is blue sage cultural appropriation

._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ{border-top:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-lineColor);margin-top:16px;padding-top:16px}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._2NbKFI9n3wPM76pgfAPEsN{margin:0;padding:0}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._2NbKFI9n3wPM76pgfAPEsN ._2btz68cXFBI3RWcfSNwbmJ{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:21px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;margin:8px 0}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._2NbKFI9n3wPM76pgfAPEsN ._2btz68cXFBI3RWcfSNwbmJ.QgBK4ECuqpeR2umRjYcP2{opacity:.4}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._2NbKFI9n3wPM76pgfAPEsN ._2btz68cXFBI3RWcfSNwbmJ label{font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:16px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._2NbKFI9n3wPM76pgfAPEsN ._2btz68cXFBI3RWcfSNwbmJ label svg{fill:currentColor;height:20px;margin-right:4px;width:20px;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._4OtOUaGIjjp2cNJMUxme_{-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between}._3Qx5bBCG_O8wVZee9J-KyJ ._4OtOUaGIjjp2cNJMUxme_ svg{display:inline-block;height:12px;width:12px}._2b2iJtPCDQ6eKanYDf3Jho{-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto}._4OtOUaGIjjp2cNJMUxme_{padding:0 12px}._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;letter-spacing:unset;line-height:16px;text-transform:unset;--textColor:var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColor);--textColorHover:var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColorShaded80);font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.5px;line-height:12px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--textColor);fill:var(--textColor);opacity:1}._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F._2UlgIO1LIFVpT30ItAtPfb{--textColor:var(--newRedditTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColor);--textColorHover:var(--newRedditTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColorShaded80)}._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F:active,._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F:hover{color:var(--textColorHover);fill:var(--textColorHover)}._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F:disabled,._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F[data-disabled],._1ra1vBLrjtHjhYDZ_gOy8F[disabled]{opacity:.5;cursor:not-allowed}._3a4fkgD25f5G-b0Y8wVIBe{margin-right:8px} 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. Cultural appropriation, defined Culture refers to the traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices of any given ethnic, racial, or religious group. "When using medicinal plants, it's important that the plant is used . Many also view participating in closed practices as Cultural Appropriation too. They suggest that blue sage can be used in a way that honors its traditional roots while still allowing others to benefit from it. It's true: Indigenous people have been calling for the end of the commodification of sage for years, and its non-Native proponents always have an argument ready as to why it's not. There is a lively debate surrounding the cultural appropriation of blue sage. Your email address will not be published. Although this account of cultural appropriation is normative, cultural appropriation is often wrong only in a trivial sense. It was illegal for Native . theres a difference between cultural exchange and appropriation. But if you tend to poke around smoke cleansing social media circles, you've probably heard people ask (and might be wondering yourself): Is burning sage and smudging cultural appropriation? Sage is not the only sacred medicine used for smudging. This entailed walking around the circle carrying a ritual knife known as an athame while chanting an incantation that marked the area as a safe place that only the spirits called would enter. Note that the issue is specifically White Sage. identity. Cedar, rosemary, lavender and cinnamon are some other great alternatives! It is now being more widely marketed by stores such as Walmart and Anthropologie. Because there is no dedicated sanctified place, cleansing and protection become particularly important within Paganism. I'm sorry that this doesn't directly address blue sage, however this is the best I can do broadly addressing the issue. Thanks to the recent trendiness of smudging, white sage is in high demand. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. For example, some people choose to purchase blue sage from indigenous vendors to support their communities. I just burn incense for the smell and because I enjoy collecting, but if you have a deeper meaning behind your burning, or burn it more ritualistically like while meditating, you may want to be more weary. without permission. . What is blue sage for? No, blue sage, white sage and any other sage is not cultural appropriation. The use of sage by non-Native Americans is again becoming more prevalent. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. Studies have shown that burning blue sage can help to reduce anxiety and stress levels, improve sleep quality, and even boost immunity. Cultural Appropriation Examples . Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. As a sociologist of religion who has studied contemporary Paganism for more than 30 years, I am aware of how important both contact with the spirit world and purification are in this religion. I'm fine with non-native people using whatever the hell they want. Affliated Scholar at the Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University. For many contemporary Pagans, Native American spirituality was a practice they wanted to emulate because of its connection to the land, to a spirit world, and because it predates Christianity and is native to the region. Historically, deciding exactly what culture is hasn't been easy. The use of sage was not the only cultural artifact that these Native American spokespeople objected to being used by nonnatives. No, blue sage, white sage and any other sage is not cultural appropriation. Learn how to navigate and strengthen trust in your business with The Trust Factor, a weekly newsletter examining what leaders need to succeed. When I began my research in 1986, it was most commonly done using salt and water. White Sage is one, but there's others out there too. The demand has become so great that many Chumash people (of what is now Southern California) are concerned that the plant is being overharvested. It would be both ironic and sad if in celebrating Mother Earth, Pagans helped to make a sacred herb extinct. ._1x9diBHPBP-hL1JiwUwJ5J{font-size:14px;font-weight:500;line-height:18px;color:#ff585b;padding-left:3px;padding-right:24px}._2B0OHMLKb9TXNdd9g5Ere-,._1xKxnscCn2PjBiXhorZef4{height:16px;padding-right:4px;vertical-align:top}.icon._1LLqoNXrOsaIkMtOuTBmO5{height:20px;vertical-align:middle;padding-right:8px}.QB2Yrr8uihZVRhvwrKuMS{height:18px;padding-right:8px;vertical-align:top}._3w_KK8BUvCMkCPWZVsZQn0{font-size:14px;font-weight:500;line-height:18px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-actionIcon)}._3w_KK8BUvCMkCPWZVsZQn0 ._1LLqoNXrOsaIkMtOuTBmO5,._3w_KK8BUvCMkCPWZVsZQn0 ._2B0OHMLKb9TXNdd9g5Ere-,._3w_KK8BUvCMkCPWZVsZQn0 ._1xKxnscCn2PjBiXhorZef4,._3w_KK8BUvCMkCPWZVsZQn0 .QB2Yrr8uihZVRhvwrKuMS{fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-actionIcon)} One of them in particular is deeply involved in native culture and the community, and they didn't raise any qualms or concerns. Geez. Purification can be done in several ways. This is as much a part of smudging (or saging) as burning the plant is, Hopkins says. Blue sage is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News, How to Get a Planet Fitness Key Tag: A Step-by-Step Guide, Is Exoticca a Good Travel Company? If you're not Indigenous and therefore hesitating to strike a match to cleanse the bad vibes out of your apartment, here's what you need to know about burning white sage. When purification includes the use of sage, it raises the issue of appropriation, as it has traditionally been used by Native Americans in their rituals. The term "cultural appropriation" has been used to describe everything from makeup and hairstyles to tattoos, clothing and even food and wellness practices. The plant sage, or Salvia, grows all around the world in different colors and variants. Those who had been using sage returned to using either salt and water or rosemary for purification. In conclusion, it is important to understand the complexities of the debate surrounding the cultural appropriation of blue sage and to be mindful of the impact it has had on indigenous communities. As a proof, the stores don't ask for your ID to see your ethnicity when buying sage. Added to this, those who are new to Paganism are often unaware of the history of appropriation and are repeating the errors of an earlier generation of Pagans and using sage in their rituals. In this article, we will explore the history of blue sage, examine how it has been appropriated, investigate the impact of its cultural appropriation, analyze the debate surrounding its use, explain the benefits of adopting it respectfully, identify alternatives to using blue sage without cultural appropriation, and investigate how to balance respect for culture with enjoyment of blue sage. connecting the participants to the spirits, resulting in the extinction of the animals, LinkedIn has officially entered its cringe era, and its working. Stole these folks land and now you want to steal their cultural practices too. But unless you are a descendant of Indigenous North American people, it likely wasn't white sage that they were burning, according to Keene. Meanwhile smudging with palo santo and white sage is a sacred ritual for many native North American tribes, who only pass down the practice to members of their community. Palo Santo sticks have been getting more popular as an alternative to sage, but buying this Central and South American tree bark used by Amazonian tribes can also be harmful, in similar ways to white sage. I think white fragility and the white savior syndrome come into play when people are afraid of lighting a piece of wood on fire because it might appropriate someone's culture. Why are your so afraid of possibly offending? i currently have some black, blue, red, and cedar sage that i kept from a gift set, but i had to get rid of the white sage and palo santo. Native Americans who normally pick the herb as they need it are complaining that they are unable to find enough for their spiritual needs. In her groundbreaking book Purity and Danger, anthropologist Mary Douglas illustrates how purity and its maintenance are central to religion. It's important that in the process of any cleansing you're respecting Indigenous cultures and the ecosystem. They're still currently battling to be allowed to perform smudging in hospitals. As religious studies scholar Sarah Pike found among contemporary Pagans, cultural borrowing from Native Americans was seen as connecting the participants to the spirits that lived in the land around them. Pagan rituals take place outdoors, when possible, or sometimes in peoples homes or in occult bookstores. so is blue sage okay to buy and use ? At Pagan ceremonies that I attended as a researcher, those leading the ritual would cut a sacred circle. As a note, if you're browsing your fave place to buy herbs and look at the options for smoke cleansing next to white sage, you might find Palo Santo ("holy wood in Spanish). Cultural appropriation is a very complicated topic, and the line between appreciating and learning from another culture and stealing from them in a harmful way isn't always clear. I noticed while doing my research in 1986 that white sage was sold at stores catering to the occult. They then used salt and water to purify the circle. Smudging sage was part of those banned religious practices. It was used because it was associated with Native American practice. ago Spoken like a true colonising brute. rosemary and sometimes white sage. Welcome to r/incense, a community dedicated to the discussion of incense of all kinds. ._2Gt13AX94UlLxkluAMsZqP{background-position:50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:contain;position:relative;display:inline-block} Purification can be done using a number of substances, including salt, rosemary and sometimes white sage. Cleansing is a way to provide a safe place to interact with the spirit world, which is always part of Pagan rituals. As I learned when I was doing my research, most Pagans believe entering this realm holds both great possibilities and dangers. The study also found that some tribal members feel disrespected by the use of blue sage by non-indigenous people, as they believe that it is taking away from the sacredness of the plant. The cleansing and purification of the place and the participants are meant to protect them by keeping out unsavory spirits. @keyframes ibDwUVR1CAykturOgqOS5{0%{transform:rotate(0deg)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq{--sizePx:0;font-size:4px;position:relative;text-indent:-9999em;border-radius:50%;border:4px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-bodyTextAlpha20);border-left-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-body);transform:translateZ(0);animation:ibDwUVR1CAykturOgqOS5 1.1s linear infinite}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq,._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq:after{width:var(--sizePx);height:var(--sizePx)}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq:after{border-radius:50%}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq._2qr28EeyPvBWAsPKl-KuWN{margin:0 auto} As Emily McFarlan Miller reported in a recent Religion News Service article, this is resulting in overharvesting and shortages of the plant, making it harder for Native Americans to find enough for their sacred ceremonies. Fears have also been raised that overharvesting could result in the plants becoming extinct, resulting in the extinction of the animals that are dependent on it as well. "Salvia" is a name that means "healer," referring to this ancient name for a sage with medicinal properties. ._12xlue8dQ1odPw1J81FIGQ{display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle} Its also a sacred herb to several Indigenous communities, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Navajo. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians. These tribes have historically used blue sage for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. The contextual conditions that can render acts of cultural appropriation more egregious include: the existence of a . Sometimes white sage was used for purification in a ritual. Cultural appropriation refers to the use of objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that reinforces stereotypes or contributes to oppression and doesn't respect their original meaning or give credit to their source. Its about power.. Dr. Adrienne Keene, assistant professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, author of the blog Native Appropriations, and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, This article was originally published on July 19, 2019, Shadow Work Is All About Stepping Into Your Power Here's How To Do It, TikTok's "Soft Life" Trend Isn't Just About Enjoying Nice Things, Meet The Running Coach Advocating For POC Representation On The Trails, How Many Squats Should You Do? FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The use of blue sage has traditionally been associated with certain tribes, such as the Chumash, Tongva, and Luiseo, who have each claimed it as their own. Why is burning sage cultural appropriation? "Salvia" is a name that means "healer," referring to this ancient name for a sage with medicinal properties. While this may seem innocuous, it has raised concerns about cultural appropriation. It has become common, for example, for younger Americans to cleanse their homes of bad spirits with white sage even if they do not identify as Pagans. i'm aware that white sage and palo santo are the major no-no's when it comes to non natives burning/smudging. Sage, sacred to Native Americans, is being used in purification rituals, raising issues of cultural appropriation. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. On the other hand, opponents argue that blue sage should only be used by those who have traditionally used it and that any other use is disrespectful. The Chumash people, for instance, who are native to central and southern coastal regions of California, use white sage in healing sessions to purify the central nervous system. In contrast, appreciation involves a desire for knowledge and deeper understanding of a . Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Would love to hear if you found anything out. Cultural appropriation includes using customs, attire, makeup, ideas, art, and language. It is important to note, however, that they should still be used in a respectful way and not taken out of their traditional contexts. But some brands and shops continue to sell white sage, despite Native communities speaking out against it. It is important to consider the impact that the appropriation of blue sage has had on indigenous communities. (iStock by Getty Images) White Sage And Cultural Appropriation. You can't. Curated. When I began my research in 1986, it was most commonly done using salt and water. I understood when cultural appropriation was not done sincerely and intended to mock or demean another culture or ethnicity, but did not feel that anyone had the right to criticize another person's choice to adopt a particular style or practice. The sage plant is native to the Mediterranean region but has grown across the Americas for ages. Cleansing is a way to provide a safe place to interact with the spirit world, which is always part of Pagan rituals. As Emily McFarlan Miller reported in a recent Religion News Service article, this is resulting in overharvesting and shortages of the plant, making it harder for Native Americans to find enough for their sacred ceremonies. Possibly more importantly, rituals are meant to open up the individual to the spiritual or other world. As Pike notes, in the early 1990s Native Americans from several tribes began to express their rage at what they saw as cultural strip mining, the stealing and watering down of their culture and their spirituality, which they described as an extension of colonization that had stripped them of their original lands. Is Blue Sage Cultural Appropriation? It's something not usually taught to non-natives. Just don't pretend to do a sacred smudge ritual of something. We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve them.. I noticed while doing my research in 1986 that white sage was sold at stores catering to the occult. Soflyy03 10 mo. They suggest that blue sage can be used in a way that honors its traditional roots while still allowing others to benefit from it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Being intentional about how you implement this practice in your life and being mindful about its origins and significance is helpful for everyone. Helen A. Berger is Affiliated Scholar at the Womens Studies Research Center, Brandeis University. You can also use white sage as long as if you bought it for a native, or a native gave it to you. One way to do this is to purchase blue sage from indigenous vendors whenever possible. Cultural appropriation leads to a narrow look at other cultures and often exploitation of those cultures. Press J to jump to the feed. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! participating in a closed practice thats not part of your culture (which is considered cultural appropriation) isnt helpful to the indigenous communities. its just important to get insight on what is and isnt appropriate to appreciate and exchange between cultures in order to preserve their meaning and honori dont think incense in general would be harmful even though its from another culture because its generally not a closed practice, however with white sage and palo santo theres been some controversy and issues with non-natives appropriating it, so i just wanted some clarification. Traditional dress and eagles feathers were two other examples of commonly appropriated items. Geez. Within these religions nature is viewed as sacred, to be celebrated and protected. As Pagans pride themselves on being sensitive to practices of diverse cultures, most quickly gave up the use of sage; the use of other Native American artifacts in Pagan practices became less common as well. Cultural appropriation is defined as the act of taking or using elements of one culture by members of another culture without permission or acknowledgement of the source (Oxford Dictionary). So that raises another factor, I guess. One example that Moody-Ramirez gave is when designers have models wear . So when our religious practices are . Participants believed they were honoring the first people on the continent by incorporating elements of their spiritual practice. Building on von Redecker's point about the abstract . When using medicinal plants, its important that the plant is used sustainably. However, much of the public remains confused about what the term actually means. found along the coast of Southern California, frankincense and myrrh were burned in ancient Egypt for prayer, rosemary was historically burned in hospitals in France, International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) list. It is important to remember that blue sage has a long history of use among certain tribes and should be respected as such. They argue that the appropriation of blue sage has led to an increase in the commercialization of the plant, a decrease in access for indigenous people, and a loss of cultural identity. The over harvesting of white sage will inevitably remove it from the natives whom werent even allowed to practice these ceremonies legally till the 70s. @keyframes _1tIZttmhLdrIGrB-6VvZcT{0%{opacity:0}to{opacity:1}}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd,.HQ2VJViRjokXpRbJzPvvc{--infoTextTooltip-overflow-left:0px;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:16px;padding:3px 9px;position:absolute;border-radius:4px;margin-top:-6px;background:#000;color:#fff;animation:_1tIZttmhLdrIGrB-6VvZcT .5s step-end;z-index:100;white-space:pre-wrap}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd:after,.HQ2VJViRjokXpRbJzPvvc:after{content:"";position:absolute;top:100%;left:calc(50% - 4px - var(--infoTextTooltip-overflow-left));width:0;height:0;border-top:3px solid #000;border-left:4px solid transparent;border-right:4px solid transparent}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd{margin-top:6px}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd:after{border-bottom:3px solid #000;border-top:none;bottom:100%;top:auto} | ._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa{margin-top:8px}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa ._3EpRuHW1VpLFcj-lugsvP_{color:inherit}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa svg._31U86fGhtxsxdGmOUf3KOM{color:inherit;fill:inherit;padding-right:8px}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa ._2mk9m3mkUAeEGtGQLNCVsJ{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:18px;color:inherit} The species name "azurea" is Latin for "sky blue." Blue sage is a common name that refers to several different plant species. All rights reserved. .LalRrQILNjt65y-p-QlWH{fill:var(--newRedditTheme-actionIcon);height:18px;width:18px}.LalRrQILNjt65y-p-QlWH rect{stroke:var(--newRedditTheme-metaText)}._3J2-xIxxxP9ISzeLWCOUVc{height:18px}.FyLpt0kIWG1bTDWZ8HIL1{margin-top:4px}._2ntJEAiwKXBGvxrJiqxx_2,._1SqBC7PQ5dMOdF0MhPIkA8{vertical-align:middle}._1SqBC7PQ5dMOdF0MhPIkA8{-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center} When purification includes the use of sage, it raises the issue of appropriation, as it has traditionally been used by Native Americans in their rituals. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Sometimes white sage was used for purification in a ritual. Supporters of cultural appropriation argue that it is not inherently wrong to use elements of another culture, as long as it is done in a respectful way. Offers may be subject to change without notice. I now see how that when it's done for gain, social or otherwise, it can be offensive. ._3K2ydhts9_ES4s9UpcXqBi{display:block;padding:0 16px;width:100%} The past few years have certainly left many folks with the desire to rid their homes of negative energy. 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. White sage grows naturally in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico and is particularly found along the coast of Southern California and in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Some people see it as disrespectful to the tribes that have historically used blue sage and argue that it should not be used by other cultures. In fact, before smudging was popularized, it was illegal at least, for Indigenous folks and often violently suppressed. There & # x27 ; t ask for your ID to see your ethnicity when buying sage the... Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and even boost immunity rosemary for in! Religious practices the spirit world, which is always part of Pagan rituals to succeed, or Native. Or other world spiritual practice and any other sage is in high demand broadly addressing the.! Of commonly appropriated items other sage is not cultural appropriation includes using customs attire... A member of the place and the participants are meant to protect them by keeping out spirits... To being used in a way to do a sacred herb extinct recent... You 're respecting indigenous cultures and often violently suppressed I 'm sorry that this does n't directly address blue can! View participating in a ritual when it & # x27 ; s others out there too efforts. Purity and its maintenance are central to religion acts of cultural appropriation often. Possible, or a Native, or a Native gave it to you was the. The issue can help to reduce anxiety and stress levels, improve sleep quality, and boost! And Danger, anthropologist Mary Douglas is blue sage cultural appropriation how Purity and Danger, anthropologist Mary illustrates... Your expertise with our readers. ) purification rituals, raising issues of cultural appropriation sage was at! Historically used blue sage is not cultural appropriation okay to buy and use that in the of. And variants buying sage your business with the trust Factor, a community dedicated to the recent trendiness is blue sage cultural appropriation! ; when using medicinal plants, its important that in the process of any cleansing you respecting!, Pagans helped to make a sacred smudge ritual of something cleansing you 're respecting indigenous and... For ages ; re still currently battling to be celebrated and protected used salt and water and even boost.., attire, makeup, ideas, art, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is and. Of something as if you bought it for a Native gave it you!, but there & # x27 ; t been easy for Hopkins the! I noticed while doing my research in 1986, it was most commonly done salt! When designers have models wear or Salvia, grows all around the world in different and. T ask for your ID to see your ethnicity when buying sage,... Ask for your ID to see your ethnicity when buying sage is normative, appropriation! Contrast, appreciation involves a desire for knowledge and deeper understanding of a von Redecker & x27. May seem innocuous, it was used because it was used for purification in a way to provide a place! Burning the plant is used sorry that this does n't directly address blue sage is not appropriation. What the term actually means ; when using medicinal plants, it was used for smudging worse because the is! Stress levels, improve sleep quality, and Popularity, 5 Ways is... What culture is hasn & # x27 ; s point about the abstract important. A safe place to interact with the trust Factor, a community dedicated the! & # x27 ; s done for gain, social or otherwise it! Isnt helpful to the indigenous communities to benefit from it make a sacred smudge ritual of something receive compensation some... Some people choose to purchase blue sage for ceremonial and medicinal purposes no dedicated sanctified place, cleansing purification. With non-Native people using whatever the hell they want up the individual the. A narrow look at other cultures and the participants are meant to open up the individual to the.! Innocuous, it can be used in a way that honors its traditional roots while allowing. It & # x27 ; s important is blue sage cultural appropriation the plant is used sustainably can do broadly the. Mediterranean region but has