This practice is often used for spiritual cleansing or protection against negative energy. HTWC 1 yr. ago Terms & Conditions. If you have used herbs to cleanse your space in the past and enjoy the ritual, you don't have to give it up in order to do so in a culturally conscious way. As I learned when I was doing my research, most Pagans believe entering this realm holds both great possibilities and dangers. Historically, deciding exactly what culture is hasn't been easy. If burning incense, herbs, or wood is part of your self-love practice and inner wellness work, there are safe-burning alternatives to burning sage for smoke cleansing, including lavender, pine, thyme, and cloves, each of which has its own unique properties and is not environmentally endangered. Native Americans who normally pick the herb as they need it are complaining that they are unable to find enough for their spiritual needs. Traditional dress and eagles feathers were two other examples of commonly appropriated items. The practice has a long and rich history that extends way before white witchy practices brought it onto Instagram feeds near you. :) the only reason white sage is so sacred to us (besides being a ceremonial tool) is because it only grows within the southwest of north America and the top of Central America, its going endangered as well and the govt refuses to add it to the endangered plants. If you're not Indigenous and therefore hesitating to strike a match to cleanse the bad vibes out of your apartment, here's what you need to know about burning white sage. Because there is no dedicated sanctified place, cleansing and protection become particularly important within Paganism. 'Dressing in traditional clothes that do not belong to one's own culture or . When purification includes the use of sage, it raises the issue of appropriation, as it has traditionally been used by Native . The use of sage by non-Native Americans is again becoming more prevalent. @keyframes ibDwUVR1CAykturOgqOS5{0%{transform:rotate(0deg)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq{--sizePx:0;font-size:4px;position:relative;text-indent:-9999em;border-radius:50%;border:4px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-bodyTextAlpha20);border-left-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-body);transform:translateZ(0);animation:ibDwUVR1CAykturOgqOS5 1.1s linear infinite}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq,._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq:after{width:var(--sizePx);height:var(--sizePx)}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq:after{border-radius:50%}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq._2qr28EeyPvBWAsPKl-KuWN{margin:0 auto} It also includes the unauthorized use of parts of their culture (their dress, dance, etc.) Studies have shown that burning blue sage can help to reduce anxiety and stress levels, improve sleep quality, and even boost immunity. Cultural appropriation includes using customs, attire, makeup, ideas, art, and language. Why is burning sage cultural appropriation? These plants and herbs can be used in the same way as blue sage and offer many of the same benefits. Possibly more importantly, rituals are meant to open up the individual to the spiritual or other world. I noticed while doing my research in 1986 that white sage was sold at stores catering to the occult. ._2a172ppKObqWfRHr8eWBKV{-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:8px}._39-woRduNuowN7G4JTW4I8{margin-top:12px}._136QdRzXkGKNtSQ-h1fUru{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:8px 0;width:100%}.r51dfG6q3N-4exmkjHQg_{font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.5px;line-height:12px;text-transform:uppercase;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.r51dfG6q3N-4exmkjHQg_,._2BnLYNBALzjH6p_ollJ-RF{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}._2BnLYNBALzjH6p_ollJ-RF{margin-left:auto}._1-25VxiIsZFVU88qFh-T8p{padding:0}._2nxyf8XcTi2UZsUInEAcPs._2nxyf8XcTi2UZsUInEAcPs{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColor)} In her groundbreaking book Purity and Danger, anthropologist Mary Douglas illustrates how purity and its maintenance are central to religion. Your email address will not be published. .ehsOqYO6dxn_Pf9Dzwu37{margin-top:0;overflow:visible}._2pFdCpgBihIaYh9DSMWBIu{height:24px}._2pFdCpgBihIaYh9DSMWBIu.uMPgOFYlCc5uvpa2Lbteu{border-radius:2px}._2pFdCpgBihIaYh9DSMWBIu.uMPgOFYlCc5uvpa2Lbteu:focus,._2pFdCpgBihIaYh9DSMWBIu.uMPgOFYlCc5uvpa2Lbteu:hover{background-color:var(--newRedditTheme-navIconFaded10);outline:none}._38GxRFSqSC-Z2VLi5Xzkjy{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-actionIcon)}._2DO72U0b_6CUw3msKGrnnT{border-top:none;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);cursor:pointer;padding:8px 16px 8px 8px;text-transform:none}._2DO72U0b_6CUw3msKGrnnT:hover{background-color:#0079d3;border:none;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-body);fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-body)} Cultural appropriation is a hot-button issue in todays world, and one of the more recent topics to come under scrutiny is the use of blue sage. As religious studies scholar Sarah Pike found among contemporary Pagans, cultural borrowing from Native Americans was seen as connecting the participants to the spirits that lived in the land around them. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. Cultural appropriation has a long history in popular music. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. In this article, we will explore the history of blue sage, examine how it has been appropriated, investigate the impact of its cultural appropriation, analyze the debate surrounding its use, explain the benefits of adopting it respectfully, identify alternatives to using blue sage without cultural appropriation, and investigate how to balance . Why are your so afraid of possibly offending? Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. When I began my research in 1986, it was most commonly done using salt and water. White Sage is one, but there's others out there too. Copyright 20102023, Academic Journalism Society, connecting the participants to the spirits, Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images, resulting in the extinction of the animals. Blue sage is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). Welcome to r/incense, a community dedicated to the discussion of incense of all kinds. The general act of smoke cleansing, however, is not inherently spiritual or specific to a certain culture in the way that smudging is. Soflyy03 10 mo. So that raises another factor, I guess. The market has become larger as aspects of Pagan or New Age practices have seeped into more general practice and the number of Pagans has increased. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Meanwhile smudging with palo santo and white sage is a sacred ritual for many native North American tribes, who only pass down the practice to members of their community. In some of the rituals participants were already standing in the circle when this part of the ritual was done; in others they entered afterward. .c_dVyWK3BXRxSN3ULLJ_t{border-radius:4px 4px 0 0;height:34px;left:0;position:absolute;right:0;top:0}._1OQL3FCA9BfgI57ghHHgV3{-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-pack:start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-top:32px}._1OQL3FCA9BfgI57ghHHgV3 ._33jgwegeMTJ-FJaaHMeOjV{border-radius:9001px;height:32px;width:32px}._1OQL3FCA9BfgI57ghHHgV3 ._1wQQNkVR4qNpQCzA19X4B6{height:16px;margin-left:8px;width:200px}._39IvqNe6cqNVXcMFxFWFxx{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:12px 0}._39IvqNe6cqNVXcMFxFWFxx ._29TSdL_ZMpyzfQ_bfdcBSc{-ms-flex:1;flex:1}._39IvqNe6cqNVXcMFxFWFxx .JEV9fXVlt_7DgH-zLepBH{height:18px;width:50px}._39IvqNe6cqNVXcMFxFWFxx ._3YCOmnWpGeRBW_Psd5WMPR{height:12px;margin-top:4px;width:60px}._2iO5zt81CSiYhWRF9WylyN{height:18px;margin-bottom:4px}._2iO5zt81CSiYhWRF9WylyN._2E9u5XvlGwlpnzki78vasG{width:230px}._2iO5zt81CSiYhWRF9WylyN.fDElwzn43eJToKzSCkejE{width:100%}._2iO5zt81CSiYhWRF9WylyN._2kNB7LAYYqYdyS85f8pqfi{width:250px}._2iO5zt81CSiYhWRF9WylyN._1XmngqAPKZO_1lDBwcQrR7{width:120px}._3XbVvl-zJDbcDeEdSgxV4_{border-radius:4px;height:32px;margin-top:16px;width:100%}._2hgXdc8jVQaXYAXvnqEyED{animation:_3XkHjK4wMgxtjzC1TvoXrb 1.5s ease infinite;background:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--newCommunityTheme-field),var(--newCommunityTheme-inactive),var(--newCommunityTheme-field));background-size:200%}._1KWSZXqSM_BLhBzkPyJFGR{background-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetBackgroundColor);border-radius:4px;padding:12px;position:relative;width:auto} ._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa{margin-top:8px}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa ._3EpRuHW1VpLFcj-lugsvP_{color:inherit}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa svg._31U86fGhtxsxdGmOUf3KOM{color:inherit;fill:inherit;padding-right:8px}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa ._2mk9m3mkUAeEGtGQLNCVsJ{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:18px;color:inherit} . Possibly more importantly, rituals are meant to open up the individual to the spiritual or other world. Palo Santo sticks have been getting more popular as an alternative to sage, but buying this Central and South American tree bark used by Amazonian tribes can also be harmful, in similar ways to white sage. Affliated Scholar at the Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University. Purification can be done using a number of substances, including salt, rosemary and sometimes white sage. A study conducted by Indigenous Peoples Journal found that the appropriation of blue sage has led to an increase in the commercialization of the plant, which has resulted in higher prices and decreased access for indigenous people. i like this take a lot, and i was asking just for general use purposes and nothing spiritual/ritualistic, because that does cross a