What is Smudging ? |
"Smudging" is the word used to describe the Native First Peoples practice of burning Sage and plants for cleansing, blessing, and offering. It is the ceremonial use of Sacred Smoke from plants and herbs, waved or "washed over" oneself and space, in ritual, gratitude, and prayer. Smudging has been practiced by tribes across the Americas since the dawn of civilization.
Today, "Smudging" offers us an opportunity to create a meaningful ritual using the very same sages used traditionally, to help us clear our spaces and restore balance to ourselves and spaces. With the help of Plant Spirits, we move the cleansing smoke around ourselves with a hand or feather. It is common practice when conducting your own ritual, to also ask for help from your chosen Creator or Spirit Guide.
How does Smudging Work?
In Smudging ceremony we set our Intentions to be cleansed; to remove the old energies and air, in and around us so that we can move energetically forward to a better place. Smudging provides a ritual way to set new intentions, to let go, to start fresh. More than just burning incense, Smudging is a serious practice whereby we become aware of ourselves, where our minds are, and what energy we are carrying within and around us. It works by a combination of our setting our intentions on what we want to clear from ourselves and environment, along with special plants and their Sacred Smoke, to carry our intentions forward. Some teach that the Sacred Smoke carries our intentions to where they are heard. Other say that ions are created in the space around us, that removes negative energy.
Is Smudging a Religious Practice?
I see Smudging as a way to work with energy. As I was taught, Smudging is a ritual that moves energy, positive &/or negative, around us. Smudging combines well with whatever faith, religion, or spirituality one carries. Many faiths use Plants for ceremony; Christians have used Myrrh, Frankincense, and Benzoin for centuries; Copal has been used by the Mayans and Aztecs; the Inca have used Palo Santo wood, Mua Mua, and other plants. There are so many sacred uses of Plant Spirits among each faith, and each has a long history of traditional uses.
How do I Smudge? I am afraid I'm going to do it wrong.
While smudging is an important and meaningful ritual, there is no need to bring worry to your ceremony. I recommend letting go of feelings about doing it wrong or inferiority. Relax and try to feel connected to light and love. I was taught that smudging ceremony requires only an open heart and mind, and a wish, prayer, or strong intention to receive blessings that will cleanse you and your space. Gratitude is the last step of the practice, for the Blessings received.
First~ Smudge Wise and Safely! *Use CARE in burning your herb bundles** Do not leave a burning smudge wand or charcoal unattended. Take extra care around children and pets. When finished burning, run the smudge tip under running water to make sure the burning ember inside is fully extinguished. Hang to dry for your next use. Smoke of any kind is not recommended for pregnant woman.
SMUDGING DIRECTIONS** Open a window first for air flow. Light the bundle tip, blow out flame. Keeping your sage bundle in a heat resistant shell or bowl, begin to fan smoke toward your heart first with hand or feather, and then over the head and all around the body- to cleanse and clear the space around you. (Asking for help from your chosen Creator or Spirit Guides is common practice.)
Sage and Cedar are used to bless oneself, your living/working spaces tools, and each other. (Cedar and Juniper scents can be stronger than the sages, so start small and know that "a little goes a long way with many blessings.") Adding your intentions intensifies your offering. Just a few swirls of smoke is often all it takes to cleanse. When finished- extinguish the bundle ember- by passing the bundle tip under running water. Prop up bundle in a bowl to dry, and it will be ready for your next cleansing ritual! Smudge as often as you feel a desire to 'clear the air', start anew, and feel blessings.
My bundles aren't burning. What am I doing wrong?
A bundle that does not burn usually means that the bundle is tied either too loosely, or too tight.
We tie bundles when they are fresh and hold moisture. When the bundles dry, loosing moisture means the bundle leaves can become loose. Before you burn your herb bundle, check to see that it is tied firmly together (but not too tight!).
The most common time that a bundle will not stay lit, is after being burned once; the string will often come undone, and leaves may loosen up. No Problem! Simply use your own thin string- tie it first around the middle with a knot. Then wrap down to the base, holding firmly, and wrapping all the way back up to the top of the bundle. Tying another knot in the middle is often helpful.
