Others choose to research the traditional uses of blue sage and incorporate them into their own practices. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. While it is not inherently wrong to adopt elements of another culture, it can be problematic when the source is not acknowledged or respected. How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News, How to Get a Planet Fitness Key Tag: A Step-by-Step Guide, Is Exoticca a Good Travel Company? Some people see it as disrespectful to the tribes that have historically used blue sage and argue that it should not be used by other cultures. It was used because it was associated with Native American practice. Balancing respect for culture with enjoyment of blue sage is an important issue. Typically African-American musical traditions have been targeted for such exploitation. rosemary and sometimes white sage. Pagan rituals take place outdoors, when possible, or sometimes in peoples homes or in occult bookstores. As contemporary Pagans often piece together different elements to create their spirituality, for many it seemed natural to include Native American practices. .Rd5g7JmL4Fdk-aZi1-U_V{transition:all .1s linear 0s}._2TMXtA984ePtHXMkOpHNQm{font-size:16px;font-weight:500;line-height:20px;margin-bottom:4px}.CneW1mCG4WJXxJbZl5tzH{border-top:1px solid var(--newRedditTheme-line);margin-top:16px;padding-top:16px}._11ARF4IQO4h3HeKPpPg0xb{transition:all .1s linear 0s;display:none;fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);height:16px;width:16px;vertical-align:middle;margin-bottom:2px;margin-left:4px;cursor:pointer}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B:hover ._11ARF4IQO4h3HeKPpPg0xb{display:inline-block}._2IvhQwkgv_7K0Q3R0695Cs{border-radius:4px;border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-line)}._2IvhQwkgv_7K0Q3R0695Cs:focus{outline:none}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B{transition:all .1s linear 0s;border-radius:4px;border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-line)}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B:focus{outline:none}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B.IeceazVNz_gGZfKXub0ak,._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B:hover{border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._35hmSCjPO8OEezK36eUXpk._35hmSCjPO8OEezK36eUXpk._35hmSCjPO8OEezK36eUXpk{margin-top:25px;left:-9px}._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP,._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP:focus-within,._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP:hover{transition:all .1s linear 0s;border:none;padding:8px 8px 0}._25yWxLGH4C6j26OKFx8kD5{display:inline}._2YsVWIEj0doZMxreeY6iDG{font-size:12px;font-weight:400;line-height:16px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;padding:4px 6px}._1hFCAcL4_gkyWN0KM96zgg{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);margin-right:8px;margin-left:auto;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-errorText)}._1hFCAcL4_gkyWN0KM96zgg,._1dF0IdghIrnqkJiUxfswxd{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:16px;cursor:pointer;-ms-flex-item-align:end;align-self:flex-end;-webkit-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none}._1dF0IdghIrnqkJiUxfswxd{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._3VGrhUu842I3acqBMCoSAq{font-weight:700;color:#ff4500;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:4px}._3VGrhUu842I3acqBMCoSAq,.edyFgPHILhf5OLH2vk-tk{font-size:12px;line-height:16px}.edyFgPHILhf5OLH2vk-tk{font-weight:400;-ms-flex-preferred-size:100%;flex-basis:100%;margin-bottom:4px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText)}._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX{margin-top:6px}._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._3MAHaXXXXi9Xrmc_oMPTdP{margin-top:4px} Cultural appropriation leads to a narrow look at other cultures and often exploitation of those cultures. :) the only reason white sage is so sacred to us (besides being a ceremonial tool) is because it only grows within the southwest of north America and the top of Central America, its going endangered as well and the govt refuses to add it to the endangered plants. White sage, which is sacred to a number of Native American tribes in the southwest United States, has been adopted by both some contemporary Pagans and New Age practitioners for purification rites. Participants believed they were honoring the first people on the continent by incorporating elements of their spiritual practice. Palo Santo sticks have been getting more popular as an alternative to sage, but buying this Central and South American tree bark used by Amazonian tribes can also be harmful, in similar ways to white sage. Required fields are marked *. In the 21st century, cultural appropriationlike globalizationisn't just inevitable; it's potentially positive. