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How to smoke cleanse with sage: An easy step by step guide

Interested in sage cleansing or smoke cleansing with sage or other dried herbs, but not sure where to start? Check out this FREE step-by-step guide, to clearing your home or space! We'll show you the tools, steps, and how-to, to feel confident giving this high-vibe practice a try! 

Quick Summary

• Smoke cleansing helps clear low-vibe energy using herbal smoke.
• You’ll gather tools, prepare your space mindfully, cleanse room by room, then close with intention.
• It’s both practical and intention-driven: perfect for modern spiritual practice.

Clear the air, lighten up your space, and make room for fresh, new, super-charged energy!

Smoke cleansing (sometimes called “smudging**” or “sageing”) is a way to clear the air in your home or space, to get rid of any negative, stuck, or low-vibration energy using the smoke from a burning bunch - or "wand" - of sage leaves. There is also some scientific evidence that suggests smoke cleansing may help clear the bacteria out of your space!

**The word smudging refers to a sacred, closed ceremony practiced within Indigenous traditions. It’s not a general term for burning sage or herbs. If you're not part of those lineages, it's more respectful to use the term smoke cleansing when referring to the energetic use of herbal smoke in your personal or spiritual practice.

Step 1: Gather Your Tools 

• Herbs: Pre-made, dried herb and/or sage wands can be found online or in many holistic or metaphysical shops. Many of these wands or loose herbs include lavender or different varieties of sage* (such as mountain sage or desert sage), herbs, or woods; choose one you are interested in! We have some available in our shop!  You can also make your own, if you'd like - but this will take a bit longer, as you'll need to let your bundle dry for a few weeks before you use it.
• Jar candle, preferably white: White candles symbolize purification and divine light - so it's the perfect candle color for clearing your space. I prefer to use beeswax candles with cotton wicks, since they have the added benefit of emitting negative ions while they burn (and no harmful chemicals!), which are are also helpful in clearing the air.
• Matches: Some people prefer the simplicity and ritual of using matches; but a lighter works just fine, too!
• Heat-safe dish: You can use something as simple as a ceramic bowl or mug, or something dedicated to this purpose, such as a ritual bowl.
• Salt: Any kind will do - but fine-grained will work best for this, since we'll be using it to extinguish our sage wand. You can also use it if you need to temper or fully extinguish your wand unexpectedly for any reason, while you are smudging.
• Feather or fan: You can use a simple feather or a beautiful feather fan; there are many made and sold online, or there are tutorials that show you how to make your own with easy-to-find materials.

* The white sage sold at Mooncat Crystals is organic and farmed. This ensures that we are not contributing to diminishing sources of naturally-growing wild white sage. 

Step 2: Prep Your Tools and Space

• Open a window or door in each room - even if it's just a little bit! The energy that's leaving will need somewhere to go.
• Light your candle. As always, never leave a burning candle unattended and be careful that you are following common sense, safe use practices!
• Add the salt to the bottom of your ritual bowl or other heat-safe vessel. This will help you extinguish the sage wand, when you are ready.
• Light your herb bundle, using the candle flame. Let the leaves at the large or "top" end burn for a few seconds, then gently blow it out. You want it to be gently smoking; not still producing flames. Again - common sense safety is key, since we're working with fire and smoldering herbs!
• Set your herb bundle in your dish, grab your feather, and get ready to clear your space!

Step 3: Clear Your Space 

• Start in the back of your home; we'll start clearing from the far inside, moving the energy out towards the door.
• Set an intention for your time, such as to clear out any energy that is no longer serving your highest good AND to bring in (or make space for) fresh, new, beneficial energy.
• Holding your heat safe dish in one hand and your feather in the other, use the feather to waft the smoke throughout each room, ideally following the lines of the room: edges of walls, doors, shelves, and furniture. Make sure you get some of the smoke into corners and other spaces where there is not much airflow and/or bright light.
• Move through your home room by room in the same manner, and usher out the low, stale, or stagnant energy.
• Step 4: End Your Smoke Cleansing Session 
• Once you've made it through each room, it's time to extinguish your herb wand. You can do this by snuffing it out in the salt you put in your heat-safe dish, or by running it under some water until it is completely out. If you still have your candle lit, make sure to extinguish that, as well!
• Close your intention: Set the intention that your space is now clear of any low-frequency energy and has been filled with high-vibe, clear energy. If it feels appropriate, you can also thank the Universe, Spirit, or any other guide(s), for your newly clear, positive space.
• Notice how your space feels now: Does it feel lighter? Clearer? Easier?
• Enjoy! The herb smell will dissipate over the next few hours as you enjoy your fresh, clear space.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Smoke Cleansing and Space Clearing

1. What are the benefits of smoke cleansing and space clearing?

Smoke cleansing helps remove negative or stagnant energy from your space, making room for clarity, calm, and fresh energy.

