If you have been toying with the idea of buying a smudging bowl and not quite sure of the type of bowl to buy, this article might just help you make a decision.
The most popular herbs used for smudging are white sage, sweet grass, cedar, and lavender. To perform smudging, people generally use a plate or a bowl during the ceremony. This is necessary to catch any hot cinders and to avoid damaging your altar or floors. The bowl is also where you will place to rest your half used smudging stick.
At first glance, you might think that any type of bowl will do. If you value safety while smudging, I want you to know that there are different safety levels to smudging bowls depending on the kind of material. Remember that you are burning, so choosing a material with incredible heat properties is the right way to go about it.
Here are some of the most common types of smudging bowls:
Glass Smudging Bowl
If you must use a glass container for smudging, make sure to fill it halfway with sand. This will prevent the glass from getting too warm, especially if it’s non-tempered glass. Non-tempered glass is not built to sustain heat, so it could break while smudging.
Shell-Type Container
Abalone shells are a very popular material for use as a smudging bowl. But be careful not to handle the shell midway, since heat also transfers to the shell. Abalone shells, being shells, are not bowls, so they sometimes have holes in them. A lot of people also hold off on using shells since symbolically, the shell represents the element of Water, and Fire and Water do not mix well.
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Cast Iron Smudging Bowl
Cast iron bowls are also a popular choice for smudging. Cast iron is very tough material and fireproof, making burning smudge sticks a less worrisome activity. The cast iron material makes it easier to extinguish smudge sticks in.
Soapstone Smudging Bowls
A soapstone bowl is probably the best choice for smudging. Soapstone is a popular material of choice for countertops since it is designed to take a beating and is heat resistant.
So there you have it. Now you can make an educated buying decision. Remember, when you have finished your ceremony, be sure to stub out the burning herbs. IT IS NOT OVER TILL IT IS EXTINGUISHED! A smudge stick can burn for hours!
How about you? What type of bowl do you use for smudging? We’d like to hear your stories! Please comment below. 🙂
