Smudging Ceremony (EDIT: now includes information about incense)

[warmhandedcanadian]

Gifts from the Creator for man's use...

The smudging ceremony

By KiiskeeNtum
(She Who Remembers)

The burning of various medicine plants to make a smudge or cleansing smoke is used by the majority of Native North American peoples. It is a ritual cleansing.

As the smoke rises, our prayers rise to the Spirit World where the Grandfathers and our Creator reside. Negative energy, feelings, and emotions are lifted away. It is also used for healing of mind, body and spirit, as well as balancing energies.

Our Elders teach us that all ceremonies must be entered into or begun with good intent. So many of us use the smudge as a symbolic or ritual cleansing of mind, body, spirit and emotion. The smell of the burning medicines stimulates our brains to produce beta-endorphins, which are part of the normal healing process of our bodies.

Smudging may also be used to cleanse, purify and bless the part of our Mother, the Earth which we utilize in seeking after the spiritual. For example: around the area used for sweatlodge or powwow. It may also be used to purify or bless special objects or totems, such as jewelry, rattles, clothing or other ceremonial objects.

It is a customary to cleanse, (brush or wash the smoke) over our eyes, ears, mouth, hands, heart and body. Some people choose to brush it over their backs, to 'lighten their troubles'. It is customary to use matches to light the medicines, when available.

Sage: Is seen as a women's medicine, and offers strength, wisdom, and clarity of purpose. It is used to symbolize the life-giving power of women. Sage is often braided into three strands, similar to Sweetgrass, and hung within one's home. It may be tied with a ribbon in one of the colors of the medicine wheel: Red, yellow, black, white or green.

Cedar: Is used for purification and to attract positive energy, feelings, emotions and for balance. Cedar tea has been used as a healing medicine. It's high vitamin C content was essential to the prevention of scurvy, in a time when fruits and vegetables were unavailable during the long winter months. It was one of the first gifts of natural healing shared with the European peoples upon their arrival to Turtle Island (North America).

Sweetgrass: Is used by almost all Aboriginal peoples in North America. It is a ritual cleansing. The smoke rises, as our prayers rise above us to our Creator, the Grandfathers, and the Spirit World.

Sweetgrass was one of the four original "medicine plants" given by the Creator to the first peoples. The others being Tobacco, Cedar, and Sage.

We cleanse our eyes so that they will see the truth around us, the beauty of our Mother, the Earth, the gifts given us by our Creator, the love shared with us through our families, friends and communities.

We cleanse our mouth, that all we speak will be truthful, said in a way that will empower the positive, only good things, always full of words of praise and thanksgiving for our Creator.

We cleanse our ears, so that our ears will hear the spiritual truths given us by our Creator, listen to the truth as it is shared with us by the Creator, the Grandfathers, Four Directions, Four Kingdoms, and be open to the request for assistance from others, to hear only the good things and allow the bad to 'bounce off'.

We cleanse our hearts so that our hearts will feel the truth, grow with us in harmony and balance, be good and pure, be open to show compassion, gentleness and caring for others.

We cleanse our feet so that our feet will seek to walk the true path, seek balance and harmony, lead us closer to our families, friends, community, walk closer to our loved ones and help us flee our enemies, and lead us closer to our Creator.

In some places, it is the custom to exclude a pregnant women so that all her energies may be directed towards nurturing the new life within her. In others, she must participate, as her strength is shared and multiplied by the new life within her. If in doubt, seek out the Elder and ask for direction.

In some places, a woman on her moon time (menstrual time) is asked to remain outside the circle during any ceremony. In others she may sit inside but not partake of the Sweetgrass. Again, seek out an Elder and ask for guidance.

The author's grandmother's simplest explanation of Sweetgrass was that it chased away all the negative energy, feelings and emotions, and left a well, or open space, into which happiness can enter.

The lesson Sweetgrass teaches us is kindness. When Sweetgrass is walked upon, it bends, but does not break. So one of the lessons of Sweetgrass is that when someone does us an injustice or hurts us, we are to return it with kindness, as does the Sweetgrass, by bending, not breaking when it is walked upon. It is often referred to as the hair of our Mother, the Earth.

