Summer Solstice Mugwort Smudge Bundle

A summer solstice harvest

These bundles were picked on 21 June 2026, the day of the summer solstice. In Europe, mugwort was traditionally linked to St John's Day: it was gathered at this time of year, when the plant is at its most vigorous, to be hung over doors or burnt in homes. In China, it is also at the height of summer, during the Dragon Boat Festival, that mugwort is hung over doorways to protect the household.

A limited edition

This harvest took place on a single day. The number of bundles is therefore limited and will not be renewed before the next solstice.

More leaves, fewer stems

For these bundles, we selected fine stems and cut only the last 20 centimetres of each plant. This is the leafiest part of mugwort, so each bundle contains as many leaves as possible and very little wood. The bundles are dried in the shade and hand-tied in our workshop with cotton thread.

Cleansing and harmonising a space

In Chinese tradition, mugwort is burnt to cleanse rooms and renew the qi of a home. According to feng shui principles, qi stagnates in cluttered corners and poorly aired rooms. Moving in, building work, an occupant leaving or a change of season are all occasions to dispel this sha qi and let a living qi, sheng qi, return.

Practitioners (acupuncturists, energy workers, massage therapists) also use smudging between sessions or at the end of the day, as a ritual of transition to restore a neutral and calm atmosphere to the treatment room.

Characteristics

• Wild common mugwort hand-picked in the Cévennes on 21 June 2026
• Drying: in the shade
• Length: approx. 20 cm
• Weight: approx. 30 to 40 g, as each bundle is tied by hand
• Tie: cotton thread

How to use

1. Air the room and open a window.
2. Light the tip of the bundle, let the flame catch for a few seconds, then blow it out: only an ember should remain, producing the smoke.
3. Hold the bundle over a fireproof dish and move through the space room by room, paying particular attention to the entrance, the corners and areas where the air circulates little.
4. Finish by letting the smoke escape through the open window.
5. Put the bundle out by pressing the ember into sand or soil. It can be used several times.

Precautions

Never leave a lit bundle unattended. Use in a well-ventilated space, keep away from flammable materials and out of reach of children and animals. Store in a dry place, away from light.