Yerba Santa.

• With the chaotic nature of today's modern world, the idea of cleansing our spaces & ourselves of negative energy sounds quite appealing. Cue the ritual of sage burning, also known as smudging, an essential part of many Native American cultures.
• Sage belongs to the Salvia plant family & is derived from the Latin word salvere, which means "to heal."
• Aside from the metaphysical uses of smudging, research is showing that sage can also be used to benefit physical, mental, & emotional well-being.
• If you're new to the practice of smudging, there are a few more items you'll need to get started.
• Traditionally, people use an abalone shell to hold the sage & then use a feather to fan & spread the smoke around the space once the sage is burning.
• Gather your tools, open a door or window before lighting up. After all, that negativity (not to mention smoke) needs to have a pathway to get out.
• Set your intention, It can be something you come up with on your own, or for a little guidance, "I let go & release what no longer serves me."
• Light Up, hold the sage at a 45-degree angle, light it using, & let it burn for about 20 seconds. After, gently blow out the flame so you see orange embers on one end. The smoke should now billow up.
• Slowly walk around your space. Guide the smoke & the negative energy toward the open window/door, so it can escape.
• Pro tip: Don't get it wet! How often you Smudge is up to you, when you feel too stressed, that's a good time!
• Extinguish in shell