Where did the practice originate? Burning sage — also known as smudging — is an ancient spiritual ritual. Smudging has been well established as a Native American cultural or tribal practice, although it isn’t practiced by all groups. We have the traditions of many Native American peoples to thank for its use.
When did sage burning start?
The practice of burning fragrant herbs and resins has been around a very long time. Incense burners have been found that date back to Egypt’s 5th dynasty – that’s from the 25th and 24th centuries BC – 4500 years ago1.
What cultures use sage smudging?
While sage is commonly associated with smudging and several Native American, First Nations, Inuit or Métis cultures may use forms of sage that are local to their region, the use of sage is neither universal, nor as widespread as many believe.
Who were the first people to use sage?
And Native Americans were the first on record for using it in a ceremonial or ritual manner. For many of these cultures, white sage went by the name “Sacred Sage.” It was used to get rid of any unwanted persisting energies, to ask the spirits for blessings, prosperity, protection and more.
Why you shouldn’t 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.
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.
Can you smudge if you are not Indigenous?
Smudging and Sacred Medicines
We personally love to share these benefits with those who seek to listen carefully and learn consciously. As long as you’re respectful, we firmly believe that smudging and use of other sacred medicines is perfectly acceptable for those who do not come from Indigenous culture.
Is it cultural appropriation to burn sage?
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.
Why was smudging illegal?
It remained illegal for Native Americans to practice any part of our culture only until 1978 with the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act by President Jimmy Carter. For many of us, our relatives were forbidden to practice any part of our culture, and that includes burning white sage.
Is smudging a religious practice?
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.)
What was sage originally used for?
The ancient Greeks and Romans first used sage as a meat preservative. They also believe it could enhance memory (Rogers,2014). English herbalists believed that the state of sage in the garden determined how well a business would prosper.
What does sage symbolize?
In Celtic lore, sage represented wisdom and immortality. Sage became a popular symbol of wisdom, believed to improve memory and grant wisdom. The very word sage means a wise man. There was also a superstition that sage thrived when all was going well, but would start to wilt when things were going badly.
How do you sage a house with negative energy?
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 to say when you smudge yourself?
Hello, my name is ___; I am moving into this space. I want to thank all of the land stewards and spirits of the land. I want to acknowledge the first people of the land. I want to state my intention of creating a home for myself here, living in reciprocity with the spirits that are present.
How do you put sage out after smudging?
After clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by gently pressing it into the abalone shell or a clay dish, glass bowl or ashtray. You can also allow it to burn out on its own. Some people like to wait 20-30 minutes to allow the sage smoke to reach maximum potency.
What does smudging do to a person?
Purpose of smudging
The smoke created by burning medicines purifies the body, soul and brings clarity to the mind. In this way, smudging is also used to rid any negative energy a person may carry throughout the day. Sacred items and locations can be smudged to clear away negativity.
What religions use smudging?
Smudging with Sage
Incense is still used today in the Roman Catholic Church and other religions for purification. Native elders teach that the smoke of dried sage clears negative energy and restores harmony.
What is the smudging prayer?
A Smudging Prayer
May your hands be cleansed, that they create beautiful things. May your feet be cleansed, that they might take you where you most need to be. May your heart be cleansed, that you might hear its messages clearly. May your throat be cleansed, that you might speak rightly when words are needed.
What does burning sage do to dogs?
However, if you are doing it for the scent, the smoke can rise to toxic levels. This can irritate your dog’s lungs. If he has a pre-existing respiratory illness such as bronchitis and asthma, the smoke may irritate his system. Although rare, too much smoke can also build up in a dog’s ears and lead to an infection.
What is the difference between Palo Santo and sage?
Palo Santo means “holy wood” best known for its ability to add positivity to your space whereas sage removes negativity. It’s best to think of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and palo santo BRINGS back the good.
What tribes use 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.
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