Rosemary Smudge Stick

dried rosemary

one smudge

Smudging is an ancient practice used to cleanse energy, purify spaces, and invite positive intentions. Follow these steps to use your smudge stick safely and effectively:

Preparation & Intention:

1. Gather Your Tools: You'll need your smudge stick, a fireproof bowl or shell (like an abalone shell or ceramic dish) to catch embers and rest the stick, and a lighter or matches. 
2. Ventilate Your Space: Open windows and/or doors before you begin. This allows smoke and any cleared energy to disperse.
3. Set Your Intention (Recommended): Take a moment to consider what you wish to release (e.g., negative energy, stress, stale vibes) and what you wish to welcome (e.g., peace, clarity, positive energy). You can hold this intention silently or state it aloud.

Lighting & Smudging:

1. Light the Stick: Hold the smudge stick at one end, and light the tip of the other end with your lighter or match. Let it catch flame for about 20-30 seconds.
2. Allow to Smolder: Gently blow out the flame. The tip should be smoldering, producing a steady stream of fragrant smoke. If it stops smoking, you may need to carefully relight it.
3. Cleanse Your Space:

• Slowly walk around the space you wish to cleanse.
• Use your hand to gently waft the smoke into all areas – corners, along walls, around windows, and doorways. Visualize the smoke absorbing any unwanted energy and carrying it away.
• Hold your fireproof bowl underneath the smoldering stick to catch any falling embers.

1. Cleansing Objects (Optional): Carefully pass objects through the smoke or waft smoke around them with your intention for cleansing.
2. Personal Cleansing (Optional & with Caution): If you choose to smudge yourself, keep the smoldering stick at a safe distance from your body, hair, and clothing. Gently guide the smoke around you from head to toe.

Extinguishing Safely:

This is a critical step – never leave a smoldering smudge stick unattended.

1. Press and Grind: The best way to extinguish your smudge stick is to gently press and grind the smoldering tip firmly into your fireproof bowl, a container of sand, or directly into the earth until no more smoke is visible and the tip is cool.
2. Ensure It's Out: Double-check that it is completely extinguished. There should be no glowing embers and no smoke.
3. Avoid Water (Generally): Using water can make it difficult to relight the smudge stick for future use and can damage it. Only use water in an emergency if other methods fail.

After Smudging:

1. Air Out: Allow fresh air to continue circulating through your space for a while after smudging.
2. Store Properly: Once completely extinguished and cool, store your smudge stick in a safe, dry place for future use.

🔥 IMPORTANT FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 🔥

• NEVER LEAVE UNATTENDED: Do not leave a lit or smoldering smudge stick unsupervised, even for a moment.
• USE A FIREPROOF DISH: Always use a fireproof bowl, shell, or dish to catch embers and to rest the stick on when not holding it.
• KEEP AWAY FROM FLAMMABLES: Keep the lit smudge stick far away from curtains, bedding, carpets, paper, dried flowers, aerosols, cleaning supplies, and any other flammable materials.
• CHILDREN & PETS: Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• VENTILATION IS KEY: Always ensure good ventilation by opening windows and/or doors before, during, and after smudging.
• RESPIRATORY SENSITIVITY: If you or anyone in your household has asthma, allergies, or respiratory conditions, or is sensitive to smoke, use with extreme caution or consider alternative cleansing methods.
• SMOKE DETECTORS: Be mindful that heavy smoke can trigger smoke detectors. Ensure adequate ventilation.
• HANDLE WITH CARE: Do not touch the smoldering end. If smudging yourself, maintain a safe distance from your body, hair, and clothing.

CONFIRM IT'S OUT: Before storing your smudge stick or leaving the room, always ensure it is completely extinguished and cool to the touch. When in doubt, treat it as if it could still be lit.