BURNING ETIQUETTE
SACRED SMOKE PRACTICE, WHY WE LIGHT UP
Plants are living beings that need to be respected & not used in a wasteful manner. Burning sacred herbs dates back to prehistoric times and their use has been documented in every corner of the world by our collective ancestors. Whether you practice indigenous rituals like Scottish folk magic with saining or the Native American tradition of smudging or perhaps faith-based practices like the Christian tradition of burning herbs in a church Thurible or lighting incense for a Hindu Puja. Tomato, tomato...everyone has a way of burning herbs passed down from their ancestors or that resonates with their personal spiritual practice. We have been ritualizing smoke as far back as our ancestors in Ancient Greece, Rome & Egypt who used burning rituals to contact the dead. BURN TIP Please make sure to only utilize what you need. Ex. Instead of igniting a large sage wand to clear a tiny space I recommend removing one sprig from the bundle to do the work. A little can go a long way.
BLUE LOTUS FLOWER
I AM BLOSSOMING MANTRA
The bloom effect! In Ancient Egypt blue lotus aka the dreaming flower was burned as a sacred offering to the goddess. It attracts good fortune, taps into higher levels of consciousness, acts as a natural sedative & produces feelings of euphoria. (Also known as Blue Water Lily and the Sacred Lily of the Nile)
CEDAR
I AM READY TO START FRESH MANTRA
Welcome home! Cedar trees are considered old, wise & sacred in many cultures. Cedar is often used to cleanse a space when first moving in, inviting unwanted spirits to leave. It invites in good influences protecting a person, place or object from undesirable energies.
CHAMOMILE
I SHINE LIKE THE SUN MANTRA
This masculine plant is used for tranqulility, atrracting money, calling in love as well as removing & blocking curses. Chamomile originated in Europe and West Asia and since ancient times, has been highly valued by the Egyptians, Romans, Vikings and Greeks for its medicinal properties. The Egyptians considered it a sacred 'solar plant' and believed it was a gift from the God of the Sun. As a natural sleep aid Chamomile also can ease symptoms of depression as one of the symptoms of depression is lack of solid, peaceful sleep & it is the best plant for this purpose. Chamomile not only helps heal people's moods; stick it near a withering plant and it acts as an activator to improve the health of the ailing plant. It is also associated with prosperity & attracting wealth so entrepreneurs should drink regularly.
CINNAMON
I IGNITE MY FIRE MANTRA
Spice it up! Native to Sri Lanka & regarded as a go-to healing tool since 2000 BC in China. Cinnamon is associated with the element of fire and the sun therefore a conduit to speed up the action of a desired goal. Known as an herb to bring financial success as well as an ally to heat up the bedroom. Yes, the smell literally makes guys horny & enhances the male libido.
DANDELION ROOT
I LISTEN TO MESSAGES FROM BEYOND MANTRA
Hello, spirit calling! One of the 7 sacred herbs of the ancient Celts, known for enhancing divination skills & calling all manner of spirit into the room. If you are looking to connect with the other side to communicate with loved ones or speak to restless spirits in your home then this is the herb that can help life the veil.
EUCALYPTUS
I AM PATIENT MANTRA
Mind over matter! This native Australian plant is considered a holy tree for the Aboriginals & brings mental clarity. It represents the division of the underworld, Earth and heaven & used for purification, cleansing & an overall sense of good health. You can also enjoy its effects by stringing a small bunch to your shower head & to enjoy the refreshing fragrance that fills the space. When water touches eucalyptus, its healing oils are released from the leaves & can help with any sinus issues.
LAVENDER
I AM CALM MANTRA
The big chill! This Mediterranean native supports a calm mind and body, peaceful atmosphere, desire, cleanliness & relating positively with others with whom you share space. Burn before bedtime to enjoy an especially restful slumber.
LEMONGRASS
I FOCUS ON GROWTH MANTRA
Fresh as a daisy...I mean lemon! Native to southeast Asia it's energizing scent is known for igniting clarity & focus. As a multi-tasker it can be burnt, bathed in, used as a tea or carried by people to call on growth, strength, purification & fidelity. When used in spiritual practices every part of the lemongrass stalk including the blade of grass may be used. Legend & lore states it is said to repel dragons and serpents...
PALO SANTO
I AM PATIENT MANTRA
When the time is right! A sacred tree native to the Yucatán Peninsula whose name in Spanish means "holy stick/holy wood" & is traditionally used by Incan / Andean medicine people for purification, healing, protection & other ceremonial practices. The tree must undergo its full life cycle & then rest 2-4 years in its natural environment before all its healing properties manifest therefore its a powerful ally to assist with transitions & transformations in one's personal life...perhaps helping with patience too.
