Energy clearing can be as simple as picking up around your house and finally tackling that junk drawer. It can be the act of sweeping energy with your regular ol’ broom right out your door. It doesn’t always have to involve smoke and herbs and a full blown ritual.

Smudging is an indigenous practice and should not be done by non-indigenous people. Smoke clearing is commonly done in almost all cultural traditions (even Christianity!) and can be done by anyone.

I love to homegrown herbs for use in magical practices. There’s an additional connection point when it’s grown in your own yard or patio or even locally. Certain plants like white sage and palo santo should only be used when ethically sourced. Growing your own garden sage is a great option and it’s easy to grow!

As you waft the smoke from your bundle around what you’d like to clear, repeat a saying or mantra to further help displace the unwelcome energy. I like to say “Be gone any energy that does not serve. Be gone any energy not in alignment with my highest good. Be gone any energy that keeps me from living in integrity with my purpose.”

*Abracadabra is an Aramaic saying that means I create as I speak. Words have power my friends.

Many herbs have varying correspondences depending on the cultural tradition. I like to use herbs that correspond to the planets with important transits at the moment but my go-to anytime is garden sage with lavender or rosemary.

After you’ve cleared with your bundle, don’t forget to go back over the process and add in what you DO want. For me this usually looks like a second round of smoke using palo santo or incense and repeating a saying for what I do want to bring in. For example when calling in energy for my bedroom I’ll say - “Let this space provide rest, comfort, love, renewal, and relaxation.”

Pick or procure your chosen herbs. Dry them out by either hang drying for several weeks or use the oven method. Oven method: set oven to warm or 200 degrees, lay them in a single layer on trays and bake. Check on them every 10 - 15 minutes until dried.

Line up your herbs so there’s a bit of each kind on all sides and they are even at one end. Take cotton string (untreated or nontoxic dyed) and wrap around the bundle until it’s tightly packed together throughout.