Smudge sticks were used by Native American peoples for spiritual purposes for many centuries before the arrival of other peoples on this continent. We have learned much from them, but it’s important to create our own earth-magic. White Sage is a sacred plant to the Native Peoples, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s sacred to us. Instead, we should consider what plants in our environments we feel a personal connection to and honor those. Sturdy, fragrant herbs like rosemary, lavender, garden sage, sagebrush, and mugwort make particularly lovely smudge sticks. Their pungent scent also reminds me of the beauty of those dusk walks when the world seems to come into such perfect clarity. What plants feel special to you?
A simple smudge stick can be dressed up with the addition of brightly-colored flowers and string. Goldenrod, ornamental colored yarrows, calendula, amaranth, and cockscombs are all great additions. You can even add rose petals, if you have any roses still blooming in your area. These herbs and flowers come together to form a ceremonial tool that is as beautiful as it is meaningful.
The perils of barefoot wanderings can be seen on my right foot.
Smudge sticks are perfect for periods of transition or purification, such as moving in to a new house or making a major life decision. They make great housewarming gifts to friends whose lives are changing. As you get used to the smell of your landscape, the familiarity of the herbs in your smudge stick can be used to make any space feel more like home. I’ve already written a long post on wildcrafted smudge sticks and the sacredness of smoke, plants, and intention that gives an overview of how purifying smoke can be used in many contexts. These particular colorful summery smudge sticks will bring great comfort in the depths of winter, I am sure.
Let the process of making your own smudge sticks be an exercise in staying present, in honoring the landscape you are translating into a sacred tool. Let yourself wander gently through the summertime dusk and notice the details of a magical world. Lose yourself in the process.
To Make A Smudge Stick:
You’ll need:
a handful of herbs you feel connected to (see suggestions above)
colorful flowers or petals to add
cotton string or colored embroidery floss
scissors
Directions:
1 Gather all of your plant material up in a tight cluster, with all of the stems oriented at the bottom. Try to make sure the cluster is evenly filled; if you have some small stems sticking up above the bulk of the material, tuck them down to be even with the rest.
2 Tie the string around the base of your cluster of plant material, right below where all of the leaves begin so it is just around the stem. Leave a 2” piece of string on one side, and a much longer (about 2 feet) length on the other.
3 Holding the botanical cluster in one hand, use the other to tightly wind the string up around it. As you wind, you can add in flowers, petals, or small springs of colorful foliage. Stop about 1/2” from the top so it doesn’t slip off, then wind it back down tightly, creating a loose criss-cross pattern as you go. Wind it around the base a couple of times, then tie it off the extra string at the end.
4 Trim the ends of the string, then trim the sides and top of your smudge stick (if needed) to create a roughly torpedo shape. Be careful not to cut through the string or any main stems!
5 Trim the bottom of the smudge stick leaving about 1” of the bare stems. Let it dry in the open air, set on a warm surface or hanging from the ceiling.