Incense

White sage

White sage (Salvia Apiana) is a plant coming from the high desert ecosystems and grows predominantly in California and in the mountainous west. For hundreds of years, white sage is considered a holy, cleansing, purifying and protective plant. The leaves of the sage plant are whitish green, and when you rub the fresh leaves between your thumb and forefinger, a refreshing, cleansing scent is released. Native Americans began the tradition of using sage to ward off evil spirits and negative energies, and white sage is used in ceremonies to seek blessings of health and prosperity, to banish spirits, and to encourage protection. Sage can strengthen any opening and protective techniques that you already use.

How is white sage used?

Most people choose to burn sage, you can do this with the aid of an earthenware bowl or an Abalone shell.

Sage Smudging is a ritual in which the leaves of the sage plant are burned and the smoke is directed in and on areas that need to be cleaned and protected. The idea is that if the leaves are burnt, and you express gratitude for the help, the sage releases its energy of protection and space, or on and around the object that needs to be cleaned up.

As the smoke moves through a space or over a surface, the smoke attaches itself to any heavy, negative energy that is in the space, the object or the being. As the smoke clears, the smoke white sage carries with it the negative energy that was once connected, back to the spiritual light. This heavy energy is then released, so that it can regenerate into something positive.

You can perform this smudge ritual on everything or anyone who needs a clean-up. You can use white sage to clean a room, a building or your home. White sage can help you release energies and thought forms from yourself or another that you no longer serve. You can ask sage to help you clean unknown energies of a gem stone, or an object that you have received as a gift.