There are so many sages: I'm not sure which one to choose:
Sages, like any plant scent, are personal. We recommend trying out several sages via our sage variety packs to get a general idea. Each contains 4 sages/herbs/evergreens or woods that have been grouped together based on their energy and ceremonial use. Try Purify | Energize | Cleanse | Invoke } ©Sacred Land Sage to see which ones you like best. You can read about some of the uses among First Peoples in the product descriptions. Or ask a question; for over 28 years, Tara has helped others plan and create their own rituals; for: House Blessings, journeys, celebrations, milestones and major life events. She can help you customize a Smudge kit with Sage, Herb, and Stone combinations best for you.
Are Sages Abundant?
Sadly, no; growing human populations are causing habitat to shrink for our native plants. Because every continent has its own native sages, helping is easy! Simply find out from your local nursery, what sages are native to your area, and plant them in your garden, yard, and neighborhood. Learn more about planting an Offering Garden of Sages here.
Sages are an ideal plant; they are independent spirits, generally deer and drought resistant, attract bees and hummingbirds, produce beautiful, mostly purple and lavender flowers. Once rooted, sages take very little care or attention. Planting your own sages will help us all keep a sustainable supply. It will also enable you to bundle your own plants that you have nurtured and grown yourself.
How can I help Preserve Native Sages?
By planting native sages back into their natural habitat. And by supporting Sacred Land Sage. Each purchase of sages, stones, and supplies from Sacred Land Sage! means we donate 15% of the purchase price toward buying new Sage Plants for our Native Sage RePlanting program. This money is used to buy plants that are planted in native habitat all around northern California's cities and open spaces.
*Thank you for supporting Sacred Land Sage and our wild sage RePlaning Program!
Tip Jar~Donate to Tara's Native CA Sage Replanting Program
Tara regularly (every Spring) plants native California Sages in open spaces in Central and Northern California.
If you have received a special package and wish to make a donation to Sacred Land Sage, (Tara does put heart and soul into her care packages and smudge blends,) this would be a way to say "Thank you!" Tara Linda uses donations to purchase native California sages which she plants locally in cities and open spaces to both replenishing native stocks, and to add blessings to communities in need. Each plant costs $6.99/4" pot.
Your donations are very much appreciated!
- Photos show tara planting an offering garden in a local neighborhood, and sages planted in the 4 Directions around the site of the Ghost Ship Fire in Oakland.
Palo Santo Logs (AA Grade) Jumbo 5-7" Holy Wood. Thick. (Choose Lrg/XL/Jumbo) Calm/Cleanse/Bless. Soul Retrieval. Peru Shaman Wood Incense
Sold out
Large, AA Grade Palo Santo logs- Stronger scented Holy Wood pieces; branches and small split logs:
*5-7" long, 1-3+ inches wide*, sustainably harvested from the Peruvian coastal forest.
These larger chunks have dark colors, some inner bark, and a higher oil content than most incense sticks, thus the stronger scent. I normally cut these into smaller pieces (found in other listings), but thought others may want to have larger pieces for carving, or to cut to any size you wish.
* OR Some customers like to keep them whole as Plant Spirits to place on an altar, to bring presence and many scented blessings to your space.
*Like Sweet Grass, Palo Santo Wood Spirit does not need to be burned to be enjoyed. Keep in a sunny window, your clothes/regalia, or in your car, to receive the blessings by scent. Read about more traditional uses below. *
*Palo Santo~ "Holy Wood" is an ancient ceremonial Plant Spirit used by native Shamans, Curanderos, and Healers~ of North, Central and South America. Special Plant Medicine, with a long and ancient history among the Inca peoples. It brings a light, soothing energy to home and heart. Burned as incense, it brings a calming, delicate woodsy-vanilla scent, and is used to clear away unwelcome energies, and bring blessings to home and heart.
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"Palo Santo para limpiar tu casa de la mala energia, Palo Santo para la buena suerte."
**Shamans advise keeping a deep respect for this Spirit Guide by burning it in small amounts with pure intentions~ Palo Santo is considered a powerful ally in meditation, magic ritual, journeying, and soul retrieval.
*The spice of Palo Santo wood carries hints of so many wood and spice scents! I smell vanilla, cinnamon, neroli, anise, mint....
<<<This harvest>>>> from the Peruvian North Coast, a mango grove, has naturally higher oil content than most and a more concentrated essence/ scent. These are cut in thick pieces/chunks. If you want smaller pieces please see this listing of the same wood I have cut thinner:
*Listing: Choose Size. These are Average Length sizes (sold mostly by weight).
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1- Large: size (5-7" long X 1.3" wide) approx. (on the left of photo)
OR
1- Xtra Large: (5-7" long X 2-3" thick) approx. (pieces on the right of 1st 2 photos) some of the longest pcs. are 1.5 thick.
