If you are plagued by nightmares or insomnia, if your home feels more like a minefield than a restful haven from the troubles of the world, if you constantly feel muddled and unfocussed, this is a great time to use smudging to cleanse, balance, and purify yourself and your surroundings.
Rosemary is best known as a culinary herb, but when it is used for smudging, it can improve your environment just as much as it can improve a meal. The scent of rosemary has been linked to improved memory and better cognitive function overall. It is said to drive away nightmares. Burning rosemary for smudging brings about a feeling of calm and safety.
Our bundles of rosemary are approximately 4" long.
How do I light my Rosemary Smudge Bundle? Grasp the Rosemary Smudge Bundle at one end, and hold it with the other end pointed slightly downward. Hold a lighter, match, or even a lit candle, to the tip of the bundle. Once it catches, let it burn for a few seconds before you press the tip against a fire-proof surface (a bowl or shell works well) just long enough to extinguish the flames. Leave the smoldering embers, though. This is what will release the fragrant smoke, and let the herb do its job.
Now what? Fix your intention firmly in your mind before you begin. Gently waft the smoke from the smoldering rosemary over and around you and/or your tools, as you focus on driving away the bad vibes. Or if you are smudging your home, go from room to room, along the walls and into every corner, again, focussing on your purpose as you proceed. Be sure to open all doors and window give any malevolent spirits a route to depart.
Now how do I extinguish my herbal bundle? Rosemary does not burn particularly vigorously. Once you stop moving around, and place the herbal bundle on a fire-proof surface, it will go out on its own after a few minutes. You do not need to wet your bundle to make it go out.