To smudge a space is an ancient method to clear and cleanse an area, as well as creating an atmosphere perfect for yoga, meditation, and spell-work.
I have always felt more drawn toward rosemary than white sage - perhaps as rosemary is more native to me in the UK. But as sage and palo santo stocks are running low worldwide - I think it's even more important to look to creating smudge sticks from a variety of herbs. After all, they all have their own special magic….
The word Rosmarinus is from the Latin meaning "dew of the sea".
Rosemary is also associated with Aphrodite and appears in many ancient images of Her.
Rosemary was also given as a gift for New Year's Day, along with an orange, stuck with cloves and it was used with holly and mistletoe to decorate for Yule.
An old saying says "Where Rosemary flourishes, the Woman rules" and in England it was believed that rosemary could not grow in the garden of the home unless the mistress was the master.
In France, Rosemary was burnt, along with Juniper berries in sick rooms and hospitals to purify the air.
Rosemary is believed to attract the fae and good energies.
It was an embalming herb and sacred in Egypt. It was also a sacred herb to the Greeks.
How to…
Buy or pick fresh rosemary and bind into a smudge stick with natural twine, as the rosemary dries (this can take up to two weeks) you may have to tighten the twine.
Use as you would a sage smudge stick! Light the stick, let it burn for a moment before blowing out the flame and let the smoke envelop your space with scent and your own positive intention