Circle of Friends Smudge Stick (6.5 Inches Approx)

Smudge Stick Contains: White Sage, Blue Sage, Copal, Flat Cedar and Sweetgrass

Smudging is a ceremony used to clear away negative energies and to attract ones that are more positive. Native Americans have traditionally used many herbs for this purpose, each one having a different effect on the aura and inner being. You may burn a smudge stick directly from the end (extinguish carefully afterwards), or break off fragments to burn in a container such as a shell. When smudging, try to feel connected with a power greater than yourself. You may say prayers while using a feather, or simply the palm of your hand, to brush the smoke over you.

Smudge sticks can be used for cleansing of the aura, for example before meditation or prayer, or they quite often these days used by body workers and therapists. They can also be used for cleansing a house or dwelling and are often used in this way in Feng Shui.

They Say:
White Sage - Protection 
Blue Sage - Cleansing of Negativity 
Copal - Peace & Purification
Flat Cedar - Blessing & Offering 
Sweet Grass - Balance and Harmony

How do I use my Smudge Stick?
Firstly, light your smudge stick or loose leaves if you have chosen to break off fragments of your smudge stick into a container. Wait a moment, then blow out the flames. Try to fan the embers lightly to keep them smoldering (you may have to re-light your stick). You can then use the smoke to cleanse a person, property or spaces - you can use a shell or a heat resistant container to catch the ashes.

Size: Approximately 6.5 inches in length (170 cms)

Country of Origin: Hotchkiss, Colorado (Please note that the packaging currently reads 'Mountain Valley Sage' rather than 'Fluorescent Ranch' as shown in the image

More About White Sage
The home of Californian white sage (Salvia Alpine), a scrub plant with spiky flowers, is along the sun-washed coastline of Southern California.  Sage is a cleansing and purifying herb and can be used to help break up feelings of negativity. Traditionally, it's regarded as being able to open people up and bring about the ability to have a greater connection with the sacred world. Its properties make it ideal for use in cleansing and clearing ceremonies of people, places and objects, as well as for meditation or prayer. People wanting to build a closer spiritual connection may also benefit from burning or carrying the herb.

More About Blue Sage
Sage, which cleanses and disperses negative energies, is sometimes called the 'ear opener' because it opens up our inner ears, allowing us to become more in tune with the sacredness of the world around us. Sage can be used before meditation, prayer or ceremony or any time you wish to clear your aura. It can also be burnt to cleanse your house, and is frequently used in Feng Shui for space clearing.

More About Copal
The Copal Tree is originally believed to have grown in Mexico, but now it can be found in a range of places, including western Africa, India, Central and Southern America. It's the resin that's considered most precious and in ancient times it was even more so if it came from trees that had been hit by lightning. The Mayans regarded copal resin as extremely sacred, only daring touch it on their altars with special instruments, not their bare hands.

More About Cedar
In Native American tradition the smoke of cedar is used to carry prayers to the creator. It is used to bridge the gap between heaven and earth. It also seems that the cedar tree has connections with power and the sun through many varying traditions such as Sumerian legend, Cabalistic lore and Eqyptian mythology. It is often associated with breaking the misuse of power or powerful forces that may be having a negative influence. This does connect further with Native American tradition where the burning of Cedar is used to help banish nightmares and also to release heavy emotional energies such as depression.

More About Sweetgrass
Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) can be found growing in the Plains of the United States, as well as in some areas of Alberta in Canada. It's a distinctive green grass, being tall in stature with wide blades and a reddish tone at its base. 

It's got similar properties to sage, popularly being used as a purifier of places, objects and people to encourage positive energy and dispel old and negative vibes. It was often used in Native American sweat lodge ceremonies, where the sweet scented herb was sprinkled onto the hot rocks to improve the energy inside the lodge and fill the air with a sweet aroma. 

Traditionally it was plaited into long braids - ideal for using during cleansing, prayer and smudging - and is still often found sold like that today. Belief has it that when sweetgrass is burned, a prayer is sent to heaven on the smoke. It's properties make it ideal for using in quiet moments of contemplation, as well as when wanting to create an air of purification.

Packaging: These are sealed in a small plastic bag