Smudging, or Making Smoke means to use smoke from herbs to cleanse unseen negative energies way from a person's aura, or a space, such as a house, or room. It rarely has to be done out-of-doors, if you are far from city life, such as in a forest or large clearing. You will feel if the place is 'dirty' or not by intuition.
The word Smudging is used by Native Americans, or ones who follow this path, but Wiccans use the word too, it does not belong to one group or another. Some people might simply call it 'cleansing' which makes sense as well. Herbs are placed in a small bowl and lite to give off the smoke of this herb. It is best ask for the herbs blessings and show proper respect. A feather, or your hand is used to guide the smoke around you, or a room.
I found a Hawk feather the other day at work walking around outside, so I may use that.
Some people use a shell for their bowl. Some say this is offensive to the element of Water. I say use your own judgement on this. I used to use a shell, I don't anymore, something just seemed very wrong with that, I felt that the shell did not want to be burned or used in this way. I used a small white porcelane bowl, or a large clay one I painted myself. I put sand in the bottom of it and then a charcole to burn, like the ones you can buy at any new age store.
You don't have to use charcole if you buy the sage wands, those bundles of long sage. White sage smells the best, the cleanest, to me. Some Wiccans do not like to use the word smudging or making smoke because it is a 'Native' term, but, like the word 'Chakra', (Hindu) if you are going to practise it, give credit where credit is due, or don't practise it at all.
There are probably hundreds of ways to do this, many have their own way. This is my way and has provided to be useful, and I notice a HUGE difference, in my home or other's.
For a fee, or trade (a form of gifting) I will gladly cleanse a home of all negativity. But to be honest, anyone can do this, or I can do it one time and you can see it being done first.
Items to have ready:
Drum, or 2 sticks
White sage (have it in a large burner such as a bowl with sand in it, as to not drop embers on the floor)
lighter
small white candle
sweet incense for happiness and 'good spirits' (I use lavender on a lite charcole, but ceder will do as well, or rose, sweetgrass, or what makes you happy... or a light sounding bell or chimes.
Ok! I think it is best to do this when you are alone in the home, and always smudge everyone before they come back inside. If this is impossible, simply smudge them with sage when you are done. It is best all that is in the home think happy thoughts...if arguements break out while you are doing this then you are really wasting your time!
Now, drum in hand, or 2 sticks...anything to break up the negativity that has worked its way into the corners of the home. Drum in the air, or beat 2 sticks together loudly, circle every room, get into every corner. Some people like to do this clockwise, or counterclockwise...I don't think it matters, but if it does to you, then it matters. This is an important step.
Then lite the white sage, or regular sage, and again, go into every room, leave no room out, even bathrooms (especially bathrooms!) and using a feather, or hand, wave the smoke into each corner, into every space you can get to and say a prayer of sending the bad spirits out, all negativity OUT! This does not have to be in a loud voice, we are not preforming some sort of exorcism, but be firm.
Now wait a few minutes, then open a few windows and doors, tell the energies in a loud voice to leave the house! Leave the windows open a few minutes before shutting them.
Lite the sweet, loving incense (you will already feel a big difference) and with loving thoughts wave the smoke through the house asking for love to enter and joy and peace...you can ask whatever Gods you worship to accompany you on this certainly. If you do not have this incense on hand, use a small, nice sounding bell or chimes, this will work just as well.
Lastly, smudge anyone who lives there. Have them each hold the white candle, and have them send loving thoughts into it. With that energy in the candle, lite it in the home and let it burn untill it is thorough.