Freshwater Mother of Pearl Shells

Abalone or Freshwater Mother of Pearl Shells are a great tool for smudging. Smudging is the act of burning sage and using the smoke to cleanse and purify a space or person. These shells are often used to hold the sage while it is burning because they are non-flammable and heat resistant.

Smudging is a traditional cleansing ritual that has been used by indigenous people around the world for centuries and involves the burning of sacred herbs and medicines to produce a cleansing smoke. A smudge bowl is used to catch the ash produced during the smudging ritual, and to save the burned medicines to be used the next time you need to cleanse.

Along with its practical applications, the use of the shell as a smudge bowl represents the element of water, one of the four major elements represented on the medicine wheel. As with all things in Indigenous culture, balance is a vital component of smudging, and many people use the smudging ritual as a means of rebalancing their energy, mind, or emotions.

To smudge with sage, light the end of your sage stick with a candle or some other fire source. The sage or palo santo stick should not actively be on fire, but should be burning enough to produce smoke, so once alight blow out the flame to create this effect. Waft the smoke using a feather, never your hand, focusing solely on the intention behind the ritual.

If cleansing a space open all windows and enter each room wafting the smoke so no part of the room is missed, and again fully focused on your intention.

I find placing some sand in the shell not only helps to distinguish the sage stick at the end of the cleansing ritual which is not only fast and effective but also helps to protect the pearlescent inner lining of the Freshwater Pearl Shell.

Sourced – Australia

Weight – on average 90 to 120 grams

Dimensions – on average 15.5 cm  x  11 cm

Images displayed offer the shells available.