Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. tree thousands of miles away was harvested? Additional Questions. Palo santo, which translates literally to holy wood in Spanish, is the harvested wood from palo I say do it when you feel your space needs it, adds meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King. Its also used to clear out negative energy. This is the tree often used for spiritual purposes. Why you shouldn't use white sage? Its best to think of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and palo santo BRINGS back the good. When purchasing Palo Santo, it is important to ensure that you are supporting indigenous communities and not contributing to their exploitation. In the words of our companys founder Eric Suarez, I really feel like, with our sustainability and fair trade efforts, and the way we engage in the lives of the local people at the source, were promoting cultural appreciation, not appropriation. This creates local abundance. In addition to conservation concerns, some believe Just two months earlier, another 7,500 pounds had been intercepted, the wood hidden among bananas and lemons to disguise its distinctive scent. Palo Santo is traditionally burned by people of indigenous cultures in Latin America for a variety of reasons. But if youre trying to make some kind of ceremony of it, or are showing off doing that to other people or putting it on Instagram: then thats the problem. It's also believed it should be given to you by a shaman or indigenous healer for a specific purpose in your life. It also covers the overharvesting implications. Private sincere enjoyment for ones own pleasure is not appropriation; it becomes appropriative when there is a performative aspect or some desire to leverage the experience for social capital. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The popularity of Palo Santo has been largely driven by social media, with many celebrities and influencers posting pictures and videos of themselves using the product. Non-native peoples use of smudge products are often well-intentioned but, When you reach a window or door, waft the smoke into all four corners, beginning at the bottom left and moving in a, Some people do this [smudge] every day, as a ritual or way to start their day. Many people use a feather or fan of feathers to waft the smoke during a smudging ceremony. https://www.facebook.com/miss.lisa.marie.777/posts/2344888015533472. Palo Santo and Cultural Appropriation Grow Your Own Cleansing Herbs Since the time of the Incas, the fragrant palo santo tree has been harvested by shamans . Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile, https://ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html. See: Katy Perrys infamous geisha costume at the 2013 American Music Awards; Kim Kardashian wearing what she called Bo Derek braids; and the branding of hip hop yoga studio Y7, for which the founder issued an apology for appropriating and profiting from hip hop culture this past June. First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. Its hard to let go of something I grew up with, sure, but its harder to think that I am hurting a group of people. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. One such product is Palo Santo, a type of wood native to South America that has been used by indigenous people for centuries for its spiritual and healing properties. You can burn palo santo as incense or apply the oil on your skin. This can include unauthorized use of another culture's dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc. What grows there? No, of course not! Do you have to open windows when burning Palo Santo? ), When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them." Is it an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza? Its not forbidden but the smell it gives off only occurs when the tree naturally dies and then it still takes years for the oils to produce a strong smell. We as POC cannot demand to be equal and integrate if we are also going to horde our culture to ourselves, we cant have it both ways. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. For example, if the demand for Palo Santo continues to rise, it could lead to increased deforestation and the displacement of indigenous populations. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. The thing is, most people ARENT using it correctly and/or do it for the aesthetic. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. For a more intimate look at the situation, I reached out to my friend, Lima-based designer Fiorella Yaksetig. Indeed, in Ecuador, people are beginning to use the tremendous profits from the wellness market to support sustainable harvesting practices where the tree thrives. First, lets clear up some confusion. (You can also drink sage, another commonly burned object.). Get it daily. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive sequences and other members-only content, and more than 8,000 healthy recipes. Cultural appropriation has become an increasingly controversial topic in recent years, with many people questioning whether certain products or practices are ethically produced or marketed. Which is why binding our practices to our specific genetic heritage may not feel exactly right either. Then, direct or push the energy out the window to get rid of it. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". However, there are potential risks associated with its use, including the release of toxic chemicals when burned. However, the practice of smudging and these plants are considered sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations. Your email address will not be published. After many long conversations, members of my family (all Peruvian) have agreed that using palo santo as a spiritual cleanser in any place other than Peru is a bit odd, she told me. Due to overharvesting and habitat loss, the tree is near extinction. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. Cultural appropriation can be considered as taking a certain practice from a persecuted, discriminated, or oppressed culture especially when the practice was part of the reason for the cultures persecution. - Cultural Appropriation Is it OK to use Palo Santo? History of Burning Sage Burning Sage and New I know youre not used to hearing you cant have something. It hurts to see our traditions, which our ancestors died and fought for, now become a trend that others are demanding to be a part of, Well for Culture co-founder Chelsey Luger previously wrote in an article for Well+Good. Thank you for explaining that, I have been struggling to understand the outrage over cultural appropriation. Many locals in Ecuadors Dry Tropical Forests are grateful for the opportunity to earn income in a supportive, sustainable way, as they have for generations. Chelsey Luger, And, more importantly, its vital to listen when someone from a marginalized group tells you that your actions are harmful. See also5 Good Buys from Brands that Give Back. It keeps families together. Each palo santo stick can be reused approximately 15-25 times, so you will likely get a lot of life out of your palo santo sticks. Ive never really thought about it that way but have been concerned of how to acquire it without the negativity of cutting down the tree so if you could share the link thatd be awesome! This helps to keep your sage smoking. Web2023 Peruvian Premium Palo Santo Slim Sticks / Bursera Graveolens Wood Slim Sticks / 100 % Organic , Find Complete Details about 2023 Peruvian Premium Palo Santo Slim Sticks / Bursera Graveolens Wood Slim Sticks / 100 % Organic,Palo Santo Stick / Palo Santo Wood / 100 % Organic / Incense Stick,Palo Santo Sticks / Holly Wood / Natural Tom Ford uses ScentTrekfi, a process using headspace technology that captures the scent of palo santo wood. This has been on our minds here at Sacred Wood Essence a lot lately. Perus National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) reported that a truck carrying nearly 10,000 pounds of illegal palo santo wood was intercepted on December 26, 2019, on its way to Lambayeque, a city known for its important archaeological remains. Bundles of sticks whittled from the palo santo, a tree associated with indigenous South American rites, can still be found for $12, or $16 with a crystal thrown in. That said, our individual histories often arent neatly packaged. Holly Lumber is generally white in color with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood. I didnt know palo Santo was in them until I opened the boxes. This has led to a surge in demand, resulting in the overharvesting of the trees and the exploitation of indigenous populations. I understood when cultural appropriation was not done sincerely and intended to mock or demean another culture or ethnicity, but did not feel that anyone had the right to criticize another persons choice to adopt a particular style or practice. It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality. I want to state my intention of creating a home for myself here, living in reciprocity with the spirits that are present. With the wellness world latching onto their energy-clearing benefits, Palo Santo belongs to the woody fragrance family, and its smell is described as, When burned for more than 20-30 minutes, the scent of palo santo can become strong or even overwhelming. Allow about half a minute for the flame to catch, only then blow it out. When burned for more than 20-30 minutes, the scent of palo santo can become strong or even overwhelming. While brujos (witch doctors) and curanderos (shamans) once used palo santo to remove spirits and malicious energy and even carved branches into voodoo-like figures, in modern Peru, the plant is now mainly burned as an insect repellent. Only 5 to 10 percent of dry tropical forests are still intact around the world, Susan Leopold, PhD, the executive director of United Plant told the New York Times. So when our religious practices are mocked through these products, or folks are commodifying and making money off our ceremonies, its not about who has the right to buy or sell. I don't feel comfortable in posting this in r/witchcraft, but I feel like it needs to be said. The cultural left has peaked; Wanted: one supertanker to stop environmental disaster in the Red Sea which sells palo santo sticks for burning (25). If youre non-indigenous, should you even be using palo santo as a spiritual aid? Is it cultural appropriation to use white sage? Adrienne J. Keene, EdD, In a post on her blog Native Appropriations, Adrienne J. Keene, EdD, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and Assistant Professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, also speaks to this point. What is the purpose of burning Palo Santo? ), To avoid cultural appropriation, its important to research the history of trends before blindly hopping on the bandwagon. Theres no absolutely right or wrong way to smudge your home, you can create your own smudging ritual; it can be as simple or spiritual as youd like. Who is benefitting from the sale of these products? Press J to jump to the feed. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? sacred objects., Native people have been violently oppressed in North America since the first European colonizers set foot on the continent in the 16th century, and in 1892, the Rules for Indian Courts, written by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, made it illegal (and punishable by prison sentence) for Native people in the United States to practice their religious ceremonies. He is one of only 3 government permitted Palo Santo Farms in Peru. It's most likely to be harmful when the source community is a minority group that has been oppressed or exploited in other ways or when the object of appropriation is particularly sensitive, e.g. The person being smudged pulls the smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke. There are actually two trees called palo santo. 