I don’t know about you, but the full moon last week got me feeling all sorts of wacko! I know I am really off when EVERYTHING stresses me out, even the things that don’t normally bother me and I can’t seem to get back on track or make important decisions. When this is present, it’s time to Smudge. What the heck is Smudging?! Great question. Smudging is one of the best ways to release negativity, clear the energy in your field, and help you start anew. If you’re feeling stuck, negative, sluggish, or even depressed, it may be due to some stagnant energy in your field. Your field can include your emotional, energetic, mental, spiritual or physical body, and your environment—whether it’s your home, office, or other physical space. Stagnant or negative energy can have extremely harmful effects on your mental and physical state and is even believed to manifest into things like a lack of happiness and success as well as pain and disease. Um, no thanks!
How do I Smudge?
1. I like to use Sage. Sage represents the earth element and when burned, the smoke from it represents the air.
2. A shell. To hold and burn the plants. The shell represents the water element.
3. Matches or a lighter. These represent the fire element.
4. Feather. This represents the air element.
5. Drum(s) or sacred drumming music, which represent the beat of the heart. I personally like to play any of the following from spotify:
WAH!
Krishna Das – Breath Album
Clear your space of clutter and mess and open up windows and curtains and allow for clean air to enter. Light your sage (or other herbs) on fire and then fan the smoke with your feather around your body and anyone/anything else in your space. Once finished, you can leave the bowl in a safe place and let it burn, filling the room with fragrant smoke. Treat any leftover ashes with intention. A proper way to dispose of them is to take them outdoors and leave them on the earth. Focus intently on what it is you want to accomplish for your smudging ritual or ceremony. Visualize it cleansing you, your home, your workplace, etc. of all the negative energies or entities that are unwanted.
A Native Prayer:
May your hands be cleansed, that they create beautiful things.
May your feet be cleansed, that they might take you where you most need to be.
May your heart be cleansed, that you might hear its messages clearly.
May your throat be cleansed, that you might speak rightly when words are needed.
May your eyes be cleansed, that you might see the signs and wonders of the world.
May this person and space be washed clean by the smoke of these fragrant plants.
And may that same smoke carry our prayers, spiraling, to the heavens.
I can not even express how much this special ritual creates such a clearing and brings me clarity. I feel like myself again. I would love to hear about your smudging experiences too!
Now onto all things delicious.
xo, Becky
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PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES BARS
{vegan / gluten free}
Serves 8-12
WHAT:
Bottom Layer
1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup walnuts
1 cup pitted dates
1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)
pinch of sea salt
4 tablespoons cacao NOT cocao
Top Layer
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil
HOW
1. Add walnuts to food processor and blend until fine. Add the rest of the top layer ingredients and blend until well mixed.
2. Add to a bread pan lined with parchment paper and press down until it covers the bottom of pan.
3. Add all top layer ingredients to food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
4. Pour top layer over bottom layer. Spread out evenly and place in freezer to set for 1-2 hours.
5. Cut up into squares and serve immediately. Store in fridge or freezer in air tight container.
6. Enjoy!
