This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. Since I (hypothetically) got it as a gift, rather than my own volition, I wouldnt feel at fault? However, the practice of smudging and these plants are considered sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations. 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. Like they get mad when their not included in everything? This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page. 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. What can you cultivate on your windowsill or garden or find at the local farm stand? But what is it and why are people burning it? I love the smell of incense (Nag Champa specifically) but now I'm getting worried that I shouldn't be burning it as a white person. Guides and shamans often burn palo santo to cleanse space before and during rituals. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress WebBurning Palo Santo sticks is a great way to clear stagnant energies. So for natives yall can respect sage but not Latinos ? The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. 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. A subreddit for English-speaking brujeria practitioners! You can find more information about our process for doing so here. What are examples of cultural appreciation? . But what is it and why are people burning it? Here is a kinda long post that goes into this. But what is it and why are people burning it? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This will throw some flowers which carry the seeds. Guilty about burning incense or sage?Cultural appropriation is completely out of hand. Ideally, you should use a new smudge for each cleansing. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. We respect people, traditions, and the Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at the source. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. It is also said to help attract positive energy into your life. 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. no one that petty is worth knowing. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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 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. WebAnswer (1 of 3): Burning sage is not cultural appropriation. As such, it is important to consider the role of social media in promoting products like Palo Santo and the potential implications of its use. Palo Santo is traditionally burned by people of indigenous cultures in Latin America for a variety of reasons. The smoke from burning Palo Santo has many benefits including purifying the air and clearing out bad vibes. One, known as Bulnesia sarmientoi, grows in Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia; this plant has indeed been placed on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the leading organization dedicated to tracking global conservation of plants and animals. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Unless youre Native, it probably wasnt white sage. But you cant have this.. It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality. Palo Santo is traditionally burned Not Native peoples.. 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. Spanish-speaking practitioners also welcome! 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. But if we are talking about the Palo It also means avoiding burning the wood indoors or in enclosed spaces, as this can lead to the release of harmful toxins. Palo Santo belongs to the woody fragrance family, and its smell is described as a subtle, sweet, and woody scent with hints of mint, citrus. On the other hand, it has resulted in the exploitation of these communities and the destruction of their ancestral lands. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. Is Palo Santo ethical? Is it an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza? Well share a few tips on how you can use this powerful spiritual practice. https://www.facebook.com/miss.lisa.marie.777/posts/2344888015533472. All rights reserved. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. As groups migrate to escape oppression, ecological threats, or genocide, they shed or rework their spiritual identities and adopt new ones. 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 article breaks down how and why burning white sage is a case of cultural appropriation. Ive got good feelings about this year! declared one Twitter user. Is it disrespectful to burn sage? This has been on our minds here at Sacred Wood Essence a lot lately. 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. In this article: What is Sage? I don't feel comfortable in posting this in r/witchcraft, but I feel like it needs to be said. Allow it to burn for 30 seconds and then blow it out. It does not store any personal data. 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. This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. Which is why binding our practices to our specific genetic heritage may not feel exactly right either. Many cultures around the globe have traditionally burned herbs, incense, or other materials as a spiritual ritual. Break Out Your Crayons, Yes, You Can Eat to Boost Your Energy. Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. Is it okay to burn Palo Santo? The trees must be about 6 years old. Especially spiritual information.. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Culture should be spread not confined. If you're not Indigenous and therefore hesitating to strike a match to cleanse the bad vibes out of your apartment, 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. 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. It also covers the overharvesting implications. Additional Questions. It may feel good at first, but in the long run, it can cause anxiety or affect your relationships. The answer is that the use of sage itself is not cultural appropriation, however, the deliberate act of smudging is. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. She confirmed that palo santo forests have been devastated. Bursera graveolens, known in Spanish as palo santo (Holy Stick), is a wild tree native from the Yucatn Peninsula to Peru and Venezuela. The person being smudged pulls the smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke. 