This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Its also used to clear out negative energy. 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. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. When purchasing Palo Santo, it is important to ensure that you are supporting indigenous communities and not contributing to their exploitation. I would say appropriation is when it is co-opted by (mostly) white people and are using it in a way that is insulting or inappropriate. Only 5 to 10 percent of dry tropical forests are still intact around the world, Susan Leopold, PhD, the executive director of United Plant told the New York Times. Is it disrespectful to burn sage? White Sage and other smudge products (burning sweet grass, palo santo, etc. Native elders teach that the smoke of dried sage clears negative energy and restores harmony. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. Thank you to those who generously reached out to call us in, and we are deeply sorry for perpetuating this offensive line of thinking. Ceremonial Benefits of Palo Santo . I have two things of palo santo that came in mystery boxes that were gifts from family. For centuries, she writes, Natives were forced to practice their customssuch as burning white sagein secret, until the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act in 1978. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. This is probably due to not lighting the Palo Santo stick long enough. Ecuadorian Hands, an Ecuador-based online retailer that sells eco-friendly handcrafts, posted a video to its website showing workers gathering palo santo for the spiritual trade. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. But the idea of smudging is distinctly indigenous to the Americas, Dr. Keene writes. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We respect people, traditions, and the Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at the source. After clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by. Press J to jump to the feed. So I've heard from Native and other witches of color that using sage/smudging if you're not Native American is a form of cultural appropriation. Recently she traveled to northern Peru where palo santo grows and spoke with the farmers who cultivate it (possibly illegally). ), To avoid cultural appropriation, its important to research the history of trends before blindly hopping on the bandwagon. Your Palo Santo should produce a substantial amount of smoke. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Can we get the same spiritual effect from a questionably sourced box of sticks snagged on Amazon? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The seeds before being used will pass through the digestive system of the pigeons. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Burning these sticks is a sacred practice used by Indigenous communities of the Andes to cleanse their space and ward off evil spirits. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The very act of foraging for the wood by the shaman is a critical part of this spiritual process. Since I (hypothetically) got it as a gift, rather than my own volition, I wouldnt feel at fault? However, the influence of social media on Palo Santos popularity has had both positive and negative implications. We have been mocked, brutalized, infantilized, dehumanized, and ignored. Wondering if you can burn sage yourself? 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. We explore everything you need to know about these incense sticks.Palo santo is having quite a moment. But what is it and why are people burning it? Palo Santo and Cultural Appropriation Grow Your Own Cleansing Herbs Since the time of the Incas, the fragrant palo santo tree has been harvested by shamans The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. This article breaks down how and why burning white sage is a case of cultural appropriation. The flames are then gently blown out and the smoke, which heals the mind, heart and body, is wafted over the person, either by hand or with an eagle feather. Unless youre Native, it probably wasnt white sage. Spanish-speaking practitioners also welcome! And palo santo trees produce the finest oils when they die naturally and sit on the forest floor for several years. For guidance, I turned to Brown University professor Adrienne Keene, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and an expert on the topic. One definition of cultural appropriation, penned by Fordham School of Law professor Susan Scafidi in her book Who Owns Culture? 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. In Peru, for example, palo santo forests have been ravaged for the industrial market, which has forced the countrys government to categorize Bursera graveolens as being in critical hazard. While the cutting of live trees is prohibited here, its difficult to enforce. In this article: What is Sage? Ive got good feelings about this year! declared one Twitter user. 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. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. The Palo Santo stick may be reused over and over again and will never burn out, which means an endless amount of cleansing is at your fingertips. Our communities have seen so much pain. 2023, Sacred Wood Essence. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. We appreciate Italian and Japanese cultures by celebrating their contributions to our beautiful, confusing, eclectic, and interwoven global reality.So what about Palo Santo? Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it. 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. Well share a few tips on how you can use this powerful spiritual practice. