Using sage to clean up the air...?

Question

Ritually speaking do you always burn it? I know that typically you "smudge" something to clean up an area of negative energy. But I was hoping to do this some other way, perhaps as a simmer on the stove or in the bathtub.

If so, can you use just any old sage that you would grow or eat?

The reason I ask, is that I live in a smallish place that doesn't have all these weird ooky things, some folks here are actually scared of native rituals like smudging. SOOO I can't find the smudge sticks. Plus I recently quit smoking and all kinds of smoke bug me now.

Was hoping I would get some good chi by sitting in a plain bath with some sage leaves thrown in...with the bathroom open and let the smell get all through the house.

Answer 1

If you're going to use sage in the bath I would use fresh sage (these days you can get that at most super-markets or throw some plants in the back yard) and break the 'spine' of the leaves in order to more easily release the oils in them.

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't use this method in the bath or anywhere else if you've got an aversion to smoke.

Blessings,
Zimmi

Answer 2

white sage is best, it is stronger. but regular sage has the same properties.

it can be burnt or made into a tea to drink (taste's horrible)
or it will work well in a ritual bath. i would use fresh leaves in a bath though, easier for the water to release the scent from a fresh leaf.

you can buy the smudge sticks online, or you can buy bulk white sage (i think that it burns much better when not bound like the smudge sticks are)

anything that you do with the intent of removing negative energy from your life will help.

magic is in the intent of the user.

Answer 3

Chris J and Zimmi have the right idea. It's your ceremony, you assign the power to whatever
symbols and actions serve you most. It's YOUR psychological 'air' that is being cleansed.


-----personally, I love just a hint of burning white sage in the air. One time I burned an entire wand and the neighbors called the police and told them I was smoking weed!