Seashells have been used as money, jewelry, decorations, and sometimes even containers for as long as people have lived. This is also true for abalone shells. They have a unique beauty that comes from having very high iridescence, and they have a long history of being used as spiritual symbols. In the next few paragraphs, we’ll talk about how to clean and polish abalone shells, where to find them, their benefits, and their properties.
A common spiritual practice is smudging with abalone shells. When you clean the shell afterward, you need to be careful not to damage it. This complete guide will teach you how to clean your abalone shell properly after smudging it, so you can keep using this holy item for many years to come.
What is Smudging and Why Use Abalone Shells?
Smudging is the practice of burning sacred herbs to produce a cleansing smoke which is then used to purify spaces objects, or people of negative energy or influences. It’s a ritual that traces back centuries across many diverse cultures.
Abalone shells are a popular smudging tool because they naturally catch falling ash and embers during the ritual. Beyond the practical aspect abalone shells hold symbolic meaning too. Their ocean origin provides a connection to water energy even when smudging on land. Their lustrous rainbow sheen emanates healing vibes. Using the shell incorporates all four elements into your ceremony – fire from the lit herbs, air from the smoke, earth from the unburnt plants, and water from the shell.
Step 1: Allow the Shell to Fully Cool
It’s crucial to wait until the abalone shell has cooled completely before attempting to clean it. The interior can get extremely hot from resting burning herbs inside. Depending on the length of your smudging session, you may need to let the shell sit for several hours afterwards. Resist any urge to speed up the cooling with water, which could lead to cracking.
Once cooled, the shell should be safe to handle without risk of burns. Double check by touching the inner surface gently to ensure no residual warmth remains.
Step 2: Dump Out Loose Ash and Debris
With the shell cooled, carefully tip it over a trash can to empty out any loose ash, charred herb fragments, and other debris. Avoid doing this near anything flammable just in case a stray ember was missed.
For a more thorough dumping, you can swirl some water around the interior of the shell first to help dislodge stuck bits. Then pour the ashy water into the trash as well.
Step 3: Scrub With a Soft-Bristled Brush
The next step is to physically clean the inside of the abalone shell of any leftover residue, smoke stains, or discoloration. So as not to damage the fine nacre surface, it is best to use a soft brush. Dish brushes, toothbrushes, and makeup brushes all work well.
Gently scrub all areas of stained or dirty buildup. Avoid excessive pressure or friction to prevent damaging the shell. Pay extra attention to crevices where ash can hide.
For stubborn spots, you can dip the brush in a bit of warm, soapy water. Liquid dish soap or castile soap are gentle options. Take care to fully rinse away all soap residue when finished cleaning.
Step 4: polish With a Microfiber Cloth
After brushing the interior, polish the surface with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Remove any remaining dirt or water by gently buffing the abalone shell until it regains its original shine.
Be cautious using any type of towel or paper towel for polishing, as these can sometimes snag. Soft microfiber ensures a streak-free shine without fine scratches.
Step 5: Disinfect With Salt or Sage
As a final cleansing step, disinfect the interior of your abalone shell to purify it from any absorbed energetic or spiritual residues. There are a couple effective options:
Salt Disinfection
- Add a spoonful of sea salt or Himalayan pink salt to the shell
- Swirl some warm water around to dissolve the salt
- Discard the salt water down the drain
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
- Allow to fully dry
The salt will naturally disinfect and neutralize the shell’s energy.
Sage Disinfection
- Light a sage bundle or stick until smoking
- Hold the abalone shell over the smoke
- Rotate until smoke penetrates the entire interior surface
- Let the smoke absorb for 1-2 minutes before extinguishing the sage
The purifying sage smoke will spiritually cleanse the shell.
Alternative Quick Cleaning Methods
For gentle surface cleaning between deeper cleans, there are a few shortcut techniques:
- Spot clean stains with rubbing alcohol or vodka on a cotton ball.
- Gently wipe the inside with a cut lemon half to dissolve debris.
- Mist with witch hazel and wipe dry with a cloth.
- Scrub with a baking soda and water paste.
Avoid dunking the shell underwater or using harsh cleaners that could degrade the exterior over time.
Protecting Your Abalone Shell Between Uses
To help keep your abalone shell looking pristine after cleaning, store it safely when not in use:
- Place a small pile of sand, salt, or ash in the bottom to protect the surface.
- Set the shell on a soft, non-scratching surface like felt or velvet.
