How do you make sage bundles at home?

Though you already know how to use sage smudging to clear stagnant energy at home — especially on new moons — Catherine Rising's smudge bundles take the practice to another level with high-vibe herbs, flowers and crystals. For the uninitiated, smudging your space (or yourself) is essentially an energetic shower that can help you reset and connect before meditation or yoga, especially after a hard day. 

After talking with Catherine, we realized that the act of creating your own sage smudges can be a meditation in itself, so we asked her to share her tips for making an Instagram-worthy bundle — and the best ways to use them. Round up your gang and get started below:

Make Your Own Floral Sage Smudge SticksFor these floral bundles, I am using cedar that I cut from my parent's property in Vermont.  We bundled it and dried it a few weeks ago, and now it's ready for flowers!

#1 I start the bundles by wrapping hemp or cotton string at the bottom.  I wrap it over itself a few times so it will hold tight.

#2 As I wrap the string up the bundle, I add some sweet grass.  I really love how it smells.

#3 Next, I add rose petals.  I cross over the petals with the string to get them to lie flat, and add more as I continue to wrap around the bundle.

#4 Once I reach the top, I cross the string over itself again and begin to work my way back down, adding lavender.  When I reach the bottom, I simply tie it off to the string I started with.  Since these were already partially dried, I set them out a day or so to dry, and that's it!  

We have a few questions for you...

Where do you look for ingredients? Are certain types of sage better than others for smudging?
For me, the best ingredients are sourced locally.  I love working with local likeminded women who grow flowers and sage ethically and consciously.

What are your favorite elements to add to your smudges?
I love using local flowers, and vintage string.  Most of our flowers come from a friend who has a flower farm here in Upstate NY.   All of our string comes from a local shop that sells donated vintage craft supplies and all of it's proceeds go to an organization which benefits elderly women in need. We frequently use Selenite in our bundles because it has similar cleansing properties.  It clears stagnant energy to ensure a smooth flow of positive energy through your body and space.  It's one of my favorites. 

Are there specific herbs and flowers you use for different intentions?
We use lavender, which is said to reduce anxiety and emotional stress, and improve brain function.  I also love rose which helps with anxiety and depression, and also attracts love.

Last but not least, are you supposed to take the bundles apart before you start burning? We wonder this every time.
We get asked this question so much!!  You can burn the floral smudges as is, but do take the bundle apart before you burn the Palo Santo.  You can actually use the sage or Palo Santo to cleanse your crystal!  Then, you can keep your crystal with you, or place it in a meaningful spot.

Head to Catherine Rising to check out more of her beautiful bundles, and we highly recommend following her on Instagram at @catherinerising

Photos by Jacalyn Mevis

Sometimes a space seems to have bad energy, and smudging with sage can help improve the mood.  Sage smudging is a ritualistic practice of burning dried sage leaves and other herbs, letting the smoke cleanse and purify a home, office, or even a person.  Some people believe the smoke drifting from the herbs can help to replace negative energy with positive and healing vibes.  It comes from a Native American traditional healing ceremony to help bad emotions and evil energy drift away.

How to Make a Sage Bundle

Take about 50 fresh sage leaves from a sage plant and bundle the leaves together with a piece of string.  You can also add a few sprigs of rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and other herbs that you see fit to your bundle as you desire.  Hang the herbs upside down to dry for about two weeks.  Once dry, bundle all the herbs together into a stick like formation that is at least 8 inches long.

How to Smudge a House or Office Space with Your Sage Bundle

This is helpful to do when you are moving into a new space, or when you feel like someone or something with toxic energy has been in your space.  It is even a good idea if there has been a negative occurrence such as an  illness, divorce, or an ugly dispute, and you want to cleanse its bad energy.  Some people may also choose to smudge a space before practicing yoga or meditation.

Here’s what to do with your sage bundle.

In a metal or glass bowl, light one end of the sage bundle you have made.  If an actual flame appears, blow it out, so that it is only smoking and not burning.  Pick up the unlit end, and carefully walk around your space, letting the smoke from the sage waft into the air.  Imagine its smoke clearing away any negative or dark energies in the space.  Continue to hold the bowl you lit your bundle in over the smoking herbs to catch any falling pieces.  Be careful not to get the sage bundle or its ashes in close proximity to flammable items such as furniture and drapes.  If the sage bundle stops smoking, you can relight it in your bowl, just make sure there is no flame in the herbs, only smoke.  If the bundle smolders down close to your hand, put the bundle back into the bowl.  Take the bowl to a sink and cover it with water to ensure any possible flame have been put out.

How to Smudge a Person

Sometimes an individual feels like they need to clear negative energy away from their body.  Sage smudging a person is like giving them a metaphysically cleansing shower.  First, ask the person being smudged to get in a calm meditative position.  Light your sage bundle in a glass or metal bowl and blow out any possible flame, leaving only smoke coming from the bundle.  Slowly move the sage smoke from the person’s feet, up towards their head, about two feet away from their body.  Repeat this movement several times while you imagine the person’s energy being cleansed.  Be careful not to get the burning sage bundle in close proximity to their hair, or clothing.  When you are finished, put the sage bundle back into the bowl and take it to a sink to cover with water to put out any possible flames or embers.

By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, Registered Aromatherapist, LMT

Pictured Below: It is late May, and sage is growing in abundance in my frequently watered, buried pot that gets only morning full sun.  Dallas, TX y’all.

Can I make my own sage bundle?

Do you dry sage before bundling?

How do you make sage bundles with fresh sage?

What are the benefits of burning sage in your home?