Saying Goodbye to September.

Happy Sunday zenful journey readers! This is our last Sunday of September. These days are going by so quickly. I'm sure you agree. How was everyone's week? I hope you all had a productive and wonderful week and a relaxing weekend. My week is busy as I'm sure yours is. It usually looks the same during the kid's school year. With waking up early preparing the youngest school lunch then dinner after, in between sipping my morning coffee :) This way when I get home from work dinner has been done and it's just heat and serve. 

I had a positive week over all. However, it did started to slip towards the end. There was a few occasions this week that I smudged for a few of my friends as well as myself. Sometimes as much as one tries to be positive the world around us disturbs our energy and a helpful lift is needed. :) For me this week it was work. I usually block out the work BS. But being the one sitting in the front desk a lot falls on me so my Zenful bubble becomes breached. Lol! So Thursday morning after the kids were gone for school, I smudged before leaving for work. As I started, I sat down for a few minutes to allow my mind to clear and I took in the scent of the sage and saw the smoke of the mixed sage bundle take away the negative energy I know I had within. I was in a meditative state for those few minutes to clear my mind from the work toxins. (This only took me about five minutes.) Once I was finished smudging and I left to walk towards my bus stop, I felt lifted. I felt a release, from that bit of work stress. Despite the clouds that were present that early morning in my area, to me, they seemed a brighter gray. I spied with my brown eyes more wonder. The trees stood tall, proud and their leaves dark and bright greens already turning the Autumn colors of yellows, oranges and reds. I always wonder how old each tree is. The fall flowers, even some of the summer ones still standing tall despite the shift in temperature these past few weeks. One could feel the Autumn morning wrapping it's breezy arms around you. I walked nearly a good ten minutes to my bus stop soaking in the earths elements. It was a good walk to get me ready to start my work day and finish out the week. 

I truly love the way I feel after a good smudging. I feel cleansed. What made me feel mad, sad, or confused, any negative feeling I feel. I smudge to cleanse that bad feeling away. And it helps for sure. Depending on the situation I may smudge consecutive days in a row (2-3 days straight). I do however smudge every Sunday. I clean my home. As I dust, sweep vacuum, mop, clean the bathroom and wash dishes I imagine all that I'm cleaning as bad energy. I am now disinfecting and washing it all away. Once I've cleaned my apartment a shower is definitely needed. As I shower I think the same, washing my hair and myself I am washing away all that negative energy. (Note: I'm also drinking water while I was cleaning and before I begin smudging. Water is an element and our bodies are made up of a great deal of water I feel we should replenish ourselves) 

I enjoy lighting candles as well. I have been using regular scented candles since I started smudging, but will soon be switching to Soy candles instead. The scent of the sage wand is pretty strong so I feel that lighting the candles helps mask the scent some. (I don't own my home I rent so I need to be mindful with my current neighbors).

I start smudging from my room and flow throughout my apartment into bedrooms, front doors, living room, bathroom, kitchen, back door. I have a window open in each room as well so that the sage smoke and negative energy together flow out the windows. I pray as I walk around smudging each corner of each room; asking for the release of any negativity or insecurities that does not suit or support our needs or purpose. I then thank God and The Universe for Blessing my family and I with a good (past) week and also for giving me a job to help provide a roof over my head, food on the table, and good health for my children and myself~and Valentine.

After asking for the negative energy to be cleansed and being thankful for my past weeks Blessings I then ask for an abundance of good health, happiness, love, and protection from my God and the Universe for my children and myself's tomorrow and the upcoming week. 

Its a fairly easy ritual to do. If you want to add a positive change in your life this may be it for you. Do you have any questions so far about smudging? I am, by all means, not posing as an expert. My experience has been solely based from what was explained to me and what I've researched and read online. These sites I will share with you so you may be able to form your own opinion.

Let's discuss briefly the definition of the word smudge or smudging, I have searched on the Webster's dictionary and this is their meaning of the word:
Copied from Websterdictionary.com
Smudge: transitive verb
1 a : to make a smudge on b : to soil as if by smudging 2 a : to rub, daub, or wipe in a smeary manner b : to make indistinct : blur <smudged the writing> 3 : to smoke or protect by means of a smudge. intransitive verb
1 : to make a smudge 2 : to become smudged.
What stuck out for me was the meaning number 3: "to smoke or protect by means of a smudge." I am thinking these words reflect that of how the Native Americans smudge. I find it interesting how they worded it. I know what it really means. Its the same as when one uses California White Sage, Dessert Sage, and or Cedar. These three dry herbs are to release negative energy, or spirit or to offer protection. Its been about five years since I've smudged and I believe it to be true, smudging, burning these herbs has and continues to help my family, friends and me. Next Sunday I will talk about when are the other times I may smudge. 

I shall close this Sunday's Smudge-Day blog with a smudging session for you all; to ready you for a new and great week. We are leaving and saying goodbye to the month of September and saying hello to the month of October. 

Lets begin. I shall give you some time to drink plenty of water. Remember that water is an element and we are mostly made of water as well. We should always keep ourselves hydrated. As you're drinking water, release your mind from anything other than the negative energy we are smudging away today.................. Are you ready? 

Is there anything that you'd like to let go of? Is there a situation you are in that you may need some clarity on? Are you having a difficult time focusing at work? Or maybe there is some drama that has attached itself to you that you don't want to be a part of. Is your heart aching for a lost love maybe and you need a little recharging to get you back on track, (to help let go, a bit more, of that lost love)? Think of that one thing you need or want to let go of or want to change. Think of what you may need clarity on? Pray and or meditate and focus on that negative thing or what you may need clarity on. Let's begin releasing this..

Once I have lit the sage, imagine the element, wind, blowing the smudge smoke towards you and wraps itself around your worries and or any negative feelings,..

Now imagine the element, water, washing all of those negative feelings away. 

As you use the earth's element to ground you, 

Let's now use the element, fire, to burn those feelings away. Giving you clarity. 
~ So you now, may move forward and heal in a healthy manner that is comfortable for you. Removing this negative energy opens doors for an abundance of positive energy and great things to come your way. One can't move forward if you're still thinking of what ifs; if it ain't or maybe really, never was. Leave that in the past so you can be ready to open the doors and receive what wondrous things are waiting for you. 
~Ask your God and or the Universe for clarity. Imagine you're surrounded by dark gray clouds and they are now breaking through a path showing a crystal clear blue sky giving you clarity. 

Give yourself these few minutes of peace. Our bodies need this time of zen. Give into this peaceful, meditative time. Maybe as you are in your Zenful bubble you can have some type of soothing music in the background? What ever sound you're listening too whether chimes, or bamboos, or water, give yourself this Zenful time to recharge your heart, body, mind, & soul/spirit for this up coming week.

~~ Okay, you can open your eyes if you've chosen to close them and or begin to slowly move around from your Zenful position. How are you feeling? Sleepy? Relaxed? A bit tired.? Lol yes sometimes smudging can do that to you. You'll feel more awake as you move up and about. I hope these few moments have helped you. 

I'd like to leave you with another thought for next week's entry. Like attracts Like. ~~~~ SShhh it's ~ The Secret. ~ 

Have a wonderful and productive end of September and beginning of October week. Oh, Friday is the New Moon, what does that mean to you? Leave your comments. See you all next Sunday. Please email me or send me a private message if you have any questions. :) 

Sending you tons of positive & protective energy your way!!

~ Awilda