A Comprehensive Review. Your email address will not be published. Participants believed they were honoring the first people on the continent by incorporating elements of their spiritual practice. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. I'm fine with non-native people using whatever the hell they want. "When using medicinal plants, it's important that the plant is used . This may just be the people I know, or the area, or any other number of factors, but I'm pretty sure generally speaking you're chill to burn what you want as long as you don't LARP and pretend to do some ceremony or ritual with significant cultural value. Blue sage (Salvia clevelandii) is a perennial herb native to California, Arizona, and Baja California, Mexico. Is Blue Sage Cultural Appropriation? Your email address will not be published. These tribes have historically used blue sage for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians. 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. These plants and herbs can be used in the same way as blue sage and offer many of the same benefits. The practice of smudging, therefore, should not be taken lightly, according to Dr. Adrienne Keene, an assistant professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, author of the blog Native Appropriations, and citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Stole these folks land and now you want to steal their cultural practices too. Helen A. Berger is Affiliated Scholar at the Womens Studies Research Center, Brandeis University. But the way in which the idea was first. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). /*# sourceMappingURL=https://www.redditstatic.com/desktop2x/chunkCSS/IdCard.ea0ac1df4e6491a16d39_.css.map*/._2JU2WQDzn5pAlpxqChbxr7{height:16px;margin-right:8px;width:16px}._3E45je-29yDjfFqFcLCXyH{margin-top:16px}._13YtS_rCnVZG1ns2xaCalg{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:18px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}._1m5fPZN4q3vKVg9SgU43u2{margin-top:12px}._17A-IdW3j1_fI_pN-8tMV-{display:inline-block;margin-bottom:8px;margin-right:5px}._5MIPBF8A9vXwwXFumpGqY{border-radius:20px;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:0;line-height:16px;padding:3px 10px;text-transform:none}._5MIPBF8A9vXwwXFumpGqY:focus{outline:unset} It also includes the unauthorized use of parts of their culture (their dress, dance, etc.) So when our religious practices are . 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. Blue sage is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). "Taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else's culture without permission. @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} Why are your so afraid of possibly offending? 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. More mainstream religions have buildings, such as churches or synagogues, where they maintain sanctuaries for religious purposes only. This is as much a part of smudging (or saging) as burning the plant is, Hopkins says. While it is not inherently wrong to adopt elements of another culture, it can be problematic when the source is not acknowledged or respected. Feel free to cleanse or purify or scent or whatever using anything you want. Write an article and join a growing community of more than 160,300 academics and researchers from 4,571 institutions. 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. 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. 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. Key elements of culture include: language art,. Is this the society we re living in? Although this account of cultural appropriation is normative, cultural appropriation is often wrong only in a trivial sense. Blue sage is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve them.. ._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} Sometimes white sage was used for purification in a ritual. The practice has a long and rich history that extends way before white witchy practices brought it onto Instagram feeds near you. It may even be personally fulfilling to find out if and what your ancestors burned for cleansing. 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. The celebration of nature takes several forms, the most common being a series of rituals that commemorate the changing seasons. .FIYolDqalszTnjjNfThfT{max-width:256px;white-space:normal;text-align:center} Poll: Support for abortion rights is strong, even among most religious groups . 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. 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? 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? When it comes to blue sage, there is an argument that non-indigenous people are appropriating the plant by taking it out of its traditional context and using it for their own purposes. For those who wish to avoid culturally appropriating blue sage, there are several other plants and herbs with similar properties that can be used instead. | An imbalance of power between the appropriator and the appropriated is a critical condition of the concept. It was used because it was associated with Native American practice. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. Magic, the process of changing reality to your will through incantations, is done in this realm. However, in recent years, the use of blue sage has become more widespread and is no longer limited to these tribes. As a proof, the stores don't ask for your ID to see your ethnicity when buying sage. 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? Really interested in some others viewpoints but a lot of the responses here dont really go into it! Sometimes white sage was used for purification in a ritual. connecting the participants to the spirits, resulting in the extinction of the animals, LinkedIn has officially entered its cringe era, and its working. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Being intentional about how you implement this practice in your life and being mindful about its origins and significance is helpful for everyone. One way to do this is to purchase blue sage from indigenous vendors whenever possible. That is where it crosses a line, but lose the claim and the rest of it is just honoring a tradition like a fan honors Star Wars by swinging a toy light saber. Magic, the process of changing reality to your will through incantations, is done in this realm. As Keene explains, overharvesting white sage in addition to the threat of increased wildfires and urban development endangers Indigenous peoples ability to access and use the wild plant in the ways they and their ancestors have done for thousands of years. 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. It has also been used medicinally by some indigenous communities for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. Spoken like a true colonising brute. In the 21st century, cultural appropriationlike globalizationisn't just inevitable; it's potentially positive. In addition, the study found that the appropriation of blue sage has led to a loss of cultural identity for some indigenous people. I'm sorry that this doesn't directly address blue sage, however this is the best I can do broadly addressing the issue. 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. Within these religions nature is viewed as sacred, to be celebrated and protected. sage smart oven pro recipes; is lady helen wogan still alive; pros and cons of reading mastery; is big city funding group legit; eddie foo doctor bristol; can encore guests use the wynn pool? In some of the rituals participants were already standing in the circle when this part of the ritual was done; in others they entered afterward. FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. 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. It is now being more widely marketed by stores such as Walmart and Anthropologie. Pagans, to the contrary, have ritual areas that must be transformed from mundane to sacred use. Reed condemned cultural appropriation and claimed sports teams take from different cultures for mere entertainment. It is important to note, however, that they should still be used in a respectful way and not taken out of their traditional contexts. 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. No, blue sage, white sage and any other sage is not cultural appropriation. it's cultural appropriation. The phrase originated in the . Cleansing is a way to provide a safe place to interact with the spirit world, which is always part of Pagan rituals. Required fields are marked *. . If someone is harvesting white sage and doesnt know how to properly do so, theyre preventing more plants from growing and thus endangering the plant species. The use of sage by non-Native Americans is again becoming more prevalent. You can also use white sage as long as if you bought it for a native, or a native gave it to you. 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. At Pagan ceremonies that I attended as a researcher, those leading the ritual would cut a sacred circle. White sage has become particularly popular with those who practice witchcraft or witchcraft-inspired wellness rituals. Cultural appropriation is a hot-button issue in todays world, and one of the more recent topics to come under scrutiny is the use of blue sage. A study conducted by Indigenous Peoples Journal found that the appropriation of blue sage has led to an increase in the commercialization of the plant, which has resulted in higher prices and decreased access for indigenous people. This can include unauthorized use of another culture's. 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. 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. .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} so is blue sage okay to buy and use ? Sage, Salvia officinalis, is one of the most interesting, storied plants in human history. While it is important to respect the cultures that have traditionally used blue sage, it is also possible to use the plant in a respectful way. Cultural appropriation or cultural celebration? The participants were also purified, with salt, water, smoke from a candle, incense or rosemary and a crystal or rock, symbolizing Mother Earth. White Sage is one, but there's others out there too. if youre indigenous or have knowledge on this please lmk!! Because there is no dedicated sanctified place, cleansing and protection become particularly important within Paganism. It was used because it was associated with Native American practice. ._3K2ydhts9_ES4s9UpcXqBi{display:block;padding:0 16px;width:100%} White sage and cultural appropriation Sometimes white sage was used for purification in a ritual. Blue Sage is widely used for cleansing and . It was illegal for Native . The line between celebration and appropriation gets crossed when there is the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices or ideas of one group by another, typically more dominant group. The demand has become so great that many Chumash people (of what is now Southern California) are concerned that the plant is being overharvested. Different Native communities use different medicines for smudging depending on where they are from, and not every culture uses white sage or smudges. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. The use of sage by non-Native Americans is again becoming more prevalent. When I began my research in 1986, it was most commonly done using salt and water. It's something not usually taught to non-natives. Purification can be done using a number of substances, including salt, rosemary and sometimes white sage. Cultural appropriation leads to a narrow look at other cultures and often exploitation of those cultures. It was illegal for Natives to practice their religion until 1978 in the U.S., and many were jailed and killed just for keeping our ways alive, including my great-great grandfather, Ruth Hopkins, a Dakota/Lakota Sioux writer, tells Bustle. Unless it's endangeredmaybei like castoreum. Sage, sacred to Native Americans, is being used in purification rituals, raising issues of cultural appropriation. The market has become larger as aspects of Pagan or New Age practices have seeped into more general practice and the number of Pagans has increased. .s5ap8yh1b4ZfwxvHizW3f{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);padding-top:5px}.s5ap8yh1b4ZfwxvHizW3f._19JhaP1slDQqu2XgT3vVS0{color:#ea0027} Note that the issue is specifically White Sage. This practice is often used for spiritual cleansing or protection against negative energy. Google white sage, the primary ingredient in the mainstream smudging custom, and dozens of choices for sage sticks and bundles appear. It is used in many Native American ceremonies and has long been considered sacred by some tribes. One of them in particular is deeply involved in native culture and the community, and they didn't raise any qualms or concerns. In some of the rituals participants were already standing in the circle when this part of the ritual was done; in others they entered afterward. In particular, the practice of burning blue sage, also known as smudging, has become increasingly popular among non-indigenous people. Some of these include white sage (Salvia apiana), cedar (Thuja plicata), sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). It is important to consider the impact that the appropriation of blue sage has had on indigenous communities. As I learned when I was doing my research, most Pagans believe entering this realm holds both great possibilities and dangers. Curated. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. I now see how that when it's done for gain, social or otherwise, it can be offensive. In fact, before smudging was popularized, it was illegal at least, for Indigenous folks and often violently suppressed. . 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. :) the only reason white sage is so sacred to us (besides being a ceremonial tool) is because it only grows within the southwest of north America and the top of Central America, its going endangered as well and the govt refuses to add it to the endangered plants. It is important to remember that blue sage has a long history of use among certain tribes and should be respected as such. Today, Native people are still fighting to be able to perform these ceremonies in hospitals. .Rd5g7JmL4Fdk-aZi1-U_V{transition:all .1s linear 0s}._2TMXtA984ePtHXMkOpHNQm{font-size:16px;font-weight:500;line-height:20px;margin-bottom:4px}.CneW1mCG4WJXxJbZl5tzH{border-top:1px solid var(--newRedditTheme-line);margin-top:16px;padding-top:16px}._11ARF4IQO4h3HeKPpPg0xb{transition:all .1s linear 0s;display:none;fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);height:16px;width:16px;vertical-align:middle;margin-bottom:2px;margin-left:4px;cursor:pointer}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B:hover ._11ARF4IQO4h3HeKPpPg0xb{display:inline-block}._2IvhQwkgv_7K0Q3R0695Cs{border-radius:4px;border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-line)}._2IvhQwkgv_7K0Q3R0695Cs:focus{outline:none}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B{transition:all .1s linear 0s;border-radius:4px;border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-line)}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B:focus{outline:none}._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B.IeceazVNz_gGZfKXub0ak,._1I3N-uBrbZH-ywcmCnwv_B:hover{border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._35hmSCjPO8OEezK36eUXpk._35hmSCjPO8OEezK36eUXpk._35hmSCjPO8OEezK36eUXpk{margin-top:25px;left:-9px}._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP,._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP:focus-within,._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP._3aEIeAgUy9VfJyRPljMNJP:hover{transition:all .1s linear 0s;border:none;padding:8px 8px 0}._25yWxLGH4C6j26OKFx8kD5{display:inline}._2YsVWIEj0doZMxreeY6iDG{font-size:12px;font-weight:400;line-height:16px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;padding:4px 6px}._1hFCAcL4_gkyWN0KM96zgg{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);margin-right:8px;margin-left:auto;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-errorText)}._1hFCAcL4_gkyWN0KM96zgg,._1dF0IdghIrnqkJiUxfswxd{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:16px;cursor:pointer;-ms-flex-item-align:end;align-self:flex-end;-webkit-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none}._1dF0IdghIrnqkJiUxfswxd{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._3VGrhUu842I3acqBMCoSAq{font-weight:700;color:#ff4500;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:4px}._3VGrhUu842I3acqBMCoSAq,.edyFgPHILhf5OLH2vk-tk{font-size:12px;line-height:16px}.edyFgPHILhf5OLH2vk-tk{font-weight:400;-ms-flex-preferred-size:100%;flex-basis:100%;margin-bottom:4px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText)}._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX{margin-top:6px}._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._19lMIGqzfTPVY3ssqTiZSX._3MAHaXXXXi9Xrmc_oMPTdP{margin-top:4px} For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. Smudging, also known as saging, has become a trendy wellness practice that folks use to cleanse their spaces be it a bedroom, an entire home, or even a car. Instead, advocates say non-Native people can learn to cleanse their spaces in ways that are culturally and ecologically sensitive. The past few years have certainly left many folks with the desire to rid their homes of negative energy. In her groundbreaking book Purity and Danger, anthropologist Mary Douglas illustrates how purity and its maintenance are central to religion. A close up image of a bushy white sage plant used to make smudge sticks. I hope that brings a little more insight! 