tainbo:

What Native people say about the use of sage: you can use sage, but you cannot smudge as nothing you are doing (waving sage around) is actually smudging. Smudging is a ceremony and you are, we promise, not smudging. Please buy sage from either us, or someone who sources the sage from us. White sage may not be considered endangered by the US government but corperate sourcing is making it difficult for us to source sage for our own religious purposes. Let alone to sell it.

What white people hear: never use sage ever, don’t ever buy it, don’t own it, don’t even look at it.

Look, y’all. There’s a couple of facets to my talk today.

1) Yes! You can buy sage! You really, truly can! Buy it from either native sellers (go to a powwow! Eat our food, buy our stuff, watch some dancing!) Or buy it from a seller who sources the sage from native people. Pick one. And no, buying it from 5 Below doesn’t count.

2) you CANNOT smudge. This isn’t just you “shouldn’t”— this is a YOU ARE INCAPABLE OF SMUDGING. Waving a sage stick around your doorways IS NOT SMUDGING. It is smoke clensing. Smudging, depending on the tradition and tribe, could easily have dancing and drums involved. You, as a white person, do not have the cultural BACKGROUND to even know how it works. At all. Period.

3) please, for FUCKS SAKE, stop making posts here on tumblr where you tell other white people about cultural appropriation and what they can and cannot do. Please stop, your license has been revoked because none of you bother to get the facts right. We native people are FULLY CAPABLE OF DOING IT OURSELVES. Consider instead: a) reblogging our posts where we talk about it! We’re here! We have made posts!! b) Making a post that states what we said and then LINKS BACK TO US. Screenshot with a link if you must. Stop centering your own voices in these conversations. You are already centered in everything, stop centering yourselves in a native space.

I’m tired of this nonsense, y’all.

Thanks for coming to my TedTalk ™

How to Smudge

What is smudging?

Smudging is burning herbs, most commonly sage. It’s used to get rid of negative energies on yourself, your home or your space.

Types of smudge sticks:

White sage: Used for meditation, protection, cleansing and purifying the body, warding off evil spirits, and fending off infections.

Cedar: Used to cleanse a new home of its old energies and unwanted spirits while inviting fresh, energetic vibes and protecting the new occupant from undesirable influences.  

Palo Santo: Used to clear out negative energies, instill calm and relaxation, and fill your home with joy and harmony.

Lavender: Clears away negative thoughts and energies, harmonizes the mind, enhances intuition, and inspires loving feelings.

Rosemary: Used for protection, peacefulness, healing, cleansing, love, beauty and feminine power.

Juniper: Guards against evil spirits and illnesses, and is frequently used for its healing properties.

Mugwort: Used to enhance lucid dreaming, visions and protection.

Ingredients:

• White Sage
• fire-proof shell or bowl
• Sand/Dirt
• Lighter
• Feather/Fan

Instructions:(this is how i do it)

• Clean and unclutter your home
• Open all the drawers and cabinets
• Open windows
• Pick a candle color based on your intention
• Ground and Center yourself
• Light candle and set intention
• Light sage
• Blow out sage leaving just embers to burn
• Cleans yourself with the smoke (from top of head to bottom of foot)
• Repeat your mantra or prayer(internally or aloud) as you go, envisioning the smoke is clearing you of any and all lingering negativity.
• Ring a bell (gets spirits attention)
• Start in lowest space and move clockwise; from room to room using a smuding feather or fan. Waft smoke into all corners and shadow spaces. Cleanse where walls meet ceilings, in-front of mirrors. Then direct smoke out through windows and doorways.
• Repeat your mantra or prayer (internally or aloud) as you go. Visualizing the smoke cleansing the whole house pushing all negativity out the windows.
• Once you’re finished extinguish the smudge stick into the sand/dirt or fire proof bowl.
• Then take the ashes of the burned herbs and return it to the Earth while giving thanks for the sage’s healing.

Go smudge yourself