If you are anything like me you probably think every place you have ever lived in is haunted. While there is the possibility that you might be crazy or hearing things it is always better to be safe than sorry. There are a few ways people swear by for dealing with spirits, like talking to them or an ouija board, burning sage or smudging seems to be the safest option.

Burning sage is one of the oldest methods of cleansing. It can be used to cleanse a person, a group of people, a space, or to get rid of unwanted spirits. This practice dates back to prehistoric times, and across cultures as well. Some cultures practices differ slightly, they may burn things like cinnamon, sweetgrass or cedar.

California White Sage is the type of sage intended for smudging. You want something high-quality and ethically sourced as the intention when cultivating is important here. Before you begin make sure to open up doors and windows to ensure that unwanted energy has a way to get out. To light, hold the sage at a 45-degree angle, light it, let it burn for 20ish seconds and then gently blow it out just so you can still see orange embers on the lit end. Typically people will use an abalone shell to hold the sage and they fan it with a feather to spread the smoke. If your sage is too tightly packed it may not stay lit, do not panic, all you need to do is loosen the bundle or smash it on a heatproof surface. Once the space is cleared, let the sage burn out or press it out with the abalone. Then all that is left is to bury the remainder of the bundle to complete the cleansing ritual.

Science shows that good sage can disinfect the air and clear up to 94% of airborne bacteria in a space. Burning sage releases negative ions, which is also scientifically proven to put people in a more positive mood. People also believe that burning sage can give wisdom, clarity and increase spiritual awareness, however, none of this is scientifically proven.

Anytime is a good time to cleanse your space, but some recommended times include:

•When moving into a new space

•When beginning a new job

•Before or after having a large group of guests

•Before or after yoga or meditation

•When there is an unwanted presence

Taking a few moments to cleanse negative energy from your life is never a bad idea. Burning sage is an easy way to go about this, especially after the stress of midterms. Happy burning!