Smudging sticks have become quite trendy nowadays and are used by a large number of people for various purposes, such as cleaning a space, people, objects, or simply infusing a home with a lovely scent. If you've ever visited your favorite mystical shop, you've probably seen bundles of white sage sticks, sometimes accompanied by palo santo. While these are among the most commonly used, their widespread use can pose issues for the land and communities where they are sourced and cultivated. Indeed, they possess powerful properties, but other plants like rosemary, sweetgrass, and lavender also hold their own unique powers.
If you're interested in delving deeper into the history of smudging sticks, you can find more information here. Additionally, there's an article available discussing white sage and why finding alternatives might be preferable.
Returning to the topic of creating your own smudging sticks, one of the most important questions to consider is:
Which plant(s) material to use for what I would like to achieve?
Beyond the renowned white sage or palo santo, there exists a wide array of choices to fulfill the needs of your ritual. The entire plant kingdom offers various powers, including healing, protection, enhancing psychic abilities, purification, clairvoyance, love, and attracting specific energies. In the chart below, you'll find several plants and their magical purposes*:
(The information compiled below is the result of reading various books and internet articles from across the web. Please note that depending on various factors such as location in the world, tradition, religion, and beliefs, properties can vary.)
| Plants/ spices /fruits |
Magic, energetics properties |
| Acacia |
*Increases beneficial |
|
Musky yarrow Achillea moschata |
*Brings dynamism, courage and strengthens romantic desire *Purification *Disenchantment *Provides great protection *Strengthens the magnetism of our body |
| Yarrow | *It is a hemostatic, so it stops blood flow, as well as energy loss when the skin or aura begins to resemble a sieve. *Courage ; *Love ; *Clairvoyance; *Exorcism |
| Angelic | *Protective *Divinatory arts, premonition, peace and harmony |
| Hawthorn | *Leaves used to increase chastity, fidelity *Brings happiness and joy |
| Benzoin | *Purifier *Amplifies properties of other substances |
| Yellow Sandal Wood | *Amplifies spiritual abilities, spiritual elevation *Aphrodisiac *Powerful help in finding calm and peace and getting to sleep *Astral projection *Healing ritual, love *Protection *Exorcism *Bark brings harmony and serenity |
| Red Sandal Wood | *Protection, healing and exorcism rituals |
| Chamomile | *Attract money *Sleep *Meditative state *Purifying, protective (Roman Chamomile) |
| Cinnamon | *Increases psychic abilities *Increases spiritual vibrations *Brings prosperity *Attract money and success *Mix with Venusian plants it brings love (verbena, damiana) |
| Nasturtium | *Attracts luck in all areas *Repels the unwanted |
| Cardamom | *Promote success for artist *Matter of the heart and ensures happiness *Would allow you to see the face of your loved one in a dream |
| Gorse Flower | *Bring prosperity and health *Healing *Love (longlasting) *Protection |
| White cedar | *Healing *Acquire wisdom |
| Lemon |
*Purifier (astringent properties) *Facilitates contact with subtle planes *Promotes true beauty, gives radiance and shines on others |
| Eucalyptus | *Purification of places (occupied by sick people) *Brings protection, harmony and healing |
| Hibiscus | * Sexual desire * Love * Divination * Attract good spirits * Attract lust and love |
| Bay leaf | *Prophetic trans achievement *Clairvoyance *Wisdom |
| Rosemary | *Healing *Lucidity *Protection *Open hearts to the child part that is in us *Brings happiness, innocence and serenity, purity and delectation *Invigorating |
| Sage | *Healing *Redemption *Chance *Purification *Wisdom *Prosperity |
| Marshmallow | *Protective *Stimulator of psychic powers *Healing *Help with communication *Brings good spirits |
Finding your herbs
Once you've decided on the plants you'd like to use, you can either:
- Seek out a local producer and purchase from them.
- Go foraging (but be cautious of potential chemical exposure). If you're uncertain about your foraging skills, you can utilize apps like Plantsnap or seek assistance from someone knowledgeable.
- If you reside in the countryside, perhaps a neighbor has what you're seeking. It could present a lovely opportunity to connect with fellow nature enthusiasts.
Creating the bundles
Once you have received your plants, follow these steps:
- Separate the sprigs from each other.
- Sort them by size.
- Create a bundle by gathering a few of them together. Remember, it will lose volume as it dries.
- Tie the bundle with a rope.
- Find a place with indirect sunlight, good airflow, and hang them to dry. Allow them to dry for a period of a few days to one or two weeks, depending on the size of your bundles and environmental conditions.
Decorating the smudging stick
Once they are dried, they are ready for the last step. Here's what you'll need: braided rope (optional, it can simply be a ribbon), crystals, dried flowers, etc.
If you choose not to decorate your stick, you can simply tie the rope you used to dry the bundle.
If you'd like to decorate, follow these steps:
- Remove the rope you used to dry the bundle.
- Experiment with different placements for your decorations, and once you're satisfied, set them aside.
- Begin tying the rope from the bottom part of the stick. As you work your way up, add each element you'd like to include. Make sure to tie them securely so they don't fall off.
Below you'll find videos demonstrating the entire process:
Notes:
*The magical properties referenced in the chart aren't limited to the usage of smudging sticks/incenses. They can also be used to make charm bags, for instance.
**Please be aware that when you start burning your smudging stick, certain elements such as crystals will need to be removed before the flame reaches them.
With love,