I am a big believer in the transformative and healing nature of Sage. I have been practicing the ritual of sage smudging for years, and am deeply thankful for its healing effect in my life. I want to dedicate this blog to the Native communities that originated the smudging practice and share a little history on what I have learned about this sacred plant and practice. Native Americans were the first on record for using Sage in a ceremonial or ritual manner. For many of these cultures, “white sage has been used to get rid of any unwanted persisting energies, to ask the spirits for blessings, prosperity, protection.” (1) Right now, Sage is a trending spiritual tool that has gained popularity. And because of this, it is being over-harvested and in California is at risk of becoming an endangered species.(3) It is suggested that the sale of white sage should be limited to Indigenous communities only, which source it sustainably and then used with the proper connection to the sacred plant and traditional rituals associated with it.
“In many native cultures, plants are more than living things, they have a soul, a spirit, and sage is no different. Burning sage is a way of communing with the spiritual realm and connecting to the spirit of the plant and the Earth. By burning the sage with intention, you are asking the spirit of the sage to lend its cleansing and protective energy into your space, body, energy, etc” (1) Oglala Lakota spiritual leader and wisdom keeper Warfield Moose Jr. explains… “this medicine is seen as a gift from the earth, and thus must be respected and honored before, during, and after use.” (2) When you approach smudging with intention, starting with a prayer, connecting to the Creator, being intentional throughout and ending with the understanding that you are engaging with a rebirth, you can bring cultural respect back into your practice. I found a couple who runs a beautiful company called Native Botanicals, owned by Shilo + Shawna Clifford. The Cliffords offer many different products, tinctures and donate a portion of profit back to regrowth efforts. The admirable thing I found about them is that they hope to serve as a resource for ALL people who have a sincere desire to learn about the traditional practice of sage smudging. Shilo says: ‘From my own personal experience, when you want to keep someone out of something, they’re going to find a way to do it anyway, so if we show them [non-Natives] the correct way to engage with these plants, they’ll have the respect and be able to incorporate the practice into their lives how it’s supposed to be—how it was taught to us.”
I find the inclusivity of Shilo's words to be so loving and powerful. If we learn the respectful way to practice smudging sage, and honor the origin, we can come together and enjoy this beautiful medicine with a clean conscious. So what can you do with your own sage practice as a non-native?
You can purchase white sage from Indigenous communities who source it sustainably; Please visit Native Botanicals for liquid smudging, and visit Tribal Trade co for white sage.
You can make sure your heart is connected to the Creator and enter your ceremony with respect and dignity for the practice and the plant
You can be very intentional from the moment you hold your sage stick until you complete your own ceremony
You can do your own research and seek out deeper understanding and appreciation for where these medicines originated from and the best way to engage with them
I believe in a unified Earth filled with love and respect and hold space for People from every background to benefit from the healing and centering practices that are now collectively available to us. I am wholeheartedly thankful for this sacred practice and determined to continue learning more about how to honor these Native communities to the best of my ability!
With Light,
Sophie Frabotta, MA
Author, Certified Spiritual Life Coach, Healer
Hi! I am Sophie Frabotta, The Soul Whisperer, author, Spiritual Director + Mentor and the founder of the Awaken Collective. I help YOU to step into your heart and turn your wounds into freedom! I don't just teach you about this spiritual healing work, I teach you HOW to deeply heal the root wounds that have been holding you back, so that you can finally experience this inner freedom that only comes from doing this spiritual healing work. My spiritual programs will help you to move far beyond where you are now and wake up a part of yourself you have been dreaming to become. Your time is now!
SOURCES 1. https://www.lanirvanaorganics.com/blogs/candles/the-history-and-symbolism-of-sage-and-smudging
3. https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-business/legal-resource-center/article/ecological-damage-white-sage#:~:text=Though%20it%20is%20illegal%20in,conservationists%20who%20predict%20potential%20endangerment.
.jpg)
Comments