Cleansing Ritual Instructions
Do these things before starting with step 1:
- For this cleansing ritual, you will need your cleansing tool (palo santo, blue sage, etc..) and a non-flammable bowl (or abalone shell).
- Make sure there are no animals around or people. This will ensure a more sacred ritual and make sure no one around you is affected by the smoke.
- Make sure to open your windows and doors if you are indoors. The negative energy you are removing needs somewhere to go; otherwise it can't change. By opening the windows, the smoke will escape, taking negativity and impurities with it. Likewise, open all doors inside the house, including closet doors. This creates a flow of energy in the space, allowing the blue sage or palo santo to clear those spaces as well.
Step 1: Set your intention.
- Setting an intention as you are beginning the ritual is key to cleansing. For example, you can say “I cleanse myself and this space of all that does not serve me”.
Step 2: Light the cleansing stick.
- Tilt the cleansing stick on a 45 degree angle and then light the end of it. Let it burn for 20 seconds, and then blow out the flame.
- If your cleansing stick is bundled too tightly, it will be difficult to keep it lit. In that case, you can loosen the string that is holding it together and crush the end of it on a non-flammable bowl to give it more breathing room.
- Palo santo is a little more difficult to keep lit, so you might need to light it several times throughout your cleansing ritual.
Step 3: Disperse the smoke throughout all areas.
- Place the burning cleansing stick on your non-flammable bowl so that it collects the ashes as it burns. Hold the shell or bowl in one of your hands as you walk around with it to disperse the smoke.
- Let the smoke cover the object, the air, or your body, depending on what you are smudging.
Step 4: Properly turn off your cleansing stick.
- Press the burning end against the bowl so you can stop the burning.
- Then place the cleansing stick in a dry place away from the sun until you are ready to use it again.
Step 5: Close the ritual.
- Show gratitude to the sage or palo santo for its ability to help you cleanse and purify the object, space, or yourself, depending on what your use was.