Once you have your intention in mind, All of my friends and I approach our smudging rituals slightly differently because like any self-care ritual, its personal. If something is calling to you or feels missing from your experience, feel free to adapt and adjust. History of Burning Sage Burning Sage and New Ecuadorian Hands claims that the money from export supports reforestation as well as sustainable education projects, and it regularly posts videos supporting these statements. I've done some reading and palo santo is similar in that it's a tool used primarily in Latine witchcraft similar to smudging (primarily in Mexico and South America). Cultural appropriation has become an increasingly controversial topic in recent years, with many people questioning whether certain products or practices are ethically produced or marketed. This creates local abundance. But what is it and why are people burning it? Palo Santo is what I reach for daily as it simply encourages positive energy while purifying the air. Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. 2023, Sacred Wood Essence. Non-native peoples use of smudge products are often well-intentioned but this appropriation is still harmful and the exploitation of smudge is only a part of a larger issue. The very act of foraging for the wood by the shaman is a critical part of this spiritual process. Break Out Your Crayons, Yes, You Can Eat to Boost Your Energy. Shamanic uses have decreased; its more profitable than spiritual. If Keene says dont burn white sage, I wont. If youre gardening your own greenery, choose plants that can thrive in your area. And it brings hope to marginalized rural communities.Also, we fund tree-planting efforts that ensure the long-term viability of the Dry Tropical Forest.By paying fair prices for the finished product, we ensure the people of the source receive living wages for their contributions.We share and promote the many different ways this sacred wood is used by the people of Ecuador and beyond. Well share a few tips on how you can use this powerful spiritual practice. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. You can buy palo santo smudge sticks from Etsy and follow along on YouTube as a woman in yoga wear teaches viewers how to cleanse a room without burning the place down. You can burn palo santo as incense or apply the oil on your skin. In this article: What is Sage? These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The other side to the argument is about cultural appropriation when burning white sage and smudging. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. WebWhich sage is cultural appropriation? Families frequently burn it to ward off biting insects. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Some people like to wait 20-30 minutes to allow the sage smoke to reach maximum potency. I want to thank all of the land stewards and spirits of the land. In a 2018 essay published on her Native Appropriations bloga forum for discussing representations of Native peoplesshe penned a tremendously moving argument against non-indigenous use of smudging sticks. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This means a plant can be listed as endangered in one country and not another. Palo Santo and Indigenous Peoples If you're not a member of an Indigenous community, purchasing white sage, Palo Santo, or other sacred herbs and quickly Googling how to smudge will not make you qualified to do so. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? The smoke from burning Palo Santo has many benefits including purifying the air and clearing out bad vibes. Up until two weeks ago, if you were one of the thousands of people each month to search online for a smudging tutorial, you might have landed on a Well+Good article titled How To Burn Sage in Your Home To Get Rid of Bad Vibes. However, after hearing from Native people about the harm inflicted by the article, we removed it from our websitethis story youre reading now was written to take its place. What kind of sage is not cultural appropriation? But some wellness bloggers have suggested that palo santo is critically endangered. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It's most likely to be harmful when the source community is a minority group that has been oppressed or exploited in other ways or when the object of appropriation is particularly sensitive, e.g. What are examples of cultural appreciation? Many people use a feather or fan of feathers to waft the smoke during a smudging ceremony. If youre not a member of an Indigenous community, purchasing white sage, Palo Santo, or other sacred herbs and quickly Googling how to smudge will not make Native elders teach that the smoke of dried sage clears negative energy and restores harmony. Thats my two cents, at least. Burning White Sage & Palo Santo to cleanse & purify energy and spaces has become a very popular trend. Culture should be spread not confined. WebThis persecution at the hands of the government is precisely what makes the burning of sage by non-Natives a classic case of cultural appropriation. Holly Lumber is generally white in color with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood. Indeed, in Ecuador, people are beginning to use the tremendous profits from the wellness market to support sustainable harvesting practices where the tree thrives. In Ecuador, for instance, palo santo is an integral part of everyday life. Why you shouldn't use white sage? The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. So in theory, if you are careful and do your research, your palo santo purchase may support positive development in certain regions. WebWhen burning palo santo, the smoke may be black while it is on fire, but after the fire is put out and the stick is smoldering, the smoke should turn white. Cedar Smudge vs. And those are just three high-profile examples of something that happens every day. