White sage for fumigation and purification

The tradition of purifying the atmosphere with herbs, resins and dried flowers accompanies all cultures.

White sage incense fumigation is essentially an act of purification. During what is called the "smoke ceremony", we will burn leaves or a stick of white sage incense and impregnate our body, the room we are in, our mind with its smoke. Its smoke is beneficial for discharging places of negative energies, purifying people or events, chasing away the "bad spirit" and attracting beneficial energies.
Traditionally, this maneuver is accompanied by prayers/meditations and helps create an environment conducive to care and healing. This is not surprising when you know that the name sage comes from the Latin "salvare" which means "to heal".

In the alchemical process of transformation of fumigation, the four elements are represented: the shell symbolizes water, the match that lights the incense is fire, the herbs and ash are earth and finally the smoke, the air element.

Over time, research has been able to explain some of the effects of smoke. For example, that smell is the only sense that never sleeps and is linked to emotions. Furthermore, it has been proven that an accumulation of positive ions in the air is harmful to health. In smoke, negative ions are produced, which have a beneficial effect on our mood, and alleviate certain conditions that develop in an environment where the air quality is poor (asthma, allergies, nausea, headaches, etc.).

Sometimes, white sage leaves are simply spread on the ground inside tipis or in ritual circles. Walking or sitting on them releases a pleasant odor and ensures the purification of the place. This latter process is found in the rites of the Sioux Indians in particular.

White sage is used in different forms: in leaves, loose, in branches or in sticks ("smudge" in English). For other uses, there are perfume oils, sticks or incense cones.

HOW TO BURN CALIFORNIA NATIVE AMERICAN WHITE SAGE?

Here are all the steps and tips for a successful smoke ceremony.

Step 1: Obtain some Native American white sage from California and a receptacle such as an abalone shell, bowl, or other heat-resistant container. Place on a non-flammable surface. Abalone shell is widely used because its shape allows for good heat resistance and natural ventilation. It was traditionally associated with a strong symbolism of the goddess of the Pacific Ocean.

Step 2: Light your sage, preferably with a match. Let your leaves burn for a few seconds and blow out the flame. Be careful, white sage burned in leaves will fly away quite easily. If you are using a smudge stick (which is denser), let it burn a little longer before blowing it out.

Step 3: White sage should be used in a well-ventilated area. Indoors, it is advisable to open one or more windows to create a draft. This allows the evacuation of excess smoke and the famous positive ions or "bad spirits" with it. Then simply walk through each room and guide the smoke into all the corners as you pass. After a few minutes, you should feel the energy changes.

Step 4 : Wait for the stick to burn completely. Native American belief is that white sage incense should continue to burn until the purification is complete.

Step 5: If you really want to extinguish your stick while it is burning, simply smother it with sand, crush it in its ashes, or run the end directly under water.