Using smoke as part of cleansing and purification rituals is a tradition going back thousands of years in many cultures. While many people think of white sage bundles used by indigenous tribes in the American Southwest, this is only one of many ways smoke is used, from tobacco rituals in the Caribbean to burning joss sticks in Taoist traditions to the near-ubiquitous use of incense in Christian religions around the world.
The Druids, ancient Greeks, and Norse people all used native vegetation to incorporate smoke into powerful rituals.
Smoke is widely recognized as a protection against negative energies, a visible manifestation and concentration of power. Good magic starts with an energetically clean space! Based on your needs, preferences, and intention, you can use almost any herb as a smudge. You might want to consider the following, which have powerful properties in addition to cleansing and protecting:
Well-known for its ability to induce restful sleep, adding lavender to a smudge promotes calm.
Blue sage brings prosperity and healing.
Eucalyptus clears negative and stagnant energy.
Cool and refreshing peppermint is a fantastic purifier, bringing clarify and energy to a room.
Rue has been known as a powerful protection since ancient times, when it was hung in windows and doorways to keep out evil spirits. Use rue when you need to clear out persistent and powerful negative energies (and don’t combine with white sage!)
Cedarwood purifies and stores balance and induces positive emotions.
Long used as a remedy for colds, eucalyptus clears away worries, regrets, and distractions and offers rejuvenation.
If you’re not able to use smoke for some reason (you’re in a space where it’s not allowed or the smoke would cause physical discomfort), consider using a room spray instead. They have the many of the same cleansing powers as smoke, but can be used absolutely anywhere you need to clear a room’s energy or create space for a working (and they smell really good, too!).