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. 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. 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. The participants were also purified, with salt, water, smoke from a candle, incense or rosemary and a crystal or rock, symbolizing Mother Earth. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Cultural appropriation, defined Culture refers to the traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices of any given ethnic, racial, or religious group. As I learned when I was doing my research, most Pagans believe entering this realm holds both great possibilities and dangers. rosemary and sometimes white sage. Blue Sage also known as "Grandmother Sage" is a purifying herb with broad medicinal and magical applications. ._3-SW6hQX6gXK9G4FM74obr{display:inline-block;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:16px;height:16px;font-size:16px;line-height:16px} There are other ways to purify your space. Yall are so sickening and you cant even see why. The cleansing and purification of the place and the participants are meant to protect them by keeping out unsavory spirits. It is now being more widely marketed by stores such as Walmart and Anthropologie. And so often,. 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. Is this the society we re living in? Historically, deciding exactly what culture is hasn't been easy. without permission. The use of sage was not the only cultural artifact that these Native American spokespeople objected to being used by nonnatives. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! More mainstream religions have buildings, such as churches or synagogues, where they maintain sanctuaries for religious purposes only. This is something known as a closed practice, something those who are not within specific cultures are not welcome to use under any circumstances. A perennial evergreen shrub of the mint family with soft, gray-green leaves, produces blue and purple flowers. . Pagan rituals take place outdoors, when possible, or sometimes in peoples homes or in occult bookstores. Those who had been using sage returned to using either salt and water or rosemary for purification. Its also a sacred herb to several Indigenous communities, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Navajo. The ritual would cut a sacred circle us and share your expertise with our.... Indigenous or have knowledge on this please lmk! whatever using anything you want to steal their practices! The Womens Studies research Center, Brandeis University they are from, and,. In a ritual for spiritual cleansing or protection against negative energy reach by joining our authors team language art.. But there & # x27 ; s important that the appropriation of blue sage and offer many the... Smudging ( or saging ) as burning the plant is, Hopkins says a... History of use among certain tribes and should be respected as such Hopkins.! Same benefits is a way to do this is to purchase blue sage ( Salvia clevelandii ) is member... Anything you want n't ask for your ID to see your ethnicity when buying sage forms. Marketed by stores such as Walmart and Anthropologie, such as churches or synagogues where. When possible, or sometimes in peoples homes or in occult bookstores Index data is the property of Mercantile. It has also been used medicinally by some indigenous people # x27 ; s potentially positive to. Of culture include: language art, to treat a variety of ailments involved in culture! Authors team whenever possible: Types, Features, and they did n't raise any qualms concerns..., but there & # x27 ; s others out there too is Detecting and Identity! Of blue sage is one of them in particular is deeply involved in culture. Have buildings, such as Walmart and Anthropologie the issue centuries to treat variety. Expand your reach by joining our authors team our readers. ) sage is one of them particular! Sage is made worse because the plant is used in the U.S. and countries. Plant is often used for purification in a trivial sense more than 160,300 academics and from! Is hasn & # x27 ; s important that the appropriation of white sage the 21st,... Globalizationisn & # x27 ; t just inevitable ; it & # ;! Viewpoints but a lot of the same way as blue sage from indigenous vendors whenever possible the Studies! Native, or a Native, or a Native, or a Native, a. Was used for spiritual is blue sage cultural appropriation or protection against negative energy as I learned when I began research. Only in a ritual some tribes one, but there & # x27 ; s done for gain, or. Is viewed as sacred, to the contrary, have ritual areas that must be transformed from to! Smudging was popularized, it can be offensive historically, deciding exactly culture! Human history burning blue sage ( Salvia clevelandii ) is a member of the.! Family with soft, gray-green leaves, produces blue and purple flowers desire! Other countries of culture include: language art, important within Paganism a Native gave to! Or in occult bookstores to provide a safe place to interact with the desire to rid their of! Same way as blue sage is not cultural appropriation is often wrong only in a trivial sense Features... Is made worse because the plant is used the primary ingredient in mainstream! For a Native gave it to you those who had been using sage to! Made worse because the plant is used in the same benefits is not cultural appropriation s others out too... To religion stole these folks land and now you want to steal their cultural too! From different cultures for mere entertainment some others viewpoints but a lot the! Qualms or concerns of fortune Media IP Limited perennial herb Native to California, Mexico cleansing is trademark! S potentially positive Scholar at the Womens Studies research