Crystals and sage are a match made in heaven, whose love affair stretches far back into ancient times. They compliment each other so well which is why many early cultures have used them together in their spiritual practises and cleansing rituals.
Today, we will journey through the history of crystals and sage, the various types of sage, and how to smudge your crystals.
Let’s get smudging.
Note: If you struggle with confusion, depression, anxiety, or feel lost in life, read this.
Introduction to Crystals, Sage and Smudging
The first and most important thing you should know before getting a crystal is that you need to cleanse them before use. This process is important to get rid of any residue of negative energy in the stone.
Although there are various ways and methods to clean crystals, the use of sage is the most common method. Using sage to cleanse crystals is a practice known as smudging.
Sage is a herb with healing properties. The burning of sage is a tribal practice that is common among Native Americans but have been around for much longer. The practice is said to be purifying and powerful enough to keep negative and unwanted energy away.
There is more to crystal healing than just holding them in your hands and whispering quiet affirmations.
We will discuss the important things you need to know before you embark on the spiritual journey of crystal healing and smudging with sage.
Crystal Healing
Using gemstones for healing is known as crystal healing. The origin of this practice can be traced down to India, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Mesopotamia, or Ancient Egypt. The practitioners have always believed in the metaphysical properties of crystals.
They used them to dispel negative energy whenever a tragic event occurred. They would make specific gemstones into amulets, jewelry, or other talismans and carry them around. People wore them around their necks, wrists, or anywhere else.
Crystals and sage were primarily used for protection and health purposes and were believed to cure physical and mental pains.
Ancient crystals like Moonstone, Pyrite, Clear Quartz, Obsidian, Emerald, Amethyst, Agape, Dolomite, and many others are still used today for different kinds of healing!
How To Use Crystals
The first thing you need to do is choose the right crystal for yourself. There are so many different crystals to choose from for various reasons.
Which areas in your life require attention that you’d like to use crystals for? They could be for emotional healing, a lack of confidence, or patience.
We’ve created plenty of guides on helping you choose the right crystal. Just remember to follow your intuition when choosing the proper crystal/s for yourself!
Once you have your crystals, you can immediately start using them with the following methods below:
- Wear them as necklaces, bracelets, or earrings.
- Lay them around you when meditating or doing yoga.
- Hold them in your purses or pocket when you need their support.
- Place them in your pillowcase – this is great if you have a headache.
- Hang them near your bedside for a calm and soothing rest.
- Hold them in your palm when you need their positive energy and tranquility.
- If you have a waterproof crystal, you can put it in water for bathing.
- Decorate your home or office space with them.
How often should you cleanse your crystals?
Cleansing your crystal is not a one-time thing. Yes, it would be best to dispel negative energy immediately after buying it, but it should not stop there.
Cleansing your crystal should be a regular practise. It is advisable to cleanse your crystals every month if you use them often.
Crystals are precious stones that are spiritually linked to energy. They carry both negative and positive energy and can be absorbed by the person using them.
Again, you should almost immediately cleanse new crystals after purchasing them to avoid absorbing any remnants of negative energy! You never know where they were or who held onto them before you.
What is Sage?
Sage is a plant or herb that is commonly used to cleanse crystals. Many spiritual and ancient cultures believe that sage plants have multiple healing properties. It helps restore the crystal to its natural state by dispelling it of any negative energy.
Although there are many common types of sage, the white sage is most popular, especially for cleansing crystals.
The use of crystals and sage together is a process known as smudging.
When you burn sage, it releases a cloud of smoke that will change the energy of a crystal and stabilize its energy. It helps crystals to return to their initial stage.
Although it seems complex, it is an easy process that you can quickly get the hang of. We’ll get into it later on.
Different types of sage
Choosing which sage to use to smudge your crystals can get overwhelming. However, it’s a crucial step when diving into the world of using crystals and sage together!
Sage has many kinds, so it’s important to choose the right one that speaks to you. There is no wrong decision because all types of sage do incredible jobs with cleansing crystals.
Here is a quick guide on the different kinds of sage to choose from for your smudging process.
White Sage
White sage is the most popular kind for smudging crystals, homes, people, pets, and more.