- Store in a fabric pouch or wrapped in a natural fiber cloth.
- Display on an altar, shelf, or stand so the interior can stay clean.
Signs Your Abalone Shell Needs Replacement
With proper care, abalone shells can be used for smudging for many years. But check periodically for any of these signs that it may be time to retire the shell:
- Deep cracks, chips, or breakage that causes leaking.
- Permanent smoke staining that can’t be removed.
- Visible abrasion damage on the interior nacre.
- Thinning of the shell walls from heat exposure.
For continued safe smudging rituals, replace severely damaged shells.
Finding a New Abalone Shell
When the time comes to get a new abalone shell, shop mindfully. Seek ethically sourced shells, such as:
- Shells harvested from farmed abalone populations
- Shells gathered from naturally shed exoskeletons
- Vintage or antique shells from before current restrictions
Avoid any products made from poached or illegally gathered shells. This perpetuates damage to wild abalone populations already under threat.
There are also abalone shell alternatives if you can’t source an ethical shell, like shells from other sea creatures, or materials like glass or stone bowls.
Honor the Spirit of Your Abalone Shell
Abalone shells chosen for smudging are far more than inanimate objects. They contain the spirit of the ocean and the essence of the abalone that created each unique shell. As you care for your shell, do so with honor and gratitude for its place in your rituals. Let the shell guide you – it will reveal when a deeper cleansing is needed through visible smoke staining, and also when it’s time to lay the shell to rest and pass the spirit on to a new home. Respect this sacred cycle and your shell will remain a beloved partner in your smudging practice for years to come.
What are Abalone Shells?
Abalone shells, which are also called Paua shells, are where the abalone lived. The abalone is a marine snail that deposits many layers over time to make nacre, a “bio-crystal” that was made by a living thing instead of inert minerals. They are very strong to protect the mollusk inside, and they have a low, open spiral shape with a row of open breathing holes near the edge. The mother-of-pearl in their thick inner layer makes them shimmer and look appealing to people.
These organic gemstones, which are related to amber and pearl, have been found in archaeological sites all over the world. They were used by many ancient cultures for many things, such as jewelry, tools, and money. Examples include deposits from 100,000 years ago at Blombos Cave in South Africa and historic Chinese abalone middens in California, where Native Americans fished for abalones for at least 12,000 years.
The abalone’s natural shield has deeper meanings, such as the cycle of life, comfort, safety, and the element of water. These “ears of the sea” represent a connection to the ocean, since the abalone has lived its whole life listening to the soothing sounds of the waves.
In particular, the Maori people of New Zealand eat abalone meat as a special treat. They then use the shell to make jewelry, trade goods, or art, where it is used to represent the eyes of warriors and gods. The sparkle and color changes of the shell in the light are a sign of change and progress. The Maori culture also says that the shell strengthens the body and heart of the person who wears it, allowing them to communicate more openly and bringing harmony and connection to relationships.
Fundamentally, the abalone shell is an expression of healing ocean energy. Many use it as a meditation aid, holding it in one’s hand to harness its balanced energy.
While the outside of an abalone shell is smooth, the ripples inside it remind us of the gentle but always-changing tides of the ocean. It gives us a unique sense of peace. The dreamy and ethereal beauty of the shell makes it easy to get lost in it, while it quietly helps us open up and expand our consciousness, which makes it easier for us to express our strong emotions clearly.
The abalone mollusk is known as being fertile for its species. Because they are good for fertility, abalone shells make great gifts for new mothers or mothers-to-be. They can help people who are trying to get pregnant or make sure their baby will be healthy.
The abalone shell’s small holes let air into the fire during the smudging ritual. The shell is also used to represent all four elements: water (the shell as a vessel for water), earth (the plant matter being burned, a gift from Mother Earth), fire (lighting the plant or smudge stick), and air (the smoke).
A Brief History of Smudging with Abalone Shells
The Apache Nation is a group of Native American tribes in the southwestern United States that share a culture. They believe that the first woman, also known as the “changing woman,” Esdzanadehe, or “white painted woman,” lived through a flood in the shell of an abalone, gave birth to the son of water, and then died and was reborn many times.
In Apache girls’ puberty ceremonies, abalone shells are used to represent how their new womanhood blends with that of women who came before them, representing the “changing woman.” The shell guides Apache girls to connect to their divine heritage.
