Why is Clearing Energy is Crucial for a Fresh Start?

Ah, the New Year. That magical time when we all decide to declutter our homes, our lives, and maybe even our overly dramatic group chats. But let’s talk about clearing something way more sneaky—your energy. Smudging is like the cosmic reset button you never knew you needed. Think of it as spring cleaning for your vibes, where you’re not just sweeping dust bunnies but also kicking out the freeloading entities that might be hanging around.

Before we dive in, let’s take a moment to honor the plants we’re working with. Both white sage and palo santo are endangered, and while it’s ideal to harvest sage yourself if you can, that’s not always possible. (And let’s leave harvesting palo santo to the professionals.) If you’re sourcing these plants, do so with reverence, and use them mindfully—every leaf or stick holds sacred energy. This respect should extend to how we use them: with intention, care, and zero waste.

Smudging—the burning of plant matter to cleanse the air and a person both spiritually and physically—is an ancient practice found in cultures around the world. Unfortunately, many modern practitioners, especially in New Age circles or those exploring spirituality without a connection to specific traditions, often miss the deeper understanding behind smudging rituals. This can lead to practices that feel hollow, wasteful, or less effective, losing much of the profound impact these rituals are meant to offer. It truly saddens me, because smudging isn’t just about lighting plants on fire—it’s a sacred practice rooted in energy, intention, and deep respect for the spiritual and cultural wisdom it carries, as well as reverence for the plant spirit.

By mastering the art of smudging with intention and respect, you’re not only clearing energy but also aligning yourself with a practice that bridges ancient wisdom and modern needs. Ready to kick those bad vibes to the curb and embrace a fresh start? Let’s get into it.

The Power of Personal Energy in Smudging

Let’s get real: smudging isn’t about lighting sage and hoping for the best. It’s about channeling your inner superhero—specifically, the one with solar plexus power that screams, “I run this place!” Your energy is the driving force behind the ritual. If you approach it with insecurity, you might as well roll out a welcome mat for the very entities you’re trying to kick out.

Instead, step into your power. Imagine you’re channeling the fiery energy of a warrior goddess (or god)—the kind of energy that makes every low-vibe hitchhiker think twice before setting up shop in your space. If you’re not in a place in life to harness your own personal power (no shade… knowing you’re not ready IS personal power and a powerful knowing of yourself. Kudos to you!) hire an expert to help ASAP.

That One Time I Kicked Out a Beast of an Entity

A few years ago I lived in a 160-year-old mansion (because obviously, where else would a spiritual healer live?). One day, while feeding my baby, I saw a shadowy entity casually stroll past the gap of the doorframe like it owned the place. Then, in the creepiest twist ever, I heard, “GET OUT, BTCH!”* yelled directly into my mind. To this day I’ve never been as assaulted as this by an unseen entity. You guessed it. Nobody else was in the house or whole property, my dog was terrified and had run from that room so she wasn’t the tall shadow… the thing just wasn’t of this world.

Did I panic? Nope. (Although every hair was standing on end and my heart was in my throat) Without a hitch, I softly and quietly put my baby down for her nap, grabbed my absurdly giant sage stick, and called on Archangel Michael for backup. With a mix of VERY grounded energy and “You Messed With The Wrong Girl, btch!” power stemming from righteous anger of protecting my property and family, I smudged every corner until the entity was gone for good. I left smudge stripes on the walls that had to be painted over. Lesson learned? Smudging works when *you work it—and personal power is the secret sauce. (And, stay away from the walls. This stuff doesn’t wash off!)

Preparing for Smudging

You wouldn’t bake a cake without preheating the oven, right? Same goes for smudging. Here’s how to prep like a pro:

1. Clean Your Space

A messy room equals messy energy. Dust, vacuum, and declutter so energy can flow freely. Even entities hate tripping over random piles of stuff.

Pro tips: Leave nothing but furniture touching the floors, take special care to remove items from piles behind doors, and never, ever store stuff below your bed. Please.

2. Cover Mirrors

Mirrors are like energetic magnifying glasses—and sometimes, they act as portals. Cover them during smudging to keep the focus on clearing this dimension. We’ll focus on these bad boys later in this article.

Pro tip: If you get woken up in the middle of the night feeling like 12 people are watching you, and your animal friend is staring at every ceiling corner like they’re auditioning for Ghostbusters, grab a towel, blanket, or sheet and cover up any mirrors in the room. It’s like hitting the “snooze” button on spooky vibes so you can catch some Z’s before you face the smudging showdown tomorrow.

3. Choose Your Tools

Let me preface this by saying: I’m not someone who loves having loads of spiritual “stuff” lying around. As we’re ascending toward the 5D, where physicality takes a backseat and we become pure energy, relying on tools like sage, crystals, and other physical items becomes less necessary. This is very advanced spiritual work (which I teach, by the way), but in the meantime, these physical tools work wonders to help bridge the gap.