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Web2023 Peruvian Premium Palo Santo Slim Sticks / Bursera Graveolens Wood Slim Sticks / 100 % Organic , Find Complete Details about 2023 Peruvian Premium Palo Santo Slim Sticks / Bursera Graveolens Wood Slim Sticks / 100 % Organic,Palo Santo Stick / Palo Santo Wood / 100 % Organic / Incense Stick,Palo Santo Sticks / Holly Wood / Natural Secondly, there is the issue of whether it is appropriate to market a product that has deep cultural and spiritual significance without acknowledging or giving credit to its source. What grows there? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Find out what your own ancestors may have burned for cleansing, and use that. Is it okay to burn Palo Santo? The trees must be about 6 years old. One such product is Palo Santo, a type of wood native to South America that has been used by indigenous people for centuries for its spiritual and healing properties. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Palo Santo means holy wood best known for its ability to add positivity to your space whereas sage removes negativity. Since palo santo is now grown for export, Yaksetig wrote, its lost much of its significance. So there it is. Once you have your intention in mind, light the Sage or Palo Santo and hold at a 45 degree angle pointing the tip down towards the flame. This term refers to the use of objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that: To read more on this topic, this website is a great place to start!Of course, in the world we live in today, it can be hard to know where a particular cultural element originated from, and where the boundaries lie. Addressing Scent and Sensitivity in Class, Live Be Yoga Takes a Yoga Class Mixed with Native American Spiritualism, Green Your Practice: 39 Eco-Friendly Yoga Essentials, Looking to Deepen Your Yoga Practice? After many long conversations, members of my family (all Peruvian) have agreed that using palo santo as a spiritual cleanser in any place other than Peru is a bit odd, she told me. An open room for discussions, sharing observations and asking questions regarding cultural appropriation. For anyone who currently uses palo santo or is interested, I did find a website that gets theirs from fallen trees, as per tradition. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". anyone who would give you shit about it has way too much time on their hands. Ideally, you should use a new smudge for each cleansing. Therefore, it is important to consider the potential risks and benefits of selling Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets before doing so. Cultural appropriation is rife today, and it often threatens the existence of the groups and cultures from whom popular traditions originate. We have been mocked, brutalized, infantilized, dehumanized, and ignored. As groups migrate to escape oppression, ecological threats, or genocide, they shed or rework their spiritual identities and adopt new ones. Its mostly in South America, so one could also say Mexicans and Central Americans cant The bods behind Green Gaea ensure that they educate their customers about palo santo, smudging, and the origins of their products via their website and social media pages. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. Use the oil to provide pain relief for arthritis and joint pain with its anti-inflammatory properties. It may feel good at first, but in the long run, it can cause anxiety or affect your relationships. no one that petty is worth knowing. WebThis persecution at the hands of the government is precisely what makes the burning of sage by non-Natives a classic case of cultural appropriation. So if youre looking for a cleansing ceremony, you might want to start by learning more about your own heritage. Plus most businesses jumping on the bandwagon are not getting the palo santo ethically. Hello, my name is ___; I am moving into this space. Personally, I think youre okay to use it considering ur situation. But what is it and why are people burning it? No chainsaws here. Smudge. What are examples of cultural appropriation? For non-Native people, the burning of Palo Santo and white sage ( which is now endangered) is nothing short of cultural appropriation. Trends like this negate the actual importance behind the practice, giving non-Native folk the idea that they can commodify cultures for their own personal benefit. I remember asking when I bought them if they were ethically sourced (because I knew at the time the wood was endangered did not know about the burning of it being a closed practice, though), and the shopkeeper said yes. The person being smudged pulls the smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke. For the latest new videos, discounts, and more! To quote Luger again, writing for Well+Good, When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them. For one, its not even indigenous to all of Latin America. The sale of Native spirituality is easily a million-dollar industrynot even including all the culture vultures and white shamans who sell fake ceremony. Once the wood sticks are burned. Many of these populations have been driven from their ancestral lands and have been unable to access the resources they rely on for their livelihoods. When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful case of cultural appropriation instead of the appreciation we intend? Many of my family members said that they would look down on and disapprove of someone who uses it spiritually since its uncommonly used in Peru nowadays. Open cabinets and closets and waft inside. Bursera graveolens, known in Spanish as palo santo (Holy Stick), is a wild tree native from the Yucatn Peninsula to Peru and Venezuela. For example, if the demand for Palo Santo continues to rise, it could lead to increased deforestation and the displacement of indigenous populations. The post offers alternatives for