I only use naturally malted feathers no birds are ever harmed.
Navajo Ceremonial Prayer
May all be beautiful before me, May all be beautiful behind me.
May all be beautiful below me, May all be beautiful above me,
May all be beautiful all around me, I am restored in beauty.
All my Smudge feathers have been hand made, I use my intuition when making each one so they are all different and each one has been cleansed and blessed.
Blessings Rebecca
The smoke from burning herbs has been used for healing, protection, magic and ritual since pre-historic times. Smudging calls on the spirits of sacred plants to drive away negative energies and put you back into a state of balance. It is the psychic equivalent of washing your hands before eating and used as an essential preliminary to almost all Native American ceremonies.
The word 'smudging' is Native American and the name given to the sacred smoke bowl ceremony where smoke from burning herbs are offered to the Great Spirit in worship, to heal and for the protection of people and their camps. The herbs are traditionally burned in an abalone shell or smudge pot and the smoke is wafted with a feather, it is belived that when using a feather the magical properties from the bird would be added. Another reason a smudge feather or fan is used is that a person should never blow the smoke as they would be blowing their own energy into the smoke, if you prefer not to use a feather the smoke can be wafted using you hands.
Smudging can be used for a number of things and anybody with the right intention can do it. All you need to get started is a large shell or heat proof dish, a smudge feather (which could simply be a single feather) and a bundle of herbs known as a smudge stick or loose herbs with a charcoal disc can be used. The most common herbs used are sage, cedar and sweetgrass although there are many others. I would suggest starting with sage as is was the most sacred to the Native American tradition and is a very powerful cleanser and healer which can be used for any purpose, sage dispells negativity and invites positive energy. Below I have listed some examples for which smudging can be used:
• Cleansing your home / workspace
•
• Preparing a ritual space
•
• Cleansing a tarot deck, crystals or any healing or magical tools
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• Dispelling a negative situation
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• Attracting positive change and inviting blessings to your life
•
• Healing and aura cleansing
How to smudge yourself
If you are not comfortable with the Native American terminology just adapt the words to suit your own beliefs, the most important thing is your intent
Firstly light the end of your smudge stick and let it burn for a few minutes until the end starts to smoulder. You may need to fan the flames get the it really smoking. Then you call on the spirits of the smudge herbs to cleanse and protect you, saying: "Sacred Sage, please drive away all negativity and bring me into a state of balance". Then begin to waft the smoke towards your heart, simply hold the smudge stick in front of you (not too close) and use the feather to waft the smoke towards you. Then waft the smudge smoke over your head, down your arms and down the front of your body. Imagine the smoke lifting away all the negative thoughts, emotions and energies that you are carrying, see it cleansing you from the inside as you breathe in the smoke. Now bring the smoke down the back of your body towards the ground, imagine any negativity being taken away and down into the earth. You can use the same method to smudge someone else and to use as a healing the smoke can be wafted to each chakra while asking that the spirits of the herbs cleanse and heal.
Smudging your home or space
Light smudge stick and smudge yourself as shown above then walk around the room wafting smoke
into each corner. Again call on the spirit of sage to drive away all negativity from the room and to bring harmony and balance. Turn to the east of the room and fan the smudge smoke into that direction four times, saying: "Spirit of the east, Great Spirit of air, cleanse and inspire this space." Adapt the words to suit yourself. Turn to the south and smudge four times, saying: "Spirit of the south,Great Spirit of water, strengthen and bring peace to this space." Now turn to the west and smudge four times, saying: "Spirit of the west, Great Spirit of fire, energise and protect this space." Turn to the north and smudge four times, saying: "Spirit of the north, Great Spirit of earth, ground and cleanse this space."Then look upwards, sending smudge up tothe ceiling four times. Say: "Great Father Sky, guard this space from above." lastly waft the smoke down towards the floor four times,saying, "Great Mother Earth, nurture this space from below."
