What is smudging?

Smudging is the act of burning herbs — most commonly white sage, palo santo, cedar, or lavender — and letting the rising smoke purify and reset energy. Practitioners see smoke as a carrier that lifts away negativity and restores clarity.

It’s often used to:

- cleanse crystals

- clear a room’s energy

- prepare for meditation

- release emotional heaviness

- mark transitions or new beginnings

Smudging is thought to work by breaking up dense or stagnant energy and returning the object or space to a neutral, balanced state. The herbs each have symbolic meanings:

White sage — deep cleansing

Palo santo — uplifting, sweet energy

Cedar — protection

Lavender — calming, soothing