How to Smudge/Sage Properly

How to Sage Properly (With Safety)

Smudging or Saging (smoke cleansing) is a simple way to clear stagnant energy, reset a space, and set a fresh intention. The most important part is doing it safely and mindfully: good ventilation, steady attention, and careful handling of embers.

What you’ll need

A sage bundle (or loose sage)
A fire-safe bowl (ceramic, stone, or metal) or abalone shell
Something to extinguish it (sand is best; a lid also works)
A lighter or match
Optional: a feather/fan to gently move smoke

Safety first (do this every time)

Open a window or door for airflow.
Tie back hair and avoid loose sleeves.
Keep away from curtains, paper, dried florals, and anything flammable.
Never leave a burning bundle unattended.
Use a heat-safe surface and keep it out of reach of kids/pets.
Be mindful of embers falling from the bundle—always hold it over your bowl.
If you have asthma/smoke sensitivity, use less smoke, cleanse briefly, or choose a smokeless alternative.

The “chasing a fly out of the house” method

A helpful way to think about cleansing is like chasing a fly out of your home: you’re guiding energy out room-by-room, and you want it to have a clear exit.

Tip: Plan to finish in the last room with a window open, so you can intentionally push the energy out and let fresh air in.

Step-by-step: how to sage a home

Set your intention (before you light it)

Decide what you’re clearing and what you want to invite in (peace, protection, clarity, calm). Keep it simple and specific.
Light the bundle safely

Hold it over your fire-safe bowl and light the tip for 5–10 seconds.
Let it catch, then gently blow it out

You want a steady ember and smoke, not an open flame.
Start at the front door and move with purpose

Move through the home steadily, guiding energy forward as you walk. Many people go clockwise, but the best method is the one you’ll do consistently and mindfully.
Cleanse each room: corners, center, and closets

In every room, pause and set your intention for that space (example: “This room holds peace and rest”). Then gently waft smoke:
- Into corners and behind doors
- Through the center of the room (don’t skip it)
- Inside closets (energy can feel “stuck” there)
Keep windows/doors strategic

You can crack a window early for airflow, but try to leave your main “exit” window open in the last room you’ll cleanse. As you finish, intentionally guide the energy toward that open window.
Close with a final push out

In the last room, stand near the open window and visualize the old energy leaving. You can say something like: “Anything heavy or unwanted leaves now. Only peace and protection remain.”

Optional spiritual support: invite Archangel Michael

If you’re comfortable with it, you can invite Archangel Michael to assist. Many people call on him for strong protection and support during cleansing.

Simple wording you can use:

“Archangel Michael, please surround me and this home with protection. Help clear anything that doesn’t belong, and keep only what is for our highest good.”

How to sage yourself (quick method)

Hold the bundle over your bowl.
Waft a small amount of smoke around your body from feet to head.
Focus on releasing stress and bringing your energy back to center.

How to extinguish sage correctly

Do not run it under water (it can make a mess and may not fully stop the ember).
Press the smoking end into sand or the bottom of your bowl until no smoke rises.
Make sure it’s fully out before storing.

After-cleansing tip (optional)

After a strong cleanse (like white sage), many people like to invite in a softer energy using something uplifting such as palo santo or sweetgrass, or by opening windows for a few minutes and playing calming music.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using too much smoke or skipping ventilation
Letting the bundle burn with a visible flame
Placing it directly on a surface without a fire-safe bowl
Forgetting closets and the center of the room
Forgetting to fully extinguish the ember