It is not customary to purchase it. One goes out and picks it during August. If this is impossible for whatever reason, one may ask to exchange gifts with someone who has a supply. If both these are impossible, and the need is great, it is acceptable to purchase some for a friend or spouse, and exchange, with each one using the other's. Medicines are supposed to come to you when you are ready to use them in the right way.

A woman on her time may not pick Sweetgrass. It is customary to remove any metal, rings, watches, glasses, etc. (except those which cannot be physically removed), prior to the use of any smudge. Metal is man-made, and seen to hold negative energy. Some people choose to smudge these objects on a regular basis to remove any residual energy.

Tobacco: Is held as a scared plant by all Native North American people. It is believed that Tobacco opens the door between the Worlds of Earth and Spirit and used in many ways by Aboriginal peoples all over Turtle Island.

If tobacco is offered and accepted, and a request made of the person accepting it, that promise is sacred. It is a commitment or promise not only between the people involved, but with our Creator and the Grandfathers of the Spirit World. It must be honored.

Tobacco may be carried around and used as a means of thanking our Creator for his gifts. For example, if you enjoyed a sunset, rainbow, good weather, you might leave some Tobacco on the ground, and say thank you for the gift. If you take a gift, gather Sweetgrass, Cedar, Sage, birchbark, stones, herbs, you might leave Tobacco in the ground to honor the gift you are taking, returning energy and prayer to our Mother, the Earth, and thanks to the Creator.

Tobacco need not be smoked. In fact, it should be smoked only by certain people on specific occasions, for example, pipe carriers during ceremonies.

Tobacco, or any smudge, may be burned in an earthen-ware bowl, large clam shell, in a fire or fireplace or other object during periods of prayer and meditation. As the smoke rises, so do our prayers rise to the Spirit World and the Creator.

Women on their moon do not use, carry or touch Tobacco, or any other medicine plant or herb. One exception is women's Sage, which may be used by all.


I found this info because I know that Samhain had some interest in the sage part of it ... seeing as he is a dual spirit (very sacred).

Sorry I still dont have the info for you.... but I have a big bag of sage and I can send you some now Sam!

[seamonster66]

I smoked some sage once, tasted like chicken. I have seen people burning some around the campfire

[warmhandedcanadian]

I never knew you could smoke it. Was that something you tried out on your own, or did someone suggest it?

[seamonster66]

someone suggested it, was pretty stupid really, as it doesn't get you high. I was about 18 though, and falling into that dumb stoner phase

[warmhandedcanadian]

Yeah I wouldnt want to smoke it, I think the smell says enough about the way the smoke would be on the lungs. Mind you, its medicine so I suppose you could.

To me its very perfume-y.

[nimh]

i used to add sage to my tobacco as a smoking mixture. didnt last long though, it's pretty strong.

i smudge my house when there's been a lot of fighting in it, or negative energy. it helps clear the air.

[Samhain]

Jess awsome post, I haven't had time to read it yet, but will devour it soon!
I smudge at the start of a ritual. one ritual the whole of a smudge stick burnt to nothing, which is pretty unusual, as they normally go out, my bedroom turned into a smoke sauna and all our clothes stunk like a bonfire, my friend reckoned my room needed a good cleanse
S

[warmhandedcanadian]

i used to add sage to my tobacco as a smoking mixture. didnt last long though, it's pretty strong.

i smudge my house when there's been a lot of fighting in it, or negative energy. it helps clear the air.
That's what I do too at home, since I'm not there I had to look for the sage. I like to use it because it doesnt have all the stipulations that sweetgrass or other medicines might.
(like when you're on your moon time)

[Samhain]

I'm really pleased with this post Jess, I think it has a lot of valuable and interesting information.
I would like to honour this nature religion that I feel is a brother religion to my own
you may have noticed that I have diecided to do 'weekly stickys' where they are up for one week then changed for another, that way interesting threads don't get lost just because they are not being posted on, so I think this is going to be next weeks sticky (move over your ass :D)