Also, a quick PSA: You never, ever have to spend money on your spirituality. Spiritual growth isn’t about a fancy collection of items, crystals, or funky clothing; it’s about intention, energy, and alignment. So if you’re using sage, grab a dedicated fireproof vessel for the process—it’s essential because smudging is messy. But that vessel? It can be a 50-cent thrift store find that sparks joy. No need to break the bank for something sacred to you.

Here are the tools that do the trick beautifully:

• Sage: The ultimate negativity buster.
• Cedar: Your spiritual bodyguard.
• Sweetgrass: For those good vibes only.
• Other Herbs: Research those that may work better for you. There are many out there. You can make your own, too!
• Palo Santo: The “clean slate” stick—clears energy and invites grounded peace, like the chill cousin of sage.
• Fireproof Vessel: An essential for catching ash and embers while keeping things safe. I also keep my palo santo or small sticks in here when I’m not using them.
• Feather or Fan (Optional): For precision smoke-swirling artistry, but honestly, your hand works just as well. You can use your breath to help blow the smoke and your intentions into corners and underneath furniture as well.

Remember, it’s not the tool itself that holds the power—it’s you and your intention. These tools are simply your energetic co-pilots.

4. Set Your Intention

Your intention is the GPS for the energy you’re about to clear. Speak it out loud or in your head, but make it clear. Examples:
“I cleanse this space of all negative energy and entities, inviting only light, love, and harmony to remain.”
“I demand anything other than love and light leave this place immediately and permanently.”

Remember, your intentions are fueled by your personal power. Use it well.

How to Smudge Your Space: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Start with Yourself

Once the smoke is flowing like a champ, rest your stick in the vessel and let the smoke gather in front of you. Give your hands a quick “wash” in the smoke, like you’re scrubbing off the energetic grime of the day. Scoop some up with your hands and gently “wash” your face as if it’s water, making sure to bring it over the top of your head for good measure.

Now, grab that stick and start at your left foot, letting the smoke swirl its magic over your body in a left-to-right circle, up around your head, and down your back. Pay a little extra attention to your gut, heart, and head—those areas tend to hoard energetic baggage like your favorite junk drawer. Bonus move: imagine the smoke sweeping through your left palm, traveling through your body, and exiting out your right palm like an energetic car wash. Oh, and don’t forget the bottoms of your feet—this is the connection point of your grounding, so no funky energies here!

Once you’ve got yourself cleared and feeling lighter, you’re ready to tackle the rest of the space!

Step 2: How To Smudge

Smudging isn’t just about the smoke; it’s about the energy you bring. If prayer feels aligned for you, use it here. If not, channel strong, positive energy while you work. Many traditions incorporate sound—singing, rattles, or drumming—to boost intention and engage with the room’s energy. The vibration of sound not only amplifies the cleansing process but can also invite healing into the space. If you know the names of the local land features or spirits, you can call on their assistance too.

Remember, when you cleanse, you’re creating a void—and nature abhors a vacuum. Be intentional about what you invite into the space you’ve cleared. Songs or spoken words can fill the room with high-vibrational, positive energy. The secret sauce? Focus on your desired outcome, not the problem you’re addressing. For example, instead of saying, “I cleanse this room of anger,” say, “I fill this room with peace and harmony.” Put your heart into it—whether you’re singing, drumming, or simply speaking, the energy behind your intention is far more important than perfect words or technique.

Pro Tip: If you know you’re ridding a specific ugly entity, go ahead and use demanding words specifically pointed at it’s removal. It’s your space. You’re the human and you hold the invitation to be living on this earth plane at the moment. This other thing doesn’t. It’s NOT invited. Period.

Step 3: Begin at the Entrance of Your Home

When smudging, it’s not enough to just wave the smoke around in the middle of the room like you’re fumbling through a sage-scented magic show. Smudging is all about intentional movement. Start at the doorway—cleanse the frame, threshold, and any energy bottlenecking there. Then, move along the edges of the room.

Here’s where you have options:

• Clockwise: Invites positive energy in, creating a welcoming, healing vibe.
• Counterclockwise: Clears out stagnant, negative energy or unwanted spirits.

From my experience, starting at the left side of the door and progressing left around the room enhances the plant spirit’s energy, especially if you invite the plant to participate with your heart-filled intention. This approach feels deeply healing, as if the smoke’s power intensifies with every step. That said, some practitioners prefer going the other way, particularly when clearing sickness or tough, sticky energy.

