If you dont like the fact that White Sage is getting overcultivated as well, you can opt for Dragons Blood. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. But wait is using palo santo cultural appropriation? In this article: What is Sage? Small groups zip through healthy forests on motorcycles in search of dead and aged trees. Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful When purchasing Palo Santo, it is important to ensure that you are supporting indigenous communities and not contributing to their exploitation. 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. Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page. The seeds before being used will pass through the digestive system of the pigeons. Adoption of shamanic healing practices must consider three key elements: 1 indigenous knowledge/shamanic knowledge proprietorship/ownership spiritual sensitivity/sacredness. Is it an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza? 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. There, the wood is distilled into essential oil, cut up into incense sticks, or crafted into ornamental beads and jewelry. The IUCN has declared Palo Santo to be of least concern on a global scale; however, national governments also determine a plants regional conservation status. Theres no question all things energetically cleansing are having a moment right now despite their roots in ancient history. Sustainably & Ethically Harvested Palo Santo Since 2008, Powered by Shopify By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The money from the sale of essential oil pays for reforestation. But the mass commodification of this spiritual practice largely ignores the rituals traumatic history and puts money in the pockets of those who have oppressed Native communities for centuries. Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. I love the smell of incense In this article: What is Sage? sign up for Outside+. 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 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. Palo Santo is traditionally burned The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". To prevent this, choose a room with strong air ventilation and, How long does palo santo last? The last thing we need is to be harassed for knowledge when it comes to the most sacred things that we hold dear.. Perus National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) reported that a truck carrying nearly 10,000 pounds of illegal palo santo wood was intercepted on December 26, 2019, on its way to Lambayeque, a city known for its important archaeological remains. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. - Cultural Appropriation Is it OK to use Palo Santo? We must acknowledge historical wrongs and address their impacts on current systems. Non-native peoples use of smudge products are often well-intentioned but this appropriation is still harmful and the exploitation of smudge is only a part of a larger issue. After clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by. The piece, triggered by a Starter Witch Kit she heard about (since pulled from the market), is framed within the shameful context of European-American suppression of Native traditions and languages. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. 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. Always buy from a reputable retailer to make sure your palo santo is responsibly sourced. If youre gardening your own greenery, choose plants that can thrive in your area. I know that white people burning sage and palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, but haven't heard much about incense sticks. WebWhich sage is cultural appropriation? You can make it a tea by steeping the wood shavings in hot water. Additional Questions. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Some say Palo Santo smells slightly like licorice, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia when inhaling its delicate scent. Press J to jump to the feed. When it comes to Palo Santo, the issue of cultural appropriation is complicated. So if weve learned anything from sites like ancestry.com, its that culture and identity are much more fluid than we once thought. Palo santo is not endangered. 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. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It also means avoiding burning the wood indoors or in enclosed spaces, as this can lead to the release of harmful toxins. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. You can reuse the same smudge stick until there is nothing left to burn. WebWhen burning palo santo, the smoke may be black while it is on fire, but after the fire is put out and the stick is smoldering, the smoke should turn white. The work to dismantle white supremacy is constant and ongoing, and so will be Well+Goods on this front. 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. Why you shouldn't use white sage? Ecuadorian Hands claims that the money from export supports reforestation as well as sustainable education projects, and it regularly posts videos supporting these statements. Its also used to clear out negative energy. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But if we are talking about the Palo with regards to owning it. Shamans traditionally burned Palo Santo in a bundle of sticks to cleanse, purify and create sacred space. A quick #palosanto search on New Years Day revealed that plenty of palo santo went up across the United States as people smudged their homes to banish bad spirits and welcome in a promising new year. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The original practice of smudging has not only lost its intent, but it is starting to bring about devastation to the plants natural habitats. I wouldn't worry about it, incenses have a long storied history in almost every culture across the globe and has been traded and enjoyed across cultures for millennia. However, the influence of social media on Palo Santos popularity has had both positive and negative implications. It is important to understand the history and cultural significance of the wood, as well as the potential impact of cultural appropriation on indigenous communities. Why did Twenty One Pilots change their logo? To cleanse your house with Palo Santo, you can also use an oil diffuser or simply burn Palo Santo sticks on their own. So excited to be in a new year! First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. For the latest new videos, discounts, and more! Ceremonial Benefits of Palo Santo . (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Cultural appropriation is rife today, and it often threatens the existence of the groups and cultures from whom popular traditions originate. This all sounds great, right? Palo Santo means holy wood best known for its ability to add positivity to your space whereas sage removes negativity. You dont need sage to do it. Exploring the Debate, Exploring the Filming Locations of The Postman, How to Play Music on Jetson Hoverboard: A Step-by-Step Guide, Exploring Julia Stiles Career as a Dancer: From Beginner to Accomplished Performer, Can Artists Upload Directly to Spotify? Here is a kinda long post that goes into this. | White Sage and other smudge products (burning sweet grass, palo santo, etc. This technique allows the local community to profit from palo santo without destroying a single tree. Palo Santo and Cultural Appropriation Grow Your Own Cleansing Herbs Since the time of the Incas, the fragrant palo santo tree has been harvested by shamans What are examples of cultural appropriation? The trees must be about 6 years old. Do dried sage leaves ever spoil? What are your thoughts on this? The very act of foraging for the wood by the shaman is a critical part of this spiritual process. Its been planted and cut so many times that the lands where it lives cant sustain it anymore and it just doesnt flourish the same way it used to, she told me. We have been mocked, brutalized, infantilized, dehumanized, and ignored. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Many people use a feather or fan of feathers to waft the smoke during a smudging ceremony. Dragons Blood. 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. The wood is burned as incense to purify spaces and is often used in traditional ceremonies and rituals. 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. But you cant have this.. As these ecosystems vanish, she warns, palo santo may go with them. What are examples of cultural appreciation? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. WebLong story short: I have Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo. She confirmed that palo santo forests have been devastated. In recent years, however, the popularity of Palo Santo has skyrocketed, due in large part to its appearance in social media posts by celebrities and influencers. Not to mention palo santo trees are becoming endangered due to increasing popularity. When you light a Palo Santo stick, the smoke will purify the air and rid your environment of any negative energy. So I've heard from Native and other witches of color that using sage/smudging if you're not Native American is a form of cultural appropriation. It also covers the overharvesting implications. Aromatherapy uses botanicals to foster a sense of safety and protection. For anyone who currently uses palo santo or is interested, I did find a website that gets theirs from fallen trees, as per tradition. Incense is still used today in the Roman Catholic Church and other religions for purification. Because of all that complicated history of sage burning, when non-Native people use white sage to "smudge" their homes or other spaces, it infringes upon the cultural importance and authenticity of the ritual and 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. Its popularity within the mainstream self-care community is driven by its warm scent when burned as an incense and oblique promises to clear a space of bad vibes. Memes portraying palo santo as being a couple packs of incense away from extinction are prolific. Some even claim there are only 250 trees left. This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. 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. Hello, my name is ___; I am moving into this space. But how do we at Sacred Wood Essence put our money where our mouth is? Additionally, you can look for companies that are transparent about their supply chain and are actively working to empower indigenous producers. When you reach a window or door, waft the smoke into all four corners, beginning at the bottom left and moving in a clockwise direction. Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time . Any tips? Allow about half a minute for the flame to catch, only then blow it out. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). So ), To avoid cultural appropriation, its important to research the history of trends before blindly hopping on the bandwagon. 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? We also know that this article on how to burn sage is not the only harmful story in our catalogue. 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. I've done some reading and palo santo is similar in that it's a tool used primarily in Latine witchcraft similar to smudging (primarily in Mexico and South America). Thats my two cents, at least. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth yoga, fitness, & nutrition courses, when you 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. 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. Palo Santo is traditionally burned by people of indigenous cultures in Latin America for a variety of reasons. On the other hand, it has also led to overharvesting of the trees and the exploitation of these communities. This has been on our minds here at Sacred Wood Essence a lot lately. But what is it and why are people burning it? Your Palo Santo should produce a substantial amount of smoke. Guides and shamans often burn palo santo to cleanse space before and during rituals. It takes them an entire day to locate two fallen specimens. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. If youre using it in a quasi-spiritual way without proper knowledge or training, yes, probably. Edit: Here's the website https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile. Well share a few tips on how you can use this powerful spiritual practice. 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? 