making sage bundles

How to Make Sage Bundles: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making sage bundles is a time-honored tradition used for various purposes, such as smudging, healing, and purifying spaces or people. The process of creating these bundles allows you to connect with nature, embrace spirituality, and craft something meaningful. Sage bundles are typically burned during rituals to clear negative energy, promote positive intentions, and bring about a sense of peace. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to make sage bundles from scratch, so you can create your own personalized tools for spiritual or aromatic use.

Why Make Sage Bundles?

Sage has long been used by Native American, Indigenous, and spiritual cultures around the world for purification and protection. The practice of burning sage, known as smudging, is believed to cleanse spaces, objects, or people from negative energy. Creating sage bundles allows you to customize the ritual and connect with the process. It’s also a great way to use fresh herbs from your garden or personalize the bundle with additional plants that enhance the ritual.

Making your own sage bundles also brings a deeper meaning to the act of smudging. The act of tying the sage together can be meditative and grounding, and the process of choosing the herbs reflects your personal intentions and connection to nature.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you start, gather the following materials to make your sage bundles:

• Fresh Sage: The most common type of sage used for bundles is white sage (Salvia apiana), known for its powerful purification properties. However, you can also use other varieties like blue sage or cedar, or mix them together. If you’re harvesting from your garden, make sure you’re cutting healthy, vibrant plants.
• Twine or String: Use natural twine, such as hemp, cotton, or jute. Avoid synthetic string, as it may burn unevenly and could affect the smoke produced.
• Scissors or Pruning Shears: You’ll need these to trim the sage stems to size.
• Optional Additions: You can add other aromatic herbs to your bundle like lavender, rosemary, or cedar to enhance the scent and properties of the bundle.
• A Clean Surface: Use a flat surface like a table or countertop to arrange your sage and work efficiently.

Step 1: Harvest or Prepare Your Sage

If you’re harvesting sage from your garden, the best time to do so is in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot. Early harvesting ensures the sage retains its fragrance and energy.

• Choose Healthy Stems: Cut the healthiest, most vibrant sage stems, usually about 6-8 inches long. Make sure the leaves are green and intact without any wilting or damage.
• Trim the Stems: Using scissors or pruning shears, trim the stems to even lengths. You can leave the stems a little longer for larger bundles or trim them shorter for a smaller, more manageable bundle.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Don’t overcrowd the bundle with too many stems, as it will make the wrapping process difficult and could hinder even drying and burning.

If you’re using store-bought sage, ensure the sage is fresh and not overly dried out, as this can impact the burning process.

Step 2: Arrange the Sage Stems

Once you have your sage, it’s time to arrange it for bundling. Lay the sage stems together with the cut ends aligned at the base. You’ll want to arrange them so they are balanced and will burn evenly.

• Align the Stems: Take 5-10 stems of sage and arrange them in a fan-like shape with the cut ends together at the bottom. This allows for an even burn when the bundle is lit.
• Add Extra Herbs (Optional): You can customize your bundle by adding other herbs to complement the sage. Lavender is calming, rosemary is purifying, and cedar provides protection. Feel free to mix and match according to your intention. Be careful not to overwhelm the sage with too many herbs, as it can affect the burn.

Make sure the herbs are spread evenly so that they burn uniformly.

Step 3: Wrap the Sage Bundle

Next, it’s time to tie up the sage bundle. Wrapping the sage is important for holding the bundle together and ensuring it burns evenly.

• Tie the Base: Take your twine and tie it around the base of the bundle, just above the cut ends of the sage stems. Leave a bit of twine extra at the beginning for tying later.
• Wrap in a Spiral: After securing the base, begin wrapping the twine around the bundle in a spiral, moving upward. Don’t wrap too tightly, as you want airflow to help the bundle burn evenly. It’s important to maintain a balance between securing the bundle and allowing air circulation.
• Secure the Top: Once you’ve wrapped the entire bundle, secure the twine at the top with a knot. You can leave a small loop at the top if you want to hang the bundle to dry.

Be sure the twine is tight enough to hold everything together but not so tight that it restricts the airflow.

Step 4: Dry the Sage Bundle

Drying the sage bundle is a crucial step, as fresh sage can be too moist to burn properly. You’ll want to allow your sage bundle to dry fully so that it burns slowly and creates a steady stream of smoke.

• Hang the Bundle: Hang your sage bundle upside down in a cool, dry place. It’s best to choose an area with good airflow, such as a closet or pantry. Make sure the bundle isn’t in direct sunlight, as this can diminish the potency of the sage and cause it to dry out too quickly.
• Drying Time: Drying your sage bundle can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the humidity of the environment. You’ll know the sage is fully dried when the leaves are crisp and brittle to the touch.
• Air Drying: If you want to speed up the process, you can use a dehydrator or place the bundle in an oven set to low heat. However, air drying is the preferred method to preserve the essential oils and aroma.

Step 5: Store or Use the Sage Bundle

Once your sage bundle is dried, it’s ready for use. Store it in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to smudge or burn it. If you wish to use it immediately, simply light the tip of the bundle, allowing it to catch fire. Blow out the flame to let it smolder and release smoke.

To use your sage bundle for smudging, hold it by the tied end and direct the smoke over the area, person, or object you wish to cleanse. As the smoke rises, set an intention for healing, purification, or protection.

Conclusion

Making your own sage bundles is a powerful, meditative process that allows you to create something meaningful and intentional. By following these steps, you can craft your own bundles for smudging, cleansing, or simply enjoying the soothing aroma of sage. Whether you’re preparing for a spiritual practice or simply enhancing the energy of your home, creating your own sage bundles allows you to connect more deeply with the natural world and bring positive energy into your space.