In my Mystikal voice - Still Smoking lol

Smoke Cleansing: What I’ve Learned Along the Way

Back in 2020, when I was going through my own awakening—like, oh wow, I’m really having a spiritual awakening—one of the first things I kept hearing was:

“I need to cleanse my space. I need sage. I gotta get some sage.”

And listen… you can’t hear my tone right now, but please understand the level of sarcasm in my voice. Because it was very much like: everybody gotta get sage.

That was the narrative.

But one of the first things I had to sit with was this:

That doesn’t even belong to you.

And when I say “you,” I’m talking about the people who were pushing it the hardest. Not only was it being used out of context, but it was also being promoted in a way that encouraged widespread cultural appropriation.

And that matters.

Because your lineage has its own practices.

Your people had their own ways of working with smoke.

I remember reading that cinnamon, for example, was commonly used in Rome. Every lineage has something. So when we say “smudging,” we need to understand—that is a specific practice with specific cultural roots.

That’s why I don’t call this “smudging.”

I call it smoke cleansing—because I’m not speaking on Indigenous American ceremonial practice. I’m talking about the general act of burning something and using the smoke intentionally.

What Are You Actually Trying to Do?

This was the biggest shift for me.

Before you even light anything, you need to ask:

What is my intention with this smoke?

Because not all smoke does the same thing.

• Am I cleansing?

  Removing something unwanted from a space.

• Am I purifying?

  Clearing everything—a full reset. Clean slate. Nothing remains.

• Am I elevating the energy?

  Not removing it, but raising what’s already there.

• Am I activating something?

  
  

  Calling something in. Turning something on.

Those are not the same actions.

And this is where I started side-eyeing the casual “I used sage” statements.

Used it for what?

Because from what I understand right now—and I’m always open to learning more—sage functions as a purification herb.

So if your intention is not “everybody out, full reset,” then why are you using it?

Where I Am Now with Smoke

At this stage in my journey, I don’t have a desire to use sage.

That’s my personal stance.

And honestly, in 2026… we should know better. At bare minimum, my people should have strong feelings about cultural appropriation.

Again—that’s my perspective.

Now, what do I use?

Cinnamon

I love cinnamon.

It’s warm, spicy—it feels like it wakes things up.If I’m trying to invite something in, shift momentum, or energize a space, cinnamon is my go-to.

Incense

I love incense. Love it.

So many cultures have long-standing relationships with incense. Even thinking about places like Ancient Egypt—incense was a whole thing.

I actually want to start making my own. I keep saying I’m going to do it… I just need to do it.

Dragon’s Blood

This is one of my favorites for cleansing.

To me, it feels like it both cleanses and activates. It doesn’t just remove—it stirs, it shifts, it wakes.

Nag Champa

Nag champa is not for cleansing—for me.

It just makes the space feel good.It softens the energy. It sets a tone. It’s about atmosphere.

Not Everything Needs a Full Reset

Another lesson:

Everything does not need to be purified.

Sometimes you don’t need to wipe everything out—you just need to adjust what’s already there.

If you’re maintaining your space regularly, you may not need purification often at all.

And sometimes? A space does need a full reset.

But you won’t know that if you’re just lighting things without intention.

Not Everything Can Be Cleared That Easily

This is where I get a little… direct.

People will go into heavy spaces—historical spaces, ancestral spaces—and say:

“I’m just gonna cleanse it with sage.”

Respectfully… you think that’s enough?

Everything cannot be cleared that simply.

And this is where intention alone is not enough.

Good intention is great.

Good intention + knowledge + alignment = effectiveness.

Everything has a purpose.

And when you align with that purpose, your work becomes more efficient and more impactful.

Listening to the Space

If I’m cleansing a home, I’m not just grabbing something and going.

I’m asking:

What is this space okay with?

Because every space has its own energy, its own boundaries.

Some methods may look flashy. Powerful. Dramatic.

But if they’re not aligned?

You’re going to have to come back and fix what didn’t land.

So for me, it’s about doing what is actually needed, not what looks the most impressive.

My Advice Moving Forward

If you’re working with smoke:

1. Be clear on your intention

   Are you cleansing, purifying, elevating, or activating?

2. Choose the right material for that intention

   Leaves, roots, flowers, resins—everything has a function.

3. Ask if it’s enough on its own

   Do you also need divination? Offerings? Additional work?

There is a balance to everything.

Respect it.

Here are some articles I read.

https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/smoke-cleansing

https://originalbotanica.com/blog/smudging-vs-smoke-cleansing-differences?srsltid=AfmBOorh8ibCueghqPtBgQBiGBJEwgYARXsLCj5LBInqYFvwCzi-pMtT