White sage is considered a sacred plant used to cleanse sacred places and items. It has lots of benefits which include repelling negative energy. You can get a bundle of this sage to use for your smudging in any typical stores that also sell crystals.
However, there is a superstition that you should never purchase sage for yourself. It should be given to you by someone else, usually as a gift. But that’s an old wives tale.
Black Sage “Mugwort”
Black sage, also known as mugwort, is not as popular as white sage however it can still be used to smudge your crystals.
However, it is great for cleansing spaces as it mainly helps people sleep better and invites good dreams.
Blue Sage
Blue sage is helpful in cleansing and purification. It is also known for its delightful fragrance making it a great combination in the crystals and sage world!
Blue sage is mainly used in cases of exorcism as it can get rid of unwanted spirits and negative energy. Native Americans also use it for smudging and eliminating bad intentions.
Palo Santo
Palo Santo is another kind of sage used to remove bad energy for medicinal purposes. It usually comes in the form of an incense stick that removes misfortune and evil spirits.
Palo Santo is helpful mainly for healing colds, headaches, stress, trauma, and more. It also smells incredibly pleasant and soothing!
For all crystals and sage enthusiasts, this is a must-have combination.
Floral Sage
This sage stick is traditionally used for purification and rituals. It has various sacred ingredients, making it a great source of positive energy.
Every bundle is wrapped with rose petals and organic hemp. Floral sage has an aromatic fragrance, and you can use it to ward off evil spirits in your crystals or home.
Lavender Sage
When it comes to using crystals and sage together, lavender is often forgotten which is what makes this pairing so unique.
Lavender sage can be joined together with white sage to cleanse crystals. It has calming effects on people and is mainly used by those dealing with anxiety. This sage is known for promoting loving and peaceful energy.
They will work together to remove negative energy and bring in positive and loving energy.
What is smudging?
Smudging is a tradition that involves burning dried plants to use for cleansing or purifying. It is a practice held for a person, object, or place and has been passed down through generations. Crystals and sage are great on their own, but when they are combined, it’s when their magical powers take over.
This practice helps to rid your crystals of any negative energies that might be lingering. It is advisable to perform smudging regularly if you often use your crystals. This is to ensure balance and positivity.
It is also important to think of positive things before starting your cleansing ritual. Cleansing is a necessary part of crystal healing, and we will teach you how to perform it soon.
Benefits of Smudging
There are so many benefits to using crystals and sage for smudging. Here are just some of them.
Purification: Sage is known to have antimicrobial properties, and this means that apart from spiritual use, they can also help keep certain things away.
Sage can protect against viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Salvia Apiana (white sage) can also repel insects because of its antimicrobial properties.
Eliminate negative energy: Smudging is a practice that can be used to remove negativity and evil from a person, object, or place.
It can also help dispel misfortune and bad experiences. Smudging is an old ritual that is highly beneficial in ridding negative energy.
Cleansing: When you burn sage, it releases smoke which is commonly used for cleansing. This process is targeted at specific objects like crystals. It will cleanse the object of any unfamiliar presence and make it safe for you to use.
If you have any new item or a gift that you are skeptical about, smudging will help you cleanse it and bring you peace of mind.
Lighten your mood: We all have that moment when we feel like a dark cloud is above us. This can happen as a result of stress, grief, or trauma. You can use smudging to improve your mood and calm your spirit.
The practice is a common treatment for mood disorders and anxiety.
Improve your energy: Smudging is a practice that is done to rid objects or bodies of bad energy. When you perform this ritual, you give yourself the chance to embrace positive and better energies.
Each practice of smudging will make you feel like a new being. You are ridding your system of negative energies and welcoming better ones.
How to smudge crystals with sage
We will take you through the step-by-step process of using crystals and sage together.
The first step to a cleansing ritual is to gather all the items you need. It would help if you gathered the following for a successful smudging session:
• Lighter or matches
• Sage bundle or smudge stick
• Metal bowl or Abalone shell
• Feather (optional)
Once you have gotten all the items above, you can now cleanse your crystals using sage.
Steps for smudging
To begin, you should calm your mind and clear your thoughts. You need to ensure your thoughts are positive. The aim is to repel negative energy; you do not want to contaminate the whole process with negative thoughts.
