Negative energy can exert profound effects that can deplete you of your mental and physical strength and cause a general sense of imbalance. Negative energy can even cause feelings of nervousness and anxiety. You may notice these feelings suddenly, or it can seem like negativity is a chronic state that you can’t seem to improve. It is even blamed for blocking the chakras (wheels of energy which start at the base of the spine and continue through to the crown of the head.) and inhibiting "Prana" - the vital life force responsible for keeping us vibrant, healthy, and alive. However, there are methods that we can employ to bring about positive change and increase positive energy within ourselves and our surroundings. These methods are easily obtained and are crafted from natural sources and, better still, they are extremely simple to use.

Ancient cultures around the world engaged in the practice of burning herbs and resins to eliminate negative energies from themselves and their surroundings. The practice of burning sage and other herbs has now been proven to have scientific merit, due to the release of negative ions into the atmosphere which research has linked to more positive moods and an overall sense of relief and wellbeing. Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance when in particular environments. These environments can be naturally occurring such as the mountains, or in areas where there is an abundance of water - such as at the beach or by a waterfall. We can also manufacture these environments within our homes through the burning of natural herbs and resins. Once these molecules are inhaled and absorbed into our bloodstream, these negative ions produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of serotonin, a mood chemical that helps to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and even boost energy. In studies of people suffering from chronic, as well as seasonal depression, negative ion generators were proven to relieve depression as much as prescription antidepressants. Negative ions also increase the flow of oxygen to the brain which results in increased alertness. Science reveals that one in three people are particularly sensitive to their effects, and if you feel instantly refreshed after walking on the beach or simply taking a breath of fresh, clean and humid air, you are one of them. What a good feeling it is to know that even if you don’t have access to mountains, or natural bodies of water, you can still enjoy and obtain the benefits of negative ions and eliminate negative energy from your home and person simply by keeping with ancient tradition and burning natural herbs and resins!
 
 
Neutralize Negative Energy with White Sage

Shamans and Native Americans have long relied on the inherent cleansing qualities in White Sage (Salvia apiana) to purify their bodies and their environments. ‘Salvia’ is Latin for ‘Sage’ and stems from the word ‘to heal.’ In addition to its potent cleansing effects, sage is believed to enhance wisdom, clarity, and increase spiritual awareness. Smudging is one of the oldest spiritual purification rituals and can be thought of as a cleansing smoke bath. The smoke absorbs the negative energies and traps them, where they are carried away as the smoke dissipates.

To achieve the positive effects from White sage, begin by opening a window or a door to the outside, and then light the bundle of herbs, preferably with a wooden match. After gently blowing out the flame, place the smoldering bundle in a natural vessel, such as a shell, or a clay bowl. Wash your hands in the smoke, and waft it over your body, breathing a little bit of it in to purify yourself internally. You will witness the thick, penetrating smoke begin to immediately cleanse your surroundings and all present inhabitants of all negative energies - on the physical plane as well as the astral.

To purify your space in accordance with Native American tradition, you may wish to recite a prayer, a mantra, or any other meaningful words that strengthen your intention to banish negativity, as you carry the vessel with the smoking herbs throughout each room. Begin with the left side of the doorway and move about each room from the left side to the right side. It is believed that moving from the left to the right as you go around each room helps to push the negative energy out. Moving in the opposite direction is believed to help trap the bad energy within the space, and can invite even more negativity in! Finish your ritual at the front door, where you will place your ashes of sage on the doorstep to protect the entrance to your home. You can also smudge the front door, beginning with the bottom left and working around the door in a clockwise motion, and then releasing the cooled ashes into the breeze… (Never disperse hot ashes into the environment, as they can be a dangerous fire hazard.)

Prabhuji’s Gifts offers exceptional White sage that is grown in the wild, hand-harvested, dried naturally and wrapped in 100% cotton thread by hand. These practices follow the traditional Native American method and have a low environmental impact while also helping to preserve this culture. Each label is made from 100% recycled paper, and shipping materials are made from recycled and reused packaging products. Each bundle arrives in a re-sealable plastic bag which preserves the strong, heady aroma, and provides easy storage. The fragrant silvery-green bundles, which are available in small (5”-6”), medium (6.5”-7.5”) and large (8”-9.5”) will last for many months. It is recommended to smudge as often as needed, even weekly, to restore and promote positivity within your home and within the occupants of the home.

