10 Steps To Smudging by Jess

Step One

tje827206 — 2025-01-03 15:56:18 UTC

Firstly, in order to begin you must have all the materials needed to do the smudging ceremony. Some of these materials include an abalone shell (this material can be replaced with a ceramic, stone, brass, copper, or cast-iron bowl/pan. This will be used to put the medicine in.), one of the four sacred medicines (sage, sweetgrass, cedar, tobacco, however the first three are the most common), a match to light the medicine with, a feather or fan (commonly an eagle feather is used). The medicines are also commonly prepared in some way. For example the sweetgrass may be braided beforehand, or the sage could be rolled into a ball known as a "smudge ball".

Step Two

tje827206 — 2025-01-03 15:57:01 UTC

Put one of the four scared medicines into an abalone shell. This can either be sage, cedar, sweetgrass, or tobacco. Sage is the most common for smudging, but any can be used. You can even mix medicines if you would like, there is no wrong way to do it.

Step Three

tje827206 — 2025-01-06 13:48:59 UTC

Next you have to light a match to begin the smudge. In group smudges the person who is leading the smudge lights the match. This person is commonly someone who really understands the meaning and value of smudging and how it is done, like an Elder. Although, anyone can lead a smudge, and you can even do it on your own.

Step Four

tje827206 — 2025-01-06 13:58:41 UTC

With the match, light the medicine of your choice then blow the match out. This will create a large amount of smoke to come off of the medicine which will be used to cleanse. Smudging is often a way of grounding, connecting, and/or balancing yourself. It is done to make people feel calmer and more focused.

Step Six

tje827206 — 2025-01-06 14:06:09 UTC

Now, what you smudge and the order is completely up to you. It is common to begin with smudging the feather/fan that will be used to smudge the rest of the group (if it's a group smudge). After that you may smudge items like glasses if you wear them, and you can even pray at this point. The first part of your body that you smudge is usually your hands since they will be involved in smudging everything else, so you'll want to cleanse them first. To do this just cup the smoke a rub it in as if you were washing your hands in a sink.

Step Five

tje827206 — 2025-01-06 14:11:39 UTC

When the medicine is first lit, the smoke that is released cleanses the air around you first. Every thing you smudge must be done with purpose. The person who lights the medicine will smudge themselves and their body first.

Step Seven

tje827206 — 2025-01-06 14:26:02 UTC

The most common and usually most important part of the smudge is when you smudge your senses. This helps fully cleanse your soul and help see the world in a better, clearer light. As stated earlier, everything you smudge must be done with purpose, and the order is up to you. Smudge your eyes in order to always see the good in the world. Smudge your lips, mouth, and breath to always speak with the goodness of others in mind. Smudge your ears in order to only hear the positive parts of the world. Smudge your mind to always think good of the world and other beings. Smudge your feet to respect every part of Mother Earth you walk on. Smudge your whole self in order to be the best version of yourself, and to display this through your gestures. It is also common for Mi'kmaq people to smudge their hair because it holds so much identity, and all the DNA and history of our Ancestors.

Step Eight

tje827206 — 2025-01-06 14:30:37 UTC

Next it is time to pray if you would like. Bring the smoke to your heart and hold it there while you pray. You can either pray out loud or in silence. You can pray in whatever language you would like. When you pray, it can be about whatever you would like, and it can be to whoever or whatever you like. For the Mi'kmaq it is common for them to pray to The Creator, asking for guidance, protection, or whatever they need.

Step Nine

tje827206 — 2025-01-06 14:53:10 UTC

If you are in a group setting and are the one leading the smudge, after you smudge yourself you will then smudge the rest of the group. Depending on the bowl you use, there may be an open side. If there is you should face the open side to the rest of the group. Use the feather or fan to waft the smoke to the other people in the group. They can then smudge themselves the same way you did.

Step Ten

tje827206 — 2025-01-06 14:57:52 UTC

If you're using an Eagle feather, while the group smudges themselves hold the feather up in the air. This is done so that the Eagle can better hear the prayers of the group and help. This is all just one way to smudge, and the parts you smudge, the way you pray, and every other aspect can be mostly changed to suit your liking. Smudging is meant to make you feel calm, safe, and grounded, helping you to be the best version of yourself that you can be.