#smudging

[native-american-pieces]

[mycrystalearth]

<afternoon incense>

[arcane-trail]

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[tvstvnvkke]

White sage

Contrary to popular belief, white sage, or even sage in general, was not used by every tribe. White sage has developed into the go-to "smoke cleansing" plant. However, this has led to a number of problems.

For the Muscogee tribe Sage as a plant was not commonly used. Cedar, Tobacco, and Ginseng were more commonly smoke cleansing plants. The word for Sage that I was told was "Vpvketv" which also means to add something. White sage would be "Vpvketv hvtke".

Today, white sage is commonly used to smudge. Packages can be purchased with a shell, feather, and a sage bundle to burn. Smudging, in the sense of using a shell to burn in and a feather to guide the smoke, was mostly a Dakota and Ho-chunk practice from what I know. With white sage specifically being native to lower modern-day California. The Cahuilla and Kumeyaay tribes are two who often use this plant. Smudging and white sage have both been taken up as practices among modern witches, pagan, Wiccan, and other spiritual groups. However, to anyone doing the practice, I highly recommend caution in continuing.

The modern practices of white sage harvesting are often harmful. The practices often leave the local environment poorly cared for. The plant is overly harvested by people generally paid very little and often with no consideration to the local communities that normally use the plant. The over harvesting has led to fears that the plant may go extinct if proper growing and harvesting techniques are not taken into consideration.

Another important aspect to consider is the spiritual aspect as well. If you are using white sage to purify the air, I would assume the hope is to clear away negative spirits or energies. I can not speak for all communities that smoke cleanse, but when smoke cleansing, you should use plants you were gifted or gather yourself. The intention when the plant is harvested affects whether or not it will clear away bad things. If you harvest it yourself thinking of how grateful you are for the plant, it will clean. If your friend harvests it thinking of how this will hopefully help someone, it will clean. If the person harvesting your plant is mistreated, in bad conditions, over harvesting a plant just to be underpaid. I feel like that may do the opposite of cleanse.

All around, it's just not a good idea. Be very mindful of who your practices come from and who your items come from. Look for answers online as to whether those communities welcome outside practicer or if your version of their practice is actually harming their ability to continue it.

I've heard debate on whether it's okay to purchase white sage from indigenous farmers. I would say if you're going to purchase it, that would be the best. I'm sure there are many indigenous people who sell it.

Be mindful of your practices. They could be harming you and other people.

[hometoursandotherstuff]

[brattysammy]

Little details from my altar 🌔🕯️🌖

Getting ready for the Full Moon in Aries ♈︎ on Friday.

What are some of your favorite objects in your altar?

[tiredwitchplant]

Difference between Smudging and Incensing *Special Information Post*

Hwello there. This is not normal from my regular posting of information about herbs but I did get an interesting question. If you would notice in my posting, I do not include the idea of smudging the herbs that I mentioned when I talk about the benefits in their bundled formats, rather I refer to it as incensing. The question was did I mean smudging or was I being ambiguous.

The answer is that smudging and incensing a home are two very different things. I am going to take this time to educate and give information I have gathered and researched to explain the difference so that everyone can understand as I have seen the terms misused and swapped around interchangeably. Let us begin

What is Incensing? Incensing as I refer it with my research is merely burning the herb and either placing it in certain areas or burning the bundle in your hands and walking around to clear out the space. With incensing, one does not have to do a ceremony, ritual or be a part of a certain culture (unless using a sacred herb) in order to practice this. You can even use incense sticks, certain candles, and essential oils in order to incent a place. This is easier for baby witches in order to create a ward or bring good fortune into your witch area without having to do very specific steps in order to invoke the full potential of the herb itself.

