Black Sage Smudge Sticks
Black Sage stick (Mugwort stick) is a sacred herb to Artemis, a Greek moon goddess. The stick surpasses other herbs, including the white sage, in its protective, cleansing, and decluttering powers. Smudging spiritual benefits include inducing prophetic dreams, protection with shamanic journeying, astral travel, crystal grazing, etc. Black Sage is used for removing the negative energy from a person, place, or space. The Native Americans also use black sage in spiritual journeys. Black Sage is wildly known as Mugwort, a sacred plant used for physic vision and vivid dreams. This herb can be burned during divination and to raise energy in areas. It is known that burning some in the bedroom before sleeping can aid in peaceful sleep and is known to induce lucid dreams. Black Sage is used during Shamanic rites for astral projection, shamanic journeys, protection, and prophetic vision.
Metaphysical Properties of Mugwort (Black Sage)
Official Name: Artemisia vulgaris
Other Names: Artemis Herb, Artemisia, Felon Herb, Muggons, Naughty Man, Old Man, Old Uncle Henry, Sailor's Tobacco, St. John's Plant
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Powers: Strength, Psychic Powers, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Astral Projection
Common Magical Uses
Mugwort encourages dreams and visions; it is known as an herb of introspection and inner healing. When burnt before bedtime, it aids in restful sleep and pleasant dreams. It is used for astral travel, shamanic journeying, and protection during such excursions.
Mugwort is associated with divination and dreaming if someone has overactive dreams. Using dried Mugwort in a ritual setting brings about prophecy or divinatory needs. Place Mugwort under your pillow to prevent astral attacks or ward off psychic attacks from those who would harm you. It's known as a psychic/Lunar herb that's also strongly protective.
Mugwort is mentioned in the Nine Herbs Charm, a 10th-century English rhyme of beneficial herbs. Later, it was associated with St. John the Baptist, and wreaths of Mugwort were worn to repel evil spirits.
Mugwort was ingested, smoked, or applied to the skin in a poultice as folk medicine. Mugwort has anticoagulant and disinfectant properties and has a nerve-calming effect. It was used as a poor man's substitute for expensive tobacco, giving rise to the nickname "sailor's tobacco."
Mugwort contains the chemical thujone, which is a mild intoxicant.
How To Sage Your Home
Burning sage allows the removal of most negative energies and experiences from the room—work one room at a time. Start by opening the windows and doors to provide negative energy to escape. Light the sage smudging stick until it begins to emit smoke. Keep your intentions in mind as you make your way through the home, moving in a clockwise direction moving through the house. Continue until peace and love begin to fill the home while sending the negative energies away.