The Real Secret To Smudging Is Your Intention
The secret to smudging isn’t just in the smoke alone. It is powered by your intention. The herbs may help to cleanse the air, but it is your focused energy and mindful purpose that makes the real difference.
This is what I learned from my mentor when I undertook my Ukuthwasa as a shaman initiate many years ago in Southern Africa. An initial part of my rigorous training as a Sangoma, or traditional healer, was a self-cleansing ritual using Mphepo, made up of herbs indigenous to Southern Africa.
“Smudging,” simply put, is the burning of certain herbs to create a cleansing smoke bath. The smoke is used to cleanse areas used for rituals and ceremonies, as well as any tools or objects used for such cleansing, as well as to cleanse people.
The practice of burning incense or herbs is held sacred by many indigenous cultures. It is aimed at protecting, cleansing and purifying the spiritual and physical bodies, with the smoke being the key to rid one of negative energy.
The intention behind any smudging ceremony is a very significant part of its success. With the focus and intent of the “smudger” fully aligned, spiritual, emotional, physical and mental balance can be achieved.
It may be a good time to smudge yourself, or your environment, when you feel depressed or angry, or feel that any exterior negative energy is affecting you, your surroundings or your possessions. Or you may just wish to ensure or enhance positive energy in spaces used for meditation or healing. Continue reading
Crystals Can Revive Your Spiritual Brilliance!
Life these days can be very demanding and it is often a challenge to successfully balance all aspects of mind, body and soul.
Busy work days, financial responsibilities, and the demands of our social and family life, can make it so easy to allow our spiritual practice to slip.
Fortunately, the metaphysical power of crystals can help us keep our spiritual motivation going. Here’s how.
Ask For Support
Should you feel the need for support from a particular crystal, then all you need to do is simply ask for it.
For example, do you think you need to increase your self-discipline, or that your resolve should be strengthened?
If so, gently hold some malachite in one hand and request that it helps and supports you to this end. In fact, you could carry it with you at all times whenever you sense the need of its help.
Meditate With A Crystal
Before getting up in the morning, lie quietly for ten minutes with your amethyst positioned on the third eye – that being the middle of your forehead. While breathing deeply, visualize the energy this purple stone contains permeating every cell in your body and thus spiritually motivating and invigorating you.
Are You Holding On To A Broken Relationship?
Are you waiting for him to return to you? Has your break-up stopped you from living your life? Have you decided that no matter what anyone has said to you, that you know that he is coming back to you?
Holding on to a broken relationship is a common occurrence in many people’s lives. One person moves on, another does not.
When confronted with this dilemma, you may believe he will be back. I know him; he can’t function without me. He needs me. He knows we are spiritually connected. However, this is often not the truth of the situation. It is simply your ego egging you on to believe what you want to believe.
I usually ask people to go into their ‘gut’ and take the heart out of it. But still I will get, “My gut says he will be back.” This is ego, because the response is so quick and without breathing in and allowing your guides to give you the proper answer.
There are people that have sat around waiting for weeks, months and even years, for that person that they are sure they were destined to be with. Life passes them by and, yet, they remain convinced that the person is coming back against all odds.
Many of their partners move on, some even marry and start a family, and yet, still, the broken-hearted ex-partner waits for them to return.
There is a rule of thumb that goes with a breakup. Every person has to look at the true reason of the breakup, not what they think the issue was, not what they blame the other person for (or sometimes themselves). What is the true reason? Many times it comes down to compromise.
Give Yourself The Grace Of Forgiveness
If you are an empath you may believe that forgiveness should be easy for you, or at least easier than it is for others. But I’ve spoken to many empaths and highly sensitive people over the years who all struggle with forgiveness.
One of the main issues with forgiveness for the empath is that we feel another’s emotions intensely, literally as our own. This muddies the waters considerably, because it tends to blur boundaries. Blurred boundaries can often lead to a closed mouth for an empath. Why? Because it is difficult for us, especially in childhood or in romantic relationships, to know where we end and another begins.
It is easy for others to manipulate appropriate boundaries with an empath, or to erase them altogether. All the empath knows is that there is pain, sadness, a sense of frustration, or anger. If you are an empath, then the question becomes are you angry with them, or yourself? Should you have been able to foresee the catastrophe happening, the relationship ending, job imploding, and so on. This leads to self-doubt and the rehashing of incidents that occurred years ago…with no resolution.
In the meantime, every time an empath thinks about the situation, past or present, we feel it…and the cycle continues.
Yes, you are empathic, intuitive, even psychic, but that does not make you immune to being human, neither does it make you all-knowing or all-seeing, especially when it comes to your own life, childhood or relationships.
Astrology Forecast February 23 – March 1, 2026
The week begins with a grounded and capable Taurus Moon, and this is exactly the kind of energy we need to launch an important week. Taurus reminds us to slow down, focus on what is real and tangible, and build something lasting. There is a calm productivity in the air this morning*, and if you tune into it, you can accomplish more than you expect.
If you begin the week with patience and awareness, you will be better prepared for whatever surprises unfold. Think of today as laying a strong foundation. Tend to your responsibilities, listen to your inner voice, and allow a little room for magic.
The early Taurus Moon Sextile Mercury in Pisces helps us blend practical thinking with intuition. This is a beautiful morning aspect for planning, organizing, and having meaningful conversations.
You may find that your instincts are right on target, especially when it comes to money, work, or long term decisions. If you have something important to write, schedule, or discuss, the morning hours are supportive. Ideas flow more easily, and you are able to express yourself in a way that feels both gentle and clear.
However, this is the week Mercury turns retrograde again, and you may already feel subtle hints of that shift. Double check appointments. Confirm travel plans. Make sure emails are sent to the right person. If something feels slightly off, trust that nudge and review the details. Mercury in Pisces can blur lines, and while it enhances imagination and empathy, it can also cause confusion if we rush.


Recent Comments