People in many Native American cultures use abalone shells as smudge bowls and as offerings in religious ceremonies. They believe that the spiritual power of the shell and burning sage will carry their prayers and messages to their gods in the sky.
What is Smudging?
Native Americans and other indigenous peoples burn sacred plants as part of a ceremony called “smudging,” which is also called “smoke cleansing.” They do this to get rid of evil spirits.
White sage and palo Santo are the most commonly sold materials used for smoke cleansing. However, both are sacred to Native American cultures and can be problematic because of cultural appropriation and unethical sourcing. It’s true that smoke from many plants and herbs, even incense sticks, can clean the air and get rid of bad energy. This will also clear your mind and remove old, tired energy from your crystals. For instance, lavender promotes calming while mugwort is said to stimulate dreams.
Abalone shells often act as a container for smoke-cleansing with these plant materials.
How to Conduct a Cleansing Ritual with Abalone Shells
Since ancient times, people have believed that abalone shells have divine energy. They connect people to their crown, third eye, and heart chakras, which are their highest chakras. They also open doors to a higher level of consciousness.
Light the wand, bundle, or stick of the plant you want to clean with abalone shells. Then, let the abalone shell catch the falling ashes or embers. As you spread the smoke around your body, crystals, and the space around you with a feather or your hand, picture the negative energy being washed away by the loving waves of the ocean.
This is what you should say to yourself over and over: “I call on the spirits of the four elements—water, earth, fire, and air—to clean this space and fill it with good energy.” ”.
As a natural vessel, the abalone shell should be kept safe from the fire and smoke of the burning plants by lining it with a very thin layer of sand. This will keep the shells’ beautiful shine from being damaged by burns. The sand also makes it easier to fan out the smoke.
How to Clean Abalone Shells
Most abalone shells that you can buy have already been polished, but they need to be cared for regularly to keep their beautiful shine. Here’s how to clean abalone shells.
First, run water over the shell and use a toothbrush to gently scrub the surface to get rid of sand and dirt. Then, rub mineral oil all over the abalone shell with a cloth to make sure it gets into all the cracks. This will enhance the iridescence of the mother-of-pearl. Finally, let the shell and oil dry in the air for a few days before touching it again.
If you prefer to pick and polish your own, here’s a guide on how to polish abalone shells that are freshly caught from the sea.
Where to find Abalone Shells
Are you ready to let the healing properties of abalone shells help you find more balance, compassion, and peace? Beautiful abalone shells may only be a click away, but The New Moon warns spiritually-inclined people to be careful with their purchases to avoid buying fake, low-quality, or unethically mined shells. So, where to find abalone shells?.
Abalones are quite easy to acquire in Hong Kong’s wet markets and supermarkets, though they usually come in quite small sizes and the bigger ones might require a bit more effort to find. Alternatively, some of the more trustworthy online outlets for abalone shells include Energy Muse and Luméa.
The New Moon also has a ceramic bowl that looks like an abalone shell. It was made by Christina Liu as part of her ongoing exploration of the limits of realism. The handcrafted nesting bowls are made just for The New Moon. They have a 22K gold shine and are made to be perfect for cleaning smoke. share.
Smudge Bowl (How to Use Abalone Shell for Smudging with Sage)
FAQ
How do you clean abalone shells?
Can you burn sage in an abalone shell?
Does abalone need to be cleansed?
What is the significance of the abalone shell in smudging?
Should you Smudge An abalone shell?
You may wish to use a layer of sand inside the abalone shell to protect the natural shine that it has, from any smoke or embers. So, there you go! Smudging is a great practice to use when your home or work space needs clearing of negative energy.
What is an abalone smudge pot?
Abalone shells are a traditional vessel for catching the ashes from smudging. They come in various sizes. (Abalone shells should not be exposed to direct heat, as they can scorch.) Smudge pots are made of stone, ceramic, or metal. Unlike shells, they can be used to hold burning smudges.
How do you burn abalone smudge sticks?
Grab a good-sized abalone shell. You don’t want it to be too small, because it needs to catch fallen ash and embers as you burn your smudge sticks. Line the inside of the abalone shell with a thin layer of sand. Doing this will ensure the shell is protected from burn spots from the fallen embers.
What is an abalone shell used for?
Spiritual Connection: Beyond its practical and symbolic qualities, the abalone shell is believed to possess spiritual properties that enhance the smudging experience. It is often considered a vessel for holding the prayers, intentions, and energy of the ritual.