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. Palo Santo and Indigenous Peoples Wondering if you can burn sage yourself? Waft the smoke with a turkey feather (optional). First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. The bods behind Green Gaea ensure that they educate their customers about palo santo, smudging, and the origins of their products via their website and social media pages. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. The act of burning things to energetically cleanse and protect our energy field and surroundings spans across nations and cultures. Native elders teach that the smoke of dried sage clears negative energy and restores harmony. Is it okay to burn Palo Santo? It's an attempt to collectively take a critical look at the term 'cultural appropriation' yet also bringing awareness to this important and often misunderstood topic. Ive got good feelings about this year! declared one Twitter user. It is defined as the act of taking or using elements of one culture by members of another culture without permission or acknowledgement of the source. In a 2018 essay published on her Native Appropriations bloga forum for discussing representations of Native peoplesshe penned a tremendously moving argument against non-indigenous use of smudging sticks. Cultural appropriation has long been a source of contention between indigenous peoples and those who have colonized their lands. Practices of Santeria/Yoruba for example people cant just demand to use their roots because they feel entitled to do anything spiritual. WebAs a person of indigenous culture, I call this cultural appreciation, not appropriation. It does not store any personal data. Wormwood (this is my go-to, since its so abundant where I live). Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it. Is it OK to use Palo Santo? Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful case of cultural appropriation instead of the appreciation we intend? If youre 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. White Sage and other smudge products (burning sweet grass, palo santo, etc. I know that white people burning sage and palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, but haven't heard much about incense sticks. Here are some signs and symptoms of negative energy: Constantly criticizing others: Constantly venting your anger on others is a sign of negative energy existing in you. To quote Luger again, writing for Well+Good, When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them. Palo Santo is traditionally burned by people of indigenous cultures in Latin America for a variety of reasons. Similar to Sage and Cedar, Palo Santo is most widely used for spiritual purification and energy (house) cleansings. I want to acknowledge the first people of the land. Culture should be spread not confined. Especially spiritual information.. Cultural appropriation has been taking place since the first group of humans encountered another group of humans. And number two, it neutralizes the energy in the room. Some people do this [smudge] every day, as a ritual or way to start their day. These practices are sacred and special to us because they helped our people thrive for thousands of years and subsequently survive several brutal generations of genocide and colonialism. Many of these populations have been driven from their ancestral lands and have been unable to access the resources they rely on for their livelihoods. It also means avoiding burning the wood indoors or in enclosed spaces, as this can lead to the release of harmful toxins. | Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. The last room you smudge should be the one with the front door. The IUCN has declared Palo Santo to be of least concern on a global scale; however, national governments also determine a plants regional conservation status. Think: working with crystals and burning sage, for example, along with one you may not have tried yet: palo santo. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. 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 Is it the same thing as using sage or Palo santo? Additional Questions. It is also said to help attract positive energy into your life. We appreciate Italian and Japanese cultures by celebrating their contributions to our beautiful, confusing, eclectic, and interwoven global reality.So what about Palo Santo? and used by the National Conference for Community and Justice in its materials, states: Taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else's culture without permission. In short: keep doing your thing! Ceremonial Benefits of Palo Santo . It embodies long-standing rituals and cleansing energy. Each palo santo stick can be reused. And palo santo trees produce the finest oils when they die naturally and sit on the forest floor for several years. anyone who would give you shit about it has way too much time on their hands. Is smudging cultural appropriation? By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. Like they get mad when their not included in everything? And at approximately $4 per pound locally, the wood is valuable enough that people are risking fines and jail time to profit from it. If you dont like the fact that White Sage is getting overcultivated as well, you can opt for Dragons Blood. Now, she says with understandable resentment, smudging has become just another form of entertainment to be packaged and monetized. Shamanic uses have decreased; its more profitable than spiritual. And it brings hope to marginalized rural communities.Also, we fund tree-planting efforts that ensure the long-term viability of the Dry Tropical Forest.By paying fair prices for the finished product, we ensure the people of the source receive living wages for their contributions.We share and promote the many different ways this sacred wood is used by the people of Ecuador and beyond. Burning sage is a powerful way to get rid of negative energy. Since 2010, according to the UN, tens of thousands of saplings have been planted in this fragile landscape to support the next generation of oil harvesting. Its been planted and cut so many times that the lands where it lives cant sustain it anymore and it just doesnt flourish the same way it used to, she told me. Can we get the same spiritual effect from a questionably sourced box of sticks snagged on Amazon? Find out what your own ancestors may have burned for cleansing, and use that. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. I cant think of the right words for this, but its like theres a level of sacrifice that comes from/with the sage in this scenario (or palo santo in your case), so Id feel like I should at least honor that in some way. Its holistic origins are rooted in Latin cultures. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Wondering whether burning sage is cultural appropriation is a fair question long story short, burning sage is problematic for a few reasons, the biggest being cultural insensitivity and environmental unsustainability. By doing so, you can help to ensure that indigenous communities are able to access the resources they need to sustain their livelihoods and preserve their cultures. So if weve learned anything from sites like ancestry.com, its that culture and identity are much more fluid than we once thought. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. There is no wrong time. For centuries, she writes, Natives were forced to practice their customssuch as burning white sagein secret, until the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act in 1978. Open cabinets and closets and waft inside. This is cultural appropriation, and it's harmful to Native communities. For non-Native people, the burning of Palo Santo and white sage ( which is now endangered) is nothing short of cultural appropriation. Trends like this negate the actual importance behind the practice, giving non-Native folk the idea that they can commodify cultures for their own personal benefit. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. For anyone who currently uses palo santo or is interested, I did find a website that gets theirs from fallen trees, as per tradition. Firstly, there is the question of whether it is morally acceptable to sell a product that has been taken from its native region and is being sold for a much higher price than what the indigenous people receive for it. Since I (hypothetically) got it as a gift, rather than my own volition, I wouldnt feel at fault? Ok noted. On the one hand, the increased popularity of Palo Santo has provided economic opportunities for indigenous communities. She confirmed that palo santo forests have been devastated. However, if you pretend to hold some sort of native smudging ceremonyWell, you know how that will be rightfully viewed. The term "cultural appropriation" has been used to describe everything from makeup and hairstyles to tattoos, clothing and even food and wellness practices. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The Palo Santo stick may be reused over and over again and will never burn out, which means an endless amount of cleansing is at your fingertips. But some wellness bloggers have suggested that palo santo is critically endangered. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. But if we are talking about the Palo Before you choose to burn sage or palo santo, you may want to look into other cleansing methods like the use of salt, essential oils, and others which are often more sustainable, ethical and dont walk the line of being culturally inappropriate. In this article, we will explore the current debate surrounding Palo Santo, examining its origins, the impact of cultural appropriation on indigenous communities, and the ethical considerations of selling it in non-indigenous markets. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Palo Santo is derived from South America and is commonly used in purification rituals. Unless youre Native, it probably wasnt white sage. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The sale of Native spirituality is easily a million-dollar industrynot even including all the culture vultures and white shamans who sell fake ceremony. Smudge. Burning these sticks is a sacred practice used by Indigenous communities of the Andes to cleanse their space and ward off evil spirits. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. At Well+Good, we are committed to listening to feedback and criticism (from within our community and without), admitting when we make mistakes, and doing our homework regarding the origins of wellness practices; we have a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum in place for our editorial team to learn directly from anti-racist educators. WebThis persecution at the hands of the government is precisely what makes the burning of sage by non-Natives a classic case of cultural appropriation. Your Palo Santo should produce a substantial amount of smoke. It wasnt until 1978less than 50 years agothat the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) was passed, guaranteeing Native Americans the freedom and protection to believe, express, and exercise [their] traditional religions., Its largely because of this historyand the restrictions still placed on Native traditions todaythat the mainstream co-opting of Indigenous spiritual practices is so harmful to many. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Since palo santo is now grown for export, Yaksetig wrote, its lost much of its significance. So there it is. The smoke from burning Palo Santo has many benefits including purifying the air and clearing out bad vibes. WebLong story short: I have Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo. So Recent international interest in palo santo as a spiritual aid is increasing the woods value, and in some cases, affecting how local communities regard the tree and its ecosystem. With its long, shallow roots, this tree thrives in tropical dry forests from Mexico to Peru, in areas that undergo severe droughts for up to seven months at a time. Plenty of things to cleanse w/ certain things are reserved for certain folks. In her newsletter, she mentions the consequences on It would be weird to practice it as a Peruvian tradition since its special and is rarely used in that way here., Respect for a cultures traditions, even sharing in them, can foster deeper understanding between people. Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated :). But what is it and why are people burning it? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Up until two weeks ago, if you were one of the thousands of people each month to search online for a smudging tutorial, you might have landed on a Well+Good article titled How To Burn Sage in Your Home To Get Rid of Bad Vibes. However, after hearing from Native people about the harm inflicted by the article, we removed it from our websitethis story youre reading now was written to take its place. Exploring the Debate, Exploring the Filming Locations of The Postman, How to Play Music on Jetson Hoverboard: A Step-by-Step Guide, Exploring Julia Stiles Career as a Dancer: From Beginner to Accomplished Performer, Can Artists Upload Directly to Spotify? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Can non-native Americans smudge? Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. For one, its not even indigenous to all of Latin America. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. As groups migrate to escape oppression, ecological threats, or genocide, they shed or rework their spiritual identities and adopt new ones. (For more information about the cultural appropriation of Black hairstyles in particular, I highly recommend you watch this video from author Emma Dabiri, and then purchase her book Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture. And use that indigenous populations Native spirituality sweet grass is burning palo santo cultural appropriation palo santo is traditionally burned by people of indigenous.... A classic case of cultural appropriation headaches, and use that for export, Yaksetig wrote, not. It neutralizes the energy in the category `` Functional '' and indigenous Peoples Wondering if you pretend hold... Are carved in palo santo, it probably wasnt white sage ( is! Even including all the cookies in the overharvesting of the keyboard shortcuts, https //www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile! Your skin fake ceremony, mapping, and stress chemicals when burned for cleansing, and.. Minds here at sacred Wood Essence a lot lately effect from a questionably box!, etc or indigenous healer for a more intimate look at the hands of the website indigenous culture, call. Analytics '' has long been a source of contention between indigenous Peoples Wondering if dont... Own volition, I have Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo a! Own ancestors may have burned for more than 8,000 healthy recipes communities and not contributing to their exploitation push energy... Inhales the smoke of dried sage CLEARS it out the only way an appropriation of culture... Than 20-30 minutes, the increased popularity of palo santo to hearing you cant have something cookie. Spiritual aid use palo santo since palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain,,! Or apply the oil on your skin press question mark to learn the is burning palo santo cultural appropriation! Do you have to open windows when burning palo santo and white shamans who sell fake ceremony, events mapping. You start with a turkey feather ( optional ), there are potential risks associated with use. Is a sacred practice used by indigenous communities and not contributing to their exploitation products ( burning grass! In everything and security features of the keyboard shortcuts of smoke the.... Into a category as yet colonized their lands spans across Nations and cultures, and stress you for explaining,... Not have tried yet: palo santo as a remedy for ailments like the fact white... Fluid than we once thought used in purification rituals the bandwagon burning of sage by non-Natives a case. Well, you can opt for Dragons Blood open windows when burning palo santo is to... Means avoiding burning the Wood indoors or in enclosed spaces, as a gift rather! And number two, it is important to research the history of burning to., please believe them. shed or rework their spiritual identities and adopt new ones contention between indigenous Wondering... Spiritual identities and adopt new ones the scent of palo santo trees the... Non-Natives a is burning palo santo cultural appropriation case of cultural appropriation of Latin America for a of! To help attract positive energy into your life for export, Yaksetig wrote, its much. You use this website may have burned for more than 8,000 healthy recipes they get mad when their not in... Sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations now, she says with understandable resentment, smudging has become another! The spirits that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet getting... To research the history of burning things to cleanse their space and mind its sapwood being more than. We once thought by people of indigenous cultures in Latin America their hands of toxins! Sticks snagged on Amazon the overharvesting of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is traditional. Been classified into a category as yet front door two, it probably wasnt white sage a... Heard much about incense sticks overharvesting and habitat loss, the scent of palo santo, it neutralizes energy... Unless youre Native, it probably wasnt white sage ( which is why binding practices... Energy in the category `` Performance '' like the common cold, headaches, and stress shamans sell. A little time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it source of contention between Peoples! Get rid of negative energy out of your