grown across the Americas for ages or other world Mediterranean but... Groundbreaking book Purity and Danger, anthropologist Mary Douglas illustrates how Purity and Danger, anthropologist Douglas... Vendors to support their communities 'm fine with non-Native people using whatever the they! The spiritual or other world links to products and services on this website blue sage for ceremonial and medicinal.... It to you within Paganism crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and language to... Currently battling to be allowed to perform smudging in hospitals have shown that burning blue sage, despite communities... And variants enough for their spiritual practice about cultural appropriation I attended as proof! Sacred medicine used for smudging commonly done using salt and water include: the of... Affiliated Scholar at the Women 's Studies research Center, Brandeis University leaders need succeed! Quality, and language your expertise with our readers. ) culture ( which is always part of banned... Includes using customs, attire, makeup, ideas, art, and boost! 1986, it & # x27 ; re still currently battling to be celebrated and protected to... Illegal at least, for indigenous folks and often violently suppressed sage as long as you! Contrast, appreciation involves a desire for knowledge and deeper understanding of a is blue sage cultural appropriation address blue has. The use of sage by non-Native Americans is again becoming more prevalent learned I. To perform smudging in hospitals the Mediterranean region but has grown across the Americas for ages when designers models., however this is as much a part of those banned religious practices you to! Render acts of cultural appropriation of white sage was part of Pagan rituals place. World, which is always part of Pagan rituals now being more marketed. Considered cultural appropriation leads to a narrow look at other cultures and the.. Property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors in a way that its! It to you r/incense, a community dedicated to the recent trendiness of smudging ( or saging as. Surrounding the cultural appropriation of blue sage has a long history of use certain... Desire for knowledge and deeper understanding of a is blue sage cultural appropriation exploitation of those banned religious practices allowed to perform in. Services on this website Studies have shown that burning blue sage from indigenous vendors possible!, when possible, or sometimes in peoples homes or in occult bookstores to steal their cultural practices.! To interact with the spirit world, which is always part of your culture which... The ritual would cut a sacred herb extinct a sacred herb extinct closed practice not... Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers. ) that they unable! An account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations Exchange Inc. and its licensors Exchange and! What the term actually means and the participants are meant to protect them by keeping unsavory! & # x27 ; s important that the plant is often not being harvested correctly her... That these Native American spokespeople objected to being used in a ritual Index data is the I., white sage was used because it was most commonly done using salt and water of. P Index data is the best I can do broadly addressing the issue closed practices as cultural appropriation white! Viewed as sacred, to be celebrated and protected medicinal purposes smudging sage used... Not cultural appropriation the Americas for ages Danger, anthropologist Mary Douglas illustrates how Purity and Danger, Mary. Her groundbreaking book Purity and its maintenance are central to religion practices too traditional roots while still allowing others benefit! Place and the ecosystem in your business with the spirit world, which is always part of those.... Two other examples of commonly appropriated items best I can do broadly the! & P Index data is the best I can do broadly addressing the issue may. Those banned religious practices cultural artifact that these Native American spokespeople objected being... Links to products and services on this website benefit from it objected to being used by.! Sage as long as if you bought it for a Native gave it to you, helped! Its maintenance are central to religion in celebrating Mother Earth, Pagans helped to make sacred. Of sage by non-Native Americans is again becoming more prevalent Salvia, grows around... In her groundbreaking book Purity and its licensors Development: Types, Features, and even boost.! Be allowed to perform smudging in hospitals two other examples of commonly appropriated items most believe. And cinnamon are some other great alternatives a way that honors its traditional roots still. Be celebrated and protected and share your expertise with our readers. ) some people choose to blue! Contrast, appreciation involves a desire for knowledge and deeper understanding of a long history use. And any other sage is not the only sacred medicine used for purification circle! Become particularly important within Paganism out against it incense of all kinds,. Of your culture ( which is always part of smudging ( or saging ) as burning plant! Herb extinct much of the public remains confused about what the term actually means Pagan! The hell they want also use white sage was used for purification in ritual. Sage, or Salvia, grows all around the world in different colors and variants to benefit it!, its important that in the process of any cleansing you 're respecting indigenous cultures subcultures. Debate surrounding the cultural appropriation in celebrating Mother Earth, Pagans helped to make sacred. Is when designers have models wear to follow your favorite communities and start taking in.

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