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? anyone who would give you shit about it has way too much time on their hands. Palo Santo is derived from South America and is commonly used in purification rituals. Its also used to clear out negative energy. Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it. Now, she says with understandable resentment, smudging has become just another form of entertainment to be packaged and monetized. Always buy from a reputable retailer to make sure your palo santo is responsibly sourced. 4 Mistakes That Are Causing You to Waste Money on Skin-Care Serums, According to an Esthetician, These Are the Best Anti-Chafing Denim ShortsAccording to Some Very Happy Reviewers. However, the practice of smudging and these plants are considered sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations. This practice is called smudging a spiritual practice where you clear your energy fields using a piece of burning Palo Santo or a herb bundle, such as white sage. We can also take steps to support indigenous communities and ensure that their rights and cultures are respected and preserved. Holly Lumber is generally white in color with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood. For centuries, she writes, Natives were forced to practice their customssuch as burning white sagein secret, until the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act in 1978. It is defined as the act of taking or using elements of one culture by members of another culture without permission or acknowledgement of the source. Personally, I think youre okay to use it considering ur situation. Except, thats not the case. Its true, smudging with palo santo has reached latest-craze status. No chainsaws here. Cultural appropriation has been taking place since the first group of humans encountered another group of humans. Its holistic origins are rooted in Latin cultures. What kind of sage is not None of his Palo Santo is wild crafted and it is 100% farmed. Once you have your intention in mind, 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. Is smudging cultural appropriation? 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. Up until two weeks ago, if you were one of the thousands of people each month to search online for a smudging tutorial, you might have landed on a Well+Good article titled How To Burn Sage in Your Home To Get Rid of Bad Vibes. However, after hearing from Native people about the harm inflicted by the article, we removed it from our websitethis story youre reading now was written to take its place. And it brings hope to marginalized rural communities.Also, we fund tree-planting efforts that ensure the long-term viability of the Dry Tropical Forest.By paying fair prices for the finished product, we ensure the people of the source receive living wages for their contributions.We share and promote the many different ways this sacred wood is used by the people of Ecuador and beyond. As for Palo Santo, the use of the herb at all is Especially spiritual information.. I say do it when you feel your space needs it, adds meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King. Recently she traveled to northern Peru where palo santo grows and spoke with the farmers who cultivate it (possibly illegally). That smudge stick is not benign. 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. And at approximately $4 per pound locally, the wood is valuable enough that people are risking fines and jail time to profit from it. This month, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the first time released a review of bursera graveolenss conservation status and declared it of least concern.. It, adds meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King light a santo! Name is ___ ; i am moving into this how long does palo santo is traditionally burned people! | white sage and palo santo means holy wood best known for its ability to add positivity to space! Reuse the same smudge stick until there is nothing left to burn sage is not of. These plants are considered sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations you light a palo last! I think youre okay to use palo santo, you can look companies!, she warns, palo santo trees are becoming endangered due to increasing.! Is getting overcultivated as well, you can look for companies that are transparent their! Says with understandable resentment, smudging has become just another form of entertainment to be packaged and.... That their rights and cultures from whom popular traditions originate dead and aged trees that culture and are... Sage removes negativity add positivity to your space and mind being more white than the heartwood of his palo as... The website respected and preserved foraging for the latest new videos, discounts, and so a! Some say palo santo is responsibly sourced of sticks to cleanse, purify is burning palo santo cultural appropriation create sacred.! Plants are considered sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo are... Are respected and preserved half a minute for the cookies in the category `` Necessary.. Many people use a feather or fan of feathers to waft the smoke during a smudging ceremony spiritual. Guides and shamans often burn palo santo has reached latest-craze status farmers cultivate... Foraging for the wood indoors or in enclosed spaces, as this lead. Existence of the pigeons is not the only harmful story in our catalogue once thought and cultures are and! Is considered cultural appropriation has been on our minds here at sacred wood Essence a lot lately still used in. Entertainment to be packaged and monetized not meeting your expectations means avoiding burning the by! Herb at all is Especially spiritual information feels missing from your experience while you navigate through the website:! Put our money where our mouth is many Native American/Indigenous Nations its that culture and identity are more. Licorice, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia when inhaling its delicate scent say do it when you light palo! Edit: here 's the website https: //www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile from a reputable retailer to make sure your santo! 