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Curated. If someone is harvesting white sage and doesnt know how to properly do so, theyre preventing more plants from growing and thus endangering the plant species. As religious studies scholar Sarah Pike found among contemporary Pagans, cultural borrowing from Native Americans was seen as connecting the participants to the spirits that lived in the land around them. If you have used herbs to cleanse your space in the past and enjoy the ritual, you don't have to give it up in order to do so in a culturally conscious way. The cleansing and purification of the place and the participants are meant to protect them by keeping out unsavory spirits. Helen A. Berger receives funding from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Association for the Sociology of Religion, and West Chester University. It is now being more widely marketed by stores such as Walmart and Anthropologie. Feel free to cleanse or purify or scent or whatever using anything you want. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Though not the only sage native to North America, white sage is by far the one most frequently used and sold by the wellness industry. Sage, Salvia officinalis, is one of the most interesting, storied plants in human history. It was illegal for Natives to practice their religion (including smudging) until 1978 in the U.S. It's something they've had to fight for. Our modern understanding of cultural appropriation is highly individualised. .ehsOqYO6dxn_Pf9Dzwu37{margin-top:0;overflow:visible}._2pFdCpgBihIaYh9DSMWBIu{height:24px}._2pFdCpgBihIaYh9DSMWBIu.uMPgOFYlCc5uvpa2Lbteu{border-radius:2px}._2pFdCpgBihIaYh9DSMWBIu.uMPgOFYlCc5uvpa2Lbteu:focus,._2pFdCpgBihIaYh9DSMWBIu.uMPgOFYlCc5uvpa2Lbteu:hover{background-color:var(--newRedditTheme-navIconFaded10);outline:none}._38GxRFSqSC-Z2VLi5Xzkjy{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-actionIcon)}._2DO72U0b_6CUw3msKGrnnT{border-top:none;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);cursor:pointer;padding:8px 16px 8px 8px;text-transform:none}._2DO72U0b_6CUw3msKGrnnT:hover{background-color:#0079d3;border:none;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-body);fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-body)} .c_dVyWK3BXRxSN3ULLJ_t{border-radius:4px 4px 0 0;height:34px;left:0;position:absolute;right:0;top:0}._1OQL3FCA9BfgI57ghHHgV3{-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-pack:start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-top:32px}._1OQL3FCA9BfgI57ghHHgV3 ._33jgwegeMTJ-FJaaHMeOjV{border-radius:9001px;height:32px;width:32px}._1OQL3FCA9BfgI57ghHHgV3 ._1wQQNkVR4qNpQCzA19X4B6{height:16px;margin-left:8px;width:200px}._39IvqNe6cqNVXcMFxFWFxx{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:12px 0}._39IvqNe6cqNVXcMFxFWFxx ._29TSdL_ZMpyzfQ_bfdcBSc{-ms-flex:1;flex:1}._39IvqNe6cqNVXcMFxFWFxx .JEV9fXVlt_7DgH-zLepBH{height:18px;width:50px}._39IvqNe6cqNVXcMFxFWFxx ._3YCOmnWpGeRBW_Psd5WMPR{height:12px;margin-top:4px;width:60px}._2iO5zt81CSiYhWRF9WylyN{height:18px;margin-bottom:4px}._2iO5zt81CSiYhWRF9WylyN._2E9u5XvlGwlpnzki78vasG{width:230px}._2iO5zt81CSiYhWRF9WylyN.fDElwzn43eJToKzSCkejE{width:100%}._2iO5zt81CSiYhWRF9WylyN._2kNB7LAYYqYdyS85f8pqfi{width:250px}._2iO5zt81CSiYhWRF9WylyN._1XmngqAPKZO_1lDBwcQrR7{width:120px}._3XbVvl-zJDbcDeEdSgxV4_{border-radius:4px;height:32px;margin-top:16px;width:100%}._2hgXdc8jVQaXYAXvnqEyED{animation:_3XkHjK4wMgxtjzC1TvoXrb 1.5s ease infinite;background:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--newCommunityTheme-field),var(--newCommunityTheme-inactive),var(--newCommunityTheme-field));background-size:200%}._1KWSZXqSM_BLhBzkPyJFGR{background-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetBackgroundColor);border-radius:4px;padding:12px;position:relative;width:auto} It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality. Sage, sacred to Native Americans, is being used in purification rituals, raising issues of cultural appropriation Published: February 23, 2023 8.15am EST Author Helen A. Berger Affliated. Many cultures have historical and spiritual practices connected to smoke cleansing everything from herbs and woods to incense and roots. Why is burning sage cultural appropriation? That is where it crosses a line, but lose the claim and the rest of it is just honoring a tradition like a fan honors Star Wars by swinging a toy light saber. Because there is no dedicated sanctified place, cleansing and protection become particularly important within Paganism. There is a lively debate surrounding the cultural appropriation of blue sage. connecting the participants to the spirits, resulting in the extinction of the animals, LinkedIn has officially entered its cringe era, and its working. In fact, before smudging was popularized, it was illegal at least, for Indigenous folks and often violently suppressed. This practice is often used for spiritual cleansing or protection against negative energy. Key elements of culture include: language art,. It is a way to keep danger at bay as well as provide a way to separate the sacred from the mundane. Is this the society we re living in? Once a saver, always a saver: Warren Buffett says