Marigold Smudge Sticks for Day of the Dead

Making your own smudge sticks are way easier than you might think. In just two easy steps you can create homemade smudge sticks using any flower or herb. Smudge sticks are used to clear negative energy in the home and purify your living space. Simply tie the herbs and flowers together, let dry for 2 weeks, then they’re ready to burn.

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It’s October! The season of welcoming guests into our homes is soon upon us, so before things get way to hectic let’s take some time to prepare.

Many of us have pre-holiday tidying rituals like getting the carpets cleaned or refreshing the linens but cleansing the spirit of your home and filling your space with positive, loving energy is another way to reset and start the holiday season off right.

what are smudge sticks used for?

Traditionally in Native American cultures, smudge sticks were used to correct the energy in the home by burning sacred herbs in a smoke cleanse.

The smoke from the smoldering herbs will attach itself to the bad aura in the room and removes it as the smoke dissipates.

A smudging ceremony is a traditional practice that has been an important part of the lives of indigenous peoples for thousands of years and is not what we are using these burned smudge sticks for.

We are instead enjoying the cleansing aromas from wafting the smoke and increasing the positive and relaxing vibes at home.

During Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead the smudge stick has a couple of other purposes.

Lighting a smudge stick a day or two before the holiday will clear the air for loved ones so they may feel safe to return home from the land of the dead.

During the actual Day of the Dead celebrations, smudge sticks can be used to perfume the air and guide our deceased loved ones back to us as well as speak to those who have passed through the sense of smell, giving us an herbal connection to those who have gone before us.

how to dry sage for smudge sticks

Mexican sage and sweet grass are most commonly used in traditional smudge sticks. Occasionally sage, cedar, or resins are used.

The sage is used to clear the space of evil spirits and illness and the sweet grass fills it up again with tranquil positive energy.

There are many different varieties of sage used for different smudge sticks. White sage is the most common and you can buy it dried and ready to burn.

If you grown sage in your garden or have gathered some from the wild and would like to make your own sage bundles you can dry it yourself at home.

Simply swap the marigold flowers for sage in your smudge kit or add it for a more intense aroma. Then follow the drying instructions as listed below.

To my smudge sticks I have also added marigold flowers.

Marigolds are the symbolic flower of Dia de los Muertos and are known to lead the dead back to us with their bright color and rich, intense aroma.

Many people also believe their delicate petals represent the fragility of life.

here’s what you need to make the marigold smudge sticks

Making smudge bundles are super simple and don’t require too many hard-to-find supplies.

• Sweet grass braid
  • You can find this in many herbalist shops or online.
• Fresh Marigold flowers
• Kitchen twine
• Scissors

how to make a smudge stick

Cut your sweet grass braid the length you’d like your stick then starting from the blossom, trim several marigolds the same length.

Wrap the marigold stems around the sweet grass and twist the twine around to secure the blossoms to the sweet grass.

The blossoms will shrink as they dry so make sure you wrap the twine around tightly.

Once you reach one end, repeat and go back down again until the bundle feels secure.

Cut the twine, leaving a couple of inches at the bottom and tie it tightly to the bundle. Trim any excess string.

Let the sticks dry at least 2 weeks in a cool, dry place before burning. Smudge sticks will last up to a year.

more day of the dead crafts to try

how to make paper flowers

super easy sugar skulls

day of the dead recipes to try!

• Slow Cooker Borracho Beans
• How To Make Cochinita Pibil in the Oven
• Caldo de Res {Mexican Beef and Vegetable Soup}
• Cucumber Mezcal Margaritas
• Authentic Chilaquiles with Scrambled Eggs
• Tomatillo Avocado Salsa
• Cilantro Lime Slaw

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