By purification, we mean fumigation rituals designed to purify a place, person or object on a physical, psychic and emotional and spiritual level. Fumigation involves the slow combustion of a substance, releasing a smoke that has the desired purifying effect. Because of its base's resistance to fire, an abalone shell, for example, can be used to recharge stones or for any other purification or cleansing by fumigation. The various substances used for fumigation rites are as follows:
Shaped incenseTheseinclude incense sticks, Tibetan incense sticks, incense cones, natural Japanese incense and traditional Nepalese cords. These are usually mixtures of wood powders, resins and plants, shaped into the various forms mentioned above.
Woods such as Palo Santo and Sandalwood
Palo Santo, meaning "sacred wood" or "holy wood", is a wood native to South America and use dates back to the Inca civilization. Its virtues and benefits are highly prized by shamans and indigenous South American communities for purification rituals as well as for optimizing healing.
Sandalwood, originally from India, also has a long tradition. It has also been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and in religious ceremonies.
Medicinal plantsThevarious types of sage, the best-known of which is white sage, but also sweetgrass, cedar,arruda, copal and eucalyptus, have been an integral part of rituals for thousands of years in different cultures and are renowned medicinal plants. Leaves and twigs are gathered into torches or bundles, which we call "smudge". The word "smudging" is commonly used in English to mean purification ritual.
Resins and resin powdersThesedifferent incenses are obtained from the resins of certain shrubs, such as boswellia for olibanum and commiphora myrrha for myrrh. Resins are considered to be the first form of incense and have been used since the dawn of time by ancient peoples for purification rituals and in traditional medicines.
Incense papersForrapid fumigation and purification of a room, there's nothing more practical than incense paper, such as the classic variant made from benzoin resin: take a look at our 12-sheet Armenian paper notebooks.
What are the benefits of purification?
The virtues and benefits of this practice have been known since time immemorial. Fumigation rituals are used to expel evil spirits and negative energies from a place, person or object, providing a refreshing energetic reset to start or end the day well. They are ideal as a prelude to a therapeutic treatment, or to put the odds in one's favor when a healing need arises. Fumigation also helps to dispel parasitic thoughts and ruminations and brings clarity of mind, making it perfectly suited to meditation and in cases of deep thought or sleep disorders. Purification creates an atmosphere conducive to creativity and supports you in your creative processes. There's nothing like stimulating your olfactory senses, closing your eyes and letting the scents take you on a journey to bring new ideas to life and use them in your creations.
When and why perform a purificatory ritual?
to purify an area
to purify a person
to purify an altar, your stones, crystals and ritual or everyday objects
to aid healing according to the specific virtues of the substance used
in the morning to get the day off to a good start
in the evening to relieve stress, ruminations or frustrations
before a treatment or a rejuvenating moment such as :
a massage
a bath
a moment of intimacy
etc.
during important ceremonies to help them run smoothly, such as :
a wedding
a birth
a funeral ceremony
etc.
before a creative activity
after an argument or a moment of intense stress
etc.
History of cathartic rituals?
The first traces of fumigation date back to prehistoric times. There's nowhere on earth where evidence of these rituals has not been found. It has also always been used for its medicinal virtues. The people of ancient Egypt regularly resorted to this practice during religious rituals. The Romans, Celts and Greeks also used it. Purification rituals have been used for centuries in Buddhist and Hindu temples to create an atmosphere conducive to meditation. They are an essential part of Ayurvedic medicine. The Incas and the ancient peoples of South America used fumigation for their sacred rites and thank Mother Earth and the sun. The indigenous peoples of North America burned herbs to heal and transmit their prayers to the Creator. Today, the art of fumigation is once again practised across the globe.
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