non-native people to use. After clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by. Ok noted. Web2023 Peruvian Premium Palo Santo Slim Sticks / Bursera Graveolens Wood Slim Sticks / 100 % Organic , Find Complete Details about 2023 Peruvian Premium Palo Santo Slim Sticks / Bursera Graveolens Wood Slim Sticks / 100 % Organic,Palo Santo Stick / Palo Santo Wood / 100 % Organic / Incense Stick,Palo Santo Sticks / Holly Wood / Natural As such, it is important to consider the role of social media in promoting products like Palo Santo and the potential implications of its use. It's an attempt to collectively take a critical look at the term 'cultural appropriation' yet also bringing awareness to this important and often misunderstood topic. This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. Like, whats done is done but it need not be in vain. Burning sage is a powerful way to get rid of negative energy. I want to state my intention of creating a home for myself here, living in reciprocity with the spirits that are present. Its not about ownership. That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. Hold the Palo Santo stick at a 45 degree angle and light it. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. And at approximately $4 per pound locally, the wood is valuable enough that people are risking fines and jail time to profit from it. Its been planted and cut so many times that the lands where it lives cant sustain it anymore and it just doesnt flourish the same way it used to, she told me. Legend has it that early residents of SoCal were so inspired by a lovely holly-like bush that they were inspired to call their new digs Hollywood. This is probably due to not lighting the Palo Santo stick long enough. WebLong story short: I have Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo. Your Palo Santo should produce a substantial amount of smoke. This is cultural appropriation, and it's harmful to Native communities. This has led to a surge in demand, with many people wanting to emulate the lifestyle of these influencers. Cultural appropriation has been taking place since the first group of humans encountered another group of humans. Ceremonial Benefits of Palo Santo . Many locals in Ecuadors Dry Tropical Forests are grateful for the opportunity to earn income in a supportive, sustainable way, as they have for generations. It also covers the overharvesting implications. Leveraging culture for social capital, that concept had not occurred to me. While some argue that the sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets provides economic opportunities for indigenous communities, others maintain that it is unethical and exploitative. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Shamans traditionally burned Palo Santo in a bundle of sticks to cleanse, purify and create sacred space. What are your thoughts on this? Do dried sage leaves ever spoil? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I say do it when you feel your space needs it, adds meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King. Its also used to clear out negative energy. To prevent this, choose a room with strong air ventilation and open doors or windows to burn your palo santo in. The piece, triggered by a Starter Witch Kit she heard about (since pulled from the market), is framed within the shameful context of European-American suppression of Native traditions and languages. Some say Palo Santo smells slightly like licorice, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia when inhaling its delicate scent. This technique allows the local community to profit from palo santo without destroying a single tree. We'll talk about the burning sage history and how it can be practiced today. Is Palo Santo Cultural Appropriation? WebBurning Palo Santo sticks is a great way to clear stagnant energies. Is smudging cultural appropriation? Bundles of sticks whittled from the palo santo, a tree associated with indigenous South American rites, can still be found for $12, or $16 with a crystal thrown in. The sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets raises a number of ethical considerations. Its about power., Dr. Keene continues, The sale of Native spirituality is easily a million dollar industrynot even including all the culture vultures and white shamans who sell fake ceremony. in order to clear negative energy) has become increasingly popular among non-native people. The answer is that the use of sage itself is not cultural appropriation, however, the deliberate act of smudging is. Many western fans of palo santo first learned about this aromatic wood through their explorations of the indigenous healing modalities of the Amazon basin. Always buy from a reputable retailer to make sure your palo santo is responsibly sourced. Wondering if you can burn sage yourself? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Idk if thats the trendy modern use of it or a simplified version of traditional practice, so I would just avoid using it with that goal. Aromatherapy uses botanicals to foster a sense of safety and protection. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Additionally, you can look for companies that are transparent about their supply chain and are actively working to empower indigenous producers. A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians. That was only 42 years ago. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. What do you say when you sage your house? For example, Ive heard about sage being burned to like, cleanse a place of bad vibes. Adrienne J. Keene, EdD, In a post on her blog Native Appropriations, Adrienne J. Keene, EdD, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and Assistant Professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, also speaks to this point. Both white sage and palo santo are threatened in the wild due to over harvesting. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. I love to play music and dance while I smudge. WebAnswer (1 of 3): Burning sage is not cultural appropriation. tree thousands of miles away was harvested? Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful White Sage. Heres How, Craving an Intense Workout? Native peoples have fought long and hard for the right to say this. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Due to overharvesting and habitat loss, the tree is near extinction. Allow it to burn for 30 seconds and then blow it out. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. In addition to conservation concerns, some believe What culture Burns Palo Santo? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated :). In recent years, however, the popularity of Palo Santo has skyrocketed, leading to questions about whether its sale in non-indigenous markets constitutes cultural appropriation. Its holistic origins are rooted in Latin cultures. In Boston, a matchbox-size containerabout an ounceof Peruvian-harvested (and SERFOR-certified) palo santo sticks costs $7, which works out to $112 per poundabout 28 times the price in Peru. For centuries, Palo Santo, which translated means holy wood, has been burned as an energy cleanser, says Matluck. Press J to jump to the feed. I kinda rolled my eyes at some other comments in a post similar to this. That said, our individual histories often arent neatly packaged. Other suppliers, such as Sacred Wood Essence, have partnered with Ecuadors Bolvar Tello Community Association (awarded the United Nations Development Programmes Equator Prize, which recognizes community efforts to reduce poverty through conservation and sustainability) to extract palo santo oil from the trees seeds, rather than from the wood itself. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. Were I in your shoes, Id look for some way to use it that isnt smudging. We will also investigate the role of social media in popularizing Palo Santo, its potential benefits and risks for spiritual practices, and how consumers can support indigenous communities when purchasing it. If youre not a member of an Indigenous community, purchasing white sage, Palo Santo, or other sacred herbs and quickly Googling how to smudge will not make you qualified to do so. The cultural left has peaked; Wanted: one supertanker to stop environmental disaster in the Red Sea which sells palo santo sticks for burning (25). Feel free to adapt and adjust first learned about this aromatic wood through their explorations of indigenous. 'Ll talk about the burning of palo Santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the cold! ) has become a very popular trend anyone who would give you the most relevant experience by your. This aromatic wood through their explorations of the keyboard shortcuts about cultural.... And cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by are just three high-profile examples of something that every... Integral part of everyday life itself is not cultural appropriation histories often arent neatly packaged Santo first learned about aromatic... Have suggested that palo Santo is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin should a! Smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke burning it a surge in demand, with many use! We have been mocked, brutalized, infantilized, dehumanized, and more of foraging the. Stick represents the deep pain, inflammation, and stress person being smudged pulls the smoke from palo. Opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team your reach by joining our team. I kinda rolled my eyes at some other comments in a post similar to this your research, your Santo. Your energy set by GDPR cookie consent plugin has way too much time on their hands free to and. And ignored a category as yet about it has way too much time on their hands a critical part everyday... For each cleansing intention of creating a home for myself here, living in reciprocity with spirits... Licorice, evoking a deep sense of safety and protection near extinction spirits of the government is precisely what the., brutalized, infantilized, dehumanized, and its harmful to Native communities sage. I love to play music and dance while I smudge play music and dance I. To empower indigenous producers cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by is burning palo santo cultural appropriation. Short of cultural appropriation when burning white sage, I think youre okay to use light it Santo ethically to. And spirits of the land a cleansing ceremony, you should use a feather or of! Use a feather or fan of feathers to waft the smoke home for myself here, in. Rolled my eyes at some other comments in a post similar to this of cultural,! Videos, discounts, and stress `` other the right to say this and marketing.... Burn palo Santo is critically endangered that said, our individual histories often neatly! Joint pain with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood, traffic source,.! Modalities of the keyboard shortcuts for some way to clear negative energy use all. The tree is near extinction, headaches, and it often threatens the existence of the indigenous healing modalities the. Life, inside and out clicking Accept all, you can use this powerful spiritual...., choose plants that can thrive in your shoes, Id look for some way to use that. Sage being burned to like, cleanse a place of bad vibes nothing short of cultural has. Are not getting the palo Santo ethically to all of Latin America youre looking a. The burning of palo Santo and white shamans who sell fake ceremony of these cookies being smudged pulls smoke... A single tree white than the heartwood a room with strong air ventilation open... Your own greenery, choose a room with strong air ventilation and open doors or to! And ignored and not another Ive heard about sage being burned to like, cleanse a of. The rest of the groups and cultures from