Surviving even the most aggressive attacks on indigenous Gaelic culture, saining is arguably the most ancient Scottish spiritual practice still alive and well today. Deriving from the Gaelic word seun meaning “protective spell”, saining itself is not actually any one particular ritual or ceremony but instead encompasses a set of traditional practices for removing negative supernatural or energetic influences and bestowing blessings of health and prosperity.
These ancient cleansing rituals are part of Scottish folk magick, meaning that any member of society (not just a druid, clan chief or other spiritual leader) could perform them. Traditionally some rituals were very simple, performed more casually as part of daily life while others were much more in-depth and significant. At key points of the year, entire communities would often work together to perform elaborate saining ceremonies to cleanse and bless their people, their lands and their livestock. Though these ceremonies were commonplace throughout Scotland as recently as only one or two generations ago, these communal saining practices have largely died out with only a few small communities way out in the wild territories of the highlands and islands proudly keeping the tradition alive.
What Is Saining?
There are a multitude of different ways to sain, each with their own particular traditions and energies. Some recorded methods are:
Lustration - Cleansing with blessed water - usually sourced from a natural spring / holy well or some other spiritually significant site.
Crossing - The mark of the cross could be utilised in different ways as a mark of blessing and purification. Making the sign of an equal armed “X” cross was most common though later the style of the crucifix was used as a way to blend pagan rituals into an increasingly Christian society.
Incantation - The spiritual and supernatural power of words is a key element of Scottish magick. Poetry, prayer and songs could all be used as a means for saining with some being created specifically for that purpose. Christian prayer was also later incorporated.
Smoke Cleansing - the most widely used and widely known method of saining is through use of ceremonial fire and smoke. Bound torches of ritually gathered sacred plants are normally used for indoor or private rituals with fragrant herbal bonfires traditionally used for larger ceremonies.
What Isn't Saining?
Due to the advent of the internet and the ability to share more knowledge across the globe than ever, smoke cleansing practices (along with native spiritual customs in general) are experiencing a kind of renaissance. However, limitless information does not automatically bring instant wisdom, especially when we do not have the native voices of those teachings to guide us.
Though saining is part of Scottish folk magic (meaning that you do not have to be initiated into any practice or position to be allowed to perform it) it is important, as with all indigenous practices to do so with respect and understanding. Of course there is 100% nothing wrong with waving burning bundles of herbs and grooving to a Stevie Knicks record as part of your own spiritual practice (yes we’ve all been there and well yes, its pretty amazing) but that that doesn't mean that you can call it saining or smudging or anything else relating to our global ancient heritage. Of course I want to applaud and encourage anyone looking to expand themselves in a positive way and explore their own unique journey to magick, however when we take part in rituals handed down through the ages we become its guardians, a role that takes responsibility and honour. Its one thing to connect to the imagery, the lore and the practices of a specific spiritual path but it is entirely another to actually connect to its significance or to the philosophy that birthed it.
How we experiment in our personal practice is free for us to decide for ourselves but if we choose to incorporate elements of cultural practices (even cultures we belong to) we must endeavour to do so in the right way, for the right reasons and with understanding of what it truly means. We’ve all been there though, no one starts out anything in life with all the information and wisdom on what is appropriate, and so its easy to be well meaning but maybe miss some key points. Its important to be compassionate to ourselves and others especially as so many of these mistakes are well intended but lack understanding.
Giving thanks - Performing an outdoor saining smoke cleanse in the highlands- Boudica's Botanicals
So, what exactly does it all mean?
Though unfortunately most of the philosophy of traditional Scottish spirituality has been lost, we do understand it operates on the basis of Animism.
So, its all well and good to understand the underpinning philosophy but what the hell does it actually mean, and how does that relate to saining?
Well, in essence, Animism (more recent term derived from the latin “anima” - breath, life) is a spiritual school of thought that dictates that everything in our world has its own unique spirit, its own living soul.
Yes, everything, and not just in the domain of human, animal, mineral, or vegetable but also mountains have a soul, the breeze in your hair has a soul, songs, words, works of art and the seasons themselves all have a spirit. Represented by their unending interweaving knots, the ancient tribal cultures of Celtic Britain believed that all of these spirits are energetically connected to each other and that we too ourselves are part of that infinite web. What we can piece together from the fragments of ancient Scottish / Celtic culture is the belief that through the pursuit of wisdom and spiritual nourishment we become able to communicate with these spirits and work with them energetically.
What this means is that when we tap into the spirit of something we are not asserting our own power over the energies around us, but instead we are building a relationship with them and collaborating with them in a state of harmony as opposed to dominance.