Encourage Positive Energy with Palo Santo

Palo santo is often used in conjunction with White Sage because it helps to bring in positive energy, and then encourages and enables this good energy to thrive. White sage neutralizes all of the energy in a space, bringing the environment into peaceful harmony, while Palo santo dramatically increases the positive energy. Their combined effects make Palo santo a perfect complement to burn after smudging with White sage. For you see, after we have banished the negative energies, we want to then promote as much positivity as we can. Palo Santo has been used since ancient times as a spiritual remedy to purify and cleanse, and to increase good energies with its fragrant smoke. Meaning “holy wood,” the name was bestowed when ancient monks explored the Amazon and experienced its mystical qualities. The monks realized its abilities in neutralizing negativity while simultaneously promoting positivity. Renowned for these qualities by the Incas, the practice of burning Palo santo continues today. A highly prized and respected wood, the Bursera Graveolens trees, from which the Palo Santo sticks are derived, are never cut down. The wood is responsibly and sustainably harvested in Ecuador only years after a tree has fallen due to natural causes. Prabhuji’s Gifts donates a portion of the profits towards financing the Palo Santo Reforestation Project organized by the Forestry and Environmental Corporation of Manabi (CORFAM) which is fully acknowledged and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The uniquely beautiful fragrance and aromatic oils are naturally enhanced over the years as the trees rest on the ground of the Amazon Rainforest. When burned, this sacred wood releases its treasured oils to cleanse the space and people that it comes into contact with, while attracting good energy and bringing about positive changes on many planes, from the physical to the more subtle realms. Meditating in the midst of the scent of the smoldering wood promotes deeper concentration, and centuries-old Shamanic wisdom teaches that an attraction to the woody, floral aroma of the burning Palo Santo signals emotional and spiritual purity.

To receive all of the spiritual benefits abundant in Palo santo, you must hold the stick by one end and light the other end with a wooden match. Allow it to burn for a moment, and then gently blow out the flame. Place the wood in a fireproof bowl and allow it to smolder and release its mystical fragrance and healing effects into your atmosphere.

Conveniently, Prabhuji's Gifts also offers Palo Santo incense cones that are 100% natural Shamanic cones which feature sustainably harvested Palo  Santo wood blended with other natural ingredients and molded into cones, making it easier to burn and enjoy.  This unique line includes Palo Santo Traditional Incense cones - Power and Purification, Palo Santo and Wild Herb Incense cones - Relaxation and Meditation, Palo Santo and Cinnamon Incense cones - Protection and Prosperity, Palo Santo and Copal Incense cones - Love and Purity.
Each cone is hand-crafted using 100% natural ingredients that have been carefully selected for their energetically cleansing and purifying properties.

 Achieve Bliss with Ananda Resin Incense

Another effective method to promote positive energy in a space is to burn incense. Prabhuji’s Gifts offers a truly wonderful certified vegan resin incense called “Ananda,” which is made in accordance with ancient shamanic wisdom “Ananda” is Sanskrit, the ancient language of Hinduism, and means “bliss.” Bliss is the state of being that is aspired to when meditating. True bliss, unlike happiness, is eternal and has no opposite force. Ananda is a sparkling blend whose shimmer and scent hints at its inherent magic with its powerful primary combination of the natural resins frankincense, myrrh, and copal. The incense is thoughtfully blessed and infused with sacred mantras and prayers that are specifically meant to clear negativity. These resins have been in use since ancient times as perfume and medicine, in addition to being employed as a spiritually uplifting incense. This incense, while capable of delivering energy cleansing effects when used alone, is often burned during or after White sage and/or Palo santo has been used in order to increase their effects, but also simply for the enjoyment of its scent. Frankincense is derived from trees of the genus Boswellia, and is obtained by “striping” the trees with cuts to the trunk which allows the resin to seep out. This resin also seals the tree and prevents infection. The excess resin is then scraped off to be used. Myrrh is the sticky sap of the Commiphora tree after it has naturally leaked and hardened in to tear-shaped drops on the trunk where it is then scraped off to be used. Nahuatl was the language of the Aztecs, and “copal” is derived from their word “copalli” which means incense. Copal is derived from trees in the Bursera family, which were sacred to the Mayans and Aztecs. Copal is neither a hardened resin nor sap, and is really between the two states. It comes in naturally beautiful shades of pale yellow, orange, red, and white. As it ages it becomes a gorgeous, glowing amber color. Copal resin was so revered for its mystical effects that it was burned atop the Aztec and Mayan pyramids as offerings to the gods and deities. Mayan ruins reveal significant amounts of copal in their burial grounds as evidence of its spiritual significance. It has been believed from ancient times and continuing through today, that copal unites the energizing force of the sun with the grounding properties of the earth, drawing out and transmuting negative energy on every level, or plane of existence.

Burning the resin incense is a ritual unto itself, as you must have charcoal tablets specially made for this purpose and conveniently available from Prabhuji’s Gifts. Lighting the charcoal will produce small sparks. Placing it in a fireproof dish, you allow it to spark and burn for a minute or two, and then place a ½ teaspoon of the fragrant resin on top. “Bliss” perfectly describes the sensation that you’ll enjoy as you watch the gently spiraling smoke swirl throughout your environment. The fragrance it imparts is best described as ethereal. Because such a small amount has the ability to completely transform a room with its exquisite scent and negativity-clearing properties, it lasts a very long time. The Ananda resin is further enhanced with the spiritually cleansing herbs bay leaf, sandalwood, lavender, rosemary, orange peel, cinnamon, rose petals, amber and clove. It also contains natural earth pigments, sugar, and scented oil. It is one of six fragrances in Prabhuji’s gifts Intention Line of resin incense. Each blend has been expertly designed for a specific and positive Intention: to create passion, clear negativity, attract wealth, peace, happiness and health.

Cleansing your sacred space and yourself of negative energy is vital to enjoying life to its fullest! The intoxicating, natural fragrances that are emitted when you burn White sage, Palo Santo wood, and Ananda resin enable you to enjoy the cleansing process and encourage you to perform energy-clearing rituals regularly, helping to ensure happiness and an increased sense of well-being.