That’s because white sage, scientific name salvia apiana, is native to the Southwest of America and northwest of Mexico. It is a sacred plant to tribes such as the Lakota, Comanche, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Navajo.
Do other cultures use white sage?
A big one is the fact that sage has historically been used as an energy cleanser in other cultures, too, including Celtic druids and European witches. While that may be the case, white sage — the kind typically sold in those chic little bundles — is native to North America and therefore, to Native cultures.
What culture does white sage come from?
Salvia apiana, the white sage, bee sage, or sacred sage is an evergreen perennial shrub that is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, found mainly in the coastal sage scrub habitat of Southern California and Baja California, on the western edges of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.
What tribe uses white sage?
The Cheyenne use the white sage in their Sun Dance and Standing Against Thunder ceremonies (Hart 1976). Other tribes who used white sage include the Arapaho, Comanche, Gros Ventre, Creek, Navaho, Tewa, and Ute (Nickerson 1966, Carlson and Jones 1939, Hart 1976, Thwaites 1905, Denig 1855, Elmore 1944, Robbins et al.
What religion is white sage?
White sage: the perfect illustration of Chumash religion. One practice was frequently observed throughout the territory and across all groups: the ritual smudging of white sage (salvia apiana).
Is it cultural appropriation to smudge?
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. This is cultural appropriation, and it’s harmful to Native communities.
What is wrong with white sage?
White sage is abundant in its local habitat as a keystone species of its plant community, but that habitat is under threat due to development and it is fragile, apparent by the many endangered and threatened species that rely on its habitat.
Is it disrespectful to use white sage?
Because of all that complicated history of sage burning, when non-Native people use white sage to “smudge” their homes or other spaces, it infringes upon the cultural importance and authenticity of the ritual and prayer — simply, it’s cultural appropriation.
Why is white sage sacred?
White sage is burned for meditation, smudging and cleansing of spirit and dwelling. In some beliefs, white sage smoke is believed to provide a barrier that prevents negative spirits from entering the room in which the ceremony is being held.
What do Native Americans believe about sage?
Sage is one of the most important Native American ceremonial plants, used by many tribes as an incense and purifying herb. Sweetgrass symbolizes protection and healing in many Native cultures, and is considered to drive out evil influences and ward off bad luck.
How do you use white sage respectfully?
How to smudge your living space, an object, and more
- Light the end of a sage bundle with a match.
- The tips of the leaves should smolder slowly, releasing thick smoke.
- Allow the incense to linger on the areas of your body or surroundings you’d like to focus on.
- Allow the ash to collect in a ceramic bowl or shell.
What does the Bible say about burning incense?
A Christian may still burn incense if he wishes to, but should consider 1 Samuel 15:22, “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?” This shows that obedience to God should be our priority as Christians. The Bible contains 24 verses referring to incense.
Is smudging religious?
Smudging serves a variety of functions in different Indigenous cultures. As a ritual event, it is considered significant to spiritual and theological beliefs, as are sweat lodges and sacred pipes in certain cultures. (See also Religion and Spirituality of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.)
Why do natives burn sage?
Native American traditions
Sometimes this is done in hospitals to “cleanse and repel evil influence.” However, the same herbs that are burned by one culture may be taboo to burn in another, or they may be used for a completely different purpose.
Is it illegal to buy white sage?
Under California State law, no one is allowed to harvest white sage growing on public land for commercial sale. Harvesting on private land is legal with written permission from the land owner, though Goodman said that is a rare occurrence.
What does white sage smell like?
“Sometimes people think it will smell like the sage you cook with. However, California white sage — which is commonly used in smudge sticks — has an herbaceous, woodsy, and slightly astringent scent,” she says.
How do you smudge respectfully?
Start with smudging yourself by trailing the smoke down your body before moving on to each room. Waft the smoke from corner to corner, before eventually making your way back to the front of the house.
Does white sage expire?
Do dried sage leaves ever spoil? 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.
What is the most spiritual plant?
Seven of the most sacred plants in the world
- Lotus Flower. Jahnavi Harrison explains how the lotus is a plant that, for those educated in an eastern spiritual context, evokes layers of meaning and narrative.
- Mistletoe.
- Holy Basil (Ocimum Sanctum)
- Peyote.
- Yew Tree.
- Marijuana.
- Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
What are the 4 sacred medicines?
Tobacco is the first plant that the Creator gave to Native people. It is the main activator of all the plant spirits. Three other plants, sage, cedar and sweetgrass, follow tobacco, and together they are referred to as the four sacred medicines. The four sacred medicines are used in everyday life and in ceremonies.
What kind of sage do you burn to cleanse your home?
White sage
White sage is the most common variety you’ll find in a smudge stick, since the color is associated with purity. However, other dried plants such as juniper, rosemary, and cedar can also be used to clear energy if sage isn’t your thing.
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