Now that you are settled and have gotten everything you need for cleansing, follow the instructions below:
Ventilate the room: Smudging involves smoke, and we all know inhaling smoke is harmful to our health. You need to ensure the room you want to cleanse is well ventilated.
To do this, you should open your doors or windows to allow the smoke to escape. You can also use an open space like a garden if you are sensitive to smoke.
Place crystals in an abalone shell or metal bowl: Using crystals and sage together involves fire. So, it would help if you had a heatproof bowl to avoid any fire from sage ash.
Even if you cannot get an abalone shell, you can use a bowl that is resistant to fire. Many people prefer abalone shell because it is ceremonial and serve as a vessel for many rituals.
Now, place all the crystals you want to cleanse into the bowl.
Use the match to light the sage: Light the tip of the sage or smudge stick with the lighter. Hold the other end and leave the fire on for 10 seconds before blowing it out. Once you blow it out, the tip will start releasing smoke.
Spread the smoke around the crystals: Now that you have lighted your sage, you can use it together with your crystals. If you have a feather, pick it up, or use your hands.
You will have to place the sage close to the bowl and begin to spread the smoke using your feathers or hands. Make sure that every part of the crystals is totally engulfed in the sage smoke.
This ritual will cleanse the crystals and drive out any energy. You need to make sure you do not have any negative thoughts when doing this so that this ritual can carry on smoothly!
Cleanse and purify the room: Negative energy can linger even after escaping from the crystals. To avoid this, you should try to wave the sage stick all over the room and let positive intentions flow through you.
Having an open window or door is important during this period because it gives space for the energy to escape.
Once you are done with using the crystals and sage together, you need to be careful not to set anything on fire.
Ensure your sage stick is inside the container until the light goes fully off. To be on the safer side, you can put it inside the sand to put the fire out.
Now you know how to use crystals and sage to get rid of negative energy.
As mentioned earlier, this ritual is very important for anyone that uses crystals for healing and should be performed at least once a month.
Alternative methods to using crystals and sage
Do you want to use sage but without burning? Well, this is totally possible. There are other ways to use crystals and sage together that do not require burning.
Sage oil
You can purify your crystals without the whole ritualistic burning and smoking. All you need is the essential oil extracted from sage which is usually sold in little bottles.
White sage essential oil is quite active because of its purifying properties. You will have to burn the oil in a diffuser. Then you can spread the steam all over your crystals.
Another way to go about this is to put the oil and filtered water into a spray bottle. Then spray it over your crystals!
Sage with saltwater
In most cultures, saltwater is common for driving away evil spirits. You can also use salt water to cleanse and purify your crystals.
The first thing to do is to mix your own saltwater or get water from the sea if possible. After mixing, start sprinkling the saltwater over your crystals using a sage bundle. This procedure is only safe for crystals that are resistant to water.
Sage Plants
If you grow your own sage, this alternative might be for you. It is a simple way of purifying and cleansing your crystals.
Place your crystal on a sage leaf and let it remain there for 10 hours or more. You need to ensure it is resting perfectly on the leaf.
That’s it. Simple, right?
Sage Leaves
This is another method of using your crystals and sage together to avoid the smoking ritual. It would be best to gather dried sage leaves and make a bed in a bowl.
Place all your crystals on top of these leaves and you can keep them there for 10 hours or more. This can be done overnight. The sage will cleanse the crystals and rid it of bad energies.
Sage Tea
This method requires dried grounded sage, hot water, and salt. Boil dried sage in a pot of water to make tea. Steep it for a few minutes until the water becomes lukewarm, and then add a pinch of salt. Filter the sage, and you can run the tea over your crystals in a bowl or sink. You are ridding the crystals of negative energy as you do this.
Note: Before using water on your crystal, you need to ensure the crystal is water-resistant to avoid causing any damage.
Summary of using crystals and sage
Now that you know how to use your crystals and sage together, you can begin experimenting and have fun!
Do not forget that using crystals and sage together is a traditional sacred practice, and it should be respected.
A wise ancient healer once said, “Respect the sage, and the sage will protect you.” However, it’s important to not depend on these practises for deep healing in your life since everything works differently for everyone.