I love the smell of incense (Nag Champa specifically) but now I'm getting worried that I shouldn't be burning it as a white person. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. But how do we at Sacred Wood Essence put our money where our mouth is? 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. It takes them an entire day to locate two fallen specimens. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. This can include unauthorized use of another culture's dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc. The original practice of smudging has not only lost its intent, but it is starting to bring about devastation to the plants natural habitats. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. This technique allows the local community to profit from palo santo without destroying a single tree. Therefore, it is important to consider the potential risks and benefits of selling Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets before doing so. Inspire your practice, deepen your knowledge, and stay on top of the latest news. Surprise, yes, you can drink palo santo wood, which is usually burnt in stick form. When considering palo santo appropriation versus appreciation, it is important to listen to the people of this land. This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. Can non-native Americans smudge? Some people do this [smudge] every day, as a ritual or way to start their day. See: Katy Perrys infamous geisha costume at the 2013 American Music Awards; Kim Kardashian wearing what she called Bo Derek braids; and the branding of hip hop yoga studio Y7, for which the founder issued an apology for appropriating and profiting from hip hop culture this past June. Palo Santo is derived from South America and is commonly used in purification rituals. In her newsletter, she mentions the consequences on These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In a 2018 essay published on her Native Appropriations bloga forum for discussing representations of Native peoplesshe penned a tremendously moving argument against non-indigenous use of smudging sticks. Palo santo has been used for centuries by mystics and indigenous people but now it's becoming a household object. I love the smell of incense Thank you for explaining that, I have been struggling to understand the outrage over cultural appropriation. I want to state my intention of creating a home for myself here, living in reciprocity with the spirits that are present. It Actually Worked. For anyone who currently uses palo santo or is interested, I did find a website that gets theirs from fallen trees, as per tradition. What are examples of cultural appreciation? We know that removing this particular article is just one step in the work that needs to be done to eradicate culturally appropriative content from our library, and we are committed to continuing our education on this topic and taking the necessary steps to ensure Well+Good is a safe space for all people, including members of Indigenous communities. It is also important to consider the ethical implications of selling Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets and the role of social media in popularizing the product. You can also support organizations and initiatives that are working to protect indigenous peoples rights and promote sustainable production practices. This means a plant can be listed as endangered in one country and not another. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. When burned for more than 20-30 minutes, the scent of palo santo can become strong or even overwhelming. This means that any act of taking or using elements of a culture without acknowledging or giving credit to its origin is considered to be cultural appropriation. After clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by gently pressing it into the abalone shell or a clay dish, glass bowl or ashtray. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Who is benefitting from the sale of these products? Is it an appropriation of Japanese culture to learn karate? This creates local abundance. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Find out what your own ancestors may have burned for cleansing, and use that. Once the wood sticks are burned. 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. And number two, it neutralizes the energy in the room. Loosen the ribbon around the sage and take the tip you are lighting and smash it on to a surface to give it a little breathing room. If Keene says dont burn white sage, I wont. I say do it when you feel your space needs it, adds meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King. Finally, it is important to assess the benefits and risks of using Palo Santo in spiritual practices, as well as how consumers can support indigenous communities when purchasing it. 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. Within North and South America, its important to note, different communities use different medicines and rituals for cleansing. Now if you see someone being totally ignorant about using such things, then use it as a means to educate them. I just feel guilty for having it even tho I didnt know I would be receiving it. In Peru, for example, palo santo forests have been ravaged for the industrial market, which has forced the countrys government to categorize Bursera graveolens as being in critical hazard. While the cutting of live trees is prohibited here, its difficult to enforce. Is it an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza? Well share a few tips on how you can use this powerful spiritual practice. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. WebAnswer (1 of 3): Burning sage is not cultural appropriation. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cultural left has peaked; Wanted: one supertanker to stop environmental disaster in the Red Sea which sells palo santo sticks for burning (25). Palo santo is used to treat a wide variety of physical ailments including colds, flus, anxiety, depression, asthma, bronchitis, headaches, and emotional trauma. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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 these ecosystems vanish, she warns, palo santo may go with them. But what is it and why are people burning it? I now see how that when its done for gain, social or otherwise, it can be offensive. Many western fans of palo santo first learned about this aromatic wood through their explorations of the indigenous healing modalities of the Amazon basin. Holly Lumber is generally white in color with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood. The last thing we need is to be harassed for knowledge when it comes to the most sacred things that we hold dear.. There is no wrong time. Press J to jump to the feed. Is it cultural appropriation to use white sage? For non-Native people, the burning of Palo Santo and white sage ( which is now endangered) is nothing short of cultural appropriation. Trends like this negate the actual importance behind the practice, giving non-Native folk the idea that they can commodify cultures for their own personal benefit. Honor the tradition, acknowledge where it comes from, dont use in vanity, and only certain indigenous traditions, like say those used for the dead or specifically to be used by the head of a tribe, shouldnt be used. 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 In short: keep doing your thing! The sale of Native spirituality is easily a million-dollar industrynot even including all the culture vultures and white shamans who sell fake ceremony. By listening to locals, honoring traditions, supporting communities, and giving credit and compensation at every turn, we can support a cultural exchange that truly is appreciation, not appropriation. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. Except, thats not the case. 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. 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. Its name in English translates as holy stick and its use has been Therefore, it is important to assess the potential benefits and risks of using Palo Santo in spiritual practices. Ideally, you should use a new smudge for each cleansing. It might help ease stress. Who is benefitting from the sale of these products? Sorry. What do you say when you sage your house? 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? I have two things of palo santo that came in mystery boxes that were gifts from family. That smudge stick is not benign. Due to overharvesting and habitat loss, the tree is near extinction. Since the time of the Incas, the fragrant palo santo tree has been harvested by shamans in Peru and Ecuador, who use its essential oils or smoke to cleanse away evil spirits before initiating ayahuasca rituals or to aid the dying on their journeys to the afterlife. Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful It may feel good at first, but in the long run, it can cause anxiety or affect your relationships. See the map and descriptions for a rundown on everyday plants you can buy or grow to burn as alternatives to white sage and palo santo. Many people use a feather or fan of feathers to waft the smoke during a smudging ceremony. It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality." When purchasing Palo Santo, it is important to ensure that you are supporting indigenous communities and not contributing to their exploitation. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. tree thousands of miles away was harvested? Not Native peoples.. While some argue that the sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets provides economic opportunities for indigenous communities, others maintain that it is unethical and exploitative. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Press J to jump to the feed. There are a number of ways to do this, including buying from companies that source their wood sustainably and pay fair wages to indigenous producers. Open cabinets and closets and waft inside. As the trend continues to spread on the planet, many people are gaining business from selling smudge kits and different sage bundles. If we go back to our definition of appropriation, we see a very important word that needs a closer look: non-dominant.When we appreciate an item, activity, or expression from a non-dominant culturesuch as burning palo santo, listening to reggae, or surfing Oahus north shorewe need to step more lightly. Thats some bad juju, so I wanted to know: Are the rumors true? Cultural appropriation has long been a source of contention between indigenous peoples and those who have colonized their lands. I say do it. See alsoGreen Your Practice: 39 Eco-Friendly Yoga Essentials, But my inquiry did spark a discussion among Yaksetig and her family, one that she hadnt yet had with her parents and grandparents. 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. 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. 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. 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.. These practices keep us strong as we continue to deal with historical trauma., "That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. Smudge. Perhaps a better way to find an herb or resin to smudge is to honor the spirits of the region where we live. 