OR
1- Jumbo piece: 5x7" x 2-4") Heaviest pieces. These are small branches, (Jumbo pieces shown in last pic).
(1" Arrowhead is shown for size only; not included in this listing)
Ships First class, or Priority if purchased with more items that add shipping.
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Palo Santo is sustainably harvested and carefully regulated: only limbs and branches that fall to the ground may be taken. They must remain on the ground at least 4 years before harvest. The longer they stay on the ground, the more fragrant the scent and more concentrated the licopenes. Prayers are said when they are collected.
>>>> Current and Traditional Uses<<<<
*Palo Santo smoke is used to cleanse before setting new intentions, making commitments, and setting off, marked by New Path rituals. One Andes elder says 'Palo Santo calls our Spirit Guides to witness our words and actions.'
*Frequently used to bless one before a journey
*Used to summon and keep close one's Spirit Guides
* Palo Santo is the Plant Spirit ally in Ayahausca ceremony and rituals of Soul Retrieval.
* In ceremony, Palo Santo (like Sweet Grass) It is traditionally burned after the Sages, Evergreens, and other herbs. One stick lasts a long time, and is burned as often as needed.
**PLEASE Smudge Wise: do not leave a burning smudge wand unattended. Take extra care around children and pets. When finished burning, run the tip under running water to make sure the burning ember inside is fully extinguished.
***All statements here are educational in nature and intent.
Organic California White Sage Leaves/Cluster. (1oz) Sacred Sage, Loose Leaf Smudge, (+ Agate Arrowhead.) Cleanse/Balance. Native Incense
ORGANIC California White Sage, one of the Sacred Plants of the Four Directions, offered in saging / smuding ceremony across the Americas.
This California variety, locally harvested Salvia apiana, has large velvety grey-green leaves, and a rich, earthy scent.
This particular harvest (loose leaves and clusters) is a North-South blend of youngplants harvested near our North Coast, and Grandmother plants harvested from Southern California mountains.
***Current and Traditional Uses***
PLANT SPIRIT White Sage helps us: **Cleanse, move Energy, carry Prayer, Purify, Give Thanks, Restore Balance, and Heal the Spirit**
A perfect sage to offer/burn for Gratitude Practice, new beginnings, house Blessing, re-claiming your space, and ritually "clearing the air"
** Burn in Smudging or as incense, to clear your space of unwanted energies, and for blessing yourself, each other, and your living/working spaces.
**Listing**
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- White sage (Salvia Apiana)
1oz:Large 4x6 ziplock, Loose Leaves//Clusters~ (about 2 handfuls- shown in photo). Plants gathered both from Bear Mountain, and my gardens ;)
1" Agate Arrowhead~ Agate promotes balance and helps absorb negativity. Simply keep in your blessing bowl or on an altar.
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**Please use care when burning loose herbs and bundles** Do not leave a burning coal or smudge wand unattended. Take extra care around children and pets. When finished burning, douse the coal under running water to make sure all embers are fully extinguished.
***All statements here are educational in nature and intent.
Loose leaves are burned in a fire-safe bowl, or on charcoal.
Redwood Sage Smudge Blend// Outdoor Sacred Lands Loose Leaf Dry Herbal Incense, House and Land Blessing, RedWood-Sage-Pine-Juniper-Cedar
Sold out
Perfected over a decade of Ceremony, I created this special Redwood Outdoor Sage Blend incense to recognize and thank our local, resident 'Keepers of the Land'.
*Formulated to please local Land Spirits everywhere* this naturally aromatic blend is filled with blessings from Sacred Lands; complete with a combination of hardy evergreens, fragrant alpine sages, mixed copal resins, essential oils, and desert herbs.
With over 13 ingredients, Redwood blend begins on a journey through a Bay woodland with Pines and Cedars where I collect pods, needles, bark, and leaves. From there, the hills overlooking the Pacific coast lead to a Redwood forest for more bark, needles, and leaves.
With the belief that we are all travelers and visitors borrowing this land for a relatively short time~ it is my hope that offerings like Rewood Blend made to protector Spirits- will help safeguard and protect lands far into the future.
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Testimony: "Thank you for bringing the outdoors inside our home". Redwood blend is woodsy and ideal for the both in and outdoors: I offer Redwood Blend first inside the house- briefly- as a cleansing Smudge, and then offer the rest of it outside- in homage to the Keepers of the Land.