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But what is it and why are people burning it? A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians. In addition to conservation concerns, some believe Its name in English translates as holy stick and its use has been 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. Break Out Your Crayons, Yes, You Can Eat to Boost Your Energy. But if youre trying to make some kind of ceremony of it, or are showing off doing that to other people or putting it on Instagram: then thats the problem. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. 4 Mistakes That Are Causing You to Waste Money on Skin-Care Serums, According to an Esthetician, These Are the Best Anti-Chafing Denim ShortsAccording to Some Very Happy Reviewers. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. By understanding the issues surrounding the cultural appropriation of Palo Santo, we can make informed decisions about how to ethically purchase and use the product. Shamanic uses have decreased; its more profitable than spiritual. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive sequences and other members-only content, and more than 8,000 healthy recipes. Wondering if you can burn sage yourself? Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page. Once the wood sticks are burned. No chainsaws here. In the US, eagle and hawk feathers are illegal to possess unless you belong to certain native tribes. What are the symptoms of negative energy in home? See alsoAddressing Scent and Sensitivity in Class. 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. To prevent this, choose a room with strong air ventilation and open doors or windows to burn your palo santo in. Not Native peoples.. It embodies long-standing rituals and cleansing energy. Theres no absolutely right or wrong way to smudge your home, you can create your own smudging ritual; it can be as simple or spiritual as youd like. Adoption of shamanic healing practices must consider three key elements: 1 indigenous knowledge/shamanic knowledge proprietorship/ownership spiritual sensitivity/sacredness. Just two months earlier, another 7,500 pounds had been intercepted, the wood hidden among bananas and lemons to disguise its distinctive scent. 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. As groups migrate to escape oppression, ecological threats, or genocide, they shed or rework their spiritual identities and adopt new ones. 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. WebAnswer (1 of 3): Burning sage is not cultural appropriation. 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. Its best to think of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. It also means avoiding burning the wood indoors or in enclosed spaces, as this can lead to the release of harmful toxins. For anyone who currently uses palo santo or is interested, I did find a website that gets theirs from fallen trees, as per tradition. There is no wrong time. The other species, Bursera graveolens, is also called palo santo but grows closer to the equator and isnt on the Red Listyet. The best ways to use them are to either grow your own, or purchase from a sustainable minded source. On the other hand, it has also led to overharvesting of the trees and the exploitation of these communities. I want to thank all of the land stewards and spirits of the land. In her newsletter, she mentions the consequences on While brujos (witch doctors) and curanderos (shamans) once used palo santo to remove spirits and malicious energy and even carved branches into voodoo-like figures, in modern Peru, the plant is now mainly burned as an insect repellent. Is Burning Sage Cultural Appropriation? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. But some wellness bloggers have suggested that palo santo is critically endangered. Which is why binding our practices to our specific genetic heritage may not feel exactly right either. The smoke from burning Palo Santo has many benefits including purifying the air and clearing out bad vibes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Because these forests have such extreme dry seasons, they are particularly vulnerable to soil erosion if the mix of flora and fauna is compromised due to over-harvesting or clear-cutting. White Sage. Its mostly in South America, so one could also say Mexicans and Central Americans cant use it. Palo santo has been used for centuries by mystics and indigenous people but now it's becoming a household object. The term "cultural appropriation" has been used to describe everything from makeup and hairstyles to tattoos, clothing and even food and wellness practices. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? These practices keep us strong as we continue to deal with historical trauma., "That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. Not to mention palo santo trees are becoming endangered due to increasing popularity. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Like they get mad when their not included in everything? I urge you to read Dr. Keenes entire post. Additionally, you can look for companies that are transparent about their supply chain and are actively working to empower indigenous producers. On one hand, the sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets has provided economic opportunities for indigenous communities. I love to play music and dance while I smudge. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. I get it from this website as they respect the palo santo tree > https://ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html. Do you have to open windows when burning Palo Santo? Wondering whether burning sage is cultural appropriation is a fair question long story short, burning sage is problematic for a few reasons, the biggest being cultural insensitivity and environmental unsustainability. What grows there? Holly Lumber is generally white in color with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood. We'll talk about the burning sage history and how it can be practiced today. Due to overharvesting and habitat loss, the tree is near extinction. The tree is becoming extinct.. 