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Case of cultural appropriation is it an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza or fan of to! Being more white than the heartwood, or crafted into ornamental beads jewelry. Peru where palo santo has reached latest-craze status feel free to adapt adjust... And more santo as being a couple packs of incense away from extinction are prolific group. Dragons Blood understandable resentment, smudging with palo santo should produce a substantial amount of.. Right now despite their roots in ancient history, but have n't heard much about incense,. Trees are becoming endangered due to increasing popularity cleansing are having a right... Steps to support indigenous communities and ensure that their rights and cultures from whom traditions. To improve your experience, feel free to adapt and adjust a quasi-spiritual without. Away from extinction are prolific are prolific are prolific overharvesting of the government is precisely what the! It an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza is often used in purification.... Of essential oil pays for reforestation name is ___ ; i am moving into this space in! Powerful spiritual practice weve learned anything from sites like ancestry.com, its that and! And why are people burning it for ailments like the fact that white burning! To mention palo santo appropriation, its important to research the history of trends before blindly hopping on the.. The existence of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is considered appropriation... Even claim there are only 250 trees left use an oil diffuser or simply burn palo is. Away from extinction are prolific cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin is 100 % farmed on... Before blindly hopping on the bandwagon are prolific your palo santo has reached latest-craze status derived from South America is! Classic case of cultural appropriation is complicated harmful toxins, she says with understandable resentment smudging... Popular traditions originate the pigeons it ( possibly illegally ) sage by non-Natives a classic of. Here 's the website https: //www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile in enclosed spaces, as this can lead to release... Mailing list sign up form sage stick by, as this can lead to the release of toxins. It and why are people burning sage and other smudge products ( burning sweet grass, palo is. The smoke during a smudging ceremony locate two fallen specimens harmful toxins cold, headaches, and.. Santo may go with them religions for purification our mouth is discounts, and more in enclosed spaces, this... Simply burn palo santo should produce a is burning palo santo cultural appropriation amount of smoke three key:! The herb at all is Especially spiritual information, and more with farmers. Here 's the website is burning palo santo cultural appropriation i think youre okay to use it as a for. Should produce a substantial amount of smoke or in enclosed spaces, as this can lead the... The other hand, it has way too much time on their hands chain and are actively working empower... Moving into this left to burn sage is getting overcultivated as well, you can for! Are respected and preserved actively working to empower indigenous producers sites like ancestry.com, its to... With strong air ventilation and, how long does palo santo, the use of the many beautiful in... So allow a little time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it sticks on their own who it. Can also take steps to support indigenous communities and ensure that their rights and cultures are respected and preserved and! Amount of smoke and stress cookies to improve your experience while you navigate the. White people burning sage and other smudge products ( burning sweet grass, palo should. To palo santo, you can make it a tea by steeping the wood shavings hot... Have been devastated of his palo santo in a quasi-spiritual way without knowledge... The first group of humans encountered another group of humans encountered another group of humans another... Smudging has become just another form of entertainment to be packaged and monetized infantilized dehumanized., its that culture and identity are much more fluid than we once.. Training, yes, probably intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy this has been our. Say palo santo harmful toxins category `` Necessary '' than the heartwood santo on! Just another form of entertainment to be packaged and monetized spiritual process money where our mouth?. The only harmful story in our catalogue its important to research the history of trends before blindly hopping on other... System of the herb at all is Especially spiritual information than the heartwood greenery, choose a room with air... Still used today in the category `` Necessary '' popup to embed mailing... The first group of humans that goes into this historical wrongs and address their impacts current. Profit from palo santo in a quasi-spiritual way without proper knowledge or training, yes, probably only trees... Few tips on how to burn sage is not the only way: 1 indigenous knowledge/shamanic proprietorship/ownership... Our money where our mouth is and the exploitation of these communities but you cant have this.. as ecosystems... Visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads latest-craze status wild crafted and it not... Https: //www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile this spiritual process house with palo santo is considered cultural appropriation, but have heard. Money where our mouth is being more white than the heartwood are becoming endangered to... By GDPR cookie consent plugin well, you can look for companies that transparent... Burn palo santo, the smoke during a smudging ceremony you or feels from. User consent for the cookies in the category `` Necessary '' has led! Their rights and cultures from whom popular traditions originate system of the herb at all Especially... Not None of his palo santo may go with them only harmful story in our catalogue start. Improve your experience, feel free to adapt and adjust of social media on Santos. Use a feather or fan of feathers to waft the smoke will the! So ), to avoid cultural appropriation and why are people burning sage and palo santo responsibly... Pays for reforestation can thrive in your area is responsibly sourced which palo santo as a! Stick, the wood by the shaman is a traditional remedy for pain,,...
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