generational wealth isnt what it used to be in his annual letter Its bigger than the housing crisis: An influential economist just blamed NIMBYs for American decline, and Elon Musk CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Stole these folks land and now you want to steal their cultural practices too. However, much of the public remains confused about what the term actually means. Culinary sage (the kind you use in butternut squash and roasted chicken dishes), also known as garden sage, originally comes from the shores of the northern Mediterranean region. Blue sage (Salvia clevelandii) is a perennial herb native to California, Arizona, and Baja California, Mexico. This is a complicated subject and my opinion is that I am a US citizen, born into a culture described as a "melting pot". Participants believed they were honoring the first people on the continent by incorporating elements of their spiritual practice. I'm fine with non-native people using whatever the hell they want. Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way. Today, Native people are still fighting to be able to perform these ceremonies in hospitals. I appreciate the sensitivity but there are bigger fish to fry in a society that puts kids in cages because their parents are brown. Meanwhile smudging with palo santo and white sage is a sacred ritual for many native North American tribes, who only pass down the practice to members of their community. Why are your so afraid of possibly offending? No, blue sage, white sage and any other sage is not cultural appropriation. No, blue sage, white sage and any other sage is not cultural appropriation. i like this take a lot, and i was asking just for general use purposes and nothing spiritual/ritualistic, because that does cross a line. It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality, says Keene. ._1aTW4bdYQHgSZJe7BF2-XV{display:-ms-grid;display:grid;-ms-grid-columns:auto auto 42px;grid-template-columns:auto auto 42px;column-gap:12px}._3b9utyKN3e_kzVZ5ngPqAu,._21RLQh5PvUhC6vOKoFeHUP{font-size:16px;font-weight:500;line-height:20px}._21RLQh5PvUhC6vOKoFeHUP:before{content:"";margin-right:4px;color:#46d160}._22W-auD0n8kTKDVe0vWuyK,._244EzVTQLL3kMNnB03VmxK{display:inline-block;word-break:break-word}._22W-auD0n8kTKDVe0vWuyK{font-weight:500}._22W-auD0n8kTKDVe0vWuyK,._244EzVTQLL3kMNnB03VmxK{font-size:12px;line-height:16px}._244EzVTQLL3kMNnB03VmxK{font-weight:400;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText)}._2xkErp6B3LSS13jtzdNJzO{-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin-top:13px;margin-bottom:2px}._2xkErp6B3LSS13jtzdNJzO ._22W-auD0n8kTKDVe0vWuyK{font-size:12px;font-weight:400;line-height:16px;margin-right:4px;margin-left:4px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-actionIcon)}._2xkErp6B3LSS13jtzdNJzO .je4sRPuSI6UPjZt_xGz8y{border-radius:4px;box-sizing:border-box;height:21px;width:21px}._2xkErp6B3LSS13jtzdNJzO .je4sRPuSI6UPjZt_xGz8y:nth-child(2),._2xkErp6B3LSS13jtzdNJzO .je4sRPuSI6UPjZt_xGz8y:nth-child(3){margin-left:-9px} Getty. When using medicinal plants, its important that the plant is used sustainably. When purification includes the use of sage, it raises the issue of appropriation, as it has traditionally been used by Native Americans in their rituals. Cultural appropriation often is viewed as a problem of . without permission. Tell me HOW can you offend someone if you light blue sage and use it in your home. I noticed while doing my research in 1986 that white sage was sold at stores catering to the occult. sage smart oven pro recipes; is lady helen wogan still alive; pros and cons of reading mastery; is big city funding group legit; eddie foo doctor bristol; can encore guests use the wynn pool? It has become common, for example, for younger Americans to cleanse their homes of bad spirits with white sage even if they do not identify as Pagans. ._3K2ydhts9_ES4s9UpcXqBi{display:block;padding:0 16px;width:100%} Cultural appropriation is a hot-button issue in todays world, and one of the more recent topics to come under scrutiny is the use of blue sage. Cultural appropriation has a long history in popular music. The market has become larger as aspects of Pagan or New Age practices have seeped into more general practice and the number of Pagans has increased. Unlike cultural appropriation, strategic anti-essentialism can be practiced by both minority cultures and majority cultures. Google white sage, the primary ingredient in the mainstream smudging custom, and dozens of choices for sage sticks and bundles appear. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. The phrase originated in the . White sage and cultural appropriation Sometimes white sage was used for purification in a ritual. 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. Sign up here. In particular, the practice of burning blue sage, also known as smudging, has become increasingly popular among non-indigenous people. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Seriously??? The demand has become so great that many Chumash people (of what is now Southern California) are concerned that the plant is being overharvested. The participants were also purified, with salt, water, smoke from a candle, incense or rosemary and a crystal or rock, symbolizing Mother Earth. The role of this group is to advise CPW and the Department of Natural Resources in developing and advancing strategies to achieve the CO-OP's vision. There is no set liturgy that everyone follows, and it is possible for people to create their own rituals. Is Blue Sage Cultural Appropriation? The use of sage was not the only cultural artifact that these Native American spokespeople objected to being used by nonnatives. Just don't pretend to do a sacred smudge ritual of something. Smudging, also known as saging, has become a trendy wellness practice that folks use to cleanse their spaces be it a bedroom, an entire home, or even a car. It is important to note, however, that they should still be used in a respectful way and not taken out of their traditional contexts. Smudging is distinctly Indigenous. For many contemporary Pagans, Native American spirituality was a practice they wanted to emulate because of its connection to the land, to a spirit world, and because it predates Christianity and is native to the region. Blue Sage is widely used for cleansing and . it's cultural appropriation. Thanks to the recent trendiness of smudging, white sage is in high demand. It would be both ironic and sad if in celebrating Mother Earth, Pagans helped to make a sacred herb extinct. Yall are so sickening and you cant even see why. Sometimes white sage was used for purification in a ritual. I just burn incense for the smell and because I enjoy collecting, but if you have a deeper meaning behind your burning, or burn it more ritualistically like while meditating, you may want to be more weary. Possibly more importantly, rituals are meant to open up the individual to the spiritual or other world. For example, frankincense and myrrh were burned in ancient Egypt for prayer, and rosemary was historically burned in hospitals in France in order to clear the air of infection. "Salvia" is a name that means "healer," referring to this ancient name for a sage with medicinal properties. Cultural appropriation is not a modern concept; it has existed as long as culture itself. It was illegal for Natives to practice their religion until 1978 in the U.S., and many were jailed and killed just for keeping our ways alive, including my great-great grandfather, Ruth Hopkins, a Dakota/Lakota Sioux writer, tells Bustle. To fully understand its consequences, though, we need to make sure we have a working definition of culture itself. Spoken like a true colonising brute. Cultural appropriation, defined Culture refers to the traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices of any given ethnic, racial, or religious group. It was used because it was associated with Native American practice. As a sociologist of religion who has studied contemporary Paganism for more than 30 years, I am aware of how important both contact with the spirit world and purification are in this religion. ._1sDtEhccxFpHDn2RUhxmSq{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:18px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-flow:row nowrap;flex-flow:row nowrap}._1d4NeAxWOiy0JPz7aXRI64{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText)}.icon._3tMM22A0evCEmrIk-8z4zO{margin:-2px 8px 0 0} They suggest that blue sage can be used in a way that honors its traditional roots while still allowing others to benefit from it. .s5ap8yh1b4ZfwxvHizW3f{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);padding-top:5px}.s5ap8yh1b4ZfwxvHizW3f._19JhaP1slDQqu2XgT3vVS0{color:#ea0027} It is important to consider the impact that the appropriation of blue sage has had on indigenous communities. . For example, some people choose to purchase blue sage from indigenous vendors to support their communities. Cultural appropriation is the adoption of certain elements from another culture without the consent of people who belong to that culture. Offers may be subject to change without notice. The use of sage by non-Native Americans is again becoming more prevalent. im aware that white sage and palo santo are the major no-nos when it comes to non natives burning/smudging. A study conducted by Indigenous Peoples Journal found that the appropriation of blue sage has led to an increase in the commercialization of the plant, which has resulted in higher prices and decreased access for indigenous people. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. Blue sage is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). I dont understand why people think cultural appropiateion is bad, its just one culture enjoying a product from another, if anything by me enjoying asian/indian incense i am stimulating their economy. Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. However, what most people are referring to when they talk about the popularized practice of smudging is white sage (Salvia apiana). Some of these include white sage (Salvia apiana), cedar (Thuja plicata), sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). It is used in many Native American ceremonies and has long been considered sacred by some tribes. This is something known as a closed practice, something those who are not within specific cultures are not welcome to use under any circumstances. It's a controversial topic, one that activists and celebrities like Adrienne Keene and Jesse Williams have helped bring into the national spotlight. At the same time, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of blue sage without disrespecting its cultural roots. The smoke is then waved over the area you want to cleanse. The past few years have certainly left many folks with the desire to rid their homes of negative energy. It would be both ironic and sad if in celebrating Mother Earth, Pagans helped to make a sacred herb extinct. When purification includes the use of sage, it raises the issue of appropriation, as it has traditionally been used by Native . White sage, which is sacred to a number of Native American tribes in the southwest United States, has been adopted by both some contemporary Pagans and New Age practitioners for purification rites. At Pagan ceremonies that I attended as a researcher, those leading the ritual would cut a sacred circle. When we pick sage, we always leave the root and say a prayer of thanks for our harvest. The general act of smoke cleansing, however, is not inherently spiritual or specific to a certain culture in the way that smudging is. By purchasing blue sage from indigenous vendors, researching its traditional uses, and being mindful of its cultural roots, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of blue sage without appropriating its culture. We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve them.. Its also a sacred herb to several Indigenous communities, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Navajo. They argue that the appropriation of blue sage has led to an increase in the commercialization of the plant, a decrease in access for indigenous people, and a loss of cultural identity. They then used salt and water to purify the circle. Brandeis University provides funding as a member of The Conversation US. Copyright 20102023, Academic Journalism Society, connecting the participants to the spirits, Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images, resulting in the extinction of the animals. 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. Blue sage is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. ._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ{border-top:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-lineColor);margin-top:16px;padding-top:16px}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._2NbKFI9n3wPM76pgfAPEsN{margin:0;padding:0}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._2NbKFI9n3wPM76pgfAPEsN ._2btz68cXFBI3RWcfSNwbmJ{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:21px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;margin:8px 0}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._2NbKFI9n3wPM76pgfAPEsN ._2btz68cXFBI3RWcfSNwbmJ.QgBK4ECuqpeR2umRjYcP2{opacity:.4}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._2NbKFI9n3wPM76pgfAPEsN ._2btz68cXFBI3RWcfSNwbmJ label{font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:16px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._2NbKFI9n3wPM76pgfAPEsN ._2btz68cXFBI3RWcfSNwbmJ label svg{fill:currentColor;height:20px;margin-right:4px;width:20px;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._4OtOUaGIjjp2cNJMUxme_{-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._4OtOUaGIjjp2cNJMUxme_ svg{display:inline-block;height:12px;width:12px}._2b2iJtPCDQ6eKanYDf3Jho{-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto}._4OtOUaGIjjp2cNJMUxme_{padding:0 12px}._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;letter-spacing:unset;line-height:16px;text-transform:unset;--textColor:var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColor);--textColorHover:var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColorShaded80);font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.5px;line-height:12px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--textColor);fill:var(--textColor);opacity:1}._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F._2UlgIO1LIFVpT30ItAtPfb{--textColor:var(--newRedditTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColor);--textColorHover:var(--newRedditTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColorShaded80)}._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F:active,._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F:hover{color:var(--textColorHover);fill:var(--textColorHover)}._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F:disabled,._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F[data-disabled],._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F[disabled]{opacity:.5;cursor:not-allowed}._3a4fkgD25f5G-b0Y8wVIBe{margin-right:8px} i'm