When I do my witchcraft rituals at the beginning all participants 'feel' the goddess and god.
a smudgestick can be used to feel the god, a smudgestick represents the masculine elements of fire and air, and participants are smudged and asked to 'feel or embrace the god' then water and salt are mixed in a cup, water becomes mixed with the element of earth (salt) the two feminine elements, the water is sprinkled over all participants who are asked to 'feel or embrace the goddess'
this part of the ritual as a duel purpose not only have we then invited diety into our circle, we have also become spiritualy cleansed by smudge and purified by water in honor of ritual space

In some places, a woman on her moon time (menstrual time) is asked to remain outside the circle during any ceremony. In others she may sit inside but not partake of the Sweetgrass. Again, seek out an Elder and ask for guidance.

Women on their moon do not use, carry or touch Tobacco, or any other medicine plant or herb. One exception is women's Sage, which may be used by all.

This is very different to witchcraft and the only point in your post that I would disagree with, in witchcraft the menstrual cycle is seen to be magical and powerful, it separates women from men and is much honored, it is when women are at the peak of their magical power.
It sounds like (and correct me if I'm wrong) that women are excluded or asked to take a lesser role because a womans period is seen to be unclean.
also Jess do women play an equal role and are elders or is it just men?

Sorry I still dont have the info for you.... but I have a big bag of sage and I can send you some now Sam!
goodies and it will be used in ritual-can't wait!
S

[warmhandedcanadian]

I have also met woman elders... In fact I received my first braid of sage from a woman. It was tied with red ribbon for protection, it was given to me personally after a little boy was murdered in the building where I worked.... I ran the day care centre there when it happened. Obviously it was very tramatic for the families of the centre. And me.

I have read something that said a woman's moon time is scared and she needent do anything but rest at this time.... she should be taken care of. I do know I had to stand outside of a ceremony because I was menstruating. Talk about embarassing it must've been written on my bitchy face lol. I had a woman come to me and say "are you on your mooon? Come with me" I guess she was on hers as well .... we were the only two on the outside of the circle!

[Samhain]

it feels that the seculsion from ritual isn't what made me think that, it was the not touching any herbs at this time.
at any rate in witchcraft I think you and your friend would have been given centre stage!
S

[warmhandedcanadian]

lol.... oh thank you my dear!

[Samhain]

lol.... oh thank you my dear!
actually I'm talking crap you'd get centre stage every time!
S

[warmhandedcanadian]

Through the magic of GOOGle:

The Moon Time Written by Harold Flett

The women are honoured and respected for the gift they have been given as life givers. Women must keep themselves of good mind, body, and spirit at all times. There is a natural cleansing cycle that occurs for women each month that helps them stay healthy. Some people call this the menstrual cycle, the period, or the menses.

Very often amongst the Aboriginal people you will hear of a time called " the moon time". The name is understood to be symbolic of the grandmother moon that travels the sky at night. The moon is honoured by the women in different ways and as she becomes full once a month so do women. This is a time when the blood flows from a woman and she is considered to be at her greatest strength. It is a time for women to stay quiet, to think, and to meditate about who they are as women. This is also a time when the women should be looked after and cared for. Women are powerful during this time and, out of respect for that power, they do not attend ceremonies, feasts, and Pow-wows where sacred items such as drums, outfits, feathers, eagle whistles, rattles, and pipes will be present. In this same manner the women do not wear their outfits to dance in the circle of life at the Pow-wow.

[nimh]

i had also been taught that it is because women are so powerful during their moontimes that they need to be outside of the ceremonies in native traditions. their presence would be too much for the ceremony to be able to handle.

it's the puritans/xtians who put the 'curse' of uncleanliness on the moontime.

