The Smudging and Blessings Book: Inspirational Rituals to Cleanse and Heal

by Jane Alexander

For millennia, Native Americans have burned sacred plants in a bowl or on a stick to drive away negative energies and restore balance. These simple smudging rituals can change your life, too. Learn how to combine smudging with other ancient techniques to aid healing and restoration. Turn your home into a spiritual fortress whenever you feel the need-the last thing at night, for instance, or when you leave the house. Celebrate a baby's birth with a gentle blessing that welcomes a new soul into the world. And if you want to sail through the day full of confidence, energy, and hope, begin each morning with a simple cleansing. This natural power is available to everyone.

Genres: Spirituality, Reference, Nonfiction, New Age, Native American, Health, Self Help

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

About the author

I am the author of over twenty books on natural health, holistic living and spirituality. I am passionate about seasonal living, fitness, yoga, meditation, dreamwork and shamanism.

Reviews

[Lilla · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I do like the basic idea behind this book (i.e., a collection meaningful rituals of blessing and cleansing), I found it off-putting that amongst the quasi-tribal premise and (mis)information, there’s splashings of New Age thinking (chakras, auras, crystals, and more). There’s also a whole section on the Cycle/Wheel of the Year which seemed oddly misplaced to me as this book gave no up-front intentions of being Wiccan-esque or Neo-Pagan.

On the whole, people who already participate in eclectic religions or spiritualities will find this a valuable source of rituals for their life, but to me it is irreparably demeaning to the First Nations and other tribal societies around the world and should be avoided by those who do not wish to enter into the rising cultural appropriation trend seen in the New Age world.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh there's not many new age shops around me, so I went overboard at one I was visiting and ended up with this book. I wanted to know more about clearing rituals. I still don't know much about clearing rituals.

I thought it would be much more in depth but it was woefully introductory. It also moved between talking about animal guides to guardian angels (with no transition) and mentioned auras and chakras out of the blue from an otherwise Native American focused book. (With a lot of blonde people!)

What was useful might've been reduced to an article: how to make a smudge stick and what herbs might work. Okay and there's some rituals but they all seemed fairly basic. And its history lesson? "Native Americans (collectively, of course, because there's NO diversity there!) have done smudging rituals for like ever. Smudging is done by Native Americans! You should, too!"

Someone recommend something substantial to me. Please.

[Helen Pugsley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was problematic.
I'm not really the one to speak on it, but I read it, so I'm going to. This book borrowed a lot from other cultures and didn't give them proper credit. (I say that I'm not the one to speak up because I'm very white, and it's not my beliefs the author borrowed without due credit. People can stand up for themselves.)
There was a pass at credit. It was "Essential oils were used in ancient times in places like India." but mostly it credited "Native American Cultures". Crow? Sioux? Cherokee? Blackfoot? Hawaiian? Inuit? Apache? Umqua? All similar but very different.
The most problematic statement was on Page 18. The medicine wheel. "Unfortunately the entire medicine wheel is too complex to explore in a book of this size but we will be working with a very simplified version in our rituals." I think it's gross to cut apart religions "like cake", as I've heard said in my Christian circles, and then serve it up pretty for other's entertainment.
It just feels like a very disrespectful way to scratch the surface of a much deeper set of traditions. I'm not the one to tell you if practicing Native American spiritualism is right or wrong. I'm just saying, there's a respectful way and a disrespectful way. This watered down version is the disrespectful way.
Also, the spirit animal ritual in this book sat funny with me.
I know nothing about the author, Alexander, herself, but in the illustrations it was all white people. That would indicate there was neither permission, nor collaboration from the people who's traditions were called upon. "My best friend's grandma taught me how to meditate, so I'm teaching you." is a lot cooler than "I'm vaguely aware of this religious practice so here's how to do it."
Anywho, one randos take. Take it with a grain of salt. Or don't! Because I know everything and I'm perfect.

[AJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I applaud the effort to create this book. The images and colors are beautiful. However, the book is almost too new age. There are many assumptions in the book that tends to discount its credibility. For example, "native American" traditions is too broad a term. There are very specific traditions reflected in various tribes and their ceremonies. Second, the power animals suggested in the book are only a few of the various possibilities out there. My power animals are quite varied and different than those suggested in the book (albeit I have a few of the common ones). As a primer, this book is okay. But, it is too general and broad to lend credence to the truth behind one of the sacred herbs - sage. Thus, the view is too limiting and does not take into account the full context and array of spiritual experiences.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book explaining many aspects of the use of a smoke blessing.

[Misty Galbraith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and simple to understand. If you’ve ever been curious about smudging, cleansing, or creating your own ritual for blessings of many kinds, this book is a perfect overview, with step by step guidance and ideas.

[Amber Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book for understanding a brief history of smudging and the various ways that it can be applied to your own practices. The book contains lessons and some try it yourself ideas. A very good way to get started with smudging and cleansing.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Change your life using simple smudging rituals and ceremonies. For thousands of years, Native Americans have burned sacred plants in a bowl or on a stick to drive away negative energies and restore balance. Learn how to combine smudging with techniques from other ancient traditions in order to banish stress and attract love, relax or give you energy, turn your house into a soothing sanctuary, and bring your family closer together. The natural power of cleansing is available to everyone."
~~back cover

This book is a Godsend! I recently had one of those housemates -- the ones who don't pay rent and refuse to move until you get an eviction order. She stole from me, she verbally attacked me in an effort to keep me from doing what I needed to do to get her out of the house. Her room is swirling with negative, vindictive energy and I'm going to smudge it to cleanse it.

[Ziggi Chavez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection of some basic rituals, but it is very little in the way of guidebook or how to connect these rituals to yourself. I wish there was more to draw in reflection and how to apply these rituals to what works for the reader. Basically there is little that makes this book stand out from any other collection of step-by-step rituals, and what makes rituals meaningful is those aspects of connectedness I would want to utilize rituals and smudging to bring balance into my life with.

[Jeralyn Lash-Sands · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book after a very disgruntled neighbor sent bad vibes towards my household blaming his bad stuff on me. I needed something to cleanse myself and my household of his bad karma.
Smudging helped me immensely. I’ve used the techniques within this book on numerous occasions and at different locations. Afterwards, had the feeling of peace one more.

[Written Melodies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy read with great information. This is definitely a go to.

[Tami J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it 3.5 stars.
An ok book on smudging. There's a LOT more that could have been covered.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent, excellent. I read this book in one day, I already feel empowered. I was looking for a book that was easy to understand and goes straight to the point, and this book does it. I will definitely buy more of Jane Alexander's works.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars this book isn't necessarily "read" in one sitting but looked through and earmarked for future use. It's easy to read, attractive, and user friendly. I can't wait to try some of the blessings and clearings.

[Syd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely guide to invoking the assistance of the Universe in one's life. BTW - I prefer smudging mists to smudge sticks.

[Victoria Weinstein]

Very lovely little book -- I have one in perfect condition I'd be happy to sell for the price of shipping.

[West Paranormal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if wondering about how to cleanse/smudging...I got this book to help provide alternative ways to help people wanting a way to deal with the paranormal. I can't wait to try it out...

[Mary Quast · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of my "voodoo" collection. Actually, I collect crystals and burn inscense in an effort to create balance in my life. This book explains alot of that.

[h · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of what I found in this book is pretty basic stuff. If you are looking for something, just starting out, this would be an excellent choice.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple introduction to basics of smudging and blessings. Brief info on herbs for smudging, using crystals and essential oils, and blessings/rituals for a variety of circumstances from birth to death, relieving stress, blessing a new home or leaving an old one, etc. Broad but not deep, but there's enough information that if anything sparks your interest, you can move from this overview into a resource with more depth.

[Nel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been exploring my Indian or Native American ancestry ... looking into their rituals, early lives, etc. ... this book was recommended to me by one of my friends ... interesting read ... not quite what I expected unless I take into account the person recommending it to me. Crystals, chakras, etc ... I haven't found in the early Native American history ... still interesting read.