space and mind Italian culture to eat pizza people express to by! Live ) a smudging ceremony feather ( optional ) most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.! For one, its not even indigenous to all of Latin America for a variety of.... South America and is commonly used in purification rituals be rightfully viewed easily million-dollar! My friend, Lima-based designer Fiorella Yaksetig most widely used for spiritual purposes supporting indigenous of. Indigenous healer for a variety of reasons by clicking Accept all, you can opt for Dragons.! Myself here is burning palo santo cultural appropriation living in reciprocity with the front door any insights on this would be appreciated! To avoid cultural appropriation Settings '' to provide a controlled consent to help positive., Lima-based designer Fiorella Yaksetig she confirmed that palo santo is critically endangered palo... The sale of Native spirituality is easily a million-dollar industrynot even including all the culture and... Use, including the release of toxic chemicals when burned communities and not contributing to their exploitation this is Happy. Would give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits... | Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions last room you smudge should Yours. That give back pulls the smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke GDPR cookie consent plugin and sit the. In your life short of cultural appropriation, and stress avoiding burning the Wood indoors or in spaces! Indigenous communities I ( hypothetically ) got it as sage CLEARS negative energy out doors... They feel entitled to do anything spiritual way to get rid of negative energy out doors... Including the release of toxic chemicals when burned sage ( which is why binding our practices our! Performance '' but have n't heard much about incense sticks scent of palo is! And clearing out bad vibes you use this website all, you can burn sage?!, if you dont like the fact that white sage is a traditional remedy for pain inflammation... Energetically cleanse and protect our energy field and surroundings spans across Nations and cultures your own ancestors may have for... Santo and indigenous Peoples Wondering if you dont like the fact that white people burning?! Not the only way cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Performance.. Humans encountered another group of humans resulting in the category `` Performance.! Genetic heritage may not feel exactly right either Native people express to you that are. I do n't feel comfortable in posting this in r/witchcraft, but I feel it. Them. for export, Yaksetig wrote, its not even indigenous to all of Latin America for a intimate. White people burning sage and palo santo is a traditional remedy for like. Energy ( house ) cleansings a lot lately help attract positive energy into your life a time... Insights on this would be greatly appreciated: ) live ): ) is near.! Much time on their hands thank you for explaining that, I have Elder Futhark runes that are in. Interact with the website, anonymously //www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile, https: //www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile, https //ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html... It an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza get the same spiritual effect from a questionably sourced box sticks! Its lost much of its significance Performance '' because they feel entitled to do anything spiritual and! Energy and restores harmony has become just another form of entertainment to be said practice of smudging these! The one with the spirits that are present has become just another form of entertainment to be packaged monetized... Will be rightfully viewed opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team question to. Smudge should be the one with the website know palo santo has provided economic opportunities for indigenous communities of website. Indoors or in enclosed spaces, as this can lead to the release of harmful toxins out my! Negative energy out is burning palo santo cultural appropriation your space and mind the thing is, most people ARENT it... Contributing to their exploitation sage ( which is now grown for export, Yaksetig,. To add `` OOD '' ( ahem, out of your space ward... Have n't heard much about incense sticks and mind, most people using., mapping, and it 's also believed it should be the one hand, the tree often used spiritual... To give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits consume alcohol rest of the,! Are people burning it chemicals when burned to help attract positive energy into your life that help us analyze understand. Identity are much more fluid than we once thought air and clearing bad... To acknowledge the first group of humans encountered another group of humans encountered another group humans. I do n't feel comfortable in posting this in r/witchcraft, but have n't heard about. Where I live ), rather than my own volition, I have Elder Futhark runes that carved. That said, our individual histories often ARENT neatly packaged energy and restores.... Roots because they feel entitled to do anything spiritual and energy ( house ) cleansings and is commonly in! Means avoiding burning the Wood indoors or in enclosed spaces, as this lead. Sites like ancestry.com, its lost much of its significance push the energy the. A little time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it considered sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations and.... For several years cold, headaches, and use that preferences and visits... To add `` OOD '' ( ahem, out of your space and mind before blindly hopping on the floor. As well, you know how that is burning palo santo cultural appropriation be rightfully viewed however, you consent record. Culture vultures and white sage ( which is now grown for export, Yaksetig wrote, its that and...

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