[Samhain]

i had also been taught that it is because women are so powerful during their moontimes that they need to be outside of the ceremonies in native traditions. their presence would be too much for the ceremony to be able to handle.

it's the puritans/xtians who put the 'curse' of uncleanliness on the moontime.
I queryed this because of the not touching of the herbs part, however what you and Jess have said makes much more sense to me
S

[Samhain]

I just love the information that kitty has provided in her forum about incense!
I'm going to paste it all below
heres a link to her forum store (if store is the right name for it Kitty)
http://hipforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=408
temporarily semi-homeless and focusing on vending at the moment, so that orders may be delayed a little.
S

[Samhain]

courtasy of kitty fabulous

Everything you've always wanted to know about incense and it's use, but never bothered to ask! I've created this FAQ and glossary to answer some of the questions I've come across trying to buy incense for the shop.

Incense FAQ:

Why do people burn incense? Incense was originally burned for devotional and possibly shamanic use. In the 60's it became assoicated with the hippies due to their dabbling in Eastern spiritual systems, and because it was often burned to mask the fragrance of marijiana. Today in the US, apart from it's continuing religious use, incense is most commonly burned to provide atmosphere for meditation, yoga, or social gatherings.

How do I burn incense? The most readily available incenses are self-lighting sticks, which can be placed stick-side down in a small bowl of sand or salt, or in an ash-catcher or smoke box; self-lighting cones can be placed in a special heat-proof burner, an ashtray, or a bowl of sand. A flame from a match or lighter is touched to the tip of the self-lighting incense, and held until the incense ignites. The flame on the incense is allowed to burn for a few seconds until the incense glows, and is then blown out, leaving the glowing tip to smoulder.

Granular or loose incense is burned by placing it on a lit block of self-igniting incense charcoal. The charcoal is lit in a similar manner as the self-lighting incense, holding a flame to the edge. The charcoal is then placed in a censer or a dish of sand and allowed to smoulder until it has turned a little grey. A pinch of the granular incesne is then sprinkled over the smouldering coal.

What are the different kinds of incense? Incense comes in the forms of sticks, cones, logs, cylanders, coils, and in loose or granular form, with sticks and cones being the most popular. Loose of granular incense is usually not self-lighting, and must be burned on a hot coal.

Do I need a special incense burner? If you don't have an incense burner, you can use a dish of sand. Incense cones or logs can be burned safely in a heat-proof ashtray. An ash-catcher or smoke box will greatly reduce the mess of burning stick or cylander incense.

Where does incense come from? Stick incense in the popular form that we know it in today is believed to have originated in China. Incense has been used throughout the world since before civiliztion.

Chinese Incense: Self-lighting incense is believed to have developed in China along with the development of fireworks. Sadly, most of the incense coming out of China today is inferior quality, facorty-made dipped sticks. There are a few remaining manufacturers of quality incense remaining in China, although sources of these incenses are hard to find.

Indian Incense: Indian incenses became popular in the West with the hippie movement. India is the home of many of the ingredients used to make incense around the world. Although the trade route from Europe to India was frequently referred to as the "Silk Road", trade in Indian spices, woods and resins for use in incense making was just as common.

Japanese Incense: Although not the original creators of incense, the Japanese have certainly perfected its manufacture to a fine art. Japanese incense masters may study for a lifetime to produce clean-burning, exceptionally high-quality incense unequalled by any in the world. "Made in Japan" does not necessarily guarantee the superior quality of the work of an incense master, however, and such high quality incense can be quite expensive.

Incense use in Europe: Although usually associated with the East, incense was used in Europe for devotional and shamanic purposes, from the vapors inhaled by the priestesses at Delphi to the swinging censers of the Roman Catholic mass. Incense use in Europe has a long, rich history, but never made the transition to the self-lighting incenses of the East. Although ingredients such as spices and resins imported from the Orient were incorporated into European incense use, local flora was included as well.

Incense in the Americas: The so-called "New World" already had a long history of incense use when the invaders from Europe brought their censer-swinging priests seeking converts. Perhaps the best known incense traditions of the First Peoples are sage bundles, sweetgrass braids, and of course, tobacco. Mayan copal, pine and deer's tongue (a plant, not an animal part) are other contributions of the ancient western continents to world incense lore.

