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A Beginner's Guide to Cleansing Your Space with Sage Sticks
Burning sage sticks or Incense is an ancient ritual that originated in Native American Cultures. Many people burn sage sticks and incense to cleanse the space around them, eliminate negativity, and instil calmness in their surroundings. Almost all spiritual practices acknowledge, and recommend using them, yet a lot of us remain a little unsure about the potential and power of burning sage sticks, while many don't follow the right procedure to burn them.
If you feel any negativity at home or work, if you’re feeling low and unmotivated, stressed, anxious, or have trouble sleeping, consider burning sage sticks to and experience their immense aura. You will be surprised by the wonders and effects of a proper burning ritual and how it can be a transformative experience for you.
Read on to learn more about sage sticks here.
Why Sage?
Sage means "heal", which comes from the Latin word "Salvere". It belongs to the Salvia plant family and is a powerful herb that causes a shift in energies when burned or smudged.
Besides uplifting your spirits, burnt sage sticks also possess antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that can absorb up to 94% of airborne bacteria, according to scientific studies.
White sage smudge sticks are mostly used in homes to cleanse it off negative vibes, and instead promote healing, wisdom, and longevity. You must follow up on the purification ritual throughout the year to remove bad energies effectively.
Using Sage Sticks
Why would you want to burn sage sticks? Find out below:
- To purify the energy of a particular room, object, or space;
- To cleanse a new house, or a new item;
- To reorient your spiritual energy, eliminate stress or illness;
- To ensure nice energy and aroma before important guests arrive.
Benefits Of Burning Sage Sticks
The white sage smudge sticks are the most popular category that can heal and promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
The list of benefits is extensive, so let’s get to it! Here are some of the most important advantages of burning sage sticks:
They Consist Of Antimicrobial Properties
Burnt sage sticks have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that can absorb up to 94% of airborne bacteria, according to scientific studies. Fight infectious bacteria, drive away insects, viruses and fungi by burning white sage sticks in your home.
The Release Negative Ions
Sage sticks are known to neutralise positive ions and clear allergies caused by pet dander, mould, dust, and pollution within homes. This helps prevent exaggerating respiratory ailments like asthma.
If you are already suffering from a breathing ailment, make sure you enter the room once the sage stick smoke clears the room. Though it has exited, all the positive ions will exit with it and its spirit and aura will remain long after the smoke dissipates.
Spiritual Benefits
Besides scientific benefits, white sage comprises thujone, which is mildly psychoactive. Because if this, sage sticks are used in cultural and spiritual rituals to enhance intuition, help dissipate negative energy, heal past traumas, and create a positive environment for meditation and kinship.
Purifies Specific Areas or Certain Objects
Many studies claim that fragrant smoke can purify specific areas or specific items like your bedroom, gifts, or even previously owned items.
This process helps in cleansing previous spirits and energies, making places and objects more sacred to you.
Removes Stress and Boosts Mood
Burning sage sticks helps you rid negativity. Research shows that Estafiate (white sage) is a great cure for mitigating mood swings, anxiety, and depression. It can lift your spirits, improve your mood, and relieve pain.
Some research suggests that Classic Garden white sage (Salvia officinalis) contains compounds that may relieve insomnia.
Boosts Cognition
Salvia's cognitive benefits are promising and can have promise in tackling dementia and Alzheimer's. Although scientifically, it still has to be thoroughly researched, many consider it a cure already.
The Aroma
One of the most effective ways to uplift a living space is a wonderfully divine scent, and sage sticks bring about a rather pure and simple aroma, albeit one that works better than any chemical room freshener.
The Right Way to Burn Sage Sticks
If you are ready to practice burning sage sticks, do so with the right technique in your personal and professional spaces. Here’s how:
Remember, safety comes first, and you will be dealing with fire. So, before you burn sage sticks, keep away from anything flammable, and make sure the fans are off to ensure your safety. Now here is what you need to start:
- A fireproof bowl such as a conch or a ceramic, clay, or glass bowl
- A source of fire - matchstick or lighter
- Sage sticks
Step-By-Step Procedure To Burn Sage Sticks
Step 1: Open the doors and windows to allow fresh air in and so smoke and negative energies can exit.
Step 2: Spiritually align your mind, body, and soul, and establish an intention while releasing stagnant energy, welcoming new beginnings, or simply clearing your space.
Step 3: Hold your sage stick at a 45-degree angle over a flame (from match or lighter) and gently blow it out to create a faint glow.
Step 4: Place it on a fireproof container to hold the burnt embers and spread the aura and smoke in all rooms, chanting your intentions.
Step 5: Dissipate the energy in your corners, behind doors, and in lesser used areas.
Step 6: Instil positive thoughts and imagine the smoke absorbing all negativity and floating out the windows, carrying away the energy you don't need.
Step 7: Cleanse your own energies and aura by moving the smoke from head to toe in circular motions visualising the negative energy leaving your body and burying itself into the Earth.
Step 8: After completing the ritual, extinguish the lit sage sticks.
You can burn sage sticks whenever you intend or seek lighter energy and calm.
Where To Buy Sage?
Karma Living recommends ensuring that your sage sticks are prepared consciously and handled with care and caution. White sage is associated with purity and is one of the most sought-after smudge sticks. You can alternatively try other herbs like cedar, rosemary, etc. Visit Karma Living to browse our range of sage sticks.
Experience calm, peace, and let go of the negativities around you by burning sage sticks. There’s no harm in trying something new to purify your living space and create a calming aura that will do your heart, mind, body, and soul some good.
