Smoke Cleansing Your Home, Respectfully

There is almost always a thin curl of smoke rising from the little iron cauldron on my ritual table. Smoke cleansing, which means burning herbs or resin to refresh the atmosphere of a space, appears in cultures all over the world. It is one of the first things I do before any ritual.

Why not use white sage or tobacco?

White sage and sacred tobacco are central to the ceremonies of many Indigenous peoples of North America, and the word “smudging” refers to specific ceremonial practices. White sage has also been heavily over-harvested. For those reasons, I don’t use either in my own work, and I suggest alternatives to anyone who asks. There are plenty of beautiful herbs that belong to many traditions.

Which herbs can I use instead?

The pet notes refer to the plant being eaten; any smoke can irritate an animal’s airways, so let pets leave the room. My herb reference has more herbs, with their sources.

How do I make a herb bundle?

1. Cut a few stems of fresh rosemary or garden sage, about the length of your hand.
2. Lay them together and wrap them tightly with plain cotton string, from the base up and back down.
3. Hang the bundle somewhere dry and airy for one to two weeks, until it snaps rather than bends.

How do I cleanse a room with smoke?

1. Open a window first. The idea is to move stale air and old energy out.
2. Light the end of a dried herb bundle, let it catch, then gently blow it out so it smoulders. Hold a heat-safe dish underneath.
3. Walk slowly around the room, letting smoke drift into corners and doorways. Say what you’re clearing and what you’re inviting in.
4. Finish at the open window or front door.
5. Put the bundle out completely in a dish of sand or soil.

When should I smoke cleanse my home?

• When you move into a new home, ideally after a good clean.
• After an argument, an illness or a difficult visitor.
• At the new moon or full moon, as part of a monthly routine; see the moon phase reference.
• Before setting a protection ward, such as a salt boundary at the door.

How do I smoke cleanse safely?

Keep smoke away from smoke alarms, babies, pets and anyone with asthma. A few more rules:

• Never leave a smouldering bundle or a lit charcoal disc unattended, and keep it well away from curtains and anything that can burn. The NFPA advises a clearance of at least 12 inches for candles; give smouldering herbs the same respect.
• Hold the dish under the bundle at all times; embers drop.
• Charcoal discs stay hot long after they stop glowing. Let them cool completely in sand before throwing them away.

Can I cleanse without smoke?

If smoke isn’t right for your home, a room spray of water with a few rosemary sprigs works too, as does a good clean with the windows open. Sound is another gentle option: ring a bell or clap in each corner of the room, finishing at the door. Fresh air and intention are the heart of it; the smoke is only one way to carry them.

Can you cleanse my home for me?

Every ritual I cast starts with smoke rising from my iron cauldron. If your home needs a deeper clearing than a rosemary bundle can give, my cleansing and protection rituals are the next step, and my protection spells guide explains how cleansing and protection fit together.