Smudging smoke is used to bless, cleanse and heal the person or object being smudged. We ‘wash off’ the outside world when one enters ceremony or other sacred space by using the smoke to clear. This applies true also to objects and the atmosphere of an area. 

Smudging is an ancient practice used by many walks of life that involves the burning of herbs for cleansing and purification. Smudging calls on the spirits of sacred plants to drive away negative energies and restore balance. White sage is specifically used to clear heavy or negative energy. I personally smudge before any work with spirit as I like to be as clear as possible to connect easier.

Light the sage wand and allow the smoke to drift (smudge) around your body or home. To clear the home, begin in a corner of your home and move from the outer part of a room and circling to the center. There are some who move counterclockwise and others only clockwise—do what resonates with you or as your beliefs/practice/ceremony dictates. Move to each corner of the room/home and give specific attention to window casings, doorways and behind doors. The heavier the smoke, the heavier the energy—smudge until the smoke burns clean and travels straight up.