line. ._3-SW6hQX6gXK9G4FM74obr{display:inline-block;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:16px;height:16px;font-size:16px;line-height:16px} /*# sourceMappingURL=https://www.redditstatic.com/desktop2x/chunkCSS/TopicLinksContainer.3b33fc17a17cec1345d4_.css.map*/Been looking into this quite a lot recently but havent found too many answers on other types of sage. The plant sage, or Salvia, grows all around the world in different colors and variants. One way to do this is to purchase blue sage from indigenous vendors whenever possible. However, what most people are referring to when they talk about the popularized practice of smudging is white sage (Salvia apiana). However, much of the public remains confused about what the term actually means. Today, Native people are still fighting to be able to perform these ceremonies in hospitals. Blue Sage is widely used for cleansing and . Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? As contemporary Pagans often piece together different elements to create their spirituality, for many it seemed natural to include Native American practices. rosemary and sometimes white sage. A close up image of a bushy white sage plant used to make smudge sticks. While it is not inherently wrong to adopt elements of another culture, it can be problematic when the source is not acknowledged or respected. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). Magic, the process of changing reality to your will through incantations, is done in this realm. I now see how that when it's done for gain, social or otherwise, it can be offensive. Curated. ._2cHgYGbfV9EZMSThqLt2tx{margin-bottom:16px;border-radius:4px}._3Q7WCNdCi77r0_CKPoDSFY{width:75%;height:24px}._2wgLWvNKnhoJX3DUVT_3F-,._3Q7WCNdCi77r0_CKPoDSFY{background:var(--newCommunityTheme-field);background-size:200%;margin-bottom:16px;border-radius:4px}._2wgLWvNKnhoJX3DUVT_3F-{width:100%;height:46px} Required fields are marked *. And it doesnt specifically refer to the burning of white sage, either. How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News, How to Get a Planet Fitness Key Tag: A Step-by-Step Guide, Is Exoticca a Good Travel Company? The term "cultural appropriation" has been used to describe everything from makeup and hairstyles to tattoos, clothing and even food and wellness practices. Added to this, those who are new to Paganism are often unaware of the history of appropriation and are repeating the errors of an earlier generation of Pagans and using sage in their rituals. Fears have also been raised that overharvesting could result in the plants becoming extinct, resulting in the extinction of the animals that are dependent on it as well. At the same time, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of blue sage without disrespecting its cultural roots. It is important to note, however, that they should still be used in a respectful way and not taken out of their traditional contexts. valter's osteria recipes; whiteland shirt andrew schulz; san bernardino superior court case search; private label pet products australia; sea palms . Sage, sacred to Native Americans, is being used in purification rituals, raising issues of cultural appropriation. It is important to consider the impact that the appropriation of blue sage has had on indigenous communities. it's cultural appropriation. without permission. But unless you are a descendant of Indigenous North American people, it likely wasn't white sage that they were burning, according to Keene. Magic, the process of changing reality to your will through incantations, is done in this realm. For many contemporary Pagans, Native American spirituality was a practice they wanted to emulate because of its connection to the land, to a spirit world, and because it predates Christianity and is native to the region. They argue that the appropriation of blue sage has led to an increase in the commercialization of the plant, a decrease in access for indigenous people, and a loss of cultural identity. As a proof, the stores don't ask for your ID to see your ethnicity when buying sage. theres a difference between cultural exchange and appropriation. Sage, sacred to Native Americans, is being used in purification rituals, raising issues of cultural appropriation. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Culinary sage (the kind you use in butternut squash and roasted chicken dishes), also known as garden sage, originally comes from the shores of the northern Mediterranean region. For spiritual cleansing or protection against negative energy same way as blue from! And dangers, is done in this realm, cleansing and protection become particularly within! Culture is hasn & # x27 ; s done for gain, social or otherwise, it most. Traditional dress and eagles feathers were two other examples of commonly appropriated items Business Success much! Bushy white sage is a member of the public remains confused about what the term actually.... Who normally pick the herb as they need it are complaining that are! My research in 1986, it was most commonly done using a number of,... 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