What is Smudging? Now smudging is a different game. Smudging is a traditional ceremony for purifying or cleansing the soul of negative thoughts of a person or a place. The smoke that is created from this ceremony is considered sacred and is produced from burning medicinal herbs mixed with sacred plants such as : sage, cedar, tobacco, and sweetgrass. This is used by Indigenous cultures in North America (although some indigenous groups in Canada use this sacred smoke for different purposes). It creates a different type of cleansing for the First Nation cultures as they can use it to clear the air around them, clean their minds, clear their eyes to see only good things and etc that helps with their connection to the land and Earth as a whole.

What is the takeaway from all this? Smudging is for the Indigenous. It is a part of their culture, heritage, and the way they cleanse to feel in a way...safe. It won't have the same meaning to use who are not indigenous and is a sacred art. What we are doing as non-indigenous is merely incensing a space and should refer to it for what it is.

Please be respectful of one's sacred practices and cultures and be careful when using the word "smudging".

Thank you. Bye bye~

[localchangeling]

I love plant shops. I love crystal shops. I love shops that are all about the mystical, such as witch shops. And I love shops that have handmade items like soaps, lotions, candles and so on.

What I hate is that constantly I find that I'll be looking at a shop (online or in person), and it's great. Until I find them selling palo santo. Until I find them selling white sage. Until I find them selling said white sage as a smudge stick.

Please, and I cannot emphasize this enough: Stop throwing around the term smudging. It is a sacred ritual. You are not smudging. You are smoke cleansing. Learn more about both. Smoke cleansing isn't appropriation, but smudging is.

It is disrespectful to indigenous people who have smudging as part of sacred rituals. But especially disrespectful, actually, beyond disrespectful and downright awful, is the use of Palo Santo and White Sage.

Palo Santo comes from two trees, and the process of harvesting it is in itself a sacred process to harvest the trees that involves only fallen ones, after letting them rest for years. When buying Palo Santo, almost every time it will not be in support of indigenous peoples whose culture is being exploited. Culture and environment, land. Because the over harvesting of these trees (one type is in the red zone for endangered, the other is nearing it), is harmful to the trees, and it damages and makes dryer the land that Palo Santo grows on in Latin America. It hurts people and the earth, both through culture and through environmental impacts.

In Peru and Ecuador it's illegal to cut down Palo Santo trees. However, because of the profit that corporations seek to gain because of people turning a blind eye, not doing their research, and being 'trendy' within wellness - and witch - communities, the trees are still being illegally cut down. It's likely most of what anyone encounters in store isn't of a matured tree, because the young trees often are chopped down. Another insult to the people being exploited is that the workers and the indigenous communities are also being specifically exploited with unfair wages.

There is such a thing as appreciating cultures, but just using Palo Santo generally is not the way to do it. Appreciation of a culture means knowing the history, the cultural meanings and traditions related to the plant (or anything else). It's also knowing the impact on the people's whose culture you want to appreciate. When that impact is negative, find other ways to appreciate the culture. Or find ways to ethically source something. For example, finding ethically sourced Palo Santo. Luna Sundara is an example of this. The shop works with the government's of Peru and Ecuador to legally import Palo Santo, they follow both government and sacred laws in only using wood that's been matured, and they make sure the indigenous communities and workers are receiving good care and fair wages.

I got really intensely focused on Palo Santo, but I still need to emphasize the problem with using White Sage. While it isn't currently on an endangered list, it is leading there quickly. White Sage is used in food, medicine and ritual ceremonies for some Native American tribes. White Sage is not the same as some more common sages, and it doesn't grow as much or in as many areas. The overharvesting of this sage threatens the plant and the ecosystem of the area, as well as effecting the traditions of tribes in areas around Southern California and Northwestern Mexico. I highly recommend this article. But to summarize, people use White Sage as a way to cleanse their space, but do so while disrespecting the rituals that they claim to be doing (I'm looking at you 'smudge sticks'). Native people gather from the earth in very specific ways, caring for the plants that are being harvested from and taking only small bits at a time. However, harvesters looking only at profit take from the plant with no regard for it, ripping roots out of the ground, just taking and taking. Not only is that horrific, but it isn't sustainable. White Sage, among other plants, risk endangerment and possibly extinction by the misuse and over harvesting currently happening. The burning of white sage that is popularly done today isn't done in the way Native people of California do it, either. Whole bundles are burned for the smoke because it's pretty, but Native people would burn the same bundle much, much slower. Carelessness is a good word for it.

