Except, that’s not the case. 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.
Can a non native person smudge?
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 smudging only for Indigenous?
The smudging ceremony, by various names, has been appropriated by others outside of the Indigenous communities as part of New Age or commercial practices, which has also led to the over-harvesting of some of the plants used in ceremonies.
What cultures use smudging?
Smudging is a cultural ceremony practised by a wide variety of Indigenous peoples in Canada and other parts of the world. Although practices differ, smudging is used for medicinal and practical purposes as well as for spiritual ceremonies.
What should you not do when smudging?
Also, take care not to inhale too much of the smoke. “Although saging is a great way to clear your apartment or office of stagnant and possibly negative energy, it is best not to inhale it directly,” says licensed acupuncturist and certified herbalist Irina Logman, L.Ac., MSTOM.
What are the rules for smudging?
When we smudge, we first cleanse our hands with the smoke as if we were washing our hands. We then draw the smoke over our heads, eyes, ears, mouths and our bodies. These actions remind us to think good thoughts, see good actions, hear good sounds, speak good words and show the good of who we are.
Is it OK to burn sage?
As long as you burn sage for only short periods of time, it’s unlikely to cause problems, Fleg adds. But if you have asthma or other lung problems, check with your doctor before using it. When Yeager has a patient with lung problems, she won’t burn sage with the person in the room.
Is incense cultural appropriation?
No, burning incense itself would not be considered cultural appropriation unless you took and used a closed practice without permission or research.
Who can use white sage?
It’s also a sacred herb to several Indigenous communities, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Navajo. The Chumash people, for instance, who are native to central and southern coastal regions of California, use white sage in healing sessions to purify the central nervous system.
Is Palo Santo cultural appropriation?
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.
Is it OK to burn white sage?
You can also light and burn sage to improve odor, fragrance, and mood. Simply waft sage smoke in and around your home. You can place the bundle in a fireproof bowl or burner and allow it to smoke for a while.
Do Mexicans use sage?
‘ Sage is still used in Mexico to make drinks with lemon and sugar (3). The practice of burning sage to cleanse a person, a group of people, and even a space has been done cross culturally for decades.
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.
Can you listen to music while smudging?
“All of my friends and I approach our smudging rituals slightly differently because like any self-care ritual, it’s personal.” If something is calling to you or feels missing from your experience, feel free to adapt and adjust. “I love to play music and dance while I smudge.
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.
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.
Can you smudge while drinking?
Smudging is supposed clear the negative energy. It’s a sacred thing so you can’t do it while drinking margaritas. You gotta be mindful, not drunk. On the other hand, tequila often leads to places untraveled.
Can you reuse smudge sticks?
You can reuse the same smudge stick until there is nothing left to burn. Ideally, you should use a new smudge for each cleansing.
How do I smudge myself to indigenous people?
During a smudge plant leaves or stems are placed in the container and ignited (preferably with a wooden match). 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.
Can you smudge at night?
Smudging can be done at any time of day or night, whenever it is needed.
How often should you smudge your house with sage?
Both experts recommend burning sage regularly, even after you’ve finished moving, to purify the air and keep balance. “I recommend cleansing the space by smudging any time you do a seasonal cleaning, three times a year at a minimum,” said Meder.