First thing to remeber when making a smudge stick is that, as with any spiritual be sure to wash and cleanse yourself to get rid of any negative energy in the process.
Beofre picking a plant matter be sure to onour the plant and ask for its permission to take a branch or stem for your spiritual intent, respect the plant and let it carry on living its life.
When picking stems please make sure they are long enough to be bound together
1) arrange small handful of leaves and stems fairly symmetrically into a bundle-dont use too many.
2) put stems into a rubber band to keep it all together while you tie your bundle -remove the band when finisihed.
take a long thick piece of cotton twine and place the bundle top~(thicker end) in the middle of it. Using the 2 ends of cotton, bind the bundle to gether tightly criss-crossing the cotton. Starting this at the top and finishing at the bottom. take your time over this as he tighter the bundle the better it will burn.
3)You will now have a coned shaped bundle. Let it dry out thoroughly before burning it otherwise it will not burn properly.
To use the herb bundle/smudge stick.... light the thicker top end and then blow out the flame so it smoulders. Some bits may drop out from the bundle so have a bowl ready to catch them.
If you dont intend to burn it then budles can be bound together with colour, feeling and meaning. Oils will add energy and aroma. you canuse flowers like rose or marigold or lavender. You could use spices and fruits as well as fragrant woods, minerals, crystals and resins.