And again, when looking at ways you might use white sage ethically, there are exceptions. Here's a site that goes into that. I will be honest, because of the level of cultural appropriation that is associated with the misuse of white sage, that mostly looks like not using it. However, when more ethically acquired (see: from Native people of Southern California + farmed not wild-sourced) and used sparingly (and not by 'smudging') there is possibilities. The best thing to do, though, is use something else.

Both Palo Santo and White Sage are (mis)used in wellness communities, meditation communities, and by witches. The idea behind the use of both of these is for cleansing, purification, and to drive away bad energy. However, using plants that are endangered or at risk of endangerment, using these plants while indigenous people beg you not to - and on top of it appropriating ceremonies that are clearly not being understood or respected - will only being bad energy into your life. Burn bundles made of lavender, or cedar, or rosemary. Make an at home essential oil spray (be mindful of the ingredients) with plants that cleanse and purify. Incense, candles. Bake, learn a new craft. Do things with good intentions. Things like these can bring you good energy, but exploiting Indigenous people and exploiting ecosystems, will not.

[smudginggirl]

"May this space be a place of love, peace, and joy." 🌿

[sappy-witch]

🌿 Ethical Cleansing Alternatives🌿

Hello darlings 🥰

I wanted to talk about an important issue today: the use of palo santo and white sage for cleansing. While these plants have become popular in the spiritual community for their cleansing properties, it's important to remember that they have cultural significance for Indigenous people and may not be accessible or appropriate for everyone to use.

Additionally, both palo santo and white sage are endangered in the wild due to over-harvesting. So what are some alternatives for cleansing that are respectful to Indigenous cultures and environmentally friendly? Here are a few ideas:

🌿 Garden Sage: This is a great alternative to white sage, and it's easily accessible at most grocery stores. You can use it the same way you would use white sage for cleansing and smudging.

🌿 Cedar: Cedar is a sacred plant to many Indigenous cultures, and it's a great alternative to palo santo. You can burn cedar to cleanse a space or use it in a bundle for smudging.

🌿 Lavender: Lavender is a gentle yet effective plant for cleansing negative energy. You can use dried lavender in a bundle or as loose herbs, or even burn lavender-scented candles or incense.

🌿 Rosemary: Rosemary has cleansing properties and is often used in protection spells. You can use it in a bundle for smudging or sprinkle dried rosemary around your home.

Remember, the most important thing is to use alternatives that are respectful to Indigenous cultures and are environmentally sustainable. Also, be sure to research the plants you're using and make sure they're safe for burning.

🌿 Some tips for using these alternatives:

🌱 Before you begin, set your intention for cleansing and protection.

🌱 Burn the plant material over a fireproof surface like a metal bowl, shell, or cauldron.

🌱 Use a feather or your hand to waft the smoke around your space or yourself.

🌱 Be sure to extinguish the material safely when you're finished.

I hope this post has been helpful in finding more ethical and sustainable alternatives for cleansing. Remember to approach your practice with respect and reverence, and to always be mindful of the impact you're having on the environment and others. 

Thank you @panthera-dei for bringing this important issue to my attention on my previous post detailing Protection Magick which I have since edited, and for giving me a reason to research this topic further. As a community, let's make a conscious effort to practice sustainable and ethical witchcraft and respecting the cultural significance of practices like smudging.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to get in contact. Let's continue to support and uplift Indigenous cultures while practicing our craft 💚✨

____

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With love, from a Sappy Witch 🔮💕

Blessed be. 🕊✨

[virgo-moonlight]

Hello Witchblr and Occultists! My name is Dani, and I am a practicing witch, as well as a first-year graduate student of journalism.

