Clear the air
The ritual of clearing the air with smoke has been around for thousands of years. Aboriginals use smoking ceremonies to cleanse places and people of bad spirits and to promote the wellbeing of their people and guests on Country.*
With mindful intention you can conduct your own smoke clearing ritual to cleanse a physical space, such as a new dwelling or office, or for clearing an emotional space, after the passing of a loved being, the start of a new relationship or to help shift an emotional blockage you have been carrying.
Being open to receive or release can allow the removal of negative energies or welcome positive energies, love and light.
Here’s a simple step-by-step to make your own clearing smoke stick by Maddison Pitt of The Herbiary.
Items needed
- Large fistful of fresh plants of your choice, roughly the same length. These can be from your own garden or found on the ground whilst out and about. Ideally gather these plants with an open heart and an intention in mind
- Natural fibre ie: thin cord; hemp or cotton
- Pair of sharp scissors
Step 1
Breathe in your intention. Why are you creating this bundle?
Stack your plants any way you like. If you would like to show more of the flowers or any particular plant, place these directly on the bottom or on the top. The amount of plants used should roughly equal a tightly squeezed fistful.
Step 2
Gather the plants tightly and with your cord, tie a rough knot 3-4 cm from the top of the bundle. Now wind this cord tightly all the way down, leaving approximately 3-4 cm from the bottom. Wind back to the top, then back to the bottom, maintaining tension in the cord. Now tie off another knot tightly, leaving a tail cord approximately 10-30 cm in length.
The tightness of the cord is important because as the plant dries it will shrink slightly. Be careful, however, not to tie it too tightly as you will snap the leaves, stems and flowers.
Step 3
Trim off the excess at the ends, approximately 1 cm from the cord. Avoid cutting the cord as it will all unravel. Tidy the rest of the bundle and ends, trimming any excess plants poking out or that may have snapped during the process.
Step 4
Use the tail cord to hang your bundle in a dry place for 2-4 weeks until all plants are dried out. You are now ready to clear your space.
Step 5
Light bundle, leave to burn for a few seconds and extinguish flame with movement or a feather. Use your hand or a feather to move the smoke where needed. Extinguish bundle in a small ceramic dish.
Ideas for plants to use include:
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
- Bay
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Lemongrass
- Thyme
- Tea tree
* https://www.wurundjeri.com.au/services/cultural-practices-for-events/