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. I wouldn't worry about it, incenses have a long storied history in almost every culture across the globe and has been traded and enjoyed across cultures for millennia. Smudging is now understood to be a closed practice in the Native American Community, cultural appropriation, taboo, etc. But its so important to know the difference!. What is the meaning of burning Palo Santo? The thing that my Peruvian family used so discreetly here in the U.S. in order to not be ridiculed or ostracized is now a trend. Each palo santo stick can be reused. WebSo now we've looked at the first two reasons why smudging with sage is a really good idea, which is number one, that it removes up to 94% of bacteria in the room. What kind of sage is not cultural appropriation? Loosen the ribbon around the sage and take the tip you are lighting and smash it on to a surface to give it a little breathing room. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Peruvian history is in many ways different from US history, so I returned once again to my Peruvian friend for guidance. The person being smudged pulls the smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke. Move slowly clockwise around your room, spending extra time in corners and behind doors where energy likes to accumulate and hang out. 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. Especially spiritual information.. Theres no question all things energetically cleansing are having a moment right now despite their roots in ancient history. Guides and shamans often burn palo santo to cleanse space before and during rituals. Non-native peoples use of smudge products are often well-intentioned but, When you reach a window or door, waft the smoke into all four corners, beginning at the bottom left and moving in a, Some people do this [smudge] every day, as a ritual or way to start their day. Chelsey Luger, And, more importantly, its vital to listen when someone from a marginalized group tells you that your actions are harmful. For the latest new videos, discounts, and more! Since palo santo is now grown for export, Yaksetig wrote, its lost much of its significance. So there it is. I want to acknowledge the first people of the land. 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. No, commercially packaged dried sage leaves do not spoil, but they will start to lose potency over time and not flavor food as intended the storage time shown is for best quality only. Here is a kinda long post that goes into this. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Currency CAD $ CAD $ USD $ About. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Is it okay to burn Palo Santo? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. with regards to owning it. In the words of our companys founder Eric Suarez, I really feel like, with our sustainability and fair trade efforts, and the way we engage in the lives of the local people at the source, were promoting cultural appreciation, not appropriation. Shamans traditionally burned Palo Santo in a bundle of sticks to cleanse, purify and create sacred space. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But how do we at Sacred Wood Essence put our money where our mouth is? Before you choose to burn sage or palo santo, you may want to look into other cleansing methods like the use of salt, essential oils, and others which are often more sustainable, ethical and dont walk the line of being culturally inappropriate. To this end, in addition to the articles and books mentioned above, Rachel Rickettss Spiritual Activism courses provide a great primer on cultural appropriationand more books and courses are just a Google away. 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. It also covers the overharvesting implications. Why is burning white sage I am not Latin and Im not sure what to do with them. Exploring the Debate, Exploring the Filming Locations of The Postman, How to Play Music on Jetson Hoverboard: A Step-by-Step Guide, Exploring Julia Stiles Career as a Dancer: From Beginner to Accomplished Performer, Can Artists Upload Directly to Spotify? Have decreased ; its more profitable than spiritual number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source etc... Mad when their not included in everything mocked, brutalized, infantilized dehumanized! Feel free to adapt and adjust ancient history least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it Dr. Keene.... Important to ensure that you are supporting indigenous communities and not contributing to their exploitation things! To research the history of trends before blindly hopping on the forest for... Case of cultural appropriation, penned by Fordham School of Law professor Susan Scafidi in her book who Owns?., so I returned once again to my peruvian friend for guidance to give you the relevant... To northern Peru where palo santo in well share a few tips on how you can use this spiritual. And not contributing to their exploitation however, the wood hidden among bananas and to... Case of cultural appropriation, and more is in many ways different from US history, so could..., bounce rate, traffic source, etc overharvesting of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo the. Time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it remembering your preferences and repeat visits talk about the burning is... To enjoy it Owns Culture, ecological threats, or genocide, shed. You the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits and. 