I received an email from a reader who feels I've put out "erroneous info" in my article Answers to Your Smudging Questions. In the article I suggest blowing or waving on the sage wand to put out the flame and create a smouldering stream of smoke. Bonnie says "Check with Native Americans. I have been told to never blow on a smudge stick." So... I'm putting this out to Native Americans (or anyone else) to share your views. I certainly don't want to offend anyone, but it appears that blowing or not blowing on a smudge stick is a personal choice. I don't believe it is about one way being right, and the other way wrong. But, I'm willing to be enlightened. Just don't BLOW on me.
This reminds me of when Whitehorse Woman, moderator of the Holistic Healing Forum, told me that she never burns sage inside an abalone shell (like the one shown in the photo) because the fire element of the wand negates the water element of the shell. Makes perfect sense. Yet, I continue to see abalone shells and sage being used in concert.
In my defense:
"Gently blow on the tip of the sage until it begins to smoke."
Source: The Proper Use of Smudge Wand and the Ritual of Smudging, September 2002 Newsletter, Sedona Center for the New Age
"...light the tip, blow it out and direct the smoke around your body and/or the space you wish to clear."
Source: native-americans.org
"...light the herb wand and then blow out the flame which allows the herbs to smolder and smoke without actively burning."
Source: inspiritcommon.com
On Yoni.com you can also view a photo of a woman blowing onto a smudge wand. But, to be fair the text in the first paragraph of the page is pretty much copied from my article. (A bit of creative rewording, but sadly smells of plagiarism). For this reason, my guess is that they got the idea of blowing on a smudge stick from my original article. Not too helpful in my defense.
"Light the end of your wand. After it is ignited for about 10-15 seconds, blow out the flame and direct the smoke around your body and/or the area you wish to "purify."
Source: MagicalOmaha
In Bonnie's defense:
I was taught that one never blows on sacred medicines or sacred fires. Humans are imperfect and it's disrespectful to blow (imperfect breath) at something sacred. We use a feather fan to put out the flame, and then to dissipate the sacred smoke as we smudge.
Source: Minnokwe, Smudging Experiences
"It is believed by most Native peoples that blowing on the sacred herbs will blow away the spirits living in them that make them sacred."
Source: peacefulpaths.com
David McNew / Getty Images
In India we do not blow on incense sticks or lamps placed below deities. If the flame on an incense stick has to be put out the stick is waved; if the wick of a lamp has to put out the hand is waved near it.
I think it would all come down to tradition really, I have attended cleansings and blessings and have seen High Pristesses blow out the flame, though I personally do not do this, but that is my personal choice not to if I am cleansing someone or something in my oppinion blowing out the flame instead of waving it out mixes your energies with the smoke and therefore contaminating the ritual.
I am Native American and have always smudged with using both breath and also that of lifting the sage to go where it may for cleansing self and home.
I feel it is more important on intention.
Why would anyone smudge with disrespect in his heart?
Silly.
Happy Smudging.
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How White Sage IS Used:
To burn a smudge stick – just place in an abalone shell or some other heat-proof container partially filled with sand or salt placed therein to hold the smudge upright. Remove the yarn, light the tip, blow it out and direct the smoke around your body and/or the space you wish to “clear”. You may also set the wand in the container and use a “smudging feather” or your hand to direct the smoke. To extinguish, invert smudge into the sand or salt to smother or drench the burning tip in water until it is extinguished and save the remainder of the bundle for another time. Never leave lit smudge unattended and care should be used when extinguishing.
In my opinion it depends on who’s offering the blow…….
Smudging does NOT “belong” to the Native American people, it is done all over the world. ALSO one can do their own ritual that works best for them with their own way of doing it. Each of us is guided to do what we need to do!!!! Thanks for all the great info you send out.
I’ve heard that when offering incense one does not blow out the fire; instead, just let it go out naturally or fan it off with your hand. It’s about being respectful.
After reading the comments, I would not think it is right to blow at the sage wand if it is lite for either because, like one reader says, you’re mixing your energy with the sage’s. The intention is a different story on its own; one should always act out of good intentions, and having good intentions alone does not necessarily cover all details of things.
Just like you said never blow on you, because it would probably be disrespectful? It is the same for the Sage or Sweet grass. If a person does not know it is understandable. Everyone does the best that they can.
Yet you can light it, and wave it a little and it will go out and just smolder and then can Smudge. Those who practice the old ways will tell you this. It is a form of respect.
Where is the Divine?
You would say it is in everything.
SO … if the Divine is in everything, how can anything not be sacred … including the human breath.
Not all are able to think at that level yet, but if WE do, and begin to speak it, then the whole hologram has shifted.
ALL IS DIVINE…INTENTION IS SO IMPORTANT.
In Feng Shui Intention is foremost. You can’t do wrong if your intention is pure.
I have smudged for over 20 years, and have always fanned with hand or feather, and blown on.
What feels right to you in your heart?
I am 3/4 Native American and was taught by several different teachers. All of them did the sage mush the same way and they took a feather quill out and tamped it on the sage where it was burning to put it out. When the sage was lit they used this large quill to fan it from time to time. I was explained the shell is of the Lower world- where the fishes and things live underground. The sage is of This world, and the feather is of the Upper world. We send our prayers to the upper world through the smoke. The symbolic combining of the Three Worlds is very high spiritual medicine and sacred. Thank you for your time… Climber
Thank u google I googled this and choose your article I was burning some sage for a friend in tuff times, being locked up facing serious out of state drug felony charges and anyway I blew on the smoking sage. To make an offering of more smoke and to get it burning a little more, my friend with me said it was disrespect he had heard to blow on sage.later someone had said its not?so I’ve come here to find out, it wasn’t out of disrespect but now I choose not to but felt ashamed I had been doing it at times , now I need a shell and feather or just stick to me peace pipe for more smoke and prayers! Agreed happy smudging!!