Anybody have any directions for it?

I have White Sage (I think that's it's name) - It grows tall and silver colored. I read that it is the plant Native Americans use to make a smudge stick, but I have no idea how.

thanks,
ellen

Basically you grab some of the leaves, wrap them together and bind them with some string. Then dry in a nice arid place (basement for me). Thanks for reminding me about those things. I have some sage, but haven't figured out what to use it for...

The stick was dipped in Tallow in the old days. I would think either Paraffin wax, beeswax, or the stuff used for tiki torches would Kindle the flame.

Tallow burns with a lot more smoke than paraffin or beeswax, so would be ideal for a smudge stick.

I have bought these from a place called Garys living drums. They were made of sage mixed with lavender sticks and dipped into a wax. They smelled great. I also got the smudging feather made of wild turkey feathers. I would make my own but I do not have any luck growing lavender here. I did find a site www.earthcirclesminnesota.com you might see something there to give you ideas. Good Luck!

People & places are smoked with white sage or sweet grass to dispel evil.

Many years ago when I used to come home very late/early and somewhat, shall we say lit(?) I sensed more than heard something land above me in the maple tree. I looked up and sitting there looking at me was a huge, beautiful Great Horned Owl. Now, I have read and heard that in some Native American cultures Owl is the story teller, and welcomed, and in some other cultures Owl only brings Very Bad News. I stood for a time looking at the owl, and eventually asked in a low voice, "What is it?" The owl said nothing. After all I couldn't really expect it to speak English, could I? It was, an owl, not some geezer pal of mine who likes to talk about his ailments. I digress. Anyway,

The very next day, by chance, I ran into my old classmate who is Native American (don't know what tribe I guess). I told him the tale and he got quiet and looked at me with concern. The very next day he brought me a sage smudge stick and gave me instructions about how to use it. I was very touched by his impulse to help me and keep me safe, but I was very taken by this ritual object he had made. I wanted to keep it for its own sake. So I took some Lavender I had hanging around, bound it into a stick, and followed my friend's instructions. Lavender has anti-biotic properties, and I have some Celtic heritage, so I thought it would do just as well as white sage for me.

Pass the lit smudge stick around the body of subject, and pass the smoke over all the doorways and windows of the subject home or building, all the time being mindful or prayerful of protecting the subject from evil and harm.

As long as your lungs are healthy, can't hurt!

jo

Whether we believe the lore behind the thought or not, we should all have such concerned friends as you.
I am going to plant these two plants to make some for myself. The decoration aspect & the smell are reason enough.

As someone said, dry the plant, cut into even lengths about 8", wrap in a bundle about 2" in diameter. It is a sacred plant in all indian nations that I'm familiar with.

redfox

bump

Hi people, I read this forum with interest Thank you. If you are unable to make a smudge stick / bundle, then you can also roll a some in the palm of your hand while telling the sage what you want from its sacred smoke i.e healing, protection, etc then place the sage in a Abalone shell or suitable small dish ( sage burns very hot so hold the shell or dish at the side edge) light it,you can gently blow it to build the smoke. If you are smudging someone start at their feet and in a clock wise direction move up the side of their body to the head but not over the head, repeat at the other side, then do the back of them again start at the feet, go around to the front and from their feet go up the front of their body,then place the shell or dish between their legs and watch the smoke it will swirl off to indicate a healing is needed or if all is well the smoke will go straight up. waffed the smoke with either your hand towards the person or whatever you smudge,or a feather is good for this. You can use the same method to cleanse your home, you obviously need to top up the sage in the bowl but try to add fresh sage on near burnt out sage and gently blow to get the burning going. I find this a much better way to smudge as there are no droppings from the bowl where-as from a bundle you get ember drops. I hope this helps. Swan

What IS a smudge stick?

Around here... folks make Smudge sticks from Mullen.. But the dried Mullen spikes are supposed to be dipped in Tallow to make a Smudge stick.

Did you folks know that Mullen leaves were placed in shoes to cover/insulate shoes during the depression to cover holes?

I did... Did you know, it was once thought that carrying any part of the mullein plant on you would ward off sickness, evil, and ill will and bring good luck as well?

yes... I had heard this legend.. All of you Witches of wherever.. Aren't SMudge sticks supposed to be used in Halloween ritucals, or at least burned to welcome the dead?

I know I didn't do anything,except miss my DAD so much in 1988.. when he gave me a sign he had not passed... A piano piece he loved to have me play, that I had not been able to find before he died.. mysteriously appeared on the Halloween night after he died.. It was lying face up by the Piano that he had made sure I got moved into my house before he died... So on Halloween, Oct 31, 1988, I played "Stars and STipes Forever" It has remained as my favorite piece to play..

My "Wicken Family" once removed by Baptists" has inspired me so much... Granny believed in "Signs" like Moon signs and Daddy belived in "Signs" like those Prodigy Signs, Does anyone have recorded "Signs" regarding a double sized/twin bareing vine meaning a forecast of a futute birth? When I was pregnant with my DD, Daddy got a "double Zucchini" and stated, "Well, I guess Mom was right,, if you get a double friut,,, You are going to get an addition to your family, ususally a baby.."