Bless This Home

Blessing Your Home with Sage and Palo Santo

By Helen Lilley, The Sacred Tree, Derry

In our busy, often chaotic world, more and more people are looking for ways to create peace and balance in their lives—and that starts at home. For centuries, burning sage and Palo Santo has been used across cultures as a way to clear negative energy, create calm, and invite positive intentions into a space.

This ancient practice, known as smudging, is deeply rooted in tradition. Today, it’s widely embraced as a powerful ritual for cleansing energy, grounding, and renewal. Whether you’re moving into a new home, recovering from illness, or simply want to reset your space, smudging offers a way to feel more aligned and connected to your environment.

What’s the Difference Between Sage and Palo Santo?

White Sage is typically used to clear unwanted or stagnant energy—think of it as sweeping out the old to make room for something new. It’s excellent for clearing out illness, heavy moods, or simply for a spiritual ‘deep clean.’

Palo Santo, also known as “holy wood,” comes from South America. It’s often used after sage to bring in positivity, peace, and protection. Its sweet, woody scent has become popular in homes and wellness spaces around the world.

“I love the smell of Palo Santo,” says Helen. “It helps me to come back to myself after a tough day.”

How to Burn Sage or Palo Santo at Home

What You’ll Need:

• A bundle of dried white sage
• A stick of Palo Santo
• A lighter or match
• A fireproof dish or bowl
• An open window or door to allow energy to shift

Before you begin, set an intention. Speak quietly to yourself or out loud. Try:
“I release all negative energy and welcome peace and positivity.”

Burning Sage (for clearing):

1. Light the tip of the sage bundle.
2. Let it catch for a few seconds, then blow it out to allow it to smoulder and smoke.
3. Hold the bowl underneath to catch any ashes.
4. Gently waft the smoke into corners, doorways, and windows.
5. When finished, press the sage into your dish until it stops smoking.

Burning Palo Santo (for blessing):

1. Light the tip of the stick and let it burn for about 30 seconds.
2. Blow it out gently—it will release a sweeter, more fragrant smoke.
3. Walk through your space, letting the smoke fill the air.
4. Focus on welcoming in joy, love, calm, and clarity.
5. Let the stick go out on its own in your fireproof dish.

That’s it—you’ve now cleared and blessed your space. It’s perfect to do before meditation, after illness, or when you want to bring a sense of calm and clarity back into your home.

If you’re curious about how to introduce rituals like this into your life or want to explore sacred tools for energy work, visit www.thesacredtreederry.com, or come see us at
The Craft Village, Shipquay Street, Derry.

📍 @thesacredtreederry
📧 hello@thesacredtreederry.com