For as long as humans have walked the Earth, we have engaged in the sacred act of burning plants, resins, and woods. Fire has always been a bridge—between the seen and unseen, between generations, between the elements and our own spirits. Across cultures, across time, and across beliefs, the ritual of sacred smoke has been used to cleanse, to commune, to celebrate, and to mark moments of transformation.
And yet, in today’s world, a troubling narrative has emerged: that some people are not allowed to engage with these sacred practices because of their background, their ancestry, or their perceived lack of lineage. That unless you belong to a specific tradition, you must refrain, must hold back, must not touch the gifts the Earth has freely offered to all her children.
This is not the truth.
At The Aunty Alchemist Tarot & Apothecary, we are here to dissolve the artificial barriers that keep people from their birthright—to reconnect with the planet in meaningful, respectful, and ethical ways. The Earth does not gate-keep her gifts, and neither should we.
Introducing Our Handcrafted Smudge Bundles: A Ritual for Everyone
With this philosophy in our hearts, we are proud to introduce our new collection of smudge bundles, crafted with deep reverence for the land, for the plants, and for the individuals who will use them. These bundles are not just tools; they are invitations.
Each bundle is created with intention and sustainability in mind—featuring herbs that have been ethically sourced or cultivated with care. We choose plants that honor both the Earth’s rhythms and our responsibility to protect her abundance.
Our smudge bundles include:
• Dragons Blood & Orange Slices: A powerful combination for clarity, abundance, and protection.
• Pineapple, Cinnamon, & Bay Leaves: A blend for grounding, manifestation, and spiritual connection.
• Ethically Sourced White Sage Alternatives: We acknowledge the over-harvesting of white sage and offer thoughtful alternatives like garden sage, rosemary, yerba santa, and juniper to support similar intentions while preserving delicate ecosystems.
These bundles are made for everyone—not as a means to claim or commandeer any closed practice, but to provide people with ethical and accessible tools to engage with the natural world in their own unique way.
Sacred Smoke and the Divinity Within You
When you choose to engage with sacred smoke, you are not just clearing energy—you are raising your vibration. You are deepening your connection with your own divinity, the part of you that is eternal, wise, and boundless.
Because here’s the truth: Every single human being on this Earth carries divinity within them.
It is not about what happens to you; it is about how you navigate the journey. Sacred rituals like smudging are not about control, restriction, or dogma—they are about empowerment, responsibility, and the deepening of one’s self-love.
To reject the gifts of Mother Gaia out of fear, guilt, or misinformation is to reject the very abundance that has always been yours. It is to act out of a lack wound. She loves all of her children equally. She does not ask for permission slips. She does not favor one over another. She only asks that we engage with her gifts with respect, gratitude, and care.
Engaging in ritual—whether through burning herbs, lighting incense, or meditating with sacred smoke—is a way to align with the highest version of yourself. It is a way to return to balance, to alchemize what no longer serves into something that does, and to welcome the wisdom that already exists within you.
This is not about claiming a tradition that is not yours. It is not about taking from others. It is about remembering who you are—a divine being walking this Earth, connected to all that is sacred. Worthy of receiving earths gifts and tools always.
Beyond Dogma: Reclaiming Your Rightful Connection to the Earth
We are here on this planet to grow, expand, and evolve. The tools we use—whether it’s smoke, stones, symbols, or song—are there to support us on that journey.
At The Aunty Alchemist, we do not believe in spiritual elitism. We do not believe in restriction based on arbitrary rules created by human institutions (no matter who is designed to divide. We believe in reverence, responsibility, and reclamation—because you are worthy of your own practice.
So, burn what feels right. Cleanse with respect. Engage with sacred tools in a way that aligns with your heart, your ethics, and your love for the Earth. And know that you are not separate from the sacred—you are deeply connected to it.
Our smudge bundles, incense blends, and ritual tools are here to support that journey—not to define it for you, but to empower you to create your own path.
Because sacred smoke belongs to all of us.
How to Smoke Cleanse: A Simple Guide to Get Started
Sacred smoke is an invitation—an opportunity to align your energy, clear your space, and deepen your connection with yourself and the world around you. There is no rigid structure, no singular “right way” to do it. What matters most is your intention and the reverence you bring to the practice.
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to begin, here are some ideas to guide you:
1. Choosing Your Smoke Bundle
Each plant carries its own unique essence, energy, and associations. When selecting a bundle, consider:
• Rosemary for protection, clarity, and mental focus.
• Yerba Santa for emotional healing, courage, and heart chakra work.
• Lavender for peace, tranquility, and restful sleep.
• Cedar for grounding, ancestral connection, and deep purification.
Before lighting your bundle, take a moment to connect with the plant’s spirit. Why are you choosing this plant today? What energy do you want to bring into your space?
2. Setting Your Intention
Intention is everything in spiritual work. As you light your bundle, hold your focus on what you are calling in and what you are alchemizing. Speak it aloud or hold it silently in your heart.
Example:
“With this sacred smoke, I alchemize all the energy in my space, to work for my best and highest good. I invite clarity, abundance, and peace into my space.”
3. Smoke Cleansing Yourself and Your Space
Once your bundle is lit, gently wave the smoke over yourself, your surroundings, or any objects you wish to cleanse. Move with purpose and visualization.
• Cleansing Your Energy Field: Wave the smoke around your body, imagining yourself surrounded by light. Visualize any heavy energy transmuting into something that serves you. Sometimes I find its helpful to imagine the energies changing from one color(s) to another color(s).
• Cleansing Your Home: Walk through each room, allowing the smoke to reach corners, doorways, and windows. Speak or think about what you are releasing and what you are welcoming in.
• Blessing Your Mirrors: Mirrors reflect our energy—cleansing them can help reinforce self-love. Wave the smoke in front of your bathroom mirror and set an intention for deep self love, self acceptance, positivity, confidence, and kindness towards yourself
• Charging Your Workspace: Wave the smoke over your workspace, desk or tools, calling in focus, release of stress, welcoming in inspiration, and success.
4. Enhancing Your Ritual
Feel free to incorporate symbols, movement, or words to deepen your practice:
• Draw sigils in the air with the smoke to seal in protection, abundance, or personal empowerment.
• Circle your hands & feet with the bundle three times, visualizing all energy aligning in your favor before engaging in your work.
• Use a mirror as a focal point while smoke cleansing, affirming your personal strength and resilience. It can also be helpful to say your affirmations while doing this. You can also incorporate this practice into your mirror work rituals.
5. Closing the Ritual
When you feel complete, take a moment of gratitude—for the plant, for the practice, and for yourself. You can allow the bundle to naturally extinguish in a fire-safe dish or gently press it out.
This is a ritual of alchemy, transformation, and self-love. It is yours to shape. The Earth’s gifts are here to support your journey—trust yourself, trust your intuition, and enjoy the beauty of sacred smoke in a way that feels right for you.
Of course, if you have any questions about this, smoke cleansing, or anything related to your spiritual practice, feel free to reach out. We’re always here and happy to help. Your journey is your own, but you are never alone in it—we’re honored to support you along the way.