**Listing: **Includes Loose Sages Only**
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1 Packet: (0.6 oz): Redwood Outdoor Blend~ Sacred Lands Select Proprietary Organic blend includes: Redwood, 2 Pine species, California Cypress, three California Sages, including CA Black and CA White Sages, Pinion resin, plus other select organic, wild-grown ingredients.
*Packaged in a 3X4 bag: This blend is concentrated. We recommend burning just a pinch on charcoal each time. 1/2 tsp is a large amount. A pinch yields approximately 18-20 offerings.
*Handcrafted, by me~ harvested from the hills, forests, and beaches of Northern California and New Mexico.
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(Charcoal found in a separate listing)
**USES**
**Redwood blend** A very "woodsy" blend, stronger Medicine than our Blessings Sage Blend. It is good to offer for a general House Cleansing in a Smudge ritual- especially with any persistent energies that may call for something a little stronger than Sage.
**Redwood Blend is good to offer/burn weekly or monthly, in all seasons. Let it burn as incense~ an offering of scent from special Plants~ burn this outside while you garden, landscape the yard; or leave it burning in the background of your outdoor party. Let it's essence fill the air on the porch while you enjoy the rain, a glass of wine, or gaze at the stars.
**Loose sages are burned on charcoal. We have a Charcoal Kit here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/186690891/charcoal-kit-sand-12lb-slate-tile?ref=shop_home_active_16
*** Abalone & Soapstone bowls, and incense burners are in Smudge Supplies section of our store.
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*** Current and Traditional USES of Herbs***
Herbs like Sage, Cedar, Pine, Juniper are Ideal for House Blessings, or any deep cleansing ceremony to clear old energies from one's space, mind, or heart. Use to renew and welcome new energies in our lives, space, and energy field.
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**SMUDGING**
**Indigenous Tribes of all directions and faiths use herbs solo and combined with other herbs before and during ceremony. Smudging is a tradition of burning herbs to embellish one's own scent in prayer, as you move the smoke over you (smudging), and to carry one's prayers by smoke to the Sky. Smudging adds the qualities of each Plant Spirit to one's invocations and wishes. Bless yourself, loved ones, tools, each other, and your living/working spaces to fully clear and cleanse.
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**PLEASE use care in burning herbs on charcoal** Do not leave a burning charcoal or smudge wand unattended. Take extra care around children and pets. When finished burning, place a small amount of water over charcoal to make sure the burning ember inside is fully extinguished.
** Loose Herb Blends are harvested for herbal incense; and NOT for consumption.
***All statements here are educational in nature and intent. Sacred Land Sage is not responsible for misuse of product.
Sage-Rose Sachet + small Abalone shell bowl (2-3"). Loose Leaf Aromatic freshener. Great Gift!
Flowers, sage, and small surprises fill our Floral Sachet pouches!
I often include these in packages. By request, here is a larger pouch for you to use as you wish!
These flower and sage mixtures are a labor of love and are naturally scented. They are made in the old 1800's style of potpourri (we keep them in closed jars, and open them as needed). They are made to be enjoyed as they are (not burned). A sachet is perfect in an organza pouch and kept bedside. Or scatter your flower-sage sachet as you would flower petals:
- On your altar
- in windowsills
- in your car
- in blessing ceremony
- Or combine with bath salts for a sacred floral bath!
LIsting:
Large 4x6 Full organza pouch/bag.
Choose:
- Rose-Cinnamon-Sage: made mostly of fresh roses from our local rose garden [that Tara selects herself late summer during deadheading season]. Other flowers may include: cornflowers, or sunflower petals. Plus small amounts of our own garden grown California White or black, or bee Sages.
Or Choose:
-Lavender Rose Sage Sachet; with 3 kinds of Lavender, + Bee and White Sages.
Includes a small cultured small red abalone shell as an offering bowl for your altar or window sill.
*Note: there may be random incense cones inside (good for your bath, if you are making a salt blend with your sachet!).
***All statements here are historical or educational in nature and intent.
Loose Leaf Sages, Cedar (White Sage+ Red Cedar) + Yerba Santa, resin (choose) BLESSINGS Smudge Sacred Ceremony, Native Loose-Leaf Incense. Sacred Smudge/Smoke
Fresh Loose leaf sages or evergreens wild-crafted or grown in our sage gardens and fields, each
in a 1oz size.
Choose the Balance set: CA White sage + Western Red Cedar
or
Choose 4: the set above plus 2 more.
