Smudging Ceremony Guidelines. Smudging is one such ceremony and includes the burning of four (4) sacred medicines: sage, tobacco, cedar and sweetgrass. McMaster University recognizes the right of Indigenous-identified peoples to engage in their cultural and spiritual ceremonies on campus. Observing or participating in a Smudging Ceremony is completely voluntary. Negative energy, feelings, and emotions are lifted away. 6. The burning of various medicine plants to make a smudge or cleansing smoke is used by the majority of Native North American peoples. Outdoor Smudging Ceremonies: If patient is mobile, weather is permitting, and the patient would like to do so, the smudge can take place outside. Sweetgrass has a very mild aroma and produces less smoke. Smudging is an Aboriginal tradition which involves the burning of sweetgrass, sage and/or cedar. It is a ritual cleansing. 7 RESPONDING TO 'INTENT TO SMUDGE' NOTICES Smudging is the act of burning sacred herbs and/or barks and/or resins for the purpose of altering the energy of any given environment. This is one of the primary tools in shamanic energy clearing. Smudge is a traditional ceremony protocol from an Indigenous perspective. "Traditionally, people use an abalone shell to hold the sage and then use a feather to fan and spread the smoke around the space once the sage is burning," says Colleen McCann, a shamanic energy practitioner. Currently under review Smudging protocol at Brock University is currently under review by the Two Row Council, the Aboriginal Education Council, and Aboriginal Student Services. 1. If a staff member is invited to the smudging ceremony, they are expected to follow all cultural protocol at the direction of the person leading the ceremony. The procedure generally involves prayer and the burning of sacred medicines like sweetgrass, cedar, sage and tobacco. PURPOSE OF THE SMUDGING PROTOCOL. If you're new to the practice of smudging, there are a few items you'll need to get started. Sage and cedar smudges produce a very strong and distinct aroma but the smoke associated with it is minimal and lasts a very short time. Please find the current information on smudging ceremonies here 6. Colleen De Neve For many Indigenous cultures in Canada, using smudge for medicinal purposes and spiritual ceremonies is a frequent practice. Smudging A Smudge Ceremony is a form of spiritual cleansing, physical & spiritual protection and a form of prayer. The Smudging Protocol serves to provide information and guidance to the McMaster ... Smudging Ceremony conflicts with a personal religious or spiritual belief. I recommend you use a container (bowl or plate) that you love and only use for Smudging is a prayer ceremony that is used to help connect our prayers to Creator, therefore smudging should not be used without the proper teachings and guidance and should be used specifically for the purpose it is meant for. As the smoke rises, our prayers rise to the Spirit World where the Grandfathers and our Creator reside.