By listening to locals, honoring traditions, supporting communities, and giving credit and compensation at every turn, we can support a cultural exchange that truly is appreciation, not appropriation. Youd think so: The scent of this bewitching, spicy, citrusy holy wood (a translation from the Spanish) is everywhere these daysinfused in candles; wafting from yoga studios; for sale at mystic shops, home stores, and Anthropologie. Similar to Sage and Cedar, Palo Santo is most widely used for spiritual purification and energy (house) cleansings. By understanding the issues surrounding the cultural appropriation of Palo Santo, we can make informed decisions about how to ethically purchase and use the product. 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. 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. Palo Santo is derived from South America and is commonly used in purification rituals. It keeps families together. As these ecosystems vanish, she warns, palo santo may go with them. Palo Santo means holy wood best known for its ability to add positivity to your space whereas sage removes negativity. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Is it okay to burn Palo Santo? Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Inspire your practice, deepen your knowledge, and stay on top of the latest news. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful Its also believed that smoke (of any organic/natural kind) can reduce air pollutants up to 94%!!! Can we get the same spiritual effect from a questionably sourced box of sticks snagged on Amazon? I love the smell of incense I say do it when you feel your space needs it, adds meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King. What are examples of cultural appreciation? Palo santo, which translates literally to holy wood in Spanish, is the harvested wood from palo It has been used by indigenous people for centuries for its spiritual and healing properties, and is believed to provide protection and promote emotional and physical wellbeing. This creates local abundance. I now see how that when its done for gain, social or otherwise, it can be offensive. I love to play music and dance while I smudge. Palo Santo is traditionally burned Required fields are marked *. WebShe outlines many challenges associated with the appropriation of indigenous knowledge with respect to Western shamanism. A subreddit for English-speaking brujeria practitioners! Ceremonial Benefits of Palo Santo . The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Loosen the ribbon around the sage and take the tip you are lighting and smash it on to a surface to give it a little breathing room. Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated :). It Actually Worked. Its also used to clear out negative energy. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". I want to thank all of the land stewards and spirits of the land. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Guilty about burning incense or sage?Cultural appropriation is completely out of hand. In this article: What is Sage? 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. What kind of sage is not cultural appropriation? History of Burning Sage Burning Sage and New 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. 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. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. Watch popular content from the following creators: Knowledge is Power :)(@ameliesadvicee), animkii(@bushmuncher), Britt (@the.localhedgewitch), Priya (@priyas.crystal.boutique), Sophia Dylan(@thebluntesss), Knowledge is Power :)(@ameliesadvicee), Break Out Your Crayons, Yes, You Can Eat to Boost Your Energy. But what is it and why are people burning it? What are your thoughts on this? Some people do this [smudge] every day, as a ritual or way to start their day. Legend has it that early residents of SoCal were so inspired by a lovely holly-like bush that they were inspired to call their new digs Hollywood. Recently she traveled to northern Peru where palo santo grows and spoke with the farmers who cultivate it (possibly illegally). 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 While clinical studies on the See alsoGreen Your Practice: 39 Eco-Friendly Yoga Essentials, But my inquiry did spark a discussion among Yaksetig and her family, one that she hadnt yet had with her parents and grandparents. However, the practice of smudging and these plants are considered sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations. And those are just three high-profile examples of something that happens every day. Now if you see someone being totally ignorant about using such things, then use it as a means to educate them. WebAnswer (1 of 3): Burning sage is not cultural appropriation. 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. The tree is becoming extinct.. This term refers to the use of objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that: To read more on this topic, this website is a great place to start!Of course, in the world we live in today, it can be hard to know where a particular cultural element originated from, and where the boundaries lie. 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 has been culturally appropriated. Is it OK to use Palo Santo? Some say Palo Santo smells slightly like licorice, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia when inhaling its delicate scent. Well share a few tips on how you can use this powerful spiritual practice. This all sounds great, right? It's also believed it should be given to you by a shaman or indigenous healer for a specific purpose in your life. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Web2023 Premium Palo Santo Milled (bursera Graveolens) / Peruvian Palo Santo / 100% Organic / Natural Incense , Find Complete Details about 2023 Premium Palo Santo Milled (bursera Graveolens) / Peruvian Palo Santo / 100% Organic / Natural Incense,Palo Santo Powder / Palo Santo Milled / Bursera Graveolens / 100% Organic,Holy Wood / Palo While some argue that the sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets provides economic opportunities for indigenous communities, others maintain that it is unethical and exploitative. Palo Santo means holy wood best known for its ability to add positivity to your space whereas sage removes negativity. Adoption of shamanic healing practices must consider three key elements: 1 indigenous knowledge/shamanic knowledge proprietorship/ownership spiritual sensitivity/sacredness. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. For anyone who currently uses palo santo or is interested, I did find a website that gets theirs from fallen trees, as per tradition. If the sage bundle was packed too tight when made, then the oxygen cant get in properly and the sage wont stay lit. None of his Palo Santo is wild crafted and it is 100% farmed. Palo Santo and Indigenous Peoples That said, our individual histories often arent neatly packaged. 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. On one hand, the sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets has provided economic opportunities for indigenous communities. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Additional Questions. 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. But the idea of smudging is distinctly indigenous to the Americas, Dr. Keene writes. It is not surprising that she I urge you to read Dr. Keenes entire post. Whats the Difference Between Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga? Why you shouldn't use white sage? The thing is, most people ARENT using it correctly and/or do it for the aesthetic. Unless youre Native, it probably wasnt white sage. So excited to be in a new year! Furthermore, the lack of acknowledgement of the cultural significance of Palo Santo has meant that many of its spiritual and healing properties have been overlooked or misrepresented. All of my friends and I approach our smudging rituals slightly differently because like any self-care ritual, its personal. If something is calling to you or feels missing from your experience, feel free to adapt and adjust. Perhaps a better way to find an herb or resin to smudge is to honor the spirits of the region where we live. I say do it. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Burning Palo Santo and doing some cleaning! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Secondly, there is the issue of whether it is appropriate to market a product that has deep cultural and spiritual significance without acknowledging or giving credit to its source. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Idk if thats the trendy modern use of it or a simplified version of traditional practice, so I would just avoid using it with that goal. But you cant have this.. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Once the wood sticks are burned, the smoke is believed to clear negative energy and restore tranquility and calm emotions. We'll talk about the burning sage history and how it can be practiced today. What exactly is cultural appropriation? 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Turns out, Lorde is considering the environmental and cultural ramifications of these wellness trends. To hear their own voices on this matter, watch this video! Once they do, they field-dress the trunks with machetes by hacking away at the termite-softened bark to reveal the trees heart, then pack the wood into woven bags, strap it to the backs of their bikes, and return to the manufacturing area. We can also take steps to support indigenous communities and ensure that their rights and cultures are respected and preserved. It is also important to consider the ethical implications of selling Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets and the role of social media in popularizing the product. The other side to the argument is about cultural appropriation when burning white sage and smudging. Therefore, it is important to assess the potential benefits and risks of using Palo Santo in spiritual practices. 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. You can also allow it to burn out on its own. We'll talk about the burning sage history and how it can be practiced today. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Like, whats done is done but it need not be in vain. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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 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? Open cabinets and closets and waft inside. The last room you smudge should be the one with the front door. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Is it cultural appropriation to use white sage? 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. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? ), When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them." I don't feel comfortable in posting this in r/witchcraft, but I feel like it needs to be said. Many cultures around the globe have traditionally burned herbs, incense, or other materials as a spiritual ritual. Experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits are used to understand you. Exploitation of their spiritual practices inspire your practice, deepen your knowledge and. Your knowledge, and stay on top of the land to you by a shaman or indigenous for... Used for spiritual purification and energy ( house ) cleansings but the idea smudging... Recently she traveled to northern Peru where palo Santo in non-indigenous markets provided... 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