Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Claretha Yeager, an acupuncturist, routinely employs smudging, or the burning of sage, to help her patients overcome bad feelings.
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The sage smoke, according to Yeager, a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine as well as a reiki master/teacher, “unburdens individuals of their negative energy and makes them feel better.” âWithin minutes, I watch patients begin to relax and enter a more neutral state,â says Yeager, who practices acupuncture at Jade Path Acupuncture in Chicago.
For ages, Native Americans and other indigenous peoples have used sage in spiritual rituals to purify a person or space, as well as to promote healing and wisdom. It's been used to cure stomach difficulties, memory problems, and sore throats since the ancient Egyptians and Romans. Sage gets its name from the Latin word salvia, which means “to feel healthy.”
Smudging is a practice that has recently gained popularity in different cultures. In April, a young girl lit a sage stick at a makeshift memorial to Nipsey Hussle, the deceased rapper.
How does sage work spiritually?
“Sage, simply put, kills microorganisms in the air.” Sage smoke has a high rate of delivery to the brain and a high rate of absorption in the body. Sage can kill up to 94 percent of airborne bacteria and purify the air, according to scientists. When sage is burned, negative ions are released, which have been associated to improving people's moods. The term heal is derived from the Latin word salvia, which means sage. When sage is burned, it is said to provide wisdom, clarity, and an increase in spiritual awareness.”
What does a sage represent?
Sage represents wisdom in traditional Celtic culture, and eating sage grants immortality in both wisdom and body, the latter of which is presumably linked to sage's multiple medical benefits. Sage is employed as a drying agent in traditional medicine, removing mucous congestion and alleviating night sweats, and its astringent characteristics make it useful in the treatment of wounds and sore throats. The concept that sage extended life was conveyed in the adage “Why should a man die if sage flourishes in his garden?” in the Middle Ages.
What is the meaning of a sage in the Bible?
- Smudging, or burning sage, is an ancient spiritual cleansing rite done by several religious groups and indigenous peoples around the world.
- In the Bible, sage burning is neither recommended nor absolutely condemned, nor is it specifically stated.
- Sage burning is a question of conscience and personal belief for Christians.
When should you Sage your house?
When you move into a new home or office, burning sage is a great way to cleanse the previous owner's energy and set your own intentions for the room. You can, however, sage your home whenever you feel called to, whether you want to reset your energy or just relax for a while. After entertaining or having guests around, it's also a good idea to sage.
“I do it in between patients at my clinic. Instead of smoking in the office, I designed the REMIX Clear Aromatherapy Spray to help cleanse negative energy.” The spray, which is made with sage, rose, and eucalyptus, is a terrific space-purifying option for situations where burning things on fire isn't allowed (like an office). Giselle uses her PC and iPhone as well. “They're in desperate need!”
How to sage your home 101
One end of the wand should be lit. Allow the flame to die out slowly, so that the tops of the dried leaves smolder, and the smoke billows up. You can blow on the end to release additional smoke and fan the smolder, but keep your face at least two feet away because little ash sparks are common, and you don't want them flying into your face.
Begin to move around your space and through the various rooms with your goal in mind. Starting in one corner and “pushing” energy toward the door might be a helpful technique to get rid of negative energy. Wafting in corners and near mirrors, as well as high-traffic areas like hallways and doorways, should be avoided. Pay special care to windows.
You can be expressive with your waving here, but always keep in mind that you're holding a flaming thing. Also, keep an eye out for any dropped ashes and dispose of them as soon as possible. As you proceed, catch the ashes in an abalone shell or another fireproof dish.
What is the sage prayer?
- Open the windows and drapes to allow stored negative energy to escape and fresh air to enter.
- Say a prayer or simply focus your energy while lighting the smudge stick. Wave the stick around gently until it starts to smolder.
- To disperse the smoke, wave your hands. Throughout your smudging session, remind yourself to stay connected to your breathing and to think only happy thoughts.
- Smudge every room's corners, as they tend to collect sluggish energy. Make sure to smear the inside of the closet doors as well. I don't always remember, but they say it's crucial not to overlook areas like the laundry room, garage, or basement.
A Smudging Prayer
I generally pray the Hail Mary and the Our Father because I am a Catholic, but I have discovered the smudging prayer below.
I remind myself that burning incense is a metaphor of prayer, and the smoke is rising to heaven, much as a priest blesses a church with aromatics like frankincense and myrrh.
May your throat be cleansed so that you can speak correctly when the time comes.
May your eyes be cleared so that you can see the world's signs and wonders.
May the smoke of these aromatic plants cleanse this person and space.
What healing properties does sage have?
Sage is high in vitamins A and C, as well as a number of other antioxidants that assist to lower the risk of major illnesses including cancer. Vitamin K, which helps the body coagulate blood, is also abundant in it. Sage delivers a lot of nourishment without a lot of calories because it's normally taken in little doses.
When ingested in regular circumstances, sage appears to have no negative side effects.
Thujone, a chemical found in common sage but not Spanish sage, has been proven in animal studies to be harmful to the brain at high dosages.
Toxic effects can occur if you drink too much sage tea or use too much sage essential oil. To be safe, avoid consuming any essential oil and limit yourself to 3-6 cups of sage tea each day.
Why is sage sacred?
