Spring Time Bundles

DIY Smudge Sticks & Seasonal Floral Arrangements

Recently I hosted a baby shower for my magical sister Mystic Mama. One of the activities of the celebration was making bundles or smudge sticks from native plants that all the guests foraged in their area. I sometimes have a hard time throwing out lovely blooms after they have withered, so this seems like a perfect way to incorporate them. I also love to collect already dried out natives on my walks in the mountains. I am seeing lots of mugwort right now which is such a powerful plant for women. It can enhance your dreams, help balance your cycles, and keep negativity at bay. It is the scared plant to the goddesses Diana and Artemis. Making a flower essence from it can be a very powerful way to use it’s benefits.

For more rituals and remedies see The Local Rose.

The decorative bundles can be with flowers, lavender, sage, rosemary, thyme. The smudge ones which can be used for clearing the energy in a space, are usually comprised of white sage, mugwort, sweet grass, cedar, Mexican sage. You can also burn a smudge stick when setting intentions, having a ceremony, clearing negativity, or just wanting to start fresh in a space. I even use it to clear past energy from something that is second hand or used. They also make beautiful and lovely offerings for birthday gifts or to add to gift wrapped item. Look below for more detailed info on making a Springtime bundle or smudge stick.

If you are using herbs and plants that you have harvested, you should dry them in the sun after bundling for a few days to prevent mold.

For smudge sticks use all natural fiber strings since they will be burned and you don’t want any toxic residue in the smoke. For decorative bundles there are some lovely twines like Bakers Twine Spool – Gold Sparkle

1) Make sure the clippings are all the same length. Arrange them in a bundle and begin wrapping the string around them.

2) Begin winding the string tightly around the bottom of the stick. Start moving upwards but you wont need as much string as you do.

3) You can use a criss cross method to keep the herbs and flowers in place. Tie it in  knot when done.

4) For decorative ones you can also use some burlap to wrap around the bottom of the flowers.