Is Negative Energy Real? The answer is yes. It’s just a fact of life. That’s why people periodically clear negative energy. Energy is natural and everywhere. In fact, everything is made of energy. Energy can be harmful, and even life-threatening, but most negative energy is more like noise. It’s unsettling and distracting.

For example, maybe you have lingering bad feelings or thoughts associated with an uncomfortable interaction at work or at home. Maybe you’ve walked into a room and immediately knew that something was wrong. It felt icky.

Negative Energy Can Accumulate and Cause Harm:

Although energetic “noise” is somewhat innocuous at first, it tends to accumulate and become more disruptive and worrisome. It can generate a somewhat nagging or clawing atmosphere. In addition, negative patterns and events seem to multiply or replay over and over again.

Persistent negative energy can eventually create imbalance and even dis-ease. Its effects can become noticeably problematic and harmful. For example, it can induce chronic stress and any of the associated symptoms like irritability, headaches, anxiety, depression, etc.

That’s why it’s a good idea to periodically clear your space before it gets to the point that it has “bad vibes” or even worse, some unhealthy consequences.

Energetically Clear Spaces Feel Good:

An energetically clear space is clean, light, bright, spacious, and refreshing. It feels calm and uncluttered. It can have that feug shei, i.e., positivity and balance. Clear, flowing, open energy provides a supportive atmosphere for work and interactions with others. Communication is easier and more fluid. There’s less distraction, resistance, and suspicion, and more cooperation and harmony.

Smudging – Clearing Negative Energy From Places, People and Things:

Energy clearing, also called smudging, is an ancient method of purifying and clearing negative energy from a room, sacred space, object, or person. Many ancient and traditional cultures also used smudge to disinfect and fumigate.

As civilizations “progressed” and Westernized, many of these practices declined. But, they did not entirely disappear. While modern chemistry replaced the use of natural whole plants for fumigation and hygiene, many spiritual applications persisted or were adopted.

These days, interest in smudging is growing. Political, social, financial, and public health issues are spurring the resurgence. More people are clearing their homes, natural healing centers, and offices. At home it promotes congeniality. At centers, it creates a supportive healing space. And, in the office, it evokes clarity, openness, and collaboration.

Four Ways You Can Smudge:

Plants and their healing properties are the foundational ingredients of most smudging methods (see also Clearing Negative Office Energy). Depending on your preferences and needs, you can choose among several easy options:

1. Incense
2. Smudge sticks
3. Essential Oil Diffusion
4. Liquid Smudge Spray

1. Incense:

Burning incense is the oldest recorded smudging method, dating back to the Bronze Age (3,000 – 1,300 BCE). It’s easy to use: just ignite, extinguish the flame and allow it to smolder and permeate the space.  Joss sticks (Buddhist and Hindu think prayer sticks), cones and other forms of incense are produced from an incredibly wide variety of planets that are selected for their medicinal, spiritual, practical, and aesthetic properties. They are truly a worldwide phenomenon. In 2019 the global incense market was valued at more than one billion US dollars.

Unfortunately, the scent of incense can be intense. The scent and smoke can be irritating, especially when allowed to accumulate and even with limited exposure for those with respiratory issues. In addition, the smoldering smoke, created by burning plant material as well as other natural and synthetic inputs such as bamboo, charcoal, and artificial fragrances, has raised and identified some health concerns.

2. Smudge Sticks:

Smudge sticks are made from bundled all-natural, unadulterated dried plant material, except perhaps the twine to bind it. The use of smudge sticks produced from native plants like white sage (Salvia apiana) and sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) was, and still is, common in North America. Because sticks produce smoke like incense, they suffer the same drawbacks.

3. Essential Oils Diffusion:

Essential oils are a good alternative to smudge sticks and incense. The intensity of the scent can be controlled with fewer drops. Also, the plant material isn’t burnt, hence there’s less health risk. Most smudge plant species, with the exception of sweet grass, are available as essential oils.

4. Liquid Smudge Spray:

The best liquid smudge is made from hydrosols, which are the water-based by-product of distillation. It’s different from floral water or mixing essential oils in water. Liquid smudge creates a very lightly scented mist that dissipates quickly. It’s almost imperceptible a few minutes after application. It’s highly vibrational. The energetic properties linger much longer than the scent.

To apply the liquid smudge, just use two or three squirts. Move the smudge around with a fan, feather, hand, or some other object of choice. Because there is no threat of fire, liquid smudge is safer. It’s also less likely to evoke respiratory issues.

Learn More

• For more information on smudging, plants, and essential oils that can reinforce or broaden your intentions, and other methods of smudging,
  • my Starchaser eBook, Clearing Energy With Smudging
  • my blog Clearing Negative Office Energy
• To buy the ebook, go to my shop eBook page, and select the book from the dropdown menu;
• You can also register for an in-person or virtual personal development, natural healing, and wellness workshop on smudging or other interesting related topics;
• Energy Healing;
• Shamanic Practices;