Smudging is the common name of a powerful spiritual cleansing technique from the Native American tradition. Sage is very commonly used for smudging. Smudging is also a very common spiritual cleansing and purification ritual used by numerous religious, healing, and spiritual traditions.  Smudging is effective on the energy, emotional, psychic, and spiritual levels.  It is a way to cleanse a person, yourself, your home (or other places) , your automobile, or objects of negative energies or influences.  It is believed that the smudging smoke attaches to the negative energy and as the smoke drifts away it carries the negative energy with it to another space to be transformed into positive energy.  There are many smudging herbs that are used for smudging.  Various forms of sage are very commonly used.  Sweetgrass, cedar, juniper, lavender, and many other smudging herbs are also used.

Smudging is a very simple practice and because it is done with intention and belief it becomes a very powerful ritual.  Ponder your intention prior to smudging and hold it clearly in your mind.  You can also call upon the spirit of the smudging herb you are using as well as your helper spirits or diety to assist you with your intention.  Light your smudge and when it burns down to a smoldering stage (smoking) you can bath yourself and/or your items in the smoke.  You can also spread the smoke around the room, your home or other place to clear the energy.  Many people use a special feather to fan the smoke over themselves or around the space they are cleansing.