How Do You Light Lavender And Sage?
Burning lavender and sage together has many beneficial purposes. The smoke from these fragrant herbs has purifying and cleansing properties. When used in smudging, the smoke can help clear negative energy and bring a sense of calm. Lavender specifically is known for attracting positive energy and providing soothing effects. It can open your heart chakra and promote feelings of tranquility and relaxation. Sage is believed to aid in cleansing spaces by getting rid of unwanted or stagnant energy. It also promotes clarity, concentration, and a meditative state of mind. Many people use lavender and sage smudging sticks or bundles as part of spiritual practices or to simply enjoy the pleasant aroma and create a peaceful ambiance in their home.
Sources:
https://www.amazon.com/Lavender-Cleansing-Negative-Clearing-Smudging/dp/B08M8WZ1SP
Gather Your Materials
To safely burn dried lavender and sage, you will need the following supplies:
- Dry lavender and sage bundles – It’s best to use dried herb bundles that are completely dried and free of moisture. Allow fresh cut herbs to dry for at least a week before burning. You can often find ready-to-use dried herb bundles at metaphysical shops, herb stores, or online retailers like Etsy.
- Lighter or matches – You’ll need a flame source to get the herbs started burning.
- Safe burning container – Choose a bowl or container made of a nonflammable material such as ceramic, glass, or metal. This will contain the burning herbs safely.
Avoid plastic or flammable containers, and make sure your bowl is large enough to allow airflow and prevent accidental spreading of the embers. According to The Kitchn, pretty much any dried herb or flower will work for burning, even small pine or cedar clippings.
Sources:
https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-dried-herb-incense-229051
Choose a Good Location
When burning dried herbs like lavender and sage, it’s important to choose a location that is well-ventilated. This allows the smoke to dissipate safely. Basements, garages, or screened porches work well. You’ll also want to make sure smoke alarms in the area are disabled so they don’t accidentally trigger from the smoke (How do you burn herbs in a cauldron?).
Pick a spot away from anything flammable in case a spark jumps out. Have a window cracked open or run a fan to help direct smoke outside. Avoid burning indoors if you have respiratory issues, as the smoke can irritate lungs.
Prepare the Herbs
Before burning lavender or sage, it’s important to properly prepare the dried herb bundles. Start by breaking up any large bunches into smaller bundles of around 6-8 inches in length. Removing the stems is also recommended, as the woody stems don’t burn as well and can give off a harsh smoke. According to Appalachian Botanical, the leaves and flowers of lavender and sage release the best smoke for cleansing purposes.
When prepping your herb bundles, inspect them closely and remove any dead leaves or flowers. You want the herbs to be fully dried but not brittle. Finally, use string, cotton thread, or hemp twine to bundle the leaves and flowers together tightly. The bundles should be thin but dense. Trim any excess string before lighting. Now the herbs are ready to be lit for cleansing smoke.
Light the Herbs
Once the herbs are prepared and you have chosen a safe location, you are ready to light the dried lavender and sage. Hold a flame to the herbs until they catch fire and begin to smolder. You can use a match, lighter, candle, or other direct flame source. Be very careful when lighting dried herbs as they can combust quickly. Keep the flame source steady and away from your body. Light just a small portion of the herbs at first, holding the rest away until you have a controlled, manageable smolder going. The herbs may flare up at first before settling into a steady smoke. Allow a few seconds for the flames on the herbs to burn out on their own before lighting more. Go slowly and with caution.
According to an article on Gardenary.com, when lighting dried herbs it’s important to do so in a cool, dry, dark location away from flammable items. Light and heat can degrade the aromatic compounds. See the full article here for tips on drying and storing herbs: https://www.gardenary.com/blog/my-favorite-way-to-dry-and-store-herbs-from-the-garden
Let Them Smolder
Once you have lit the ends of the lavender and sage bundle, do not blow out the flames right away. Allow the herbs to smolder for at least 10-15 seconds before extinguishing the flames. This will ignite the rest of the bundle and release the essential oils. Rushing to blow out the flames prevents the herbs from fully smoldering.
As the bundle smolders, smoke will begin to rise from the ends you lit. Let this smoke build without blowing or waving it around yet. Allowing the initial smoke to rise sets the sage and lavender aflame evenly. This ensures the ingredients burn together in a balanced way, releasing their aromas at the same rate.
It’s tempting to blow out the flames quickly, but patience is key. Give the lavender and sage sticks at least 15 seconds of smoldering time for best results. Once you see smoke rising steadily from the bundle, you can gentle blow out the flames if you wish. Otherwise, let the fire extinguish itself so the herbs smolder completely.
Fan the Smoke
Once the lavender and sage have started smoking, use a feather or your hand to gently fan and spread the smoke around the space you want to cleanse. Fanning the smoke helps distribute the aromatic smoke so that the entire area can benefit from the cleansing properties. As you fan the smoke, focus your intention on clearing stagnant or negative energy and invite in fresh, positive energy. The act of fanning and spreading the smoke can be an meditative ritual.
According to some spiritual practices, the smoke attaches itself to negative energy and as it clears from the space, it takes the negative energy with it. The smoke is thought to release positive energy. Lavender specifically has calming, soothing properties while sage is believed to have cleansing effects. By combining lavender and sage, you can create an uplifting environment.[1] Take your time to fully fan all areas of the room and don’t forget corners or crevices where stagnant energy may have built up.
Safely Dispose of Ashes
After you have finished smudging with lavender or sage, it’s important to safely dispose of the ashes. Make sure the ashes are fully extinguished before disposal, as you do not want to start an accidental fire. The safest way to ensure the ashes are out is to run them under water until they are cool to the touch.
According to Wikihow: “Let the sage burn out on its own rather than extinguish it so your space gets the most benefits. Then, discard the ashes outside by scattering them on the earth or even your garden.” https://www.wikihow.com/Burn-Sage
Once the ashes are fully extinguished, the common practice is to return the herb ashes to the earth outside. You can scatter them in your yard, garden or flower pots. Some believe spreading them in natural settings returns their essence back to the earth. Avoid disposing down drains or in the garbage. With proper care, you can safely dispose of lavender and sage ashes after enjoying their calming benefits.
Open Windows Afterwards
Once you have finished lighting the herbs, it is crucial that you open any windows and doors in the space to allow for thorough ventilation. The smoke released from burning herbs like lavender and sage can contain particulate matter that can accumulate over time if the space is not aired out properly. For optimal cleansing effects and to avoid potential throat or lung irritation, ventilate the area for at least 30 minutes after you have finished smudging. You may even wish to use fans pointed towards open doors or windows to fully circulate fresh air into the space.
Allowing proper ventilation not only removes any lingering smoke or particulates, but also enables the energetic shift and cleansing effects of the herbs to fully spread throughout the space. Some recommend saging each room in a home and then allowing them to air out for an hour or more afterwards. Be sure to open closets, cabinets, and any other enclosed areas to ventilation as well. With a refreshed flow of air, the herbs can truly cleanse at the deepest levels.
Conclusion
Burning lavender and sage together can be a relaxing, purifying, and uplifting experience. By following the proper techniques for gathering materials, preparing the herbs, lighting them, and allowing the smoke to fill the space, you can cleanse your environment of negative energy. The benefits of lavender include attracting positive energy, opening the heart chakra, and promoting calmness. Sage is known for its purification and cleansing properties. When combined, lavender and sage create a powerful smudging experience that can center your mind, body, and spirit.
