How to Make Mugwort Smudge Sticks? [Step-By-Step]

About Tina Caro

Tina Caro is a passionate solitary witch, an astrologer, a yogi, and she's a passionate supporter of all things holistic! Her favorites are green magick, moon rituals, and shadow work.

Mugwort smudges sticks are completely natural incenses that exploit the healing power of a plant.

They are easy to make but, above all, they are the best alternative to the classic incense sticks you find on the market, which can be harmful to health among other things.

According to ancient knowledge, all plants possess a sacred spirit, a transcendental spirit. Contrary to popular belief, the use of these plants for these purposes is not a new idea, nor a new age idea or the result of superstition.

It is more a series of methods that humanity has used for millennia to keep in touch with the earth and with the spirit of the world. Something rooted in our past, related to our ancestors and to wise ancient cultures, like Native American cultures; always be open to listen and work with the spiritual magickal side of our souls.

If you want to use mugwort as a cleansing herb to cleanse your life from negative energies, this guide will tell you all you need to know about how to make mugwort smudge sticks on your own for a unique, easy experience and great effects! Let’s get started.

How to make mugwort smudge sticks?

Making your own mugwort smudge sticks is not that difficult! You just need mugwort (of course!), a pair of scissors or an athame, and some cotton. That’s it!

1. Cut the mugwort branches you are going to use to 17-25cm (6-10 inches) in length. When harvesting your mugwort, don’t forget to do this from a place of gratitude and acknowledgment of the energy and the gift Mother Nature is giving to you. Use some blessed scissors (bless them with some oil of your choice, I usually bless my scissors or athame with extra virgin olive oil) and give thanks when you are done.
2. Measure a piece of thin string (cotton is a nice choice) 4 times the length of the branches; you can use white or colored cotton, your call!
3. Bundle the mugwort branches.
4. With the branch tips pointing down, wrap the rope you created around the base of the branches, and tie the bundle.
5. Then wrap the string around the whole bundle.
6. Knot the two ends of the rope at the base.
7. Let your smudge stick dry out in a dry and dark place or in basket for up to 10 days. Check your mugwort now and then to see when it’s ready. Be patient and don’t rush things. Mugwort should be completely dried out to create the smoke you need to proceed with the next steps!

Also read:
How to Make a Rosemary Smudge Stick? [Step-By-Step]
How to Make a Cedar Smudge Stick? [Step-By-Step]
How to Make White Sage Smudge Sticks? [Step-By-Step]

How to use smudge sticks?

Light the top of the bundle of branches with a lighter, match, or candle. If you can use a white candle to light them, even better! Then extinguish the flame and let the burning branches smoke in a bowl, a shell, or any other fireproof object.

Distribute the smoke around you, using your hand or a feather (I use my hands!) Make sure you reach each corner of each room as they are the places where most of the stagnant energy resides. Say a prayer out loud using something as customized as possible to your specific situation to truly cleanse the energy and your space.

If you need some guidance to say the right words, read my guide about it!

Also read:
Can Smudging Make Things Worse? Can it be Dangerous?
What to Say When Smudging a House? [Different Chants]

What is mugwort?

Mugwort, also called black sage, is a medicinal plant with multiple beneficial properties for human health. Both the aerial parts and the roots are exploited. It is a magickal herbs used in many different ways, especially for its cleansing powers and protective properties. For example, burned alone or with other appropriate herbs, mugwort develops active principles that favor mediumistic states and psychic powers.

In England, this plant is in fact an integral part of evocative and spiritual rituals. In many cultures it is instead used to chase away evil and negativity. An infusion of mugwort is essential for cleaning and magnetizing magical spheres and mirrors.

Tradition provides that crowns of this plant are intertwined to adorn the head of the young, ward off evil spirits, and lighten the heart. Hanging your mugwort sticks outside the door keeps evil spirits away, so if you decide to create your own for a smudge you already know you can use them to give your place some extra protection by hanging them outside your door.

I love this usage and I definitely need to give it a try myself!

When do I need to rely on mugwort for smudge sticks?

If you feel something is quite off around you, mugwort can be helpful, especially if you need protection from negative entities or objects. Mugwort can help you eliminate negative energy and help you wake up in a good mood in the morning, full of life, energy, and hope. It stimulates better sleep, helps you get rid of nightmares, and can cleanse haunted objects, especially mirrors.

You can use it to even cleanse any haunted jewelry or old item that doesn’t make you feel comfortable and at ease when around it. I did this with an old necklace that I thought it was haunted and, well, it worked!

Mugwort is amazing if you feel a bit scared of something around you; you know that feeling that something is there, though you cannot truly see it, but you know it is there and you are scared? That feeling is a sign something is off, so use mugwort smudge sticks to feel more protected from evil forces.

What if I cannot find mugwort? What if I don’t want to make it on my own? Can I buy it online?

Of course, you can, but harvesting mugwort and creating your own smudge sticks is a totally different experience! Why? Because the making process will give you the chance to connect with mugwort’s magic and energy and you can truly commit to the practice.

If you decide to buy it online, I highly recommend relying on trusted and knowledgeable shops that can give you an explanation of the origins and the process they used to create the mugwort smudge sticks you are interested in, and that they have nice reviews from clients.

I smudged but nothing happened. What should I do?

This can happen for a number of reasons. Maybe you weren’t that committed to the practice or you didn’t believe in the power of your mugwort smudge stick? Or you did it once, nothing happened, and you let it go?

You can try something like repeating the smudging on a daily basis for a while, change cleansing herbs and try something like white sage, or choose a brand-new approach of relying on spell casting!

If you want to try it and need some help, I am the right person for you!

Check out my shop, where you can find many spells I can cast for you to give you the cleansing and the protection you need in your life right now. Check all the available magickal options and, if you still cannot find the perfect fit, don’t forget I have a custom spell option available in both white and black magic!