Now it’s time to level up your smudging game! Pick your preferred direction and get to work. Start at the farthest reaches of your home—think of it as sweeping the vibes from the back row to the front stage. Hit every room, every window, every doorway like you’re on a mission. Crack those windows open wherever possible to give the unwanted energy a clear “exit stage left” option. Then, make your triumphant final sweep all the way down to the home’s entrance, where you send the lingering vibes packing for good. Boom—energetic glow-up achieved!

Once you’ve completed your smudging circuit, take the ashes outside. These ashes hold the energy the smoke has collected and should be treated with respect. Bury or scatter them in the earth once the smoke has completely faded. If you’re smudging before a healing session or event, wait until the work is complete before returning the ashes to the earth.

Pro Tip: The four elements are your cleanup crew when it comes to disposing of ashes. Here’s the lowdown:

• If you’re aiming for a slow and steady cleanse, let flowing water like a stream or river do the work. The water gently carries and rinses away the energy over time, returning the organic material back to nature—ecological and aligned with Mother Earth’s vibe. But here’s the catch: only use tiny amounts (ashes, not a bonfire’s worth!) and make sure your local authorities are cool with ceremonial use in waterways. No one wants to explain to the park ranger why you’re sprinkling “mystical dust” in the stream.
• Fire: Want a quick and fiery finale? Toss the ashes into a safe spot like a wood stove or an outdoor fire. Once burned, you can compost these ashes—because even bad vibes can be recycled into something useful.
• Earth: For a gradual return to nature, bury the ashes directly in the ground and let them compost slowly.
• Air: Feeling whimsical? Let the wind scatter the ashes to their next resting place. It’s the scenic route, but hey, some energies like to take their time.

Choose your element, and let the ashes be on their merry way—it’s all about what feels aligned for you.

Step 4: Move Through the Room

• Clockwise: Welcome positive energy.
• Counterclockwise: Send negative vibes (and entities) packing. Pay extra attention to corners, mirrors, and windows—they’re like the Airbnb hotspots for lingering energy.

Usher the energy out. Going from your farthest room towards your windows and doors, sweeping and pushing the way.

Step 5: Add Sound

Shake a rattle, bang a drum, or chant like no one’s watching. Sound amplifies your intention and makes it clear: you’re the boss here.

Step 6: Seal the Energy

Finish by smudging the circle closed at your front door then take the ashes outside. Let the wind scatter them away. Bye, bad vibes!

Cleansing Secondhand Items: Because You Don’t Need Extra Luggage

Secondhand treasures are great for your wallet but not always for your energy field. They can come with emotional baggage—or even an attached entity. Here’s how to give them a clean slate:

1. Physically Clean the Item

Wipe, wash, and sanitize. For clothing, add a splash of vinegar to the wash cycle for an extra cleanse.

2. Let the Sun Help

Sunlight is nature’s energy purifier. Give items a sunny spa day for 5-60 minutes.

3. Smudge Like You Mean It

Cover every inch with smoke, especially hidden compartments.

4. Speak a Blessing

Example: “May this item be cleansed of all past energy and entities, radiating light and harmony in my home.”

Special Considerations for Mirrors: The Drama Queens of Energy

Mirrors don’t just reflect—they absorb. And sometimes, they can act as portals. Handle with care.

How to Cleanse Mirrors

• Step 1: Wash with salt water to neutralize lingering vibes.
• Step 2: Smudge the frame, edges, and surface thoroughly.
• Step 3: Set an intention: “This mirror reflects only love, light, and positive energy.”
• Step 4: Place your smudge stick in front of the mirror, letting it absorb what it needs. You can sometimes even see the smoke going right in.

What About Objects with Emotional Weight?

Some items carry emotional energy, whether from past owners or their own history. Here’s how to clear them:

• Beds and Upholstered Furniture: Smudge thoroughly and consider reupholstering if it still feels “off.”
• Artwork: Clear with sage and set the intention for inspiration and harmony.
• Jewelry: Use a saltwater bath for durable pieces, or stick with smudging for delicate ones.

Pro Tip: If you can get your hands on silica sandblasting matter, this is a ground-up quartz crystal that cleanses energy. I give my healing stones and other items an overnight dip in this to cleanse them at my desk, ready to go the next day without the rigamarole of moonlight or water spells or turning in a circle 6 times with a salt rock during the dragon moon. If that’s your style, I love it – I just need bare-boned simplicity in my life.

Final Thoughts: Transforming Your Space and Energy

Smudging isn’t just about waving around some sage and calling it a day—it’s about reclaiming your space and your energy. By clearing out negativity and entities with intention and confidence, you’re opening the door (literally) to a life of abundance, harmony, and alignment.

Want to take your energy-clearing skills to the next level? Join The Healed Collective for advanced tools and transformational guidance. Because when your vibes are this good, everything else just falls into place.

Comment below if you’ve ever smudged, and if you have your own tips and tricks! I always love learning more!