I have listed a few herbs that can be used although there are many more(listed below):
Sage - dispels negative thoughts and feelings
Cedar - a purifyer and a blessing
Lavender - love, protection, peace and happiness
Sweetgrass - usually used in conjunction with Sage. This attracts positive
energy, good vibrations and balance
Bay leaf - used against colds and flu
Fennel - useful for repelling negative energies and calming nerves
SAMHAIN / HALLOWEEN RITUAL
I would like to share a simple ritual for the festival of Halloween / Samhain (October 31) – this celebration is so often misunderstood and mistrusted, it’s nice to have a chance to redress the balance. Basically it is the ancient pagan festival of the Dead and the Unknown. It’s a time to confront our fears, face our demons (figuratively speaking!) and prepare for the dark cycle of the year. So, it’s not surprising that it includes ghoulish and ghostly figures– but it is most certainly not about black magic! In Native American tradition it is The Frost Time, a time to clear away the old and unnecessary.
YOU WILL NEED: Smudge stick, bowl or shell, matches, feather; candle; paper and pen.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Light your candle - let this be the only light in the room.
Smudge yourself and any others present.
Sit quietly and think back over the last year. What mistakes did you make? What do you regret? Write down your thoughts.
Now take another piece of paper and think about the year ahead. What are your fears? Now think of life in general: what makes you frightened and scared? Write down all your fears.
Now call on Bear who can bestow strength and courage; and Buffalo who teaches acceptance of things we can’t change and letting go of things we don’t need. Ask these two great teachers to help you release your fears and accept those which cannot go away. If you work with angels or other spirit guardians, it’s fine to substitute these – or simply pray to your God.
Feel the gentle strength and love of these spirit guardians around you. Offer some smudge to them in thanks.
Now carefully commit your papers to the flames. Watch them go up in smoke and imagine your fears disappearing with them.
It is traditional to leave your candle burning all night to guide the souls of the dead. But make sure it is safely in a bowl of water or sand and out of reach of children and animals.
Avoid smudging in the room when infants, pregnant persons, asthmatic or allergy-prone people are present. Never leave your smudge sticks or candles unattended to avoid fire hazards.
10 Commandments Of The Native American People
TREAT THE EARTH AND ALL THAT DWELL THEREON WITH RESPECT
REMAIN CLOSE TO THE GREAT SPIRIT
SHOW GREAT RESPECT FOR YOUR FELLOW BEINGS
WORK TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL MANKIND
GIVE ASSISTANCE AND KINDNESS WHEREVER NEEDED
DO WHAT YOU KNOW TO BE RIGHT
LOOK AFTER THE WELL BEING OF MIND AND BODY
DEDICATE A SHARE OF YOUR EFFORTS TO THE GREATER GOOD
BE TRUTHFULL AND HONEST AT ALL TIMES
TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS
Agrimony
Used in protection sachets and spells, Agrimony
has long been used to reverse spells sent
against the magician. Banishes negative energy.
Promotes sleep
Alfalfa
Also known as Lucerne. Helps wards off
poverty and hunger, best placed in a jar in the
cupboard or pantry. Also burn alfalfa and scatter
the ashes around the property for the same
purpose. Also used in money spells. Powers:
Prosperity, Anti-hunger, Money.
Angelica Root
Gives protection and can be used to banish
negative spirits.
Aniseed (powdered)
Use in protection and meditation incenses, used
in purification baths, especially with bay leaves.
It is used to call forth spirits to aid in magical
workings. Powers: Protection, purification.
Basil leaf
Basil is strewn on floors, because it is believed
that where it is, no evil can live, it is used in
exorcism incenses, and purification baths
Powers :Love, Exorcism, Wealth, Protection
Bay leaves
Bay leaves can be used as protection and
purification. Gives powers of protection, psychic
powers, healing, purification and strength.
Bistort root
Also known as Dragonwort. Used in wealth &
money incenses. Can burn with frankincense to
improve psychic powers, or when used
divination. Helps fertility.
Blessed Thistle
Used in hex breaking spells.
Catnip (Catmint)
Catnip attracts good spirits and luck. Also used
in spells for beauty and happiness.
Chamomile flowers (Belgian)
Used for help with sleep and meditation Also
used to attract money.
Cinnamon
)Also known as sweet wood. When burned as
an incense or smudge, cinnamon raises high
spiritual vibrations, aids in healing, helps draw
money, stimulates psychic powers and produces
protective vibrations. Powers: Spirituality,
success, healing, power, psychic powers, lust,
protection, love.
Coltsfoot
Use to engender peace and tranquillity. Powers:
Love, Visions.
