Sacred smoke created from burning medicinal or sacred plants is an aspect of many cultures and religions the world over. In North America, it is a practice common to Indigenous Peoples and is called smudging.
What is the ritual of burning sage called?
smudging
Burning sage — also known as cleansing — is an ancient spiritual ritual. Distinct from cleansing, 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.
What does burning sage mean in Native American culture?
Here in North America, however, it has historically been used to cleanse the home. It is believed that burning sage can cleanse the air of harmful bacteria or any negative energies that might be in the space. Different tribes may use different types of sage, like buffalo sage, white sage or mountain sage.
What is sage to Native Americans?
Sage, depending on the particular culture, can be used in medicine pouches, spread over the floor of a sweatlodge, wrapped around sacred implements, used for healing, used to make bad spirits sick, purify people and dwellings, healing and calming.
What does smudging mean to Native Americans?
Smudging is a Native American ritual that links smoke with spirituality in remarkable ways. This is a common ceremonial ritual among indigenous people, held closely within these cultures to purify, spiritually cleanse, rid physical spaces of negative energy, and bless.
What religion uses sage?
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.
Why is it called smudging?
Definition and Origin. The word “smudging” comes from “smudge,” which is English in origin. However, the term has been used widely to refer to the smudging ceremonies of Indigenous peoples, in which sacred herbs and medicines are burned as part of a ritual, or for cleansing or health purposes.
What are two Native American healing practices?
Traditional healing practices include:
Sweat Lodge. Smudging and purification. Talking Circle. Songs and drumming.
What are some Native American rituals?
Native American Rituals and Ceremonies
- Death Ceremonies.
- Green Corn Festivals.
- Healing Rituals.
- Lacrosse – Routed in Tribal Tradition.
- Native American Medicine.
- Peyote Worship.
- Pow-Wows.
- Vision Quests.
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.
Can non natives use white 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.
What is Native American healing?
Another practice of Native American healing, symbolic healing rituals, can involve whole communities. These ceremonies can include chanting, singing, painting bodies, dancing, exorcisms, sand paintings, and even limited use of mind-altering substances. All this is done to promote healing of the sick.
Why do Native Americans use white sage?
Considered a sacred herb by Native American people, white sage is used for purification and protection purposes. Many people follow the ancient Native American tradition of smudging, which is believed to clear away negative energies.
Is it disrespectful to use Palo Santo?
But wait — is using palo santo cultural appropriation? If you’re using it in a quasi-spiritual way without proper knowledge or training, yes, probably. Indigenous and Latin American people have developed a cultural heritage around many different types of herbal healing and spiritual ceremonies.
What is the Cherokee prayer?
Description. Beautiful and inspiring words of a Native American Cherokee Prayer Blessing: “May the warm winds of Heaven blow softly upon your house. May the Great Spirit bless all who enter there. May your moccasins make happy tracks in many snows, and may the rainbow always touch your shoulder.”
What is the synonym of smudge?
See also synonyms for: smudged / unsmudged. blacken. daub. spatter. sully.
What the Bible Says About incense?
Incense was very common in the old testament and even up to today, some denominations still burn incense. Since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the veil of the temple has been removed so it is no longer necessarily to burn incense as explained in Hebrews 9:11-24.
What does burning sage in your house do?
Burning sage is is a powerful ritual
The ritual of sage burning has its roots in Native American tradition. Today, people burn sage and other holy herbs to cleanse a space or environment of negative energy, to generate wisdom and clarity, and to promote healing.
Can Christians Use incense?
Incense may be used in Christian worship at the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, in particular at Solemn Vespers, at Solemn Evensong, at funerals, benediction and exposition of the Eucharist, the consecration of a church or altar and at other services.
Is smudging religious?
It is important to note that smudging is a cultural, not a religious ceremony, practiced by many Indigenous peoples in Canada and in many other parts of the world. Although practices may differ, smudging is used for medicinal purposes, as well as, for spiritual ceremonies.
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.