Tobacco is the first plant that the Creator provided to the people of the First Nations. It is the primary catalyst for the activation of all plant spirits. Tobacco is followed by sage, cedar, and sweetgrass, which are together known as the Four Sacred Medicines. The Four Sacred Medicines are used in daily life as well as in rituals. They can all be used to smudge, but sage, cedar, and sweetgrass have a variety of other purposes. Tobacco grows in the eastern door, sweetgrass grows in the southern door, sage grows in the western door, and cedar grows in the northern door, according to legend. The perfume generated when we burn tobacco and other sacred medicines, according to the elders, is pleasing to the spirits. Tobacco, according to folklore, is usually first. It is utilized in every ceremony and as an offering for everything. As the phrase goes, “always through tobacco.”
We were given traditional tobacco so that we might converse with the spirit realm. It makes it possible for such conversation to take place. When we make a tobacco offering, we use the tobacco to express our thoughts and feelings as we pray for ourselves, our family, relatives, and others. Tobacco is thought to be the major stimulator of all plant spirits, and it has a specific interaction with other plants. It's similar to the ignition key in an automobile. Everything starts to happen when you use it. Before taking up prescriptions, tobacco is always given. When you give a plant tobacco and explain why you're there, it will tell all the other plants in the area that you're going to pick them. When you approach an Elder, Healer, or Medicine Person with a tobacco offering, they are aware that a request may be made because tobacco is so sacred. Through our tobacco offering, we convey our gratitude to the spirits for their assistance. After a fast, it is written as a thank you to the First Family and the natural environment. Every day when the sun rises, traditional folks make a tobacco offering. In some areas, traditional tobacco is still grown. The Mohawk people, for example, utilize traditional tobacco that they grow themselves and consider sacred.
Sage is a herb that is used to help people prepare for ceremonies and instruction. It is more commonly utilized in ceremonies than sweetgrass since it is more therapeutic and powerful. Sage is used to clear the mind of anything that is bothering it, as well as to remove negative energy. It's also used to purify sacred objects and dwellings. It can also be used for various therapeutic purposes. There are two types of sage: male and female. Women employ the female sage.
Sweetgrass is utilized in rituals such as prayer, smudging, and purification. Typically, it is braided, dried, and burned. It's frequently burned before the start of a prayer or ceremony to bring positive energy into the room.
Cedar, like sage and sweetgrass, is used to cleanse the home. It can also be used for a variety of therapeutic purposes. Cedar baths provide a calming effect. Cedar crackles when placed in a fire with tobacco. When it does this, it is drawing the spirits' attention to the offering being made. Cedar is employed as a sort of protection in fasting and sweat lodge ceremonies: cedar branches cover the sweat lodge floor, and a cedar circle surrounds the faster's lodge.
What does God say about burning incense?
The sacred incense used in the desert Tabernacle was produced from expensive materials donated by the congregation (Exodus 25:1, 2, 6; 35:4, 5, 8, 27-29). The following is a recipe from the Book of Exodus:
And the LORD said to Moses, Take sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense; the weight of each shall be equal: And you must turn it into a perfume, a confection made according to the apothecary's technique, mixed together, pure and holy: Andyoushall beat some of it very small, and place it in front of the testimony in the congregation's tabernacle, where I will meet with you: it must be most holy to you. And as for the perfume you will create, you shall not make it for yourself according to its composition; it must be holy to you for the LORD. Whoever takes a liking to it and enjoys the fragrance of it will be cut off from his people. 30:34-38; 37:29. -Exodus 30:34-38; 37:29.
The incense altar was positioned at the end of the Holy compartment of the tabernacle, adjacent to the curtain separating it from the Most Holy (Exodus 30:1; 37:25; 40:5, 26, 27). A comparable incense altar was also found in Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, according to the Books of Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:18 and 2 Chronicles 2:4). Sacred incense was burned every morning and evening (Ex 30:7, 8; 2 Chronicles 13:11). On the Day of Atonement, coals from the altar were taken into the Holy of Holies in a censer, or fire container, along with two handfuls of incense, and the incense was caused to smoke before the mercy seat of the ark of the witness (Leviticus 16:12-13).
The book of Exodus cites four different types of incense, but the Talmud adds seven more from the oral Torah. The four elements from the book of Exodus are as follows:
The components are currently under investigation and cannot be established with certainty. Stacte is an extract of the transparent component of myrrh resin that flows spontaneously from the tree, or a balsam from a tree such as opobalsamum or styrax. Onycha, which means “nail” in Greek, is variously described as the operculum from a Red Sea shell (which are said to resemble a fingernail), the exudation from the rock rose bush called labdanum (both petals and markings that are said to resemble a fingernail), Styrax benzoin, bdellium, or even cloves. Ferula galbaniflua is the most common name for galbanum. A milder form from the Levant, or even a near relative of Ferula galbaniflua known as narthex, is also being examined (or giant fennel). Pure frankincense is made from the resin of a boswellia tree.
How do I Sage my house?
If you're smearing yourself, your home, or an object, follow these instructions. Any of these can be smudged as much as you want.
- Using a match, light the end of a sage bundle. If it catches fire, instantly extinguish it.
- The leaves' tips should gently smolder, generating dense smoke. With one hand, direct the smoke over your body and space while holding the bundle in the other.
- Allow the incense to remain on the parts of your body or environment that you want to concentrate on. It's also possible to direct the smoke with a fan or feather, however this isn't required.
Smudge your home or living space
Direct sage smoke over all surfaces and places in your home or living area in this case. Make an effort to be comprehensive.
Working in a clockwise direction around your home, ending back where you started, is recommended by some, especially for spiritual reasons. Others advise going in the opposite direction.
Smudge an object
To shield or eliminate negative energy from a new item, such as jewelry, furniture, or clothing, this can be done. Items associated with unpleasant memories or experiences may also be smeared.
Some people burn sage over sacred things to honor the object's sacred significance.