Re: burning sage.

Kimmy, I had no idea that was a pagan ritual. We bought some sage when were in the Black Hills from an Indian. She said it was an Indian ritual to burn sage to rid the home of evil spirits so the good spirits were more welcome (or something to that effect). Sounds real similar to your "scrubbing." Unfortunately, the burnt end of the sage kept getting black smudge all over everything so we threw it away. Hmmm....wonder what the spirits thought of that?