What is the best kind of incense for my needs? That will of course, depend on what your needs are. For meditation, and yoga it's recommended you choose an incense that is not too heavy or sweet. Incense for contemporary Wiccan, Pagan or Ceremonial Magick ritual use is often chosen by systems of correspondences of varying complexity that vary from tradition to tradition; lists and tables of correspondences exist in many books and elsewhere on the web. One of the most common uses of incense today, as mentioned, is simply to provide atmosphere, and that is of course largely a matter of personal choice. In general, incense sticks can create a greasy, ashy mess unless they are burned in a wide, roomy ash-catcher or smoke box. Cones produce less mess, and without the unnecessary bamboo stick burning along with the incense. For some reason, however, joss sticks remain the most popular form of incense sold today.

How can I choose a quality incense? Incense quality can be determined by the purity of the igredients, and the amount of fragrance produced in proportion to smoke. Granular incense tends to be very smokey, and the fragrance is often drastically changed by burning. Dipped incense is considered inferior to rolled, as it frequently is composed of unnecessary fillers and sythetic perfume oils. Incense that may be burnt without the central supportive bamboo stick, such as cones, cylanders, and coils, may be of a purer fragrance, free from the unnecessary smoke and odor of the burning bamboo.

Why are natural ingredients important? Aside from the spiritual significance of using natural materials which is important to many religious, spiritual, and magickal/shamanic systems, natural ingredients are far healthier as well. Many of the synthetic fragrances used in perfumery and incense manufacture today contain chemicals from the dangerous toluene/formaldehyde group, and may cause serious discomfort and illness for people with chemical sensitivities.

When shouldn't I burn incense? Incense use is usually forbidden in college dormitories and often hotel rooms. In addition, do not burn incense around very young babies, or people with asthma or allergies. Headaches and congestion may be worsened by smokey or strong-fragranced incense. Never leave burning incense unattended.

What are some alternatives to incense? If you are unable to burn incense, but would still like to fragrance your environment without the use of chemical air fresheners, consider using a lamp ring and one to three drops of a pure, natural fragrance oil. Potpourri placed in a bowl or a simmerer may also be an option, although potpourri simmerers are often forbidden in dorms for the same reasons as incense. Fragrant, fresh flowers are a safe, natural alternative even in the strictest dorm.



Incense Glossary:

agar - aloes wood, believed to be the first incense, sometimes used to mean simply "incense"

agarbatti - Indian stick incense, from "agar" (aloeswood, or incense) and "batti" (stick) This glossary was inspired by someone in a hippie shop trying to convince me the word was a brand name because it appeared on all the boxes of nag champa.

amber - in incense and perfumery, amber does not refer to the petrified resin of the pine tree, but to a blend of plant-based or synthetic resins and perfumes made to imitate ambergris.

ambergris - a secretion of the sperm whale, produced to protect their stomachs from the beaks of the cuttlefish they eat. In modern perfumery, most ambergris is now synthetic.

ash-catcher - a type of incense holder, usually long, flat, and curved up at one end, that catches the ash of the incense as it falls, preventing a mess. Sometimes also called an "incense boat".

censer - often made of brass or another metal, a censer is a holder for charcoal blocks and granular incense, with legs or a base, and often hanging or swinging from chains.

champa - (also champaka or champak) the balsamic resin of the Michelia champaca tree, which is native to India and has orange-yellow flowers.

chandan - sandalwood

charcoal - the charcoal used for burning granular incense is not the same as barbeque charcoal, which is only safely burned outside. Incense charcoal is "self-lighting" and safe for indoor use.

desi ghee - Indian clarified butter, an ingredient in dhoop

dhoop - a type of soft, slow-burning incense, frequently burned in temples, made from desi ghee and natural herbs and perfumes. It is formed into a paste and rolled into logs, cones, cylanders, or onto bamboo sticks. "dhoop agarbatti" means dhoop rolled into stick incense, "chandan dhoop" means dhoop made from sandalwood. Because it contains ghee, dhoop incense might not be vegan.