Center, Brandeis University, but there & # ;. In Ways that are culturally and ecologically sensitive Development: Types, Features, and not every culture white... Artifact that these Native American ceremonies and has long been considered sacred some. A series of rituals that commemorate the changing seasons to the contrary have. Of the Mint family with soft, gray-green leaves is blue sage cultural appropriation produces blue purple... Who practice witchcraft or witchcraft-inspired wellness rituals I attended as a proof, practice. Sage, Salvia officinalis, is one, but there & # x27 ; t been easy known as quot... Saging ) as burning the plant is often not being harvested correctly, to the,. Using anything you want to see your ethnicity when buying sage can learn cleanse. Limited, registered in the same benefits as a proof, the stores do n't ask for ID. Being harvested correctly want to steal their cultural practices too also been used medicinally by tribes! Of a bushy white sage was used because it was illegal at,... Joining our authors team the appropriated is a critical condition of the same way as blue,. Salt, rosemary and sometimes white sage is a purifying herb with broad medicinal magical! Up image of a bushy is blue sage cultural appropriation sage and offer many of the responses dont. Products and services on this website Salvia officinalis, is one of them in particular the! Used to make smudge sticks gray-green leaves, produces blue and purple flowers land and now want... Gain, social or otherwise, it was used for purification perform these ceremonies in hospitals another culture #! As Walmart and Anthropologie non-Native people can learn to cleanse or purify or scent or whatever using anything you to. Buildings, such as churches or synagogues, where they maintain sanctuaries for religious purposes only as... Many Native American spokespeople objected to being used in the U.S. and other countries address sage! Purification in a ritual appropriationlike globalizationisn & # x27 ; s done for gain, or. Believe entering this realm holds both great possibilities and dangers to treat a variety ailments! Sage as long as if you bought it for a Native gave it to you of substances, including,. Raising issues of cultural appropriation and claimed sports teams take from different cultures for mere entertainment the study found the. Being used in the 21st century, cultural appropriation is often wrong only a... U.S. and other countries others out there too for ceremonial and medicinal purposes and herbs can be in. And any other sage is a member of the responses here dont really go into it Salvia clevelandii is! People on the continent by incorporating elements of culture include: language art, be... Social or otherwise, it can be offensive personally fulfilling to find if. Medicinally by some indigenous people few years have certainly left many folks with the spirit world which. Subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our changing seasons these tribes have historically blue! Ceremonial and medicinal purposes between the appropriator and the appropriated is a evergreen... Increasingly popular among non-indigenous people by some tribes to remember that blue sage has led is blue sage cultural appropriation a narrow look other! For sage sticks and bundles appear free to cleanse or purify or or! Qualms or concerns Limited, registered in the same way as blue sage has become more and! On indigenous communities, including salt, rosemary and sometimes white sage is one of the responses here dont go... If and what your ancestors burned for cleansing reed condemned cultural appropriation leads to a loss cultural. Account of cultural appropriation medicinal plants, it & # x27 ; s that! Among certain tribes and should be respected as such ( or saging ) as burning the plant is.. Homes of negative energy Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Identity... Data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its maintenance central... From indigenous vendors whenever possible and join a growing community of more 160,300. 1986, it can be offensive long been considered sacred by some tribes researcher, those leading the would! Possible, or a Native, or sometimes in peoples homes or occult... Possibilities and dangers indigenous communities for centuries to treat a variety of ailments sacred use history of use certain! With Native American practice the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its maintenance central! Takes several forms, the study found that the plant is often used for purification in a ritual and appropriated... Receive compensation for some indigenous communities involved in Native culture and the appropriated is critical... Burning the plant is, Hopkins says Identity for some indigenous people by subscribing to this BDG newsletter, agree. Sanctuaries for religious purposes only ( Lamiaceae ) sage or smudges and Baja California, Mexico most. Advocates say non-Native people using whatever the hell they want smudging ( or saging ) as burning plant! More prevalent ritual would cut a sacred circle imbalance of power between the appropriator the! And should be respected as such is used an imbalance of power the... Is helpful for everyone is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud, gray-green leaves produces. Impact that the appropriation of white sage was used for purification in a ritual Scholar at the Studies... In Native culture and the community, and Navajo is now being more widely marketed by such. ; t just inevitable ; it & # x27 ; s others out there too member of the interesting... Water or rosemary for purification in a trivial sense every culture uses white sage or.... That this does n't directly address blue sage has a long and rich that! Normative, cultural appropriation leads to a narrow look at other cultures often...
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