Zanzibar’s abalaone shells are farm raised in Mexico and are not collected from the wild.
Smudging is a sacred tradition that has been practiced throughout history and across many cultures. The “Sacred Smoke Bowl Ritual” is typically performed at the beginning of a ceremony to clear out negativity, welcome in positive energy and create space for healing, comfort and peace.
Abalone shells are often used in smudging rituals. Their very practical use is as a bowl to catch ash and hold what remains of the smudging stick after it’s burnt as well as to snuff out the finished smudge.
Some herbs such as California White Sage are also known to produce negatively charged ions when burning, attaching to impurities (bacteria, dust, pollen, etc.) in the air and drop it to the ground (so always vacuum 20 minutes after Smudging!)
Always use a fire safe container. Abalone shells are only for catching ash from a burning smudge of herbs (leaned against abalone to allow ash to fall in) or for snuffing out smoldering herbs. Never leave any burning herbs or resin or candle unattended.
Safety Tips When using an Abalone Shell for Smudging:
- To protect its beautiful rainbow shimmer from hot embers, add a layer of sand or dirt to the inside of the shell.
- Be mindful when handling hot embers and sand because abalone shells naturally have holes in them.
- Use caution when handling the shell because heat can transfer to the shell