It can also:

• Promote relaxation and emotional reset
• Improve focus and mood
• Help you feel more grounded and centered
• Mark a transition or new beginning

It’s especially helpful during seasonal shifts, after emotional events, or when you just feel energetically “off.”

2. What’s the difference between smudging and smoke cleansing?

Smudging is a specific, sacred ritual practiced in some Native American cultures. It involves prescribed prayers, tools, and ceremonial traditions — and is considered a closed practice.

Smoke cleansing, on the other hand, is a more general and globally practiced ritual using smoke to energetically clear a space. If you're not part of an Indigenous tradition, it's more appropriate to say you're smoke cleansing, not smudging — out of respect for those cultures.

3. How often should I perform smoke cleansing?

There’s no “right” schedule — trust your intuition. Some people cleanse:

• Weekly or monthly
• After guests have visited
• After arguments or emotional stress
• When moving into a new home
• Anytime a space feels heavy, stagnant, or “off” energetically

4. What are some alternative tools I can use (besides sage)?

If you prefer not to use smoke or sage, here are some great alternatives:

• Sound tools (singing bowls, bells, chimes)
• Essential oils (like lavender or palo santo oil)
• Crystals (like selenite, black tourmaline, or clear quartz)
• Intention alone — no tools required
• Remember: your intention is the most powerful part of any clearing practice.

5. When’s the best time of day to smoke cleanse?

Anytime that feels good to you. Some people prefer:

• Mornings, to set the tone for the day
• Evenings, to release the energy of the day
• New or full moons
• Quiet moments when you can be present

You don’t need a perfect moment — just space to pause and set your intention.

6. Can smoke cleansing still work if I don’t believe in it?

Yes. Even without spiritual beliefs, the ritual of smoke cleansing can have a psychological impact. It can:

• Help mark a new beginning
• Shift your mindset
• Reduce stress through scent and mindfulness
• Create a calming atmosphere

Think of it as energetic self-care — like lighting a candle or opening a window to clear the air.

7. What are some common mistakes to avoid?

Some things to be mindful of:

• Not opening a window or door to release the energy
• Using unsafe materials or not placing burning herbs in a fireproof bowl
• Not grounding yourself before starting
• Calling it “smudging” if you’re not part of an Indigenous tradition

Smoke cleansing is flexible and intuitive — but also deserves mindful, respectful practice.

How do you practice smoke cleansing and space clearing safely?

Safety is so important when performing any ritual that involves burning materials. Here are some safety tips to follow:

1. Never leave burning materials unattended: Keep an eye on the sage, incense, or herbs that you are burning at all times.
2. Use a fireproof container: Always use a fireproof container to hold the materials you are burning. A traditional abalone shell, or a ceramic bowl can work well.
3. Open windows and doors: When smoke cleansing, it's crucial to open doors and windows to allow the smoke and the negative energy to escape. This also provides good ventilation and prevents smoke from building up in the room.
4. Keep water nearby: Always have some water or a fire extinguisher nearby, in case the burning materials flare up more than expected.
5. Be mindful of smoke alarms: The smoke from burning sage or other herbs can potentially set off smoke alarms, so be mindful of where these are in your home and how sensitive they are.
6. Be mindful of pets and others: The smoke from sage or other herbs can be bothersome or even harmful to pets, or people with respiratory conditions. Always ensure that they are in a different room and can't inhale the smoke. It's also always a good idea to ask for the consent of others in your home before starting a smoke cleansing ritual.
7. Dispose of the ashes safely: Once you're finished with your ritual, make sure to properly dispose of the ashes. They should be cool to the touch before you attempt to throw them away.
8. Respect fire safety rules: Last but not least, it's crucial to remember that fire safety rules always apply. You should avoid performing smoke cleansing rituals in places where there's a high risk of fire, like near curtains, upholstered furniture, or flammable household items.

Source: MooncatCrystals.com