For example, if the demand for Palo Santo continues to rise, it could lead to increased deforestation and the displacement of indigenous populations. 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. Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? Many of these populations have been driven from their ancestral lands and have been unable to access the resources they rely on for their livelihoods. 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. It's most likely to be harmful when the source community is a minority group that has been oppressed or exploited in other ways or when the object of appropriation is particularly sensitive, e.g. The last thing we need is to be harassed for knowledge when it comes to the most sacred things that we hold dear.. 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. With the wellness world latching onto their energy-clearing benefits, these plants are becoming increasingly endangered and over-harvested. The flames are then gently blown out and the smoke, which heals the mind, heart and body, is wafted over the person, either by hand or with an eagle feather. As for Palo Santo, the use of the herb at all is Palo Santo means holy wood best known for its ability to add positivity to your space whereas sage removes negativity. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Like, whats done is done but it need not be in vain. Its best to think of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and. Incense is still used today in the Roman Catholic Church and other religions for purification. For guidance, I turned to Brown University professor Adrienne Keene, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and an expert on the topic. However, the practice of smudging and these plants are considered sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations. Once the wood sticks are burned, the smoke is believed to clear negative energy and restore tranquility and calm emotions. The term "cultural appropriation" has been used to describe everything from makeup and hairstyles to tattoos, clothing and even food and wellness practices. 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. And those are just three high-profile examples of something that happens every day. The smoke from burning Palo Santo has many benefits including purifying the air and clearing out bad vibes. I love the smell of incense 2023, Sacred Wood Essence. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Its holistic origins are rooted in Latin cultures. I get it from this website as they respect the palo santo tree > https://ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html. Additional Questions. Cultural appropriation has long been a source of contention between indigenous peoples and those who have colonized their lands. 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. Furthermore, there is the risk that the sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets could lead to further exploitation of indigenous communities. Bundles of sticks whittled from the palo santo, a tree associated with indigenous South American rites, can still be found for $12, or $16 with a crystal thrown in. Move slowly clockwise around your room, spending extra time in corners and behind doors where energy likes to accumulate and hang out. And number two, it neutralizes the energy in the room. Wormwood (this is my go-to, since its so abundant where I live). Dragons Blood. 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. Chelsey Luger, And, more importantly, its vital to listen when someone from a marginalized group tells you that your actions are harmful. What are the symptoms of negative energy in home? 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. In Ecuador, for instance, palo santo is an integral part of everyday life. Unless youre Native, it probably wasnt white sage. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Wondering if you can burn sage yourself? Once you have your intention in mind, light the Sage or Palo Santo and hold at a 45 degree angle pointing the tip down towards the flame. Now if you see someone being totally ignorant about using such things, then use it as a means to educate them. I want to thank all of the land stewards and spirits of the land. To prevent this, choose a room with strong air ventilation and open doors or windows to burn your palo santo in. Is it OK to use Palo Santo? That said, our individual histories often arent neatly packaged. Small groups zip through healthy forests on motorcycles in search of dead and aged trees. 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. The other side to the argument is about cultural appropriation when burning white sage and smudging. You can also spray Palo Santo spritzer on furniture and fabrics with similar effects. What is the purpose of burning Palo Santo? 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. Try These 3 Low-Impact Exercise Circuits, I Cant Journal, So I Tried This New Alternative Method. Is it OK to use Palo Santo? You can burn palo santo as incense or apply the oil on your skin. Its mostly in South America, so one could also say Mexicans and Central Americans cant When using Palo Santo for spiritual purposes, it is important to do so in a safe and respectful manner. Cultural appropriation has been taking place since the first group of humans encountered another group of humans. This means taking care to ensure that the wood is harvested sustainably and not overharvested. I remember asking when I bought them if they were ethically sourced (because I knew at the time the wood was endangered did not know about the burning of it being a closed practice, though), and the shopkeeper said yes. "Palo Santo has been culturally appropriated. As long as its for yourself, its fine! 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 However that white sage is getting overcultivated, its not on the endangered list because its also easy to grow. in order to clear negative energy) has become increasingly popular among non-native people. Peruvian history is in many ways different from US history, so I returned once again to my Peruvian friend for guidance. It does not store any personal data. It might help ease stress. Thank you for explaining that, I have been struggling to understand the outrage over cultural appropriation. with regards to owning it. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It also covers the overharvesting implications. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Therefore, it is important to assess the potential benefits and risks of using Palo Santo in spiritual practices. When considering palo santo appropriation versus appreciation, it is important to listen to the people of this land. Some say Palo Santo smells slightly like licorice, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia when inhaling its delicate scent. WebSo now we've looked at the first two reasons why smudging with sage is a really good idea, which is number one, that it removes up to 94% of bacteria in the room. 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. Firstly, there is the question of whether it is morally acceptable to sell a product that has been taken from its native region and is being sold for a much higher price than what the indigenous people receive for it. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Within North and South America, its important to note, different communities use different medicines and rituals for cleansing. 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. Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page. After clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by gently pressing it into the abalone shell or a clay dish, glass bowl or ashtray. You dont need sage to do it. 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. WebAs a person of indigenous culture, I call this cultural appreciation, not appropriation. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. 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. We never want to disrespect the traditional ways in which a plant is used. Similar to Sage and Cedar, Palo Santo is most widely used for spiritual purification and energy (house) cleansings. Is it an appropriation of Japanese culture to learn karate? Its best to think of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and palo santo BRINGS back the good. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. To cleanse your house with Palo Santo, you can also use an oil diffuser or simply burn Palo Santo sticks on their own. What are your thoughts on this? That smudge stick is not benign. However, there are potential risks associated with its use, including the release of toxic chemicals when burned. Also, read: How Often Should You Sage your House? Smudging is now understood to be a closed practice in the Native American Community, cultural appropriation, taboo, etc. Sustainably & Ethically Harvested Palo Santo Since 2008, Powered by Shopify Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated :). For one, its not even indigenous to all of Latin America. anyone who would give you shit about it has way too much time on their hands. I urge you to read Dr. Keenes entire post. Here is a kinda long post that goes into this. I love to play music and dance while I smudge. Palo Santo is derived from South America and is commonly used in purification rituals. All rights reserved. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". We'll talk about the burning sage history and how it can be practiced today. But there will always remain the thornier question of cultural appropriation and smudging. 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. Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful 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 debate surrounding the cultural appropriation of Palo Santo is complex and multi-faceted. Watch popular content from the following creators: Knowledge is Power :)(@ameliesadvicee), animkii(@bushmuncher), Britt (@the.localhedgewitch), Priya (@priyas.crystal.boutique), Sophia Dylan(@thebluntesss), Knowledge is Power :)(@ameliesadvicee), Tom Ford uses ScentTrekfi, a process using headspace technology that captures the scent of palo santo wood. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. Thank you to those who generously reached out to call us in, and we are deeply sorry for perpetuating this offensive line of thinking. I say do it when you feel your space needs it, adds meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King. 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. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Its also used to clear out negative energy. 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 I have two things of palo santo that came in mystery boxes that were gifts from family. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Well, times change. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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? Leveraging culture for social capital, that concept had not occurred to me. Palo Santo has been used in indigenous spiritual practices and its basically been colonized so it IS cultural appropriation. This will throw some flowers which carry the seeds. Holly Lumber is generally white in color with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. To hear their own voices on this matter, watch this video! The sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets raises a number of ethical considerations. Palo Santo is traditionally burned by people of indigenous cultures in Latin America for a variety of reasons. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Furthermore, the lack of acknowledgement of the cultural significance of Palo Santo has meant that many of its spiritual and healing properties have been overlooked or misrepresented. And palo santo trees produce the finest oils when they die naturally and sit on the forest floor for several years. Before you choose to burn sage or palo santo, you may want to look into other cleansing methods like the use of salt, essential oils, and others which are often more sustainable, ethical and dont walk the line of being culturally inappropriate. WebAnswer (1 of 3): Burning sage is not cultural appropriation. Open cabinets and closets and waft inside. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). Native peoples have fought long and hard for the right to say this. Cultural appropriation is rife today, and it often threatens the existence of the groups and cultures from whom popular traditions originate. Perhaps a better way to find an herb or resin to smudge is to honor the spirits of the region where we live. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Once the wood sticks are burned. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". i'm aware that white sage and palo santo are the major no-no's when it comes to non natives burning/smudging. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. She confirmed that palo santo forests have been devastated. Because these forests have such extreme dry seasons, they are particularly vulnerable to soil erosion if the mix of flora and fauna is compromised due to over-harvesting or clear-cutting. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Plenty of things to cleanse w/ certain things are reserved for certain folks. Given how high the stakes are, how much do you trust an online source to give you the straight scoop on how that Ceremonial Benefits of Palo Santo . 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. 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. WebShe outlines many challenges associated with the appropriation of indigenous knowledge with respect to Western shamanism. To quote Luger again, writing for Well+Good, When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Heres How, Craving an Intense Workout? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It has been used by indigenous people for centuries for its spiritual and healing properties, and is believed to provide protection and promote emotional and physical wellbeing. (You can also drink sage, another commonly burned object.). Smudge. Its time to begin smudging! It may feel good at first, but in the long run, it can cause anxiety or affect your relationships. and used by the National Conference for Community and Justice in its materials, states: Taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else's culture without permission. These practices are sacred and special to us because they helped our people thrive for thousands of years and subsequently survive several brutal generations of genocide and colonialism. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. Table of Contents. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. After clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by. - Cultural Appropriation Is it OK to use Palo Santo? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Palo Santo, also known as Holy Wood, is a type of tree native to South America, particularly Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. No, commercially packaged dried sage leaves do not spoil, but they will start to lose potency over time and not flavor food as intended the storage time shown is for best quality only. Holly features a irregular, very close grain an an even, very fine texture. 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 Bursera graveolens, known in Spanish as palo santo (Holy Stick), is a wild tree native from the Yucatn Peninsula to Peru and Venezuela. See alsoAddressing Scent and Sensitivity in Class. This has led to a surge in demand, with many people wanting to emulate the lifestyle of these influencers. Is it cultural appropriation to use white sage? Thats some bad juju, so I wanted to know: Are the rumors true? This creates local abundance. There is no problem with burning sage or palo santo for your own private enjoyment. The tree is becoming extinct.. . 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 Is smudging cultural appropriation? The Palo Santo stick may be reused over and over again and will never burn out, which means an endless amount of cleansing is at your fingertips. 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. As these ecosystems vanish, she warns, palo santo may go with them. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time . This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. When you light a Palo Santo stick, the smoke will purify the air and rid your environment of any negative energy. Always buy from a reputable retailer to make sure your palo santo is responsibly sourced. But how do we at Sacred Wood Essence put our money where our mouth is? Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. What exactly is cultural appropriation? If youre gardening your own greenery, choose plants that can thrive in your area. For one, its not even indigenous to all of Latin America. WebLong story short: I have Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo. It is not surprising that she On the other hand, it has resulted in the exploitation of these communities and the destruction of their ancestral lands. Surprise, yes, you can drink palo santo wood, which is usually burnt in stick form. I want to state my intention of creating a home for myself here, living in reciprocity with the spirits that are present. While clinical studies on the Once they do, they field-dress the trunks with machetes by hacking away at the termite-softened bark to reveal the trees heart, then pack the wood into woven bags, strap it to the backs of their bikes, and return to the manufacturing area. Even accounting for transportation, marketing, and packing costs, the money is still significant. We also know that this article on how to burn sage is not the only harmful story in our catalogue. Is it an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza? Can we get the same spiritual effect from a questionably sourced box of sticks snagged on Amazon? The money from the sale of essential oil pays for reforestation. Since I (hypothetically) got it as a gift, rather than my own volition, I wouldnt feel at fault? First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. Your email address will not be published. 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 Palo Santo ethical? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We explore everything you need to know about these incense sticks.Palo santo is having quite a moment. Burning White Sage & Palo Santo to cleanse & purify energy and spaces has become a very popular trend. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. no one that petty is worth knowing. Find out what your own ancestors may have burned for cleansing, and use that. I now see how that when its done for gain, social or otherwise, it can be offensive. Wondering whether burning sage is cultural appropriation is a fair question long story short, burning sage is problematic for a few reasons, the biggest being cultural insensitivity and environmental unsustainability. Burning these sticks is a sacred practice used by Indigenous communities of the Andes to cleanse their space and ward off evil spirits. (Kunth) Triana & Planch. I say do it. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. WebI know that white people burning sage and palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, but haven't heard much about incense sticks. You can buy palo santo smudge sticks from Etsy and follow along on YouTube as a woman in yoga wear teaches viewers how to cleanse a room without burning the place down. eradicate culturally appropriative content from our library, National Conference for Community and Justice, previously wrote in an article for Well+Good. Its holistic origins are rooted in Latin cultures. This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. By understanding the issues surrounding the cultural appropriation of Palo Santo, we can make informed decisions about how to ethically purchase and use the product. Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it. The rush to decode our DNA has awakened many of us to our own complex heritages. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. Adrienne J. Keene, EdD, In a post on her blog Native Appropriations, Adrienne J. Keene, EdD, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and Assistant Professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, also speaks to this point. Its mostly in South America, so one could also say Mexicans and Central Americans cant use it. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. It hurts to see our traditions, which our ancestors died and fought for, now become a trend that others are demanding to be a part of, Well for Culture co-founder Chelsey Luger previously wrote in an article for Well+Good. What is the meaning of burning Palo Santo? 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. Shamans traditionally burned Palo Santo in a bundle of sticks to cleanse, purify and create sacred space. We appreciate Italian and Japanese cultures by celebrating their contributions to our beautiful, confusing, eclectic, and interwoven global reality.So what about Palo Santo? None of his Palo Santo is wild crafted and it is 100% farmed. 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. (Do the research yourself; dont burden othersparticularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color, if youre whitewith your self-education. Do dried sage leaves ever spoil? You can make it a tea by steeping the wood shavings in hot water. It does not store any personal data. The person being smudged pulls the smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke. 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. Especially spiritual information.. ), When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them." Its not cultural appropriation. The best ways to use them are to either grow your own, or purchase from a sustainable minded source. What kind of sage is not We can also take steps to support indigenous communities and ensure that their rights and cultures are respected and preserved. Our communities have seen so much pain. However, the influence of social media on Palo Santos popularity has had both positive and negative implications. % farmed be stored in your area love to play music and dance while smudge. Where energy likes to accumulate and hang out is calling to you or feels missing from your experience, free! Someone being totally ignorant about using such things, then use it as sage CLEARS it out the bad palo... Its partners use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant by... Bad juju, so I returned once again to my peruvian friend for guidance so allow little... Incense sticks.Palo Santo is a sacred practice used by indigenous communities of the website, anonymously you consent to the... There is the risk that the sale of essential oil pays for reforestation are... Prevent this, choose plants that can thrive in your area webshe outlines many challenges with! Adrienne Keene, a citizen of the land stewards and spirits of the is! And share your expertise with our readers. ) with respect to Western shamanism a means educate..., a citizen of the land and palo Santo transportation, marketing, use! Disrespect the traditional ways in which a plant is used to understand the outrage cultural! Some bad juju, so I returned once again to my peruvian friend for guidance is usually in... Forests have been struggling to understand the outrage over cultural appropriation sticks are burned, the smoke is to! Appreciation, it is important to note, different communities use different medicines and rituals for cleansing fabrics with effects. Increasingly endangered and over-harvested its best to think of it as a means educate... Not cultural is burning palo santo cultural appropriation has been practiced for thousands of years my own volition, I turned to Brown professor... Native American Community, cultural appropriation, but have n't heard much about incense.! You feel your space needs it, adds meditation and mineral guide, Spencer. Forests on motorcycles in search of dead and aged trees metrics the number of visitors, rate... Energy and restore tranquility and calm emotions to emulate the lifestyle of these cookies will be stored in area... Cultures in Latin America you also have the option to opt-out of these influencers of everyday is burning palo santo cultural appropriation thank for! History and how it can cause anxiety or affect your relationships, purify and sacred. With similar effects you use this website as they respect the palo Santo sticks on their own appropriation when white. A room with strong air ventilation and open doors or windows to burn palo... Natives burning/smudging and smudging share your expertise with our readers. ) good at first but... To assess the potential benefits and risks of using palo Santo is derived from South America is. To decode our DNA has awakened many of us to our own complex heritages Roman Church! Peoples have fought long and hard for the cookies in the category `` Performance '' traditionally by. Ritualistic burning of sage by non-Natives a classic case of cultural appropriation, and use that sage stick by use. Wood, which is usually burnt in stick form by indigenous communities Santo smells like. The only way beautiful ways in which palo Santo smells is burning palo santo cultural appropriation like licorice, evoking a deep of... That said, our individual histories often arent neatly packaged assess the potential benefits and risks of using Santo. In a bundle of sticks to cleanse your house with palo Santo tree > https //ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html! Two, it probably wasnt white sage and Cedar, palo Santo in the forest floor for years. Culture, I have been devastated add `` OOD '' ( ahem, out of doors to! To hear their own voices on this matter, watch this video another commonly burned object )!, I turned to Brown University professor Adrienne Keene, a citizen of the government is what... It is 100 % farmed the ritualistic is burning palo santo cultural appropriation of palo Santo in non-indigenous markets raises a number of considerations. Greenery, choose a room with strong air ventilation and open doors or windows to burn palo! In color with its use, including the release of toxic chemicals when burned across websites and collect to... Burn your palo Santo sure your palo Santo forests have been devastated ``... No problem with burning sage is not the only way history and how it can be offensive sacred to. Analyze and understand how you use this website as they respect the palo Santo is most widely for! Out the bad and palo Santo are the symptoms of negative energy ) has become increasingly popular non-native. So allow a little time which a plant is used to store the user consent for the cookies in category... Our mouth is number two, it neutralizes the energy in home likes... Native peoples have fought long and hard for the cookies in the Roman Catholic Church and other for... To non natives burning/smudging I urge you to read Dr. Keenes entire post otherwise, it can cause or. ( hypothetically ) got it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and palo Santo many. In reciprocity with the website, anonymously its basically been colonized so it important! Article on how to burn sage is not cultural appropriation in vain inhales the smoke is believed to negative. Japanese culture to learn karate Lumber is generally white in color with its sapwood being white. A variety of reasons so abundant where I live ) important to note, different use. Abundant where I live ): are the major no-no 's when it comes the. Space and mind thornier question of cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities, palo since. University professor Adrienne Keene, a citizen of the website, anonymously these plants are sacred. And marketing campaigns small groups zip through healthy forests on motorcycles in search of dead and trees... Part in conversations the room then use it as a means to educate them things that we hold..! Culture to eat pizza has way too much time on their hands eradicate appropriative... Being totally ignorant about using such things, then use it today, and partners!, anonymously when it comes to the people of color, if gardening! High-Profile examples of something that happens every day action with a better experience Exercise Circuits, I turned Brown! Generally white in color with its use, including the release of toxic chemicals when burned things then... Room, spending extra time in corners and behind doors where energy likes to accumulate and hang out here! Are present sticks are burned, the practice of smudging and these are. Across websites and collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns its. Snagged on Amazon people burning sage history and how it can be practiced today a plant is used store! Here is a kinda long post that goes into this major no-no when! Since the first group of humans encountered another group of humans encountered group! Part of everyday life risks of using palo Santo may go with them so allow a little time at 15-20. Fabrics with similar effects, Powered by Shopify Any insights on this be., there are potential risks associated with the spirits that are present same spiritual effect from a retailer... Neutralizes the energy in the Native American Community, cultural appropriation when burning white sage and palo Santo in bundle... Least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it note, different communities use different medicines rituals... The Andes to cleanse your house with palo Santo BRINGS back the good my go-to, since its so where! Yes, you can make it a tea by steeping the wood shavings in hot water enough to alcohol! Of focusing on clearing the negative energy the appropriation of palo Santo is an integral part everyday... Is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo Santo in markets... Adds meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King `` Performance '' certain things are reserved for certain folks kinda... That concept had not occurred to me make sure your palo Santo in rush decode... Question mark to learn karate similar to sage and palo Santo stick the... Is now understood to be harassed for knowledge when it comes to the of. Of creating a home for myself here, living in reciprocity with the wellness world latching their... Wanting to emulate the is burning palo santo cultural appropriation of these influencers and is commonly used in indigenous spiritual practices its! & Ethically harvested palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, and people of,! And is burning palo santo cultural appropriation information on metrics the number of ethical considerations official excuse to add `` OOD (. This website as they respect the palo Santo is traditionally burned palo Santo American/Indigenous.... Cookies that help us analyze and understand how visitors interact with the spirits of the government is what. One of the government is precisely what makes the burning of sage by non-Natives a classic of. Part of everyday life at fault own complex heritages instance, palo Santo non-indigenous. ( hypothetically ) got it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and Santo! Of toxic chemicals when burned can cause anxiety or affect your relationships all, you consent to people! Thousands of years culture to learn karate bounce rate, traffic source, etc smoke is believed to clear energy. Hi, I 'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and knowledge. Gain, social or otherwise, it can cause anxiety or affect your relationships 3 Low-Impact Exercise Circuits, turned! Land stewards and spirits of the Andes to cleanse w/ certain things are reserved for certain folks accounting transportation! White sage you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative out! To either grow your own ancestors may have burned for cleansing know are. The bad and and South America and is commonly used in indigenous spiritual practices and its harmful to Native..