I just feel guilty for having it even tho I didnt know I would be receiving it. Its name in English translates as holy stick and its use has been You can make it a tea by steeping the wood shavings in hot water. Plus most businesses jumping on the bandwagon are not getting the palo santo ethically. Not Native peoples.. You can find more information about our process for doing so here. ), When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them." Do you have knowledge or insights to share? 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? 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. with regards to owning it. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. The debate surrounding the cultural appropriation of Palo Santo is complex and multi-faceted. First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. Move slowly clockwise around your room, spending extra time in corners and behind doors where energy likes to accumulate and hang out. 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. What exactly is cultural appropriation? It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality." 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. Like, whats done is done but it need not be in vain. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! Indeed, in Ecuador, people are beginning to use the tremendous profits from the wellness market to support sustainable harvesting practices where the tree thrives. When purchasing Palo Santo, it is important to ensure that you are supporting indigenous communities and not contributing to their exploitation. Its also used to clear out negative energy. What are examples of cultural appreciation? Always buy from a reputable retailer to make sure your palo santo is responsibly sourced. 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. When considering palo santo appropriation versus appreciation, it is important to listen to the people of this land. Its true, smudging with palo santo has reached latest-craze status. 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. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. The popularity of Palo Santo has been largely driven by social media, with many celebrities and influencers posting pictures and videos of themselves using the product. Guides and shamans often burn palo santo to cleanse space before and during rituals. Hold the Palo Santo stick at a 45 degree angle and light it. 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. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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 is important to understand the history and cultural significance of the wood, as well as the potential impact of cultural appropriation on indigenous communities. So in theory, if you are careful and do your research, your palo santo purchase may support positive development in certain regions. Recent international interest in palo santo as a spiritual aid is increasing the woods value, and in some cases, affecting how local communities regard the tree and its ecosystem. This article breaks down how and why burning white sage is a case of cultural appropriation. In short: keep doing your thing! tree thousands of miles away was harvested? What is the purpose of burning Palo Santo? Palo Santo is traditionally burned by people of indigenous cultures in Latin America for a variety of reasons. As groups migrate to escape oppression, ecological threats, or genocide, they shed or rework their spiritual identities and adopt new ones. Get it daily. 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. 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 has been culturally appropriated. But just because its not on the watch list doesnt mean it isnt threatened. If it is, your smudging ritual may be contributing to the annihilation of a sacred tree. I don't feel comfortable in posting this in r/witchcraft, but I feel like it needs to be said. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. The other species, Bursera graveolens, is also called palo santo but grows closer to the equator and isnt on the Red Listyet. Ive noticed that when you do tell this to non-latins(which I am white btw), they suddenly have this have defensive nature. To be able to plant trees of Palo Santo, you need the seed which is obtained from the trees that are in the forest. This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. Is smudging cultural appropriation? Many western fans of palo santo first learned about this aromatic wood through their explorations of the indigenous healing modalities of the Amazon basin. (Kunth) Triana & Planch. Palo Santo is traditionally burned by people of indigenous cultures in Latin America for a variety of reasons. She confirmed that palo santo forests have been devastated. 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.. Its best to think of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and palo santo BRINGS back the good. 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. Is Palo Santo ethical? Peruvian history is in many ways different from US history, so I returned once again to my Peruvian friend for guidance. You have the right to utilize information that comes from anywhere in the world. The sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets raises a number of ethical considerations. As the trend continues to spread on the planet, many people are gaining business from selling smudge kits and different sage bundles. But what is it and why are people burning it? For a more intimate look at the situation, I reached out to my friend, Lima-based designer Fiorella Yaksetig. Ceremonial Benefits of Palo Santo . The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. 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. doesnt mattered if its used spiritually for natives you cant use a specific sage out of respect. Families frequently burn it to ward off biting insects. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. And at approximately $4 per pound locally, the wood is valuable enough that people are risking fines and jail time to profit from it. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? When you light a Palo Santo stick, the smoke will purify the air and rid your environment of any negative energy. A Comprehensive Review. 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 Culture should be spread not confined. 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. I love the smell of incense Even accounting for transportation, marketing, and packing costs, the money is still significant. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. No chainsaws here. Like they get mad when their not included in everything? Non-native peoples use of smudge products are often well-intentioned but, When you reach a window or door, waft the smoke into all four corners, beginning at the bottom left and moving in a, Some people do this [smudge] every day, as a ritual or way to start their day. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Unless youre Native, it probably wasnt white sage. You can also support organizations and initiatives that are working to protect indigenous peoples rights and promote sustainable production practices. Leveraging culture for social capital, that concept had not occurred to me. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Additional Questions. But you cant have this.. Who is benefitting from the sale of these products? History of Burning Sage Burning Sage and New By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. Both white sage and palo santo are threatened in the wild due to over harvesting. 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. 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. Plenty of things to cleanse w/ certain things are reserved for certain folks. 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. Whats in abundance? Wondering if you can burn sage yourself? Press J to jump to the feed. Since I (hypothetically) got it as a gift, rather than my own volition, I wouldnt feel at fault? We currently have a library of 19,000 articles, and will be systematically combing through our older content to surface and revise or delete harmful content. I know that white people burning sage and palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, but haven't heard much about incense sticks. This is cultural appropriation, and it's harmful to Native communities. Find out what your own ancestors may have burned for cleansing, and use that. . Recently she traveled to northern Peru where palo santo grows and spoke with the farmers who cultivate it (possibly illegally). Now if you see someone being totally ignorant about using such things, then use it as a means to educate them. 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 What grows there? With the wellness world latching onto their energy-clearing benefits, these plants are becoming increasingly endangered and over-harvested. Then, direct or push the energy out the window to get rid of it. Use the oil to provide pain relief for arthritis and joint pain with its anti-inflammatory properties. 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. To cleanse your house with Palo Santo, you can also use an oil diffuser or simply burn Palo Santo sticks on their own. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. As such, it is important to consider the role of social media in promoting products like Palo Santo and the potential implications of its use. It Actually Worked. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". in order to clear negative energy) has become increasingly popular among non-native people. What are the symptoms of negative energy in home? 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. The last thing we need is to be harassed for knowledge when it comes to the most sacred things that we hold dear.. If we can eat pizza, share yerba mate, and learn karate without causing conflict, why cant we burn this sacred wood from the forests of Ecuador? However, there are potential risks associated with its use, including the release of toxic chemicals when burned. Its not about ownership. That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. 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. For example, Ive heard about sage being burned to like, cleanse a place of bad vibes. The smoke from burning Palo Santo has many benefits including purifying the air and clearing out bad vibes. I havent rly touched witchcraft in ages, but I think I remember hearing that its generally good as incense (even if only for the smell, irdk what other properties it might have). Secondly, there is the issue of whether it is appropriate to market a product that has deep cultural and spiritual significance without acknowledging or giving credit to its source. Or Copal for that Matter because its a Latin American Rezin. Thank you to those who generously reached out to call us in, and we are deeply sorry for perpetuating this offensive line of thinking. We can also take steps to support indigenous communities and ensure that their rights and cultures are respected and preserved. 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Within North and South America, its important to note, different communities use different medicines and rituals for cleansing. It also covers the overharvesting implications. 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. - Cultural Appropriation Is it OK to use Palo Santo? The answer is that the use of sage itself is not cultural appropriation, however, the deliberate act of smudging is. I didnt know palo Santo was in them until I opened the boxes. WebLong story short: I have Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo. In this article: What is Sage? Sorry. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I urge you to read Dr. Keenes entire post. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Therefore, it is important to assess the potential benefits and risks of using Palo Santo in spiritual practices. We as POC cannot demand to be equal and integrate if we are also going to horde our culture to ourselves, we cant have it both ways. I want to acknowledge the first people of the land. Your Palo Santo should produce a substantial amount of smoke. The very act of foraging for the wood by the shaman is a critical part of this spiritual process. 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. What are examples of cultural appropriation? Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Guilty about burning incense or sage?Cultural appropriation is completely out of hand. Practices of Santeria/Yoruba for example people cant just demand to use their roots because they feel entitled to do anything spiritual. Try These 3 Low-Impact Exercise Circuits, I Cant Journal, So I Tried This New Alternative Method. 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. Ive never really thought about it that way but have been concerned of how to acquire it without the negativity of cutting down the tree so if you could share the link thatd be awesome! Especially spiritual information.. So when our religious practices are mocked through these products, or folks are commodifying and making money off our ceremonies, its not about who has the right to buy or sell. Shamans traditionally burned Palo Santo in a bundle of sticks to cleanse, purify and create sacred space. I know youre not used to hearing you cant have something. Palo Santo is derived from South America and is commonly used in purification rituals. So if youre looking for a cleansing ceremony, you might want to start by learning more about your own heritage. Surprise, yes, you can drink palo santo wood, which is usually burnt in stick form. WebI know that white people burning sage and palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, but haven't heard much about incense sticks. It sounds like you want to be respectful and thats crucial, imo.

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