Right now, I’m writing my final article for class this semester on closed practices in witchcraft.

I would love to speak with practitioners of closed religions and people who work within closed practices for this piece! Particularly regarding what your specific practice means to you, your opinion on other people carrying out parts of your practice, and if/why you think it’s become a widespread issue.

My final article is due on May 7th. I would just need to ask a few questions of you, maybe a couple follow ups, it wouldn’t take long. I would be happy to chat over DM here, speak over zoom, or send you the questions to answer via email! Just as a heads up, I would need your name (you can use a fake name if you prefer), age, pronouns, profession, and general location where you’re from (can be as vague as you feel comfortable).

I would also welcome comments from anyone in the witchcraft/occult community here on the matter in the replies below! Both those within closed practices and from outside. (I might reach out to you privately for any follow up questions.)

There are lots of incredible resources I’ve come across through my time on tumblr, but I think my article would greatly benefit from conversation. So please, if you’re comfortable and willing, I would love to speak with you! :)

[ravenglassworld]

Psychic shields

Smoke cleansing: smoke cleansing refers to passing yourself or an object through sacred smoke as a means of purification. When burned, certain herbs release a high vibrational energy that is used to purify unwanted, harmful forces—what most people call negative energy. Herbs like sage, cedar, sweet grass, pine, and lavender can be burned, as well as incenses such as frankincense, myrrh, and copal. Simply wave the smoking substance around you and make sure you pass through the smoke. Don't do too much. It's an energetic process, not a physical one, so you don't have to feel like you are asphyxiating. Smudging is considered a closed practice as it is an accident indigenous practice and ritual.

Sea Salt Bath: Similar to smudging, taking a sea salt bath can cleanse the physical body as well as the energy. Put two tablespoons of sea salt or kosher salt in your bath water and soak. Imagine all the stress and harmful energy you have accumulated or taken on from others flowing into the water. Sit in the bathtub as its drains and imagine it flowing down the drain, neutralized by the salt and water. I have a friend who puts a spray bottle of sea salt and water and gives herself a little spritz and sponge bath. The salt neutralizes any harmful energies, and then she just wipes it off. It's a great way to clear yourself if you're on the run and a bath is too time consuming.

Amulet: Symbols and charms have long been lauded for their protective powers. In almost every culture, there is a tradition of wearing or carrying a particular amulet, often blessed by a priest/tess, to confer the powers of divine protection upon the wearer. Take a symbol you find sacred and divine. Find it in a jewelry or pendant form. If you cannot, try drawing the symbol on a piece of paper or wood, and carrying it with you. If you are Christian, use a cross. If you are Wiccan, use a pentacle. Hindu, try the Ohm symbol. There are a variety of symbols, from the Star of David to the Hammer of Thor. Find the one that speaks protection to you. Smudge the amulet and hold it in both hands. Think about protection and infuse your thoughts into the amulet, activating its power to protect in the name of your divinities. Carry the charm with you to receive its protection.

Protection Stone: Like a symbolic amulet, you can carry a stone known for its protective and grounding qualities with you. Most dark colored stones have magical associations with protection. Some of my favorite choices are hematite, smoky quartz, onyx, obsidian, jet, and aragonite. Other stores that are protective include red jasper, amber, citrine, and clear quartz. Like an amulet, cleanse your stone and infuse your intention into it.

Meditation: Meditation is one of the greatest keys to psychic defense. Regular meditation practice leaves you clear, centered, and in a mental place where you can respond to potential threats, rather than unconsciously react to them. It doesn't matter the style or tradition of meditation. Regular practice is the key. You will not get the long term psychic protection benefits of meditation by doing it only once every few weeks. It must be like exercise, done regularly. I suggest at least three times a week. If you can do it daily, so much the better.

