The four elements are water, air, earth, and fire. "Smudging" is a simple purifying ceremony that involves all four elements: water and earth are represented by the herbs you use, air and fire in the burning process. Smudging is and important and time-honoured way to use herbal incense to cleanse places, objects and people of 'atmosphere', 'vibes', 'tension' or 'staleness' and to place a protective seal around them.

You will need: herbs, matches, an earthenware or heatproof dish or shell, a feather to direct the smoke and keep the herbs burning.

Place your herbs in the container, then light them, offering a prayer of thanks to Grandfather Fire and to all the elements present.

Let the flames die down unitl the herbs are smoking and smoldering, fanning them with your feather to keep them burning. Use the feather ot direct the smoke around whatever you wish to smudge: yourself, your room and so on.

Allow yourself to be intuitively drwan to ares that need special attention. This will develop your inner sense of the places in particulasneed of cleansing. Avoid analysing this too much; just trust the smudge to guide you.

Different smudges to try:

Cedar - The fragrant wood and needles are a powerful general cleanser, used worldwide for ceremonies and for healing.

Lavender - Use the flowers and stalks to sweeten and soften and to provide a cooling, relaxing energy.

Sweetgrass - Usually supplied in long braids, sweetgrass is a reed-like plant sometimes known a 'holy grass'. It brings blessing and sweetness and is very soothing.

Rosemary - An evergreen herb, rosemary brings gentle cleansing and sweetening, and is especially effective in the sickroom.

Common Sage - This herb has a bitter quality, but it is an excellent banisher of negativity.

Desert Sage - This herb from North America is often incorporated in commercial smudge-sticks and has a soft, peppery smell.