I can choose what is fresh from the list below, or you can let me know what you would like in Notes to Seller at checkout- if you want a substitution (ask us if we have it first!) ;)
We do our best to assist you.
This listing Includes:
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Loose leaf sages, evergreens or resins- only- in a 1oz zip lock sized bag.
Choose:
2- Sacred Sage and Cedar botanicals. (the default selection is Ca. White Sage and Western Red Cedar);
Pls. Specify from list below if you want other choices.
OR
4- Loose Leaf Botanicals: (Includes White Sage and Red Cedar- And adds 2 additional
from this list: that I choose in season (and by intuition!)
Palo Santo chips/shavings, red wood needles, Yerba Santa; freshly harvested in season sage. Or choose resins- White Copal, Myrrh (oopinax/sweet), Frankincense, Gold copal.
OR for the extra 2, just leave me a note at checkout with your favs!
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The most Sacred North and South American Smudge Herbs, Sages, Evergreens:
**White Sage, Cedar, and resins Copal** Ideal for House Blessings, new beginnings, ridding of negativity, and re-claiming your space.
** Burn in smudging ritual or incense offering to bless self, each other, and your living/working spaces.
** Purify and begin Anew with Sacred Plants used for centuries in ceremony.
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**TRADITIONAL and CURRENT USES~ Sages/Cedar/ Copal**
**CA WHITE SAGE** Cleanse, carry prayer, and heal** This Plant Spirit is is particularly good for cleansing, clearing one's space of unwanted energies, and creating Sacred Space for meditation and ritual. Used in Smudging by Native tribes in ceremony all across the Americas. The California variety of White Sage, has large velvety grey-green leaves and a rich, sweet scent. This particular batch (loose leaves and clusters) is a blend of Daughter and Grandmother plants harvested from Southern CA mountains and Northern CA Pacific coast.
**CEDAR** Offered to purify and cleanse; Carries prayers and intentions far;
~Cedar is often used to celebrate all things new: new job, new baby, new home. Also to re-claim one's space as new, and for starting new projects.
~ Cedar Spirit offers protection: we offer it for blessings before leaving on a journey, and to bless travelers.
**COPAL** Sacred to the Mayan Indians, and used since early times in Four Directions Ceremony and Dance ceremonies, a tradition seen to the present on holy days and special ceremony like during Dia de Los Muertos. Copal is a common offering "jewel" and on personal altars throughout Mexico and South America. This black variety is collected by farmers in Mexico & Guatemala in off seasons. Offered in ceremony to carry prayers, bless, purify, and for divination ritual.
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**PLEASE use care when burning your loose herbs and bundles** Do not leave a burning coal or smudge wand unattended. Take extra care around children and pets. When finished burning, douse the coal under running water to make sure all embers are fully extinguished.
***All statements here are educational in nature and intent.
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**TRADITIONAL and CURRENT USES~ Sages//Yerba Santa/Cedar**
**CA WHITE SAGE** Cleanse, carry prayer, and heal** This Plant Spirit is is particularly good for cleansing, clearing one's space of unwanted energies, and creating Sacred Space for meditation and ritual. Used in Smudging by Native tribes in ceremony all across the Americas. The California variety of White Sage, has large velvety grey-green leaves and a rich, sweet scent. This particular batch (loose leaves and clusters) is a blend of Daughter and Grandmother plants harvested from Southern CA mountains and Northern CA Pacific coast.
**CEDAR** Offered to purify and cleanse; Carries prayers and intentions far;
~Cedar is often used to celebrate all things new: new job, new baby, new home. Also to re-claim one's space as new, and for starting new projects.
~ Cedar Spirit offers protection: we offer it for blessings before leaving on a journey, and to bless travelers.
**YERBA SANTA** Curanderas (medicine healers) in the border regions with Mexico use Yerba Santa and Yerba Buena in similar ways. Native tribes across California, Northern Mexico, and Nevada developed a number of medicinal uses for it~ from settling tummy aches to relieving asthma and cold symptoms. Today, shamans consider Yerba Santa a powerful plant spirit to chase out unwelcome spirits, and replace them with blessings of goodness, abundance, good health, and strength.
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**PLEASE smudge wise in burning herbs on charcoal** Do not leave a burning charcoal or smudge wand unattended. Take extra care around children and pets. When finished burning, place a small amount of water over charcoal to make sure the burning ember inside is fully extinguished.
***All statements here are educational in nature and intent.
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