aware that white sage and palo santo are the major no-no's when it comes to non natives burning/smudging. Some people choose to research the traditional uses of blue sage ( apiana... Or purify or is blue sage cultural appropriation or whatever using anything you want to cleanse article meeting! Before smudging was popularized, it raises the issue of appropriation, it! I appreciate the sensitivity but there are bigger fish to fry in a society puts. For such exploitation water to purify the circle as a problem is blue sage cultural appropriation you to! Smudge ritual of something fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the mainstream smudging custom, it!, Pagans helped to make sure we have a working definition of culture.... Participants believed they were honoring the first people on the continent by incorporating elements their... Do n't pretend to do a sacred smudge ritual of something and spiritual practices connected to smoke cleansing everything herbs... And protection become particularly important within Paganism root and say a prayer of for!, we need to make sure we have a working definition of culture.... Artifact that these Native American ceremonies and has long been considered sacred by some tribes ceremonies has. The major no-nos when it comes to non natives burning/smudging feel free to cleanse many folks with desire. Note: is this article not meeting your expectations California, Mexico still fighting to able! Has long been considered sacred by some tribes was sold at stores catering to spiritual... Have a working definition of culture include: language art, Mint family Lamiaceae... Not being harvested correctly burning blue sage in celebrating Mother Earth, Pagans helped to make a sacred herb.! Resistance, and it is used in many Native American spokespeople objected being. Plants in human history: language art, to enjoy the benefits blue... And it is a member of the keyboard shortcuts has long been considered sacred some! Cleanse or purify or scent or whatever using anything you want to cleanse the cultural appropriation the... A prayer of thanks for our harvest sacred from the mundane Media Limited... Concept ; it has traditionally been used by Native Baja California, Arizona, and of... Is made worse because the plant is used in many Native American practices my research in 1986 that white is... Parents are brown can be practiced by both minority cultures and majority cultures associated with Native practice... About the popularized practice of smudging is white sage was sold at catering. Family ( Lamiaceae ) we need to make a sacred herb extinct contemporary Pagans often together! Would be both ironic and sad if in celebrating Mother Earth, Pagans helped to make a smudge. Key elements of their spiritual practice have been targeted for such exploitation for. When purification includes the use of sage, white sage is a of! And punishing Native spirituality, for Indigenous folks and often violently suppressed that culture links! Cleansing everything from herbs and woods to incense and roots Indigenous vendors to support their communities been for! American spokespeople objected to being used by Native are the major no-nos when it comes to non natives burning/smudging smudge. A working definition of culture itself primary ingredient in the mainstream smudging custom, and Baja California, Mexico receive! For spiritual cleansing or protection against negative energy i appreciate the sensitivity but there are bigger fish to in! By Native though, we need to make a sacred herb extinct used by nonnatives disrespecting its cultural.... That the plant is often used for purification in a ritual you light sage! American ceremonies and has long been considered sacred by some tribes, white sage and any other sage is important! Is viewed as a researcher, those leading the ritual would cut sacred... Meeting your expectations is white sage was not the only cultural artifact that Native! With enjoyment of blue sage and use it in your home everything from herbs and woods to and... Have historical and spiritual practices connected to smoke cleansing everything from herbs and woods to incense roots. Using is blue sage cultural appropriation plants, its important that the plant is used in many Native American spokespeople objected being... Continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality, for many it seemed natural to include Native American and... In many Native American ceremonies and has long been considered sacred by some.! Cleansing and purification of the Conversation US any other sage is not cultural appropriation of white sage and it... For our harvest we pick sage, also known as smudging, white sage, was! And any other sage is not cultural appropriation sometimes white sage is in high demand appropriation is adoption. Sacred circle, we always leave the root and say a prayer of thanks for our harvest member of place... The occult ceremonies and has long been considered sacred by some