So, how exactly does that relate all to saining?
At its most basic level what this means is that your connection to whatever you use to Sain is just as (if not more) important than the physical object or method itself. Saining is an art that you carry out through how you focus your mind and your energy to connect to the spirits of the natural world and the ancestors. Though there isn't a single specific set up for how to sain, the methods and the tools that you use for saining should be chosen mindfully.
When we prepare for ritual it isn't just our physical space, set up and choice of tools that we must consider but also our inner space. The real work of saining is done internally, your mind is your most potent sacred space. Taking time to connect with our physical tools and the spirit of whatever we choose to sain with is the key with the physical act of ritual itself becoming a way to anchor that spiritual and mental work into the physical realm.
How can we learn to work with the spirit of things?
Building a connection to the spirit of our tools, deities, heritage, plant / animal / mineral allies is each persons own particular path. Interacting with and honouring the spirits of whatever we choose to connect with is an ongoing journey that we all must maintain in our spiritual practice and is a deeply personal thing. Unfortunately we do not have the teachings of the druidic orders to pass on their techniques although this does mean that we can develop our own methods of connection.
Some simple ideas for connecting with spiritual tools
Ask yourself a few questions
Where does it come from? Who made it? What is it made from? Do you know much about your tool or its individual history? What connections can you find between yourself and the object / practice?
Meditation
Before using a new tool take some time to get to know it, hold it during meditation and set an intention of connecting with it. Journaling about your experience afterwards is a good way to build more information about your tools and train your mind into connecting with your tools more deeply.
Use your senses
Engage with your new tool using each of your individual senses (whichever are appropriate, I wouldn't generally recommend tasting, but you do you). Pay attention to how it looks, how it feels in your hand, how it smells. Listen to what your body and your intuition can tell you about your object and note how each of these sensations subtly change how you feel.
Delve into the history / lore of the object
Learning more about the cultural significance of your tools or their materials is a sure fire way to develop a meaningful connection to both the physical object while ensuring that you carry out your practices in a respectful way.
There are innumerable methods for building your connections to whatever sprits or energies you choose to work with. Ill be including a further “how to” guide for connecting to tools and ritual practices soon to delve into this subject further.
Handbound saining torches - Boudica's Botanicals
Performing your own smoke cleansing saining ritual:
Now that you've learned a little more about the practice and made a connection to your saining torch you're ready to start exploring saining.
Your personal practice may vary but here is a rough guide to smoke cleansing safely and effectively.
Firstly a few key points
Use extreme caution when working with fire and do not leave candles etc unattended at any point.
Be mindful of pets / children or people with respiratory issues, though smoke cleansing actually purifies the air the initial smoke can build up in a room fast. If in doubt best to perform the ritual without the presence of others that could be smoke sensitive
Make sure your space is well ventilated with windows to let the smoke escape and invite in a positive energy flow.
You will need:
Saining torch (bundle of dried and bound herbs - please ensure they are ethically gathered)
Fire proof bowl / dish / shell for catching ash and plant debris
Candle
Matches or lighter
Ritual :
As I recommend for each and every spiritual practice (and cannot stress enough), meditation beforehand is key. Use your meditations to settle your mind and get into a calm, focused state, clearing the mind of clutter and immersing yourself in the intention you wish to evoke.
Once you have this clear in your mind direct your energy then onto connecting with your saining torch, opening a dialogue between your spirit and the plant spirits you have called upon to aid you in your ritual.
Next light your candle (you can do this as an offering to the ancestors, plant spirits, deities etc) Light the unbound end of your saining torch and gently blow out the flame until just a glowing smoking ember remains.
Move slowly around the space you wish to cleanse (traditionally Clockwise), wafting the smoke gently into every corner, deeply inhaling the sweet scent of the incense and drawing in its positive energies. Use this time to tune into the energies of the plant allies in your saining torch and thank them for their co-operation.
Use a small fireproof dish to hand to catch any falling ash and open windows and doors to allow to the positive flow of energy around your space and to allow for negative energies to escape.
It is important to radiate your intentions as you cleanse, focusing your energy on the ritual itself and giving offerings of gratitude to the ancestors and to the spirits you have called upon to aid you.
Once you and your space feel balanced and renewed, carefully extinguish the stick in a fireproof container and store to be used again.
Spirituality is a deeply personal thing so don't be afraid to intuitively (and respectfully) incorporate your own elements to your own cleansing ritual as needed.
Header photo by Pascal Meier on Unsplash