the Sacred Smudge
The concept of “saging,” came into my life years ago after beginning to work full-time as a massage therapist. My OG (original guru) Gary Ruiz taught us to burn White Sage, Palo Santo or Mugwort after a session to clear the space and prepare for the next client. Still new to the field of bodywork + energy-work, I had my doubts. Yet, with full respect and trust of my teacher, I continued the practice anyway. Time and experience would show me the palpable effects of clearing the space between clients. Again and again I would watch curious faces walk through the door announcing “it feels good in here!” with a sense of curiosity.
As I began studying herbalism years later, I found my own curiosity deepen around the quality of the plant materials I was burning. Where did they come from? What I found was not only were some of the plants not grown organically, but they were chronically over-harvested (white sage, or palo santo). I also learned less than awesome histories about plants like white sage, which became illegal for indigenous people in the 1890’s as apart of the American government’s efforts to disenfranchise American Indians. The simple act of burning sage along with ghost dancing became a federal crime and were not overturned until 1978. To me that is important to know. I chose the name Sacred Smudges, because my time in sweat lodges has taught me the importance of the word “sacred.” And, in order to create sacred smudge sticks, I believe the energy needs to be clean. That means not perpetuating domination or excoriation techniques for our benefit. Caring about how our actions affect others, including the plants. It saddens me that one can now buy white sage wrapped in plastic at a gas station, while it remains on an “at-risk,” list. Personally, I don’t feel right about continuing to use a plant that is on the “at risk,” list (white sage, has been on this list since I started studying herbs in 2008. I adamantly believe two things: we can both choose to burn other plants. And, if we have the space and want to continue using certain plants, we can cultivate them.
During the pandemic, I expanded my garden repertoire to include not only white sage, but mugwort, and various other herbs that I began bundling. I found it inspiring to let the plants teach me what to bundle. It turns out, there are many alternatives to the common “white sage.” Adding yarrow, roses, lavender monarda, and other various plants that called out to be included in the bundles I crafted became a passion and the crux of the herbal business I felt birthing through me. I learned to ethically harvest plant material from the Mount Shasta region I began to call home, using only fallen cedar branches. Focusing on energy medicine seems such an appropriate thing for me to offer, as my understanding organically arose out of my own evolution of burning plant material in my practice, to learning to co-create with them from cultivation-to-bundle. What I found was the medicine felt stronger with the plants that I developed relationships with in this way. Bringing aspects of consciousness, practices in permission and deep reverence for being in reciprocity with the plants.
It’s my hope + intention that magic is extended to you, the consumer, who chooses to support these offerings. You, are apart of that healing when you choose to support these efforts. May you experience the powerful healing energy available when we work with plants in integrity and right relationship.
Aho!