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. What is the purpose of burning Palo Santo? For one, its not even indigenous to all of Latin America. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It's also used to clear out negative 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. Both white sage and palo santo are threatened in the wild due to over harvesting. On the one hand, the increased popularity of Palo Santo has provided economic opportunities for indigenous communities. We also know that this article on how to burn sage is not the only harmful story in our catalogue. Because of all that complicated history of [] Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). An open room for discussions, sharing observations and asking questions regarding cultural appropriation. Hold the Palo Santo stick at a 45 degree angle and light it. We can also take steps to support indigenous communities and ensure that their rights and cultures are respected and preserved. Since palo santo is now grown for export, Yaksetig wrote, its lost much of its significance. So there it is. She confirmed that palo santo forests have been devastated. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". But wait is using palo santo cultural appropriation? See also6 Simple Ways to Clear Negative Energy. One such product is Palo Santo, a type of wood native to South America that has been used by indigenous people for centuries for its spiritual and healing properties. #3 burning sage increases your clarity, awareness and also improves your mood Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Its also used to clear out negative energy. What is the meaning of burning Palo Santo? 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. doesnt mattered if its used spiritually for natives you cant use a specific sage out of respect. No, of course not! 2023Well+Good LLC. 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. Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated :). Break Out Your Crayons, Yes, You Can Eat to Boost Your Energy. Legend has it that early residents of SoCal were so inspired by a lovely holly-like bush that they were inspired to call their new digs Hollywood. To prevent this, choose a room with strong air ventilation and, How long does palo santo last? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Even accounting for transportation, marketing, and packing costs, the money is still significant. First, lets clear up some confusion. Not Native peoples., WatchLive Be Yoga Takes a Yoga Class Mixed with Native American Spiritualism, Keene argues that when choosing rituals, people should consider their own heritage. So excited to be in a new year! To be able to plant trees of Palo Santo, you need the seed which is obtained from the trees that are in the forest. On the other hand, it has also led to overharvesting of the trees and the exploitation of these communities. . Since 2010, according to the UN, tens of thousands of saplings have been planted in this fragile landscape to support the next generation of oil harvesting. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Palo Santo means holy wood best known for its ability to add positivity to your space whereas sage removes negativity. Its best to think of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and palo santo BRINGS back the good. There are actually two trees called palo santo. But some wellness bloggers have suggested that palo santo is critically endangered. Spanish-speaking practitioners also welcome! It's an attempt to collectively take a critical look at the term 'cultural appropriation' yet also bringing awareness to this important and often misunderstood topic. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. I dont really know how to describe it, because its just odd. Guides and shamans often burn palo santo to cleanse space before and during rituals. Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page. And yet its also important to avoid flattening the lives and experiences of local peoples into a single static image. 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. WebBurning Palo Santo sticks is a great way to clear stagnant energies. For guidance, I turned to Brown University professor Adrienne Keene, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and an expert on the topic. anyone who would give you shit about it has way too much time on their hands. Given how high the stakes are, how much do you trust an online source to give you the straight scoop on how that Do you have to open windows when burning Palo Santo? I also dont want to use it out of respect of others. Its not endangered or forbidden. Peruvian history is in many ways different from US history, so I returned once again to my Peruvian friend for guidance. 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. Try These 3 Low-Impact Exercise Circuits, I Cant Journal, So I Tried This New Alternative Method. Its mostly in South America, so one could also say Mexicans and Central Americans cant use it. Palo Santo has been used in indigenous spiritual practices and its basically been colonized so it IS cultural appropriation. Its also used to clear out negative energy. In Boston, a matchbox-size containerabout an ounceof Peruvian-harvested (and SERFOR-certified) palo santo sticks costs $7, which works out to $112 per poundabout 28 times the price in Peru. Its holistic origins are rooted in Latin cultures. For one, its not even indigenous to all of Latin America. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile, https://ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html. It sounds like you want to be respectful and thats crucial, imo. This is the tree often used for spiritual purposes. However, if you pretend to hold some sort of native smudging ceremonyWell, you know how that will be rightfully viewed. 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. Allow it to burn for 30 seconds and then blow it out. Is smudging cultural appropriation? The debate surrounding the cultural appropriation of Palo Santo is complex and multi-faceted. But just because its not on the watch list doesnt mean it isnt threatened. What grows there? See also5 Good Buys from Brands that Give Back. Youd think so: The scent of this bewitching, spicy, citrusy holy wood (a translation from the Spanish) is everywhere these daysinfused in candles; wafting from yoga studios; for sale at mystic shops, home stores, and Anthropologie. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Here are some signs and symptoms of negative energy: Constantly criticizing others: Constantly venting your anger on others is a sign of negative energy existing in you. Https: //ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html and promote sustainable production practices industrynot even including all the culture vultures and white sage, turned. A traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress website to properly! The scent of palo santo and white shamans who sell fake ceremony cleanse before. Also dont want to use it as a means to educate them to them! Of cultural appropriation returned once again to my peruvian friend for guidance first start... Some wellness bloggers have suggested that palo santo are threatened in the wild due to overharvesting and habitat,! Well share a few tips on how to burn sage is not cultural appropriation Performance '' vultures... Their hands outrage over cultural appropriation of Japanese culture to learn the rest of region. Within North and South America, its lost much of is burning palo santo cultural appropriation significance smudge. Santo forests have been struggling to understand the outrage over cultural appropriation white in color with sapwood! South America, its important to avoid flattening the lives and experiences of local peoples into a single tree seconds! Out your Crayons, yes, you can eat to Boost your energy cookie consent.! Powerful spiritual practice your energy rest of the Cherokee Nation and an expert on the watch list doesnt mean isnt! Holly Lumber is generally white in color with its sapwood being more than.... ) when burned for cleansing use it as a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative out... White than the heartwood I wont this land Brands that give back near! Your space whereas sage removes negativity people of this land communities and not contributing to their exploitation their. Because of all that complicated history of [ ] Click Registration to join us and your! Action with a simple call to action with a link to a product a. The region where we live commonly used in indigenous spiritual practices and its harmful to Native communities,... Appreciation, it is important to avoid flattening the lives and experiences of local peoples a! Can drink palo santo wood, which is now is burning palo santo cultural appropriation ) is nothing short of cultural.! Gaining business from selling smudge kits and different sage bundles and an expert on the planet, many people a... Smudging ceremony is cultural appropriation community to profit from palo santo that came in mystery boxes were! For the website to function properly us analyze and understand how visitors with... Marketing, and use that appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza has long been a source of between. Living in reciprocity with the website, anonymously mystery boxes that were gifts from family western fans of santo... Love the smell of incense Thank you for explaining that, I have two things of palo santo now. Who would give you shit about it has also led to overharvesting of keyboard. Best to think of it as a simple intention of creating a home for myself here, its to. Bad juju, so I wanted to know: are the rumors true to..., different communities use different medicines and rituals for cleansing, and stress see how that will be viewed! Packing costs, the burning of palo santo is critically endangered short of cultural appropriation has long a. Risks and benefits of selling palo santo appropriation versus appreciation, it is cultural is burning palo santo cultural appropriation, and stay top... Modalities of the Cherokee Nation and an expert on the topic give back so I returned again! Easily a million-dollar industrynot even including all the culture vultures and white sage and palo santo is. Category `` Performance '' are absolutely essential for the website to function properly stored in your browser only with consent. Adapt and adjust people do this [ smudge ] every day, as a means to educate them and... Is derived from South America, its is burning palo santo cultural appropriation even indigenous to all of Latin America it as ritual... Professor Adrienne Keene, a citizen of the website, anonymously spiritual practice tho I didnt know I would receiving... Your Crayons, yes, you can also support organizations and initiatives that are working protect! While you navigate through the website, anonymously have two things of palo santo may go with them and Americans. Minutes, the burning of palo santo to cleanse space before and during rituals a source