Smoke Cleansing — clearing the “ick” & coming back to yourself

Smoke cleansing is an ancient tradition used to clear out old, heavy, sad, or stagnant energy from a person, a space, or even an object. For me, it’s become a steady spiritual “reset button”—especially when the world feels loud, tense, and emotionally messy. I reach for smoke cleansing when I feel that unmistakable ick from outside negativity, after giving or receiving Reiki, after self-healing work (like self-Reiki or Akashic Record reading), and whenever I bring something new into my space—antiques, secondhand items, or even new crystals before I begin working with them.

I also smoke cleanse when I’m working with animals out in the field, to help release energies that don’t belong to them anymore—anything they’ve picked up that feels heavy, sticky, or simply unnecessary.

A respectful note on language, culture, and sourcing

You’ll often hear people call this “smudging.” In many Indigenous communities, smudging refers to sacred ceremonial practices with specific protocols and meaning. Out of respect, I’m using the more general term smoke cleansing here to describe my personal practice.

It’s also worth acknowledging the history: Indigenous ceremonial practices were suppressed for a long time in the U.S., and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed in 1978—which is part of why the modern commercialization of “smudge products” can be complicated and painful for many communities Willy Street Co-op.

When I reach for smoke cleansing

For me, smoke cleansing is spiritual hygiene. It’s what I do when I want to clear the “static,” soften the edges of the day, and return to my own energy. These are the moments I’m most likely to do it:

When my field feels heavy, cluttered, or just off, smoke cleansing helps shift the tone—like a gentle spiritual rinse. I also use it to open and close my healing work: before a session to feel clear, grounded, and protected in my intention, and after to release anything I don’t want lingering.

And objects matter too. I’ll cleanse items that carry history (antiques, secondhand finds), and even brand-new things I’m bringing into my home or practice. I don’t do it from fear. I do it because I like meeting “new energy” with intention, reverence, and a clean slate.

When I’m working with animals, smoke cleansing becomes a quiet support tool—especially after stressful environments or emotionally charged situations. If it’s safe and appropriate, I’ll cleanse around them (and sometimes lightly with them) before and after. If it’s not appropriate to bring smoke close, I’ll cleanse the space around us and hold the intention strongly—because intention travels.

What I use (and how I choose)

Smoke cleansing can be done with many plants and woods—each believed to carry its own energetic “personality” and purpose. Some of the most common include sage, lavender, cedar, mugwort, rosemary, sweetgrass, and palo santo.

My personal rhythm is simple and consistent: I like to cleanse with a sage blend first—dragon’s blood sage is my go-to—and then I “sweep” the room with sweetgrass afterward. In my experience, sage feels like it clears and cuts through dense energy, while sweetgrass feels like it invites in gentleness, warmth, and peace after the clearing.

Before a healing session (distance or in-person), I cleanse to make sure I’m clear—clean of anything that could interfere, distract, or cling. Then when I’m done, I’ll sweep myself again, like an energetic closing and sealing of the work.

My method: clockwise, corners, and intention

When I cleanse a room, I pay special attention to corners, because that’s where energy can feel “stuck” or collect over time. I also like moving clockwise, as a way of building, blessing, and reinforcing the flow I want to create.

But above all, I focus on intention. I keep my prayer simple. My main ask is usually something like:

“Please remove anything not aligned with my highest good and intention. May only love, light, and peace remain.”

There are many prayers you can find online, but intention is the heartbeat of the practice. The words don’t need to be perfect—they just need to be honest.

Listening to the smoke (yes, it can “talk”)

I also stay present and observant. Sometimes smoke behaves in ways that feel symbolic—swirling, pulling toward a doorway, lingering in a corner. Once, while cleansing for a client, smoke rings formed. Some might explain that as airflow, and some might read it as spirit making itself known. Either way, it felt like a moment of confirmation—like something shifting and releasing.

For me, smoke cleansing works best when I’m not rushing. When I’m fully in the moment, I notice more: my breathing slows, my body softens, and the space feels like it’s exhaling with me. Presence is part of the medicine.

What to do with the ashes

Some traditions suggest returning ashes to the earth—placing them outside so they can be regenerated and transformed by Mother Earth, especially if you believe the remnants may still hold what was cleared. If that resonates with you, it can be a beautiful way to close the ritual: a small act of trust, return, and renewal.

If it doesn’t resonate, that’s okay too. The key is to be respectful and safe: don’t scatter hot ash, don’t leave embers unattended, and fully extinguish your bundle when you’re done.

How to smoke cleanse (step-by-step, beginner-friendly)

You can buy bundles (sage sticks, sweetgrass braids, etc.) or make your own using herbs from a garden that have been dried.

Here’s a simple, beginner-friendly method:

1. Set up safely. Place your bundle/herbs/wood in a fire-safe bowl (ceramic works well; many people also use an abalone shell).

2. Light it. Light the end until it catches flame.

3. Let it smolder. Gently wave the flame out and let the herbs smolder.

4. Guide the smoke. Use your hand or a feather to guide smoke toward yourself, your space, corners, doorways, objects—wherever you feel it’s needed.

5. Speak your intention. Say your prayer or intention as you go.

6. Extinguish completely. When finished, fully extinguish the bundle safely (press into sand, a fire-safe dish, etc.).

Some people feel the shift immediately; other times it unfolds later—like the energy settling into its new shape. Either way, enjoy the peace when it arrives.