Incense and herbs are burned in rituals for purification all over the world but the word, “smudging” refers to American Indian people’s indigenous purification ceremonies. A lot of non- Native Americans use the term “smudging” and might even try to copy Native American practices, but only Natives and those who they welcome into their smudging ceremonies actually do what we call smudging. A lot of material is available online, describing what non Natives can do to emulate these ceremonies, but it is not necessary to do that to bless and purify with smoke.
Using smoke to bless and purify spaces, things, people, and pets has been practiced by countless people for thousands of years. The substances used for this are considered sacred, and therefore, medicines from the earth. In Scotland, a ritual called saining with both water and smoke is done. This entails sprinkling blessed water around the house, and then shutting the doors and windows and burning juniper branches indoors, throughout the barns, and sometimes on the property, in belief this drives out negative spiritual entities and promotes healing. The smoke used for this is heavy and thick, and basically fumigates, while ritually dissolving all negativity.
Smoke isn’t just believed to be powerful for purification, but it is used to bless and to heal as well. For example, Moxibustion is a traditional practice using smoke for healing that is practiced in parts of China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and Mongolia. Mugwort is dried and can be formed into a sick and the smoke used, or it can be used on certain trigger points of the body with acupuncture needles, or by burning the herbs on small fireproof discs placed on the skin. It is believed this treats things like high blood pressure, stroke, digestive issues, infection, swelling, for casting out spiritual negativity, and even to treat cancer.
Incense is used in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, modern Neo Pagan and New Age spiritual traditions, Voodoo and other African Diaspora faiths as well as countless other religions today. Incense was burned in ancient Babylonia, ancient Rome, and it was used in divination at temples where the Pythia prophesied in honor of the god Apollo. Unless you are Native American, you probably won’t be doing authentic smudging ceremonies, but you can do something very similar, and today, people call pretty much any variation of purification or blessing with smoke smudging. While most people know what it means to smudge, not everybody understands exactly why and how it works. How does smudging work its magic?