Well share a few tips on how you can use this powerful spiritual practice. Our communities have seen so much pain. The term "cultural appropriation" has been used to describe everything from makeup and hairstyles to tattoos, clothing and even food and wellness practices. For example, if the demand for Palo Santo continues to rise, it could lead to increased deforestation and the displacement of indigenous populations. Can we get the same spiritual effect from a questionably sourced box of sticks snagged on Amazon? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. 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. It embodies long-standing rituals and cleansing energy. Its true, smudging with palo santo has reached latest-craze status. Move slowly clockwise around your room, spending extra time in corners and behind doors where energy likes to accumulate and hang out. One definition of cultural appropriation, penned by Fordham School of Law professor Susan Scafidi in her book Who Owns Culture? Families frequently burn it to ward off biting insects. 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 Who is benefitting from the sale of these products? Use the oil to provide pain relief for arthritis and joint pain with its anti-inflammatory properties. I want to thank all of the land stewards and spirits of the land. It is not surprising that she Many cultures around the globe have traditionally burned herbs, incense, or other materials as a spiritual ritual. This can include unauthorized use of another culture's dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc. Edit: Here's the website https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile. If the sage bundle was packed too tight when made, then the oxygen cant get in properly and the sage wont stay lit. When burned for more than 20-30 minutes, the scent of palo santo can become strong or even overwhelming. I have two things of palo santo that came in mystery boxes that were gifts from family. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. To be able to plant trees of Palo Santo, you need the seed which is obtained from the trees that are in the forest. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). 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. It also means avoiding burning the wood indoors or in enclosed spaces, as this can lead to the release of harmful toxins. We respect people, traditions, and the Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at the source. Furthermore, there is the risk that the sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets could lead to further exploitation of indigenous communities. It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality." 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. Its not cultural appropriation. Its not forbidden but the smell it gives off only occurs when the tree naturally dies and then it still takes years for the oils to produce a strong smell. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. 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! It does not store any personal data. The cultural left has peaked; Wanted: one supertanker to stop environmental disaster in the Red Sea which sells palo santo sticks for burning (25). Well, times change. In the US, eagle and hawk feathers are illegal to possess unless you belong to certain native tribes. 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. 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). Cultural appropriation has become an increasingly controversial topic in recent years, with many people questioning whether certain products or practices are ethically produced or marketed. Smudging is now understood to be a closed practice in the Native American Community, cultural appropriation, taboo, etc. 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Cultural appropriation is rife today, and it often threatens the existence of the groups and cultures from whom popular traditions originate. Cultural appropriation can be considered as taking a certain practice from a persecuted, discriminated, or oppressed culture especially when the practice was part of the reason for the cultures persecution. This all sounds great, right? However, if you pretend to hold some sort of native smudging ceremonyWell, you know how that will be rightfully viewed. Its time to begin smudging! Ecuadorian Hands claims that the money from export supports reforestation as well as sustainable education projects, and it regularly posts videos supporting these statements. Press J to jump to the feed. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. You can find more information about our process for doing so here. The last room you smudge should be the one with the front door. eradicate culturally appropriative content from our library, National Conference for Community and Justice, previously wrote in an article for Well+Good. WebWhich sage is cultural appropriation? Cultural appropriation has been taking place since the first group of humans encountered another group of humans. 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. Spanish-speaking practitioners also welcome! But just because its not on the watch list doesnt mean it isnt threatened. . Always buy from a reputable retailer to make sure your palo santo is responsibly sourced. 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. It is also said to help attract positive energy into your life. Because of all that complicated history of [] This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Is it okay to burn Palo Santo? We'll talk about the burning sage history and how it can be practiced today. It's also used to clear out negative Small groups zip through healthy forests on motorcycles in search of dead and aged trees. 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. But what is it and why are people burning it? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. When you light a Palo Santo stick, the smoke will purify the air and rid your environment of any negative energy. 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. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. Therefore, it is important to assess the potential benefits and risks of using Palo Santo in spiritual practices. But what is it and why are people burning it? Sustainably & Ethically Harvested Palo Santo Since 2008, Powered by Shopify When using Palo Santo for spiritual purposes, it is important to do so in a safe and respectful manner. You can also support organizations and initiatives that are working to protect indigenous peoples rights and promote sustainable production practices. 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. No chainsaws here. Perhaps a better way to find an herb or resin to smudge is to honor the spirits of the region where we live. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Ok noted. Incense is still used today in the Roman Catholic Church and other religions for purification. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. This means taking care to ensure that the wood is harvested sustainably and not overharvested. But how do we at Sacred Wood Essence put our money where our mouth is? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. To hear their own voices on this matter, watch this video! I urge you to read Dr. Keenes entire post. Peruvian history is in many ways different from US history, so I returned once again to my Peruvian friend for guidance. Each palo santo stick can be reused approximately 15-25 times, so you will likely get a lot of life out of your palo santo sticks. 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. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. 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. 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