Feeling stuck or stagnant lately? Need a reset?
Looking to do some deep work or reflection and want to keep the energy clear?
Rough day out in the world, and want to remove the ick?
All of these are fantastic reasons to energetically cleanse yourself and/or your space. While there are many methods of energetic cleansing, here I will be offering tips and guidance on a practice I find to be powerfully effective, which is smoke cleansing with white sage and palo santo.
Before I dive into benefits and helpful tips, it is important to note that these practices are inspired by various traditions, and I do not practice within an Indigenous ceremonial framework. I am sharing here what I personally practice in my home, stemming from my personal mindfulness studies and lived experiences.
Additionally, the ethical and sustainable sourcing of white sage and palo santo is of the utmost importance. If you are unsure about where to start, please know that the MTNS & LKS store carries white sage that is sustainably grown and harvested in California. Our fair trade palo santo is ethically sourced from Peru, with considerations for human rights and ethical labor.
With these factors in mind, let’s dive in! If you are new to smoke cleansing, be sure to read through to the end for best practices for safety and success.
White sage and palo santo are the natural smoke tools I find most helpful and turn to time and again when instinct tells me something’s gotta shift. While you can effectively use these herbs separately, for a balanced and thorough cleansing, I like to start with burning white sage for clearing, and follow with palo santo for inviting peace and positivity back into a space.
Why? Let’s look at some benefits of smoke cleansing:
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Air purification: Smoke from both sage and palo santo offers antimicrobial effects, i.e. reducing levels of airborne bacteria. While the effect is minimal, and does not replace physical cleaning, I love that there is a true aspect of air purification that takes place during this energetic cleansing practice.
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Positive nervous system response: Here’s some more science for you! Scent is a powerful tool that engages our olfactory system. Unlike other senses, olfactory signals travel from the nose directly to the olfactory bulb, which is closely linked to limbic structures like the amygdala (in charge of emotional processing) and the hippocampus (in charge of memory consolidation). This direct pathway allows smells to influence our emotional state, stress perception, and sense of calm vs. alertness.
Sage and palo santo each bring their own terpene profiles, which have different studied effects on our nervous system. Cineole (eucalyptol) and camphor, which are found in sage, can heighten the experience of cleaner air, deeper breathing, and mental alertness. In palo santo, limonene and α-terpineol have potential to reduce stress markers, support a more positive mood, and contribute to an overall sense of relaxation. Ummm, yes please! -
Mental focus and reset: One of my favorite parts of preparing for a smoke cleanse is determining which intentions I want to bring to my space. For example, when starting with sage, I may choose a short mantra like “clear this space” or “only energy that is in alignment.” I will repeat the mantra as I open each door and move through each room. For palo santo, I like to shift to something more inviting such as “allow love to flow” or “let good fortune find us.” Repeating short mantras like these, either internally or out loud, allows us to tap into the power of manifesting, bringing intention into a space, and willing the energy to align with our highest, most authentic selves.
Now that you have a sense of some of the goodness that a smoke cleansing practice can bring, let’s discuss some tips for success!
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Always open windows: Remember that the antimicrobial effects of smoke cleansing are minimal - you are still lighting something on fire and producing smoke. So as not to set off any fire alarms, as well as ensure you aren’t suddenly living in a cloud, preemptively open windows (even just a crack if it’s cold outside) in each room you cleanse. Energetically speaking, opening windows also allows space for those stagnant energies you are working to dispel to leave.
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Be mindful of your flame: Before you begin, make sure to have a fire-proof bowl or shell ready to catch any bits as they burn away. I keep a Pyrex ramekin beneath my sage bundle or palo santo at all times, during lighting and throughout the cleansing ritual.
When working with sage, you will likely have a bundle tied with string. To start, you will bring your flame (using a lighter or a match) to one end of your sage bundle and hold it there until the end of the bundle becomes embers and is producing smoke. At that point you can begin your smoke cleanse by walking through your space. Your sage bundle should not be on fire, only smoking as you move. Usually I need to relight the bundle several times when I am doing a full house cleanse. You will know when you need to relight, as the bundle will stop producing smoke. Always start small and light cautiously until you get a feel for your materials. Once you finish, firmly press the lit end of your sage bundle into your fire-proof bowl or shell until the embers are extinguished. You can continue to use the same bundle for your next smoke cleanse until it is all gone.
Palo santo burns and smokes a little differently. Palo santo is a fragrant wood, and you will likely start with a single stick for your cleanse. Bring your flame (using a lighter or a match) to one end of your palo santo until it is lit on fire. Let it burn, keeping the flame upright and away from your fingers until it eventually extinguishes itself. At that point the end of your palo santo should be embers and producing smoke. Now you can begin your smoke cleanse by walking through your space. Similarly to sage, you may need to relight your palo santo as you go, whenever it stops producing smoke. Please be careful - I’ve found that palo santo burns more strongly than sage, and you may need to put the flame out yourself before it extinguishes on its own.
Remember: You are literally “playing with fire” with this cleansing ritual, and it is essential to practice common sense and fire safety throughout. Move slowly and stay alert! -
The energy will flow, so be prepared: In practice, I have been taught to start your smoke cleanse in the lowest level (i.e. your basement) and to work your way up. In this way you can clear stagnant or heavy energy from the foundation upward, finishing at the highest point to bring in light. Energetically, you can think about this as pushing the energy "up and out" rather than pushing it down and into lower areas with less airflow.
Once you finish with your smoke cleanse, you may notice the energy shift not just around you, but within you. And the same can be true for your loved ones! I was caught off guard the first time, when after finishing a full house smoke cleanse, my husband and I got into a huge argument! I thought I had failed in my efforts. It wasn’t until later that night that I did some additional research and found that a smoke cleanse can dislodge pent up emotion and/or frustration as well - that it’s actually a sign of an effective cleanse! Whew! So be prepared for potential emotional outbursts from yourself or others in your space once you complete this home ritual. Hold onto that awareness and practice compassion. Burning palo santo after burning sage can also help to minimize conflict. The goal is to hold space and fill your home with all the goodness you seek.
I hope you find this guide helpful as you start or deepen your smoke cleansing practice. As always, I am here to answer any questions or provide additional resources if I don’t have the answers you are looking for.
Happy cleansing!
With love,
Kayla