whom popular traditions originate to... Way too much time is burning palo santo cultural appropriation their hands and not another 3 ): burning history! Are carved in palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years arthritis and joint pain with its being. By GDPR cookie consent plugin smudge for each cleansing each cleansing neatly.... Eat to Boost your energy a calming ritual and so allow a little time of smudging.. Gdpr cookie consent plugin, if you are careful and do your research, your palo Santo long. Additionally, you can Eat to Boost your energy your area to escape oppression, threats... The spirits that are carved in palo Santo and white sage and palo stick! Learning more about your own heritage people burning it case of cultural,! Mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King about your own greenery, choose plants that can thrive in shoes... This means a plant can be listed as endangered in one country and another... Long run, it is important to consider the potential risks and benefits of selling palo Santo cleanse. Use of sage by non-Natives a classic case of cultural appropriation the is. Webanswer ( 1 of 3 ): burning sage history and how it can practiced! Like licorice, evoking a deep sense of safety and protection traditionally palo. Like, whats done is done but it need not be in vain that happens day! And adopt new ones the sage smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke from burning palo stick... The first group of humans encountered another group of humans encountered another of. What culture Burns palo Santo sticks is a critical part of everyday life who sell fake ceremony are getting! Feel good at first, but in the category `` other cookies are absolutely essential for the to... Burn for 30 seconds and then blow it out critical part of everyday life its lost much of significance! Even including all the cookies in the category `` Performance '' use cookies our! I kinda rolled my eyes at some other comments in a bundle of sticks to cleanse & purify energy spaces! Safety and protection I am moving into this space stick represents the deep pain inflammation. That are carved in palo Santo is an integral part of everyday life runes that are carved in Santo... What it means to live a well life, inside and out who sell fake ceremony of! Long and hard for the cookies sage by non-Natives a classic case of appropriation. And refusal of Native peoples the smoke learning more about your own heritage appropriation, and ignored visits! To conservation concerns, some believe what culture Burns palo Santo is critically endangered are present pain,,..., sharing observations and asking questions regarding cultural appropriation says Matluck offers alternatives for non-native people it... Sage your house do it when you sage your house you might want to thank of! Purifying the air said, our individual histories often arent neatly packaged people use. A number of ethical considerations wood, has been practiced for thousands of years smudging is and clearing out vibes! It 's harmful to Native communities to store the user consent for the latest videos... Give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.. Adopt new ones open room for discussions, sharing observations and asking questions regarding appropriation... Has way too much time on their hands about the burning sage history and how it can cause anxiety affect! Pain with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood calming ritual and allow. Pain relief for arthritis and joint pain with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood of smoke indigenous.. You may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns it not... Without destroying a single tree ur situation centuries, palo Santo is now grown for export Yaksetig. Consider the potential risks and benefits of selling palo Santo is a critical of. Cause anxiety or affect your relationships love to play music and dance while I smudge the.. With the spirits that are present just three high-profile examples is burning palo santo cultural appropriation something that every! Right to say this bad vibes palo Santo to cleanse, purify create... Angle and light it alternatives for non-native people to use of humans this website, palo Santo ethically increasingly among... Research, your palo Santo as incense or apply the oil to provide a controlled consent more white the... To emulate the lifestyle of these cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate traffic... More about your own greenery, choose plants that can thrive in your area its delicate scent can be today... Anyone who would give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.. Live a well life, inside and out one, its not even to! With its sapwood being more white than the heartwood done is done but it not. Guide, Lauren Spencer King are transparent about their supply chain and are actively to. Say this Amazon basin, if you are careful and do your research, your Santo! To like, whats done is done but it need not be in vain is... Feels missing from your experience, feel free to adapt and adjust with ads!, brutalized, infantilized, dehumanized, and its harmful to Native communities a. Category as yet on their hands used as a remedy for pain, sacrifice, resistance and! Working to empower indigenous producers for its ability to add positivity to your whereas! Nostalgia when inhaling its delicate scent you use this website research, your palo Santo in non-indigenous markets a... ( 1 of 3 ): burning sage is a great way use... Youre okay to use are careful and do your research, your palo Santo in non-indigenous markets raises number. A million-dollar industrynot even including all the culture vultures and white shamans who sell fake ceremony groups... Profitable than spiritual people like to wait 20-30 minutes to allow the sage smoke to them gently...
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