Sage

[moonmagick4]

Does anyone have any opinions as to which kind of sage to grow for making smudge wands?Or can you use any kind?I personally don't think it would matter,but maybe I am wrong.Also,does anyone have good directions for making them?Thanks!!Any advice would be great!!!

[Kaylara]

I would say, white sage is what is most commonly used for smudging wands. I wrote an article on smudging for the newsletter, so as soon as it comes out, you can check some of the reference sites that I listed. :)

Hope this helps a bit.

Kaylara

[moonmagick4]

Thank you!!!

[Silver Venus]

I'm really interested too in recipes and tips ~ thanks for starting this Moonmagick! and thanks for the info Kaylara!
I love Smudge sticks and have always wondered about how to make them.. I love Sage and Lavendar ones!!

[Hestia]

I've also read that sweetgrass can be used for smudging and that it has a pretty scent when burned. I haven't tried it yet but just located some this weekend and might give it a try.

[Lavender]

I think the sage used in smudge sticks is the prairie sage or sage brush (Artemisia tridentata). That's a different sage than the regular sage we use in cooking (Salvia officinalis) or any of its variations. Does regular sage works as well?

I've used sweet grass. I just braided the grasses together & tied them at the ends. I'm not sure how dry they have to be...they didn't smolder very well.

[Silver Venus]

Ta darl!
I'll be on the look out for prairie sage or sage brush and Sweet Grass from now on too! Ive just moved into a new house and would be brill to make and then burn my own Smudge stick for my cleansing/blessing ritual which I plan for the New Moon!
Thanks for the great info :D

Just an idea ~ It may be really nice to right a wish/message/prayer to your goddess or god to put in the centre of the smudge stick! and maybe chose the string you bind it with to be a certain colour of the sabbat, wish or emotions you are feeling :)

[Lavender]

Originally posted by Silver Venus

Just an idea ~ It may be really nice to right a wish/message/prayer to your goddess or god to put in the centre of the smudge stick! and maybe chose the string you bind it with to be a certain colour of the sabbat, wish or emotions you are feeling :)

That's what I was thinking too. I've been asking around to find out if it makes a difference how you tie the sticks...y'know, if there are any meanings to knots & such but haven't found any answers yet. :)

[Silver Venus]

Great I'd love to find out more too!
I'm no expert of knots but Id say that tie as many knots around as you feel right for the purpose but make it clear in your mind how many before you start ~ maybe your lucky number, or maybe the date of the day, or maybe your age...

You can also work out what you are going to be saying or concentrating on while you bind the sage.. so for each wish/affirmation/chant tie a knot!!

:D

[Lavender]

Thanks to you guys, I found out something new (for me anyway) today...white sage is also used for smudge sticks & that's different from the regular garden sage. White sage loves hot dry climates & have a different scent when burned. Even though white sage & prairie sage are similar in looks, the properties & characters are different. Love learning new stuff! :)

I have a favourite knot that I use all the time. I found it in a knot book. It's called the success knot or "a wish fulfilled". It's got a equal arm cross on one side & a square on the other. Really simple to do & I love the meaning of it. When I use it to tie any of my workings, it feels like the knot completes the spell...success or the wish fulfilled.

[moonmagick4]

I know white sage is the "preferred" one to use,but I wanted to know if you could use ANY sage or even any herb.I personally don't see why not.I would LOVE to make lavender smudge wands or lemon grass!!!

[Yvonne Belisle]

I haven't tried doing any yet. Thank-you for the great info and ideas.

[BearDancing]

I am a newbie here. I have only used the wild sage as it grows like crazy around here.

I am just sharing some of what I know about the qualities and gifts that sage and sweetgrass have to share with us.

I am sure that you could use anything to smudge with as long as you know the specific quality and gifts that that plant has to share with all. ( this would ensure that you are smudging with the right plant for the effects that you are looking for. ) The same as crystals, all plants have a gift to share as well.


Sage - dispels negative energies and is cleansing
Sweetgrass - helps you maintain positive balance and returns you to the sweetness and beauty of life
Cedar - Purification
Tobacco - to become one with that which we offer it to


Know the qualities of the substance that you are going to use. Know and honor that they have come to bear fruit for your spirit and all that use them with honor. We can learn a lot from plants animals and minerals, they just ARE because they are in total harmony with the creator. They allow the universe to flow through them to bring them to their highest good, it is Man who has struggles being all they can be.

Love and Respect..........FairieSpirit

[Hestia]

Merry Meet and welcome to the community FaerieSpirit. Thank you for sharing that information. I am just beginning to learn about sweetgrass and your post was very helpful!

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by FairieSpirit
The same as crystals, all plants have a gift to share as well.


:D Merry Meet FairieSpirit!! Thanks so much for that brill info ~ I have just began learning all about herbs and plants this year and the reason I have been so interested and happy about herbs is just what you said ~ I totally love how they are all so different in there gifts and there beauty!
I love Crystals too aswell as Aromatherapy Oils ~ Nature is truely amazing :heartthro

[moonmagick4]

Thanks for the info FairieSpirit!!!!

[Celtic_Angel]

The Native Americans around here use the long leaf white sage that grows here.

[bluecat]

I think the kind that is best is called long leaf white ... sounds like something else though ...