Dill seeds
This can be used to attract money, protection
and lust
Eucalyptus leaves
The leaves are used to maintain health, and for
protection. Powers: Healing, protection.
Galangal root
Also known as Low John the conqueror.
Draws good luck. Powdered Galangal is burned
to break spells and curses. Powers: Psychic
powers, protection, Lust, health and money.
Ginger
Used in success spells or to ensure the success
of a magical operation. Powers: Love, Money,
Success, Power.
Hops
Helps bring on rest and sleep, Hops are also
used in healing. Powers: Healing, sleep.
Hyssop
Hyssop is the most widely used purification herb
in magic. It is added to baths in sachets, infused
and sprinkled on objects or persons to cleanse
them, and hung up in the home to purge it of evil
and negativity. Powers: Purification, protection.
Jasmine flowers
Dried Jasmin flowers are added to sachets and
other love mixtures, they attract a spiritual (as
opposed to 'physical') love. If carried, burned or
worn will draw wealth and money. If burned in
the bedroom, will help have prophetic dreams.
Powers: Love, Money, Prophetic dreams.
Lavender buds
Lavender has long been used in love spells and
sachets, The scent of Lavender particularly
attracts men. The flowers/buds are burned or
smouldered to induce sleep and rest, and is
scattered around the house to maintain its
peacefulness. Also added to purification baths.
Powers: Love, protection, sleep, chastity,
longevity, purification, happiness, peace.
Lemongrass
Burn for strength and purification.
Marjoram
Also known as Joy of the mountain and
Mountain mint. Marjoram is used in love spells
and is also added to food to strengthen love.
Carried, it is protective, as it is when placed
around the house, a bit in each room, replaced
every month. It is also used in money mixtures
and sachets. Powers: Protection, Love,
happiness, health, money.
Meadowsweet
Fresh Meadowsweet is placed on the altar for
love spells, and dried it is used in various love
mixtures. Also strewn about the house to keep
peace, the scent of meadowsweet cheers the
heart. Powers: Love, divination, Peace,
Happiness.
Mint
Mint is used in travel spells and to provoke lust.
Its bright green leaves and crisp scent led to its
use in money and prosperity spells. Powers:
Money, Lust, Healing, Travel, Exorcism,
Protection
Oak bark
Carrying any piece of the oak draws good luck.
Powers: Protection, Health, Healing, Fertility,
Luck
Passion flower
Contrary to its name this herb is used to calm
problems, and bring peace.
Rose
Roses have long been used in love mixtures,
petals can be added to love baths, rose is also
used in healing spells, and fast luck mixtures.
Petals sprinkled around the house calm stress
and household upheavals. Powers: Love,
Healing, love divination,Luck, Protection.
Rosemary
This is a powerful cleansing & purifying
vibrations especially prior to performing spells or
magic.
Rue
Also known as herb of Grace. Rue is added to
healing incenses to break hexes and curses that
may have been cast against you. It is protective
and clears negativity.
Sage leaf
Sage is used to promote wisdom, and the
leaves are used in countless healing and money
spells. Protection etc..
Red Sandalwood
Write your wish on a chip of Sandalwood (small
wish!) and burn in the censer or cauldron. As it
burns it sets the magic flowing, remember to
visualise your wish at the same time. Powers:
Protection, wishes, healing, spirituality.
Thyme leaf
Used in healing spells, burnt to attract good
health. Often burned prior to magickal rituals to
cleanse the area. Powers: Health, healing,
sleep, psychic powers, love, purification.
Vervain
A common ingredient in love mixtures,
protective spells, money and prosperity
workings. The dried herb is scattered around the
home as a peace-bringer, and is also worn to
calm the emotions. Powers: Love, protection,
purification, peace, money, youth, chastity,
sleep, healing.
Violet leaves
Said to be a cure for headaches and dizziness.
The leaves worn in a green sachet helps heal
wounds and prevents evil spirits from making
the wounds worse. Powers: Protection, Luck,
Love, Peace, Healing.
Wood betony
Also known as Bishopswort. Betony is added
to purification and protection mixtures and
incenses, and it is traditional on Midsummer to
burn it on a bonfire and jump through the smoke
to purify the body of ills and evil. Powers:
Protection, Purification and Love.
picture - Susan Seddon-Boulet