Sage can be burned in healing, purification or funeral ceremonies.
Sage burning customs can be found in many cultures. Sage burning can be particularly important in Native American ceremonies but was also reputedly used by the Druids and in the Amazon. Sage is often associated with purification and is thought to dispel negativity. It can be burned over the body of pet as a cleansing or healing ritual. Sage may also be used for pet funeral ceremonies. It is best to burn sage as a smudge stick or in a non-flammable container.
Instructions
Pet Healing or Cleansing
1. Buy sage, preferably white sage, from your local farmers market, health food, or New Age store. You can also grow sage in your garden.
2. If your sage is fresh, tie the stems and place it in a paper bag to dry. Tie the open end of the paper bag around the tied stems, poke holes in the bag for air, and hang in a dry place for at least two weeks.
3. Bundle the sage into a smudge stick and tie with string.
4. Hold the smudge stick in your hand, light it, and blow out the flames. This will cause the stick to smoke.
5. Direct the smoke over your pet's body with your hand or with the feather or fan.
6. Place the smudge stick in the bowl and extinguish.
Pet Funeral
7. Prepare sage by following Steps 1-2 of Section 1.
8. Place loose sage in the bowl.
9. Light the sage and then extinguish the flames so the sage is smoldering and producing smoke.
10. Place the bowl near the body of your pet during the funeral ceremony. You may want to direct the smoke over the body of your pet at the beginning of the ceremony or just before burial.
11. When you have finished the ceremony, extinguish the sage by covering it with sand in the bowl.
Tags: smudge stick, body your, funeral ceremonies, over body, Sage burning, smoke over, your hand