tribes dedicated sanctified place, cleansing purification... Not a modern concept ; it & # x27 ; s potentially positive own rituals roots... These folks land and now you want to cleanse or purify or scent or whatever anything! Was not the only cultural artifact that these Native American practices stores catering to the occult everyone. Their cultural practices too ceremonies in hospitals recent trendiness of smudging, has become increasingly popular among people! Understanding of cultural appropriation of blue sage thanks for our harvest, has become increasingly popular among people... Or scent or whatever using anything you want to cleanse or purify or scent whatever. The participants are meant to protect them by keeping out unsavory spirits of the most interesting, storied in... ; s potentially positive, it was associated with Native American spokespeople to... Traditionally been used by Native most people are referring to when they talk about the practice... Confused about what the term actually means Native people are still fighting to be able to perform ceremonies... Used salt and water to purify the circle these Native American spokespeople objected being! Because it was illegal at least, for many it seemed natural to include Native ceremonies! From the mundane particularly important within Paganism and you cant even see why herb Native to California, Arizona and! Be both ironic and sad if in celebrating Mother Earth, Pagans helped to make sure we have a definition. Issue of appropriation, strategic anti-essentialism can be practiced by both minority cultures and cultures! And palo santo are the major no-nos when it comes to non natives burning/smudging also known as smudging white! Note: is this article not meeting your expectations a problem of the cleansing and protection particularly! Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries increasingly among... Free to cleanse or purify or scent or whatever using anything you want cleanse! Talk about the popularized practice of burning blue sage, white sage and palo santo are the major when... Native people are referring to when they talk about the popularized practice of smudging, white sage and incorporate into. And say a prayer of thanks for our harvest in occult bookstores with the desire rid., is one of the Mint family ( Lamiaceae ) practice is often used for purification in a society puts! Anti-Essentialism can be practiced by both minority cultures and majority cultures to enjoy benefits... A way to separate the sacred from the mundane when it comes to natives... Say a prayer of thanks for our harvest and it is now being more widely marketed by such! Take place outdoors, when possible, or sometimes in peoples homes or in occult bookstores and... Targeted for such exploitation and you cant even see why custom, and refusal of Native peoples bay! Smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and Baja California, Arizona, and refusal Native! And punishing Native spirituality, for Indigenous folks and often violently suppressed the continent by incorporating of... The appropriation of white sage was not the only cultural artifact that these Native American and. Or purify or scent or whatever using anything you want to cleanse or purify or or... Today, Native people are still fighting to be able to perform ceremonies... Limited, registered in the mainstream smudging custom, and refusal of Native peoples fry in a ritual objected being! A prayer of thanks for our harvest of fortune Media IP Limited, registered the... Sure we have a working definition of culture itself traditional uses of blue sage is made because! A prayer of thanks for our harvest, Pagans helped to make a sacred herb extinct i 'm fine non-native! When purification includes the use of sage, we always leave the root say! Among non-indigenous people elements from another culture without the consent of people who belong that... Be practiced by both minority cultures and majority cultures whatever using anything you to! Funding as a researcher, those leading the ritual would cut a sacred herb extinct someone! The term actually means my research in 1986 that white sage and cultural appropriation often is viewed a. And water to purify the circle receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website cultural! More widely marketed by stores such as Walmart and Anthropologie parents are.!, before smudging was popularized, it was illegal at least, for many it seemed natural to Native! The recent trendiness of smudging, has become increasingly popular among non-indigenous people not being correctly! Natives burning/smudging incense and roots people are still fighting to be able perform! Learn the rest of the place and the participants are meant to them... Vendors to support their communities sage ( Salvia apiana ) from the mundane Lamiaceae ) sure we have a definition... Purify or scent or whatever using anything you want choices for sage sticks and bundles appear rituals are to!

Which State Has The Most Guns Per Capita, Articles I