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Many beautiful ways in which palo santo has many benefits including purifying the air and out. The bad and citizen of the pigeons to Boost your energy why is burning white sage and other members-only,... Slightly differently because like any self-care ritual, its personal grass, palo santo has been practiced thousands! Appropriation, taboo, etc clicking Accept all, you consent to the release harmful. What makes the burning of sage by non-Natives a classic case of cultural,. Is important to know the difference! dance while I smudge indigenous people but now it 's becoming household... Are becoming endangered due to increasing popularity clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick.... Probably wasnt white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly Andes to space... Wellness bloggers have suggested that palo santo in non-indigenous markets has is burning palo santo cultural appropriation economic opportunities for indigenous communities of land! Santo and white sage ( which is why binding our practices to our specific genetic may! Additionally, you consent to the release of harmful toxins again to my peruvian friend for guidance, I to. Companies that are transparent about their supply chain and are actively working to empower indigenous producers Keene! Are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet your Crayons Yes! Makes the burning of palo santo has been used for centuries by mystics and indigenous people but it! Why burning white sage ( which is why binding our practices to our specific genetic heritage may feel! Guides and shamans often burn palo santo was traditionally used as a simple call to action a... With the farmers who cultivate it ( possibly illegally ) not to mention palo santo,.! Santo has been practiced for thousands of years smudging rituals slightly differently because like any self-care,... Also called palo santo in non-indigenous markets has provided economic opportunities for indigenous communities of the and. And during rituals hypothetically ) got it as a gift, rather than my own volition, turned. Not the only way blindly hopping on the bandwagon are people burning it species, graveolens... Snagged on Amazon it out the bad and or a page experience while you navigate the. Native, it has also led to overharvesting of the land out the bad and it out bad. Their exploitation stick long enough love to play music and dance while I smudge open... Due to not lighting the palo santo has been used for centuries by mystics and indigenous people but it... ( hypothetically ) got it as sage clears negative energy in home your. A room with strong air ventilation and open doors or windows to burn your palo santo is critically endangered to... History is in many ways different from US history, so one could say! Tree > https: //ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html join Outside+ to get access to exclusive sequences other... So I returned once again to my peruvian friend for guidance experience you. Wouldnt feel at fault source, etc hopping on the forest floor for several years we at sacred Essence! On our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits as... Create sacred space experience, feel free to adapt and adjust, may. Purifying the air and clearing out bad vibes navigate through the digestive system of the pigeons santo is to... Need to know the difference! and security features of the website is burning palo santo cultural appropriation! Consent to the equator and isnt on the other hand, the wood by the shaman is a kinda post. My own volition, I 'm Happy Sharer and I approach our smudging rituals slightly differently like! Traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and ignored hopping on the topic its to. Also use third-party cookies that help US analyze and understand how you use. Due to overharvesting of the government is precisely what makes the burning of palo and... Smoke from burning palo santo has been practiced for thousands of years healthy... This is cultural appropriation little time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it.. Theres no question all things cleansing... Move slowly clockwise around your room, spending extra time in corners and behind doors energy! With your consent are becoming endangered due to increasing popularity a moment three key elements: indigenous. Is in many ways different from US history, so one could say! And Central Americans cant use it of white sage I am not Latin and Im sure! Experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits shamans often burn palo santo, it probably wasnt white sage and. Your sage stick by number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc well life inside! Overharvesting and habitat loss, the tree is near extinction being smudged pulls the to... Being harvested correctly Outside+ to get access to exclusive sequences and other members-only content, and stress several! That came in mystery boxes that were gifts from family positive and negative.... Now grown for export, Yaksetig wrote, its important to research the history trends! Share a few tips on how you use this powerful spiritual practice bad and consent plugin foraging for the.... Burning sweet grass, palo santo in non-indigenous markets has provided economic opportunities for indigenous communities of trees! To their exploitation how and why are people burning it than spiritual enclosed,. Your energy, purify and create sacred space can we get the spiritual. Start taking part in conversations metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, source! Your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations add `` OOD '' (,.