PINE
I EXIST IN HARMONY WITH ALL OF CREATION MANTRA
Peppered throughout the world each culture seems to associate a story of embodying wisdom, resilience & immortality. In Ancient Greece the rustling of the evergreens was believed to be the voice of Zeus. In Abrahamic religions they represent triumph of life over darkness as they retain their green foliage during dry, winter seasons. The Japanese term Matsu loosely translates as “waiting for the soul of a god to descend from heaven”, which relates to the Shinto belief that pines are ladders used by gods to ascend to heaven. Think about all that the next time you decorate a Christmas tree or hike in the woods.
ROSEMARY
I LISTEN TO MY ELDERS TEACHINGS MANTRA
Ancestor acknowledgement! Rosemary has been with humanity almost as long as we have written records. It was first referenced on cuneiform tablets from Ancient Egypt 5000BC meaning we have had an 8000+ year old relationship with this herb. Ancient Greeks and Romans used Rosemary for weddings, funerals & other rites of passage. It was then introduced to China in the 2nd century and Europe in the middle ages. Then it went west on a long voyage to North and South America in the 1700s and now has global reach. I share the history of Rosemary because like the herbs' been here from the beginning creation story, it is tied to memory, honoring the past and remembrance of our ancestors.
SAGE
I AM REFRESHED MANTRA
Clear the decks! Science decided to put sage to the test. Researchers have observed that sage can clear up to 94% of airborne bacteria in a space and disinfect the air. Simply put, sage clears bacteria in the air & also releases negative ions, which is linked to putting people into a positive mood. Although our ancestors didn't have any fancy meters to measure the smoke's effectiveness they intuitively would burn herbs when someone was sick. Ever watch a movie set in medieval times? There would undoubtedly be a scene when the bubonic plague was sweeping through the country & it was commanded by the king to burn herbs in the castle to 'cast out the sick air'. This is EXACTLY what they were doing...hotboxing their space with sacred sage smoke to kill bacteria. Every time I need to clear myself, my space or my belongings I like to say, "Any energy that is not mine or of my highest & greatest good get the F*** out, with love however you can't stay here". BURN TIP: Create an exit strategy for the unwanted energy by making sure the door or window is open so the energy has somewhere to go.
SWEETGRASS
I OPEN TO NEW EXPERIENCES MANTRA
I bring in sweetnesss! A native plant to Eurasia & North America is most known as a sacred plant to the Native Americans. Sweetgrass has a light, sweet vanilla-like scent and is often used in conjunction with sage. After sage has escorted unwanted energy away from people, places & things burn sweetgrass to attract NEW positive energy.
THYME
I AM BOLD MANTRA
Put your most bold foot forward! The ancient Celts & Norse Shamans worked with this herb to promote courage when taking on new adventures, bravery when facing one of life's many rites of passage & embodying confidence in the unknown. It was burned to purify temples. Legend & lore recommends to crush a leaf against your third eye to enhance your psychic powers.
TOBACCO
I EMBRACE CHANGE MANTRA
I always honor my teachers! Tobacco is one of the most sacred plants for the Native American people. It is ceremoniously offered before entering sacred land, ritual practices, burning other herbs or communicating with the Spirit world. It is said to be an activator of all plants as well as allowing new beginnings to unfold. Should you ever talk a 'spirit walk' in the woods & offer tobacco to a plant; sprinkle it on the earth in front of the plant & explain your reasons for being there. The plant will let all the plants in the area know your intentions and why you are picking them or asking for their medicine or guidance. Should you attend a spiritual ceremony you can offer tobacco to the Elder leading the ceremony along with an honoring gift. This offering announces your intention and the Elder may ask you to voice your intentions with this offering.
YARROW
I CONNECT WITH UNIVERSAL LOVE MANTRA
Old faithful! This is an ancient herb found in the practices of Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Native American Medicine & even at a Neanderthal burial site in Iraq, dating back to 60,000 BC. Yarrow's versatile healing properties can be added to salads and soups, vinegars, teas, utilized in poultices, tinctures, bug repellant, deodorant, and more. Burning it symbolizes unconditional love & calling in long lasting love. It takes about two years for yarrow to flourish, and becomes a strong and lasting perennial who can endure conditions and neglect that would wither many other plants making it a symbol of endurance as well.