Ahh, spring is upon us. Flowers are in full bloom, birds are chirping, and the smell of freshly cut grass wafts through the air. Spring is a time for renewal, growth, and positivity—a perfect opportunity to let go of the old and make room for the new. This not only applies to tossing out stuff that’s been collecting dust, but also to letting go of old resentments, wounds, and stagnant, negative energies that hold us back and impact our inner peace and happiness.
One of the best ways to rid of accumulated negative energy is by smudging—the practice of burning sacred plants to cleanse or bless a space or person. Today, we’re going to explore how smudging can be used for spring cleaning, whether that be energetically or physically.
Let’s get started!
What exactly is smudging?
Smudging is an ancient ritual that involves burning sacred plants, such as white sage and Palo Santo. Developed by Native Americans, smudging has long been used to raise vibrations, dispel negative energy, restore balance, and assist with spiritual work.
This practice has grown to be very popular in the modern-day spiritual and wellness worlds. It simply involves lighting the end of a smudge stick and extinguishing the flame once the plant has started smoldering. The smoldering plant produces an earthy, woodsy smoke that swirls through the air. To cleanse a room, carry the smoldering smudge stick around the room, making
sure to smudge in the corners, behind doors, and the doorway itself. You can also cleanse yourself by moving the smudge stick around your body from head to toe.
What are the benefits of smudging for spring cleaning?
Smudging is the perfect tool for spring cleaning. People often smudge when they have been affected by a negative event, have feelings of sadness or fatigue, or during times of renewal, such as springtime and the new year.
Depending on the type of plant you use, smudging can be purifying. White sage is known to have antimicrobial properties, helping to keep bacteria, viruses, and fungi at bay. It has also been shown to repel insects.
Spiritually speaking, smudging can be thought of as a “spiritual house cleaning.” The smoke released from burning the plants is said to attach itself to negative energy and clear it from your space or body. While smudging can be done any time of year, practicing it in the springtime is particularly useful for helping you let go of the old and open the door to new, positive energy and possibilities.
Choose sustainable- and ethically-harvested smudge sticks.
When purchasing smudge sticks for spring cleaning, it’s very important to know how the plants used in your smudge sticks were harvested. Knowing where your white sage or Palo Santo comes from is key in making an ethical purchase and receiving high-quality smudge sticks.
Some companies illegally and prematurely cut down Palo Santo trees to sell the wood. To properly harvest Palo Santo, the trees must fall over naturally (i.e. not be cut down) and spend at least four to ten years on the ground before the internal sap solidifies and the aromatic oils develop.
To ensure you’re buying ethical, high-quality Palo Santo and white sage, avoid buying from corporate chains who are more likely to use unethical suppliers or inorganic farming practices. Find a small business that is transparent about their partnership with their suppliers and the practices they use to grow and harvest their plants.
Find ethical, sustainable smudge sticks at Cedar and Myrrh.
At Cedar and Myrrh, we carefully select the farms we work with to ensure our smudge sticks are ethical, sustainable, and high quality. Our organic white sage comes from the southern desert of California and is organically grown and sustainably harvested at a USDA and CCOF certified farm. Our Palo Santo comes from the coast of South America and is wild-harvested
from naturally fallen wood to ensure sustainability and quality.
The bottom line
Whether you’re looking to disinfect your living space or clear stagnant, negative energy, smudging is the perfect practice to add to your spring cleaning routine. As you smudge, be open to letting go of what no longer serves you and making room for all that you may become.
