Sacred Herbs

Soon after human beings discovered how to make fire we began to notice that when different things burned they produced aromatic smoke.   As herbs, roots, resins, and barks are changed from their physical form (of this world) they are changed by the element of fire into smoke (spirit world form).  This transformation is evidence of the spirit within substances.

Throughout human history, aromatic plants have been used in the daily activities of people from every culture. As time has passed this connection between people and plants is being forgotten. We are drifting further and further away from the ways that connect us to the plant and animal spirits we share the earth with. We are losing our understanding of the physical things around us connect us to the spirit of life.

In Catholicism the use of incense is likened to one’s prayer being kindled by fire in the heart, spoken by the lips resulting in the odor of Christ on the breath.

People native to Turtle Island (The Americas) understand that the influence of plant medicine is very real in their daily lives.

Smudging

The act of smudging is done with a bowl or Abalone Shell with the appropriate herbs directly lit or burned on a coal or Charcoal Tablet. When using charcoal tablets the bowl or shell should be filled with sand or a flat stone to prevent over-heating the container. Smudging is also done with herbs tied in bundles called Smudge Sticks. In either case the smoke is “washed�?over the person or object with a Feather or by fanning the smoke with one’s hand.

To do a blessing of a person begin by looking into the eyes of the person for a moment to “greet�?them, fan the smoke first at their heart and then up to the right side  (your left) of the person’s head moving around clockwise (sun-wise), gently washing them with the smoke.  Continue brushing smoke down over their left shoulder and the length of their arm and back up again to the shoulder. Wash the smoke down the left side of the torso, left leg and foot. Now smudge the right foot, up the left leg, torso and down the length of the right arm and back up to the shoulder.  Now Turn the person around, turning to their right (sun-wise again) and repeat these movements as you smudge and bless the person’s back.

For objects, bless them moving sun-wise around them also.

Smudging and Blessing Herbs

Sage The use of sage is for healing, the smoke is used to bless, cleanse and heal the person or object being smudged. Sage is used to “wash off�?the outside world when one enters ceremony or other sacred space. Objects are likewise washed off with sage medicine smoke to rid them of unwanted influences.

True sages are in the genus of Salvia; this includes Salvia Officinalis (garden sage) and Salvia Apiana (White Sage).  Many of the herbs called sage come from a completely different family of plants, the Asteracea family. This family brings us the genus of Artemisia from which come New Mexico Sage (Artemisia tridentada), and the sage from the Dakotas (Artemisia ludoviciana). All of these sages (Salvia and Artemisia) are used for healing and cleansing. More can be learned from the book Sacred Sage How It Heals.

Cedar Cedar is a medicine of protection. Cedar trees are very old, wise and powerful spirits. Cedar is often used to cleanse a home or apartment when first moving in. Inviting unwanted spirits to leave and protecting a person, place or object from unwanted influences. Cedar is used as a name for a number of different genuses of trees and shrubs. The primary ones are Cedrus, Thuja, Libdocedrus and Juniperus.  The Junipers are not truly Cedars (scientifically) but are used as such by many people. Keep in mind that these scientific names have little meaning to the people using them as medicine in traditional ways.

Sweetgrass Also called Seneca grass, holy grass and vanilla grass. This very special herb’s sweet vanilla-like scent is the breath of the Earth mother, bringing the blessing of Mother Earth’s love.  Sweetgrass is burned to remind us of essence of the feminine and that the earth provides us with everything we need.  Most commonly found as braids, Sweetgrass can be unbraided and lit, blown out and the smoke that follows washed over the subject of the blessing. This wonderful medicine can be cut with a scissors into small pieces and sprinkles on hot Charcoal Tablets.

Lavender  This native of Europe is often used for invitation of the spirits. The name may be derived from the Latin lavare (to wash) or livendula (meaning bluish). In Ancient times lavender was an important herb used in mummification.  There is a legend that the clothing of baby Jesus was laid upon a lavender bush and acquired the fragrance. Some Christians still regard the scent of lavender as a safeguard against evil.  Burning Lavender is best done on Charcoal Tablets

Copal  This is tree sap from Mexico that is similar to Frankincense. When burned it has a crisp, clean, sharp scent that is almost citrus-like.  Copal is sacred to the native peoples of Mexico, as it is a gift “pleasing to the gods�?  Because copal is the blood of trees it is offered to honor the enormous gift given to us by all of the tree people of our planet.  Burning Copal is best done on Charcoal Tablets

Frankincense At one time both Frankincense and myrrh were considered to be more valuable than gold. Used to embalm the bodies of the Egyptian Pharaohs, this tree resin is considered to cleanse and protect the soul.  Frankincense became important to most every major religion in the world and is still used in Muslim, Jewish and Catholic rituals. Frankincense is said to ease depression and promote clairvoyance. Burning Frankincense is best done on Charcoal Tablets.

Myrrh This tree resin is said to help one maintain a state of enlightenment. Also it connects one to the spirit of youth and clears the path of debris that stands in the way of one’s truth. Burning Myrrh is best done on Charcoal Tablets.