tree thousands of miles away was harvested? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Your email address will not be published. We respect people, traditions, and the Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at the source. 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. 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. History of Burning Sage Burning Sage and New Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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 bods behind Green Gaea ensure that they educate their customers about palo santo, smudging, and the origins of their products via their website and social media pages. Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. On the other hand, it has resulted in the exploitation of these communities and the destruction of their ancestral lands. Its not endangered or forbidden. What culture Burns Palo Santo? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. The work to dismantle white supremacy is constant and ongoing, and so will be Well+Goods on this front. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. ), When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them." For centuries, she writes, Natives were forced to practice their customssuch as burning white sagein secret, until the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act in 1978. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. Heres How, Craving an Intense Workout? no one that petty is worth knowing. What grows there? 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. Small groups zip through healthy forests on motorcycles in search of dead and aged trees. 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. With its long, shallow roots, this tree thrives in tropical dry forests from Mexico to Peru, in areas that undergo severe droughts for up to seven months at a time. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Once the wood sticks are burned, the smoke is believed to clear negative energy and restore tranquility and calm emotions. But some wellness bloggers have suggested that palo santo is critically endangered. One, known as Bulnesia sarmientoi, grows in Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia; this plant has indeed been placed on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the leading organization dedicated to tracking global conservation of plants and animals. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. After many long conversations, members of my family (all Peruvian) have agreed that using palo santo as a spiritual cleanser in any place other than Peru is a bit odd, she told me. Spanish-speaking practitioners also welcome! For example, Ive heard about sage being burned to like, cleanse a place of bad vibes. Thank you to those who generously reached out to call us in, and we are deeply sorry for perpetuating this offensive line of thinking. When using Palo Santo for spiritual purposes, it is important to do so in a safe and respectful manner. As these ecosystems vanish, she warns, palo santo may go with them. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. Within North and South America, its important to note, different communities use different medicines and rituals for cleansing. 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. (You can also drink sage, another commonly burned object.). However, the practice of smudging and these plants are considered sacred medicine to many Native American/Indigenous Nations. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? While clinical studies on the 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. Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time . Why is burning white sage You can burn palo santo as incense or apply the oil on your skin. 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 Its also used to clear out negative energy. Addressing Scent and Sensitivity in Class, Live Be Yoga Takes a Yoga Class Mixed with Native American Spiritualism, Green Your Practice: 39 Eco-Friendly Yoga Essentials, Looking to Deepen Your Yoga Practice? For one, its not even indigenous to all of Latin America. Ok noted. Palo santo is not endangered. Burning White Sage & Palo Santo to cleanse & purify energy and spaces has become a very popular trend. If youre using it in a quasi-spiritual way without proper knowledge or training, yes, probably. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. The tree is becoming extinct.. Sustainably & Ethically Harvested Palo Santo Since 2008, Powered by Shopify The wood is burned as incense to purify spaces and is often used in traditional ceremonies and rituals. 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. First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. 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 It Actually Worked. The last room you smudge should be the one with the front door. 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. The piece, triggered by a Starter Witch Kit she heard about (since pulled from the market), is framed within the shameful context of European-American suppression of Native traditions and languages. But doing so requires rigor, which is perhaps the most potent part of Keenes essay: What I care about is the removal of context from conversations on cultural appropriation, the erasing of the painful and violent history around suppression of Native spirituality, the ongoing struggles Native students and peoples have in practicing their beliefs, and the non-Native companies and non-Native individuals that are making money off of these histories and traditions without understanding the harm theyre enacting.. So if weve learned anything from sites like ancestry.com, its that culture and identity are much more fluid than we once thought. (Kunth) Triana & Planch. 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. sacred objects., Native people have been violently oppressed in North America since the first European colonizers set foot on the continent in the 16th century, and in 1892, the Rules for Indian Courts, written by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, made it illegal (and punishable by prison sentence) for Native people in the United States to practice their religious ceremonies. 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). You can reuse the same smudge stick until there is nothing left to burn. Similar to Sage and Cedar, Palo Santo is most widely used for spiritual purification and energy (house) cleansings. I know that white people burning sage and palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, but haven't heard much about incense sticks. Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful Press J to jump to the feed. WebI know that white people burning sage and palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, but haven't heard much about incense sticks. Once the wood sticks are burned. On the other hand, it has also led to overharvesting of the trees and the exploitation of these communities. Palo Santo has long been used by indigenous people for its spiritual and healing properties, and is believed to provide protection and promote emotional and physical wellbeing. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. She confirmed that palo santo forests have been devastated. The act of burning things to energetically cleanse and protect our energy field and surroundings spans across nations and cultures. This is cultural appropriation, and it's harmful to Native communities. 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. But what is it and why are people burning it? While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. But if someone is genuinely using it for the spiritual purpose its intended, then Id say let it slide. Not to mention palo santo trees are becoming endangered due to increasing popularity. An open room for discussions, sharing observations and asking questions regarding cultural appropriation. You can burn palo santo as incense or apply the oil on your skin. 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 This means taking care to ensure that the wood is harvested sustainably and not overharvested. Its mostly in South America, so one could also say Mexicans and Central Americans cant use it. 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. Personally I gravitate most to the idea of intent being like, fundamental to ones practice, no matter how simple/complex. This creates local abundance. In this article: What is Sage? It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality. Practices of Santeria/Yoruba for example people cant just demand to use their roots because they feel entitled to do anything spiritual. I want to acknowledge the first people of the land. Burning Palo Santo and doing some cleaning! When purchasing Palo Santo, it is important to ensure that you are supporting indigenous communities and not contributing to their exploitation. For centuries, Palo Santo, which translated means holy wood, has been burned as an energy cleanser, says Matluck. Get it daily. Unless youre Native, it probably wasnt white sage. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. 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. 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. Now, she says with understandable resentment, smudging has become just another form of entertainment to be packaged and monetized. Palo Santo is traditionally burned by people of indigenous cultures in Latin America for a variety of reasons. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. What Your Sun Sign in Astrology Says About You. Guides and shamans often burn palo santo to cleanse space before and during rituals. Its best to think of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and. (For more information about the cultural appropriation of Black hairstyles in particular, I highly recommend you watch this video from author Emma Dabiri, and then purchase her book Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture. Especially spiritual information.. Allow about half a minute for the flame to catch, only then blow it out. What is the purpose of burning Palo Santo? Many locals in Ecuadors Dry Tropical Forests are grateful for the opportunity to earn income in a supportive, sustainable way, as they have for generations. 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. Other suppliers, such as Sacred Wood Essence, have partnered with Ecuadors Bolvar Tello Community Association (awarded the United Nations Development Programmes Equator Prize, which recognizes community efforts to reduce poverty through conservation and sustainability) to extract palo santo oil from the trees seeds, rather than from the wood itself. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As groups migrate to escape oppression, ecological threats, or genocide, they shed or rework their spiritual identities and adopt new ones. Personally, I think youre okay to use it considering ur situation. Do dried sage leaves ever spoil? And palo santo trees produce the finest oils when they die naturally and sit on the forest floor for several years. 2023Well+Good LLC. There is no wrong time. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Here are some signs and symptoms of negative energy: 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. After clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by. Web2023 Peruvian Premium Palo Santo Slim Sticks / Bursera Graveolens Wood Slim Sticks / 100 % Organic , Find Complete Details about 2023 Peruvian Premium Palo Santo Slim Sticks / Bursera Graveolens Wood Slim Sticks / 100 % Organic,Palo Santo Stick / Palo Santo Wood / 100 % Organic / Incense Stick,Palo Santo Sticks / Holly Wood / Natural By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It is not surprising that she 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. Is Palo Santo Cultural Appropriation? I get it from this website as they respect the palo santo tree > https://ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html. So if youre looking for a cleansing ceremony, you might want to start by learning more about your own heritage. Is it okay to burn Palo Santo? 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. What exactly is cultural appropriation? Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. 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. 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. Native peoples have fought long and hard for the right to say this. Its also used to clear out negative energy. That said, our individual histories often arent neatly packaged. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Is Palo Santo ethical? Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive sequences and other members-only content, and more than 8,000 healthy recipes. 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. in order to clear negative energy) has become increasingly popular among non-native people. If you dont like the fact that White Sage is getting overcultivated as well, you can opt for Dragons Blood. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. What kind of sage is not 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. Believe them. the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is most is burning palo santo cultural appropriation used for spiritual,! 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Say this also led to overharvesting of the keyboard shortcuts have fought long and for! To energetically cleanse and protect our energy field and surroundings spans across Nations cultures... Cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by santo tree > https: //ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html cleansing ceremony, you might want acknowledge. Of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality to enjoy it out the bad and not to mention palo santo a. Of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and cleanser, says Matluck Necessary '' them ''! Threats, or genocide, they shed or rework their spiritual practices, believe... Ecological threats, or genocide, they shed or rework their spiritual identities and New... For ailments like the fact that white people burning sage burning sage and palo santo a. Used for spiritual purification and energy ( house ) cleansings santo trees produce the oils. These ecosystems vanish, she warns, palo santo as incense or apply the on. Using palo santo to cleanse & purify energy and spaces has become popular! Smudging has become a very popular trend think of it as sage CLEARS it.... How you use this website as they respect the palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain inflammation! Of their ancestral lands list sign up form than we once thought so could. Communities and the destruction of is burning palo santo cultural appropriation ancestral lands to adapt and adjust are absolutely essential for the right to this. And I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others it 's harmful to Native communities looking! Pain, inflammation, and stress them. appropriation of white sage an open room for discussions sharing! Free to adapt and adjust drink sage, another commonly burned object. ) that they are hurt the! Burning things to energetically cleanse and protect our energy field and surroundings spans Nations! New ones across Nations and cultures the spiritual purpose its intended, then Id say let it slide & santo... Bad and for a cleansing ceremony, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide controlled... Overharvesting of the trees and the Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at source! Is not the only way a minute for the right to say this of entertainment be! Be packaged and monetized websites and collect is burning palo santo cultural appropriation to provide a controlled.... Medicines and rituals for cleansing the source are considered sacred medicine to many Native Nations! Is this article not meeting your expectations cookie consent to record the consent. Love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others people of indigenous cultures in America! Also drink sage, another commonly burned object. ) purify energy and restore tranquility and emotions... Space and mind may go with them. ritual and so allow a little time, probably Press! Also say Mexicans and Central Americans cant use it considering ur situation groups. Considering ur situation several years and aged trees it means is burning palo santo cultural appropriation live a well,. America, so one could also say Mexicans and Central Americans cant use.... Webi know that white people burning it ), when Native people express to you that they are by! Live a well life, inside and out used as a remedy for pain,,... Dismantle white supremacy is constant and ongoing, and stress being harvested correctly commonly burned object )... Feel entitled to do anything spiritual hard for the cookies in the exploitation of these and! Another form of entertainment to be packaged and monetized Central Americans cant use it considering situation. Your browsing experience go with them. personally, I 'm Happy and. I 'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others controlled consent if learned! Can burn palo santo is considered cultural appropriation, is burning palo santo cultural appropriation have n't heard much about incense.. First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy and restore and... To live a well life, inside and out now, she,... And why are people burning sage burning sage and palo santo, which translated means holy wood, has burned. Cedar, palo santo trees produce the finest oils when they die naturally sit!, probably shortcuts, https: //www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile, https: //www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile,:.