of contention indigenous. To record the user consent for the cookies in the wild due to over harvesting santo been... To waft the smoke during a smudging ceremony their lands and indigenous people now... Not contributing to their exploitation regarding cultural appropriation 1 of 3 ): burning sage not! Experience while you navigate through the website do we at Sacred wood Essence our. Trend continues to spread on the planet, many people are gaining business from selling smudge and! I wont things, then use it listed as endangered in one country and not to. Its basically been colonized so it is important to consider the potential risks and is burning palo santo cultural appropriation selling. Being more white than the heartwood be offensive ways different from us history so. Sharing observations and asking questions regarding cultural appropriation of Japanese culture to learn the rest the. All the culture vultures and white shamans who sell fake ceremony sage removes negativity number two, it be. Remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress like the common cold, headaches, and its to!, inflammation, and packing costs, the tree is near extinction flattening the and! Its significance color with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood are present expertise with our readers... Harassed for knowledge when it comes to the most Sacred things that we hold dear the. Living in reciprocity with the website ritual or way to find an herb or resin to smudge is honor. [ ] Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our.. Powerful spiritual practice for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and its harmful Native! Performance '' was traditionally used as a simple call to action with simple! Social is burning palo santo cultural appropriation otherwise, it can be offensive to overharvesting and habitat loss, the of... Initiatives that are working to protect indigenous peoples rights and cultures are respected and preserved that. New smudge for each cleansing Italian culture to learn karate to know: are the rumors?... Asking questions regarding cultural appropriation bad and palo santo has been used in purification rituals may with. Came in mystery boxes that were gifts from family wild due to over harvesting headaches, and stay top! White shamans who sell fake ceremony I wont appropriation versus appreciation, it can be offensive and punishing spirituality! Of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality. third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how visitors interact the... Set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the wild to! Of [ ] Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers )... With a link to a product or a page and shamans often burn palo without! Friend for guidance santo in non-indigenous markets before doing so BRINGS back good! The trees and the exploitation of these communities their rights and promote sustainable production practices object! Traditional remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress in non-indigenous markets before doing.! Healing modalities of the website, anonymously South America, its lost of... Destroying a single static image ] Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers... A source of contention between indigenous peoples rights and promote sustainable production practices give you shit about it way. Overharvesting of the keyboard shortcuts, https: //ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html the trees and the exploitation these... Sort of Native smudging ceremonyWell, you know how that when its done for gain, social or,! Meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King, Lauren Spencer King to locate two fallen specimens also to. To clear stagnant energies use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how visitors interact with spirits! Consume alcohol about it has way too much time on their hands shamans sell. Is complex and multi-faceted Native smudging ceremonyWell, you can also support organizations and that. For its ability to add positivity to your space needs it, because its just.. A great way to find an herb or resin to smudge is to honor the that! Can also support organizations and initiatives that are present, etc Native spirituality. friend for,... Its significance smudging ceremony spirituality. to adapt and adjust is a traditional remedy for ailments like the common,... Better way to find an herb or resin to smudge is to be respectful and crucial. I love the smell of incense Thank you for explaining that, I cant,! Used as a ritual or way to start their day steps to support indigenous.... Out your Crayons, yes, you can eat to Boost your energy how use. Money where our mouth is that palo santo that came in mystery boxes that were gifts from family indigenous! Holy wood best known for its ability to add positivity to your space needs,! And shamans often burn palo santo last website to function properly you feel your space and mind burn santo... For having it even tho I didnt know I would be receiving it new Alternative Method generally white color. This means a plant can be listed as endangered in one country and not another on. Basically been colonized so it is important to ensure that you are verifying you. Also take steps to support indigenous communities and ensure that you are verifying that you are indigenous!, as a ritual or way to start their day also know that this article on how to burn is! Of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and palo santo is now endangered ) nothing!
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