Healthy Emotional Boundaries: Emotional boundaries are not the most esoteric form of psychic defense, but one that quite a few people leave out. Sometimes psychic defense—particularly from people who are harmful to us, intentionally or unintentionally—is the ability to say "no" and stick to it. If someone asks you to do something or go somewhere, and you only say yes because you are afraid of being "mean" or "letting them down" but you know its not a good situation for you, you must learn to say no. As an adult, only you define what is acceptable and unacceptable in your life. Draw those boundary lines and stick to them.

Living Your True Will: The best form of psychic self-defense is to live out your true will. What is your divine purpose? Find it! Then actually live it. If you are doing what you are meant to be doing, the universe will support you and very little anyone else does or says will be able to stop you. You true will, or what some call your magical will, is not your destiny. It doesn't happen regardless. This your partnership with the divine. You must choose to fulfill it. But once you choose to be a full, conscious partner with the divine, you will have a divine protection that will help you in all of life's difficult areas.

https://www.llewellyn.com/encyclopedia/term/wicca

[fade-nightingale]

My first time using charcoal pastels

[bikerchickforlife]

[conjuremanj]

SAGE & PALO SANTO & How To Use It Correctly In Your Practice.

Before you add either Palo Santo or Sage into your spiritual pratice you should understanding the true purpose of each one.

Both sage and palo santo are similar in some ways, they both are use to cleanse the energy in you home or space and to bring about a more positive and peaceful environment.

Sage: Comes from the leaves of a sage plant and give a plant-like smell when it is burned. Sage is a good way to clean you and your space of everything. "The downside to this is, despite clearing bad energies and spirits it also removes the positive energy you want to keep".

Now you can bring that positivity back through music, dancing, meditation etc.

Palo Santo: Is taking from the Bursera Graveolens tree and the name means “Holy Wood”. "It's also helps bring back the positivity into your space where as sage removes the negativity".

"Think of it like this "Sage Clears out the bad and Palo Santo BRINGS back the good".

HOW TO BURN: Before you start burning I would suggest start with opening all doors, windows and drawers in your space to release all negative energy from the home, This step is important because you can trap the negativity in the home.

Intentions For The Ceremony: Do not skip this! (See my post on intentions). Now sometimes intentions aren't enough when doing a cleanseing or working. So I want you to get some rest, meditate or pray, something to get you in a clear head space where you won't think of anything else but that working or in this case the cleansing.

For Sage- If your bundle has any ribbon on it remove it but leave the string on that holds the sage together.

Some Indigenous people, practices or religions that do smudging ceremonies do not believe in using lighters they believe it kills the effect. I suggest using a match.

After you let it burn for about 10- 20 seconds and then carefully blow it out. (Don't need the embers getting on anything and start a fire) Note- If you have a small space burn little in a burning dish, if you have a large house burn more or have heavy energies burn a good bit...

While the smoke is still going, you walk around the space from corner to corner letting the smoke hit all walls and corners, drawers everything in that space.

Say a prayer like Psalms 91. To clean and protect your space. Once your space you can shut everything you are left open. Now you have a refreshed and new safe space.

When you are done, put it out.

For Palo Santo- Light your Palo Santo for 20-30 seconds and then blow out. Let the smoke circulate for 1-2 minutes to clear your space of negative energy. When your done put it out.

Last bit of advance you can use both herbs if you like.

When I need to rid a clients home or person of negative energy I use Frankincense and Myrrh maybe with some sage and a with prayer. Because it helps with manifesting the Holy Spirit when use with prayer". Then I use palo to replenish all the good positive vibes and energies.

[starry-eyed-samantha]

Remember, kittens, always wait for paint to dry thoroughly!

Just a teeny headcanon; Palette likes to paint on her stripes but often forgets paint doesn’t dry straight away.

She’s becoming a bit more of a ditz than I anticipated, but holy Kermit, is it fun.

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