Copal. Part of the citrus family with notes of pine, mint and lemon.
Benefits: Aids in keeping energies grounded and clear. Smudging your home with its smoke can provide calm and relaxation, helping to keep negative thoughts at bay. Traditionally used for relieving common colds, stress, asthma, headaches, anxiety, depression and more.
How to Use: In its natural, unburned form, it can be used to freshen spaces like a closet, kitchen, car, etc… To burn, use a candle, match or lighter to ignite the stick. Hold at about a 45 degree angle pointing the tip down toward the flame. Allow it to burn for about 30 sec. to 1 min. and then blow out. Move about any space you would like the energy to be clear (see sage for ideas on how to move about your space). When done, put the stick in a fire proof bowl. The glow will end on its own unless you blow on the ember which will keep the smoke going. Palo Santo may be relit and used again.
Where to Buy: Whole Foods, some Sprouts and metaphysical shops.
Rosewater & Glycerin
Aromatherapy water made from pure rosewater and natural vegetable glycerin. Contains “Vor-Mag Water” (water that has been vortexed and magnetized to raise the energy to a higher vibration), recommended in the Edgar Cayce Readings. Edgar Cayce is credited as being the father of holistic medicine and the most documented psychic of the 20th century.
Benefits: An old fashioned skin lotion and protectant, helps to maintain the pH of your skin. Regular use can improve the appearance of acne prone, blemished and inflamed skin. Rosewater is safe to use on skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema. Its healing properties can sooth insect bites and sunburns. Rosewater essence is regarded as mild sedative and anti-depressant. So it’s believed to reduce stress and increase your focus.
How to Use: Shake well before using. Use as a face and body lotion wherever the skin needs soothing and protection. Spray it anytime your skin feels dry, giving you a healthy glow. After a tiring day, spray rosewater on your face for a cooling, relaxing feeling. (I spray it on my face and around my aura and home whenever I need a quick energetic pick me up!)
Where to Buy: Whole Foods, Sprouts, some drug stores and metaphysical shops.
NOTE: They also sell plain Rosewater but I find that the added glycerin makes a difference in the way I feel and helps cleanse the energy around me and my home.
Sage
A powerful herb and medicine, held sacred by many Native Americans because of its effective purifying properties.
Benefits: Brings balance, cleansing the body and mind of negative spirits and impurities. You can use sage to enhance your energy, cleanse your space and invite protection. Smudging your home, office, or even your body with sage is like taking an energetic shower, positively changing the ionic composition of the air. Clears away negative energy and attracts positivity.
How/ When to Use:
Moving into a new home
Starting a new job or business
Before & after guests enter your home
Before & after a healing session
Before meditation
After an argument or illness
On a Full moon
Returning home from crowded situations
Anytime you feel stuck or depressed
Times of transition to bring peace and clarity
Don’t forget to smudge your wallet to cleanse anything that may impede your financial outlook!
Simple smudging ritual to try:
1. Use loose dried white sage or a sage bundle (aka wand), usually bound together by a string.
2. Place it on any heat-proof burning surface like a piece of pottery, stone bowl or Abalone Shell. Light the bundle by holding a flame to it until it begins to smoke. If a true flame appears, shake the bundle gently or blow until it is just embers and smoke.
3. Once you have a nice smoke, use your hand or a feather to direct it. Always start by cleansing yourself first. Direct the smoke to your heart then all over your body from your feet up to your head, then back down again. As you do this, visualize the smoke entering your body and spirit, pulling out the impurities.
If you feel comfortable pray for your spiritual deity to assist you on your life path and ask for good, positive energy and spirits to guide you. Once you have smudged your body, begin to move through your space. Wave the smoke into all corners, across doorways and into shadow spaces.
NOTE: If at any time the smoke stops, pause where you are and re-light. Then return to wherever you left off on you or in your space. You may have to re-light the bundle a few times during the process.
You can repeat a mantra or prayer like the following:
“May all negative energies or entities be released, allowing only love and light to flow…
In addition, you can change the prayer depending on the room or person you are working with by adding to the end of it-
Doorways: …through this doorway, keeping us safe and secure.”
Living Room: …for all those who gather here.”
Office: …for productivity and clear communication.”
Bedroom: …for ultimate comfort and relaxation.”
Once the space is cleared, allow the sage bundle to either burn out or gently press it out in your heat-proof shell or container. You can even bury the remaining smudge in your garden to really feel the completeness of the cleansing ritual. Once buried, the sage has done its work in completing the elemental cycle.
Where to Buy: Whole Foods, Sprouts and metaphysical shops. If you have a sage plant, you can make your own — just bundle and tie it, and then hang upside down in cool dark space until it is completely dried out.
This information should not be used as a substitute for seeking the guidance of a health care provider. Always use caution when working with fire and never leave your smudge stick unattended.