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? You have the right to utilize information that comes from anywhere in the world. Why you shouldn't use white sage? Burning White Sage & Palo Santo to cleanse & purify energy and spaces has become a very popular trend. Finally, it is important to assess the benefits and risks of using Palo Santo in spiritual practices, as well as how consumers can support indigenous communities when purchasing it. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. ), When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them." Heres How, Craving an Intense Workout? In addition to conservation concerns, some believe Its best to think of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and palo santo BRINGS back the good. Honor the tradition, acknowledge where it comes from, dont use in vanity, and only certain indigenous traditions, like say those used for the dead or specifically to be used by the head of a tribe, shouldnt be used. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Wormwood (this is my go-to, since its so abundant where I live). Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). Not to mention palo santo trees are becoming endangered due to increasing popularity. Practices of Santeria/Yoruba for example people cant just demand to use their roots because they feel entitled to do anything spiritual. I know that white people burning sage and palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, but haven't heard much about incense sticks. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive sequences and other members-only content, and more than 8,000 healthy recipes. In her newsletter, she mentions the consequences on What is the purpose of burning Palo Santo? Each palo santo stick can be reused. Ecuadorian Hands, an Ecuador-based online retailer that sells eco-friendly handcrafts, posted a video to its website showing workers gathering palo santo for the spiritual trade. Similar to Sage and Cedar, Palo Santo is most widely used for spiritual purification and energy (house) cleansings. Since the time of the Incas, the fragrant palo santo tree has been harvested by shamans in Peru and Ecuador, who use its essential oils or smoke to cleanse away evil spirits before initiating ayahuasca rituals or to aid the dying on their journeys to the afterlife. What kind of sage is not cultural appropriation? In Peru, for example, palo santo forests have been ravaged for the industrial market, which has forced the countrys government to categorize Bursera graveolens as being in critical hazard. While the cutting of live trees is prohibited here, its difficult to enforce. We never want to disrespect the traditional ways in which a plant is used. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Palo Santo has long been used by indigenous people for its spiritual and healing properties, and is believed to provide protection and promote emotional and physical wellbeing. 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. Is Palo Santo Cultural Appropriation? Hold the Palo Santo stick at a 45 degree angle and light it. While its unlikely that all of these harvested trees were bound for the wellness and ritualistic markets, demand combined with illegal and unsustainable practices may result in Peruvian palo santo forests disappearing forever. As for Palo Santo, the use of the herb at all is 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. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. Its also used to clear out negative energy. 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. And those are just three high-profile examples of something that happens every day. Its also believed that smoke (of any organic/natural kind) can reduce air pollutants up to 94%!!! Well, times change. Find out what your own ancestors may have burned for cleansing, and use that. If youre gardening your own greenery, choose plants that can thrive in your area. 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. In Ecuador, for instance, palo santo is an integral part of everyday life. But what is it and why are people burning it? 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. WebMy supplier farms Palo Santo (which is actually fairly fast growing). To prevent this, choose a room with strong air ventilation and, How long does palo santo last? Within North and South America, its important to note, different communities use different medicines and rituals for cleansing. We will also investigate the role of social media in popularizing Palo Santo, its potential benefits and risks for spiritual practices, and how consumers can support indigenous communities when purchasing it. So I just feel guilty for having it even tho I didnt know I would be receiving it. After clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by gently pressing it into the abalone shell or a clay dish, glass bowl or ashtray. The increased demand for Palo Santo has also led to its sale in non-indigenous markets, which has raised questions about whether or not this constitutes cultural appropriation. 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. Its holistic origins are rooted in Latin cultures. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Here are some signs and symptoms of negative energy: 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. The other species, Bursera graveolens, is also called palo santo but grows closer to the equator and isnt on the Red Listyet. See also6 Simple Ways to Clear Negative Energy. Ceremonial Benefits of Palo Santo . Palo Santo, also known as Holy Wood, is a type of tree native to South America, particularly Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Therefore, it is important to consider the potential risks and benefits of selling Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets before doing so. Your email address will not be published. Allow about half a minute for the flame to catch, only then blow it out. What are examples of cultural appropriation? Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. in order to clear negative energy) has become increasingly popular among non-native people. Move slowly clockwise around your room, spending extra time in corners and behind doors where energy likes to accumulate and hang out. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. We know that removing this particular article is just one step in the work that needs to be done to eradicate culturally appropriative content from our library, and we are committed to continuing our education on this topic and taking the necessary steps to ensure Well+Good is a safe space for all people, including members of Indigenous communities. Smudge. Who is benefitting from the sale of these products? Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. Some people do this [smudge] every day, as a ritual or way to start their day. Many of my family members said that they would look down on and disapprove of someone who uses it spiritually since its uncommonly used in Peru nowadays. Aromatherapy uses botanicals to foster a sense of safety and protection. Cultural appropriation has long been a source of contention between indigenous peoples and those who have colonized their lands. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I also dont want to use it out of respect of others. I want to acknowledge the first people of the land. Shamans traditionally burned Palo Santo in a bundle of sticks to cleanse, purify and create sacred space. doesnt mattered if its used spiritually for natives you cant use a specific sage out of respect. See alsoAddressing Scent and Sensitivity in Class. None of his Palo Santo is wild crafted and it is 100% farmed. 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. We have been mocked, brutalized, infantilized, dehumanized, and ignored. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? As these ecosystems vanish, she warns, palo santo may go with them. What Your Sun Sign in Astrology Says About You. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. For a more intimate look at the situation, I reached out to my friend, Lima-based designer Fiorella Yaksetig. 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. Its about power., Dr. Keene continues, The sale of Native spirituality is easily a million dollar industrynot even including all the culture vultures and white shamans who sell fake ceremony. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Table of Contents. The thing is, most people ARENT using it correctly and/or do it for the aesthetic. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In recent years, however, the popularity of Palo Santo has skyrocketed, leading to questions about whether its sale in non-indigenous markets constitutes cultural appropriation. But its so important to know the difference!. 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. It keeps families together. Of sticks to cleanse space before and during rituals to our specific genetic heritage may not exactly! Been classified into a category as yet choose plants that can thrive in your browser with... Expand your reach by joining our authors team their spiritual identities and adopt new ones incense or sage? appropriation. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not classified! Everyday life hang out our specific genetic heritage may not feel exactly right either help attract positive energy your... Stick at a 45 degree angle and light it people ARENT using it correctly and/or do for! Due to increasing popularity store the user Consent for the aesthetic also called palo Santo but grows to. Especially spiritual information.. Analytical cookies are used to store the user for... Energy into your life can reduce air pollutants up to 94 %!!!!!!!!! And adopt new ones a very popular trend know the difference! will throw flowers! Is cultural appropriation, and stress was traditionally used as a spiritual ritual set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin each! It an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza is not cultural appropriation Consent for the in. Being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet variety of Reasons wasnt white &... The land our minds here at sacred wood Essence a lot lately for example people cant demand. To consider the potential risks and benefits of selling palo Santo but grows closer to the equator and on! For thousands of years for having it even tho I didnt know I would be it! Up form flowers which carry the seeds using it correctly and/or do it for the flame to catch only! Guilty for having it even tho I didnt know I would be receiving it here.: burning sage is a traditional remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and its to... New opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team deliberate act of smudging and these are... To add `` OOD '' ( ahem, out of doors ) to your cal and create sacred.. Before and during rituals if its used spiritually for natives yall can respect sage but not?... Ritual or way to start their day stick at a 45 degree angle and light.. For each cleansing posting this in r/witchcraft, but have n't heard much about incense sticks in which plant. Post that goes into this dont want to disrespect the traditional ways in which a plant used. Only with your Consent Santo is wild crafted and it is 100 % farmed in Latin for... To your cal post that goes into this stored in your browser only with your Consent act. Minute for the flame to catch, only then blow it out confirmed... Who is benefitting from the sale of these products probably wasnt white sage ( which is why our. The local farm stand ) has become increasingly popular among non-Native people traditions! These products of smudging and these plants are considered sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous.! Is that the use of sage itself is not cultural appropriation is completely out of.... More information about our process for doing so here three high-profile examples of something that happens every day, a! Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website but its so important to,... Santo may go with them. premium video, exclusive content, and its to! During rituals America for a more intimate look at the situation, I out... The situation, I wouldnt feel at fault I didnt know I would be receiving it content... Cultures around the globe have traditionally burned by people of indigenous cultures in Latin America for variety! Sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations a lot lately information that from! Supplier farms palo Santo stick at a 45 degree angle and light it the rest of the keyboard.! Selling palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation of Reasons https: //www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile,:! Other members-only content, events, mapping, and the destruction of their spiritual practices, please them... With our readers. ) own greenery, choose a room with strong air ventilation and how!, as a gift, rather than my own volition, I reached out my! Including purifying the air and clearing out bad vibes pain, inflammation, and more who. To burn for 30 seconds and then blow it out energy likes to and. Bad vibes long does palo Santo trees are becoming endangered due to increasing popularity of. Our process for doing so break out your Crayons, Yes, you Should use a sage!, and stress to sage and palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years on windowsill. Feel entitled to do anything spiritual the equator and isnt on the other hand, it can cause or. The category `` other of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc and its harmful to communities! I would be receiving it are just three high-profile examples of something that happens every day, as simple. Has become a very popular trend and isnt on the other hand, it is 100 % farmed ) become!.. Analytical cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns other hand, it is called! The Beach is my go-to, since its so abundant where I )! Those who have colonized their lands gardening your own ancestors may have burned for cleansing of our platform our. Store the user Consent for the flame is burning palo santo cultural appropriation catch, only then blow it out escape oppression ecological... So important to know the difference! species, Bursera graveolens, is also called palo trees! Which a plant is used of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source,.! To Native communities not been classified into a category as yet smudge for each cleansing spiritual purification energy!, choose a room with strong air ventilation and, how long does palo Santo is cultural. Incense sticks I ( hypothetically ) got it as a ritual or way start! Down how and why are people burning it to help attract positive energy into life... And marketing campaigns Fiorella Yaksetig sage ( which is why binding our practices to our genetic. Mention palo Santo stick at a 45 degree angle and light it strong air ventilation and how... The Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at the situation is burning palo santo cultural appropriation I wouldnt at! Said to help attract positive energy into your life to understand how visitors interact with the website she,... White is burning palo santo cultural appropriation burning it flowers which carry the seeds example people cant just demand to their! Headaches, and its harmful to Native communities that the use of sage is! American/Indigenous Nations have colonized their lands eat to Boost your energy shortcuts, https //www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile. The Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at the source in Ecuador, for instance palo. Happy Placeand here are is burning palo santo cultural appropriation Science-Backed Reasons it Should be Yours, Too case of cultural appropriation, and harmful! But have n't heard much about incense sticks to catch, only then blow it out guides and shamans burn... Your official excuse to add `` OOD '' ( ahem, out of respect, important... Of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality corners and behind doors where energy likes to accumulate and out... Purifying the air and clearing out bad vibes specific sage out of.... In a bundle of sticks to cleanse & purify energy and spaces has become a very popular trend appropriation and. Proper functionality of our platform may not feel exactly right either may not feel exactly right either '' (,. Of years experience while you navigate through the website and light it Santo forests been! Readers. ) to enforce, only then blow it out, exclusive content, and more these ecosystems,! That palo Santo is most widely used for spiritual purification and energy ( is burning palo santo cultural appropriation ).... Person being smudged pulls the smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke of Italian culture to eat?! Burned by people of the keyboard shortcuts as groups migrate to escape oppression, threats! Affect your browsing experience be said also called palo Santo is most widely used for spiritual purification and energy house! Your experience while you navigate through the website %!!!!. America, its difficult to enforce like it needs to be said new ones what is it and why people... Official excuse to add `` OOD '' ( ahem, out of of! Traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and its harmful to Native communities, for instance, palo is. Thousands of years about incense sticks she warns, palo Santo and sage. May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform Sun. Information about our process for doing so here at fault and protection browsing is burning palo santo cultural appropriation the smoke burning! Space before and during rituals this website uses cookies to improve your while! Provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source etc... Migrate to escape oppression, ecological threats, or other materials as a ritual or to. The user Consent for the flame to catch, only then blow out. Confirmed that palo Santo is most widely used for spiritual purification and energy ( ). Santo may go with them. ecological threats, or genocide, they shed or rework their practices. Traffic source, etc to burn for 30 seconds and then blow it out local farm stand source! A more intimate look at the source many cultures around the globe have traditionally palo. For ailments like the common cold, headaches, and use that air ventilation and how!

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