How do I perform a smudging ritual? can I use frankincense and myrrh instead of sage?

can I burn both frankincense and myrrh at the same time?



thanks blessed be

How do I perform a smudging ritual? can I use frankincense and myrrh instead of sage?
Smudging rituals are very individual unless you belong to a religion that has prescribed something. Smudging is a very old practice in Appalachian folk magics, as well as American Indians and others. In Appalachia, it's traditional for the oldest child to carry the smudge, starting from the front of the house and working to the back door (to chase all the impurities and evils outside). A prayer would be used in this type of "magic" as many Appalachian witches ARE Christian (yes, it's true). Other religions would probably use their own chants and/or prayers. And yes, you can make your smudge of anything that means something to you. (I've used sage mostly.) Oh, and in the Appalachian practice, the smudge is quite frequently made to resemble a small broom and used in that manner -- sweeping out the bad and making way for the good.
Reply:You can always buy sage at the supermarket, ground it up, and burn it as incense.



But I suppose that all incense has some degree of purification quality.
Reply:no you cannot
Reply:i use sandalwood a lot.



i think that you can use anything that feels right to you. is there a reason why you chose these two things? if you are being drawn to them then that is what you should use.



bright blessings to you



edit

if you are trying to get rid of neg. energy and would like a simple ritual to do it e-mail me and i will send it to you.



edit2

i have to agree with Suzanne L, VT

why so harsh...when did we become so rigid? isn't one of the reasons most of us became pagan is so we could find something that touched us, and to escape from rigidly controlled dogma of most organised religions? where is your joy?



goddess hold you.
Reply:Don't know for sure, but I'd stick with tradition--sage. Yes, you need sage. They are readily available to order on the web. I think I'll get some, too. I am looking at ways to surrender, and I think this might be good for me to use as a symbol. Thanks.
Reply:Speaking as a Wiccan, I'd say you can perform a purification rite using frankincense smoke; myrrh is generally less associated with purification, at least in a Wiccan context. But a smudging ritual is a specifically Native American practice, isn't it? In which case, you should stick the the culturally appropriate substance.
Reply:Smudging is a Native American ritual.



If you don't know how to perform it, you shouldn't try to perform it, it's not your culture. If it is your culture, then you should have the resources to find this out within your community.



From the blessed be, I would assume you are Wiccan.



You should not assume that being Wiccan allows you to rip off the parts of other people's religious beliefs that you like without taking on the whole aspect. Being eclectic does not give you license to be unethical and many, many Native Americans have turned against New Agers and Wiccans for this specific reason.



Edit:

You're not Wiccan, so you steal from two sources simultaneously?!?!?



Blessed Be = Wiccan greeting
Reply:As I resonate with Native American spirituality, I generally stick with white sage and sweetgrass, but it truly is all about the intention.



Each herb carries a different vibration, so I would suggest you research them a little more.



I don't see why you should not incorporate them into your personal ritual.



A simple smudging ritual for a person, is to start with the left foot, move smudge up the body passing over each chakra, then down the right side. You may want to do this in front and then in back.



To smudge a space, start with the entrance door, and go around the house or room in a clockwise direction, being sure to smudge all doorways, windows and closet spaces thoroughly.



As you smudge, you may say prayers for protection or clearing. Visualize pure white light filling the space. Ask any negative energies to be cleansed and removed.



Phoenix M: Why so harsh? There is nothing wrong with having a personal belief system that uses the elements of different faiths and systems as long as you don't try to invent stuff and pass it off as "Native American" or whatever, especially if you are teaching it to others and making money off it. But for personal practice, why not? The future of human spirituality recognizes the inherent worth in all traditions and eschews dogma.

Blessings...
Reply:whats a smudging rituial
Reply:sorry i wouldnt no :(
Reply:I doubt it will damn you or anything to burn those things together. As far as I can acertain, there is no horendous chemical combination of the two that will render you blind or something.



But all rituals can be performed, essentially, with any fragrance. We choose sage for its clean sent and clean burn but the wonderful thing about the pagan ritual system is that we are encouraged to figure out what has the most meaning and, therefore, the most power for us as individuals.



The pagan faiths are not designed to box people into prescribed paths but to open the soul to as many different forms of expression so we can find and perfect our selves. Becoming the most "you" you can be is the most important thing. The gods/nature had a hand in making you and maximizing your uniqueness and sense of self is the best form of worship.



BB
Reply:asI read you need to make a burn stick from all herbs..



There are many ways to smudge and a variety of different herbs may be used. When the herbs used for smudging are tied into a bundle and allowed to dry they are called a "smudge stick". In traditional societies the herbs used for smudging are considered sacred and the smudge stick is treated with great respect. The particular plant allies we call on in our smudge sticks are Mugwort and Lavender. The Mugwort stimulates psychic awareness and acts a strong cleanser of negative energies, while the Lavender restores balance, creates a peaceful atmosphere and attracts loving energy.
Reply:White sage.
Reply:there arnt that many wiccans on yahoo answers, look on google.
Reply:No.
Reply:If you can't find frankincense or myrrh or sage something else works just as well.

Go to Home Depot and get a three foot steel rod one quarter inch in diameter, heat it up with the oxy-aceteline torches in the garage until it is red hot the then apply the cherry red end to your forehead one inch above and between your eyebrows. That should do some smudging.
Reply:Wow.............