dipped incense - incense made from fragrance-free sticks dipped into perfume oils. Considered to be an inferior type of incense.

dragon's blood - the resin of the dragon's blood palm, so named for its spicy fragrance and remblance to dried blood. Dragon's blood incense is not made from actual blood of any kind.

durbar - a fragrance-free incense paste that is rolled onto sticks and then dippped into fragrant oils

gulab - rose. "gulab chandan" is incense smelling of rose and sandalwood.

granular incense - loose incense, usually not self-lighting, that is burned by sprinkling it over lighted charcoal in a censer.

incense holder - can be anything from a dish of sand to a small tile with a hole in it for sticks or an heat-proof surface to recieve cones, used to hold smouldering incense. It may or may not have a surface to recieve falling ash.

joss sticks - "joss" comes from the Portugese word "deus", meaning a god. When temples were built in Western communities by Chinese immigrants, they were referred to as "joss houses". "Joss sticks" were the slang name applied to the offerings of incense burned in the temples. It's now used to refer to any stick or cylander incense.

kasturi - musk. Nowadays often synthetic.

khus-khus - vetivert, a fragrant grass with a deep, earthy, almost smoky fragrance

koh - a Tibetian incense

loban - benzoin, the balsamic resin of the styrax tree.

masala - a characteristic incense recipe paste, the ingredients of which contain the materials that makes the fragrance. No oils are used, the fragrance comes directly from the herbs, spices, woods, etc.

mogra - jasamine

nag champa - is also not a brand name. It is a perfume originating in Hindu and Buddhist monasteries in India and Nepal, made from a sandalwood base, to which flower oils, including and especially that of champa flower, are added. To hippies here in the States, it is most famously associated with the an outrageously popular incense sold in a familiar blue box, manufactured and exported by Shinivas Sugandhalaya, and bearing the name of holy man Satya Sai Baba, although other quality brands of nag champa incense, such as the "gold champa" made by Goloka Seva Trust, exist.

neroli - orange blossom

olibanum - (also called mattipal) frankincense

patchouli - a shrubby bush from Malaysia and India, with a warm, earthy fragrance. Its leaves were packed with shawls from India to protect them from moths during the Victorian era. Patchouly became associated with the hippies in the 1960's because of its association with India, and because the incense was often burned to mask the tell-tale odor of marijuana.

resin - the dried, fragrant sap of certain trees and shrubs, used in incense and perfumery

self-lighting incense - incense that will ignite at the touch of a match or flame, as opposed to incense that must be burned on coals.

simpoi - a Tibetian-style, rolled stick-shaped or cylander incense that does not contain a central bamboo stick.

smoke box - a box-shaped ash-catcher with a carved lid that closes over a lit stick of incense, allowing the smoke to drift through the holes, and completely containing all the falling ash, eliminating the mess of burning incense sticks. Smoke boxes frequently have a compartment underneath to store unlit incense sticks.

smudging - the ritual act of blessing an object, person, or area by brushing or fanning the smoke of burning sage or incense over it.

sugandha - a Buddhist term for one of the 4 smells, meaning "fragrant"; often used to mean "incense".
__________________

[nimh]

so, if i wanted to wildcraft some sweetgrass, how do i recognise it? grasses all look the same to me. ::sigh:: i've seen it for sale, but i just dont feel right buying it. seems that august is the time to harvest sweetgrass.

ps, i've always picked my own sage. it grows wild in the deserty places in bc. i didnt pick any this summer, driving thru the okanagan, because i still had sage left from last fall.

[warmhandedcanadian]

i dont know either.... sweetgrass is of course grass ..... think i'll google it.... Yeah I've seen it for sale too.

[Samhain]

i dont know either.... sweetgrass is of course grass ..... think i'll google it.... Yeah I've seen it for sale too.
would it perhaps smell very differently?
S

[nimh]

that's what i've been told, but i've never been able to recognize it. i googled and found someone who was selling sweetgrass plugs (so you can grow yer own).

i've been thinking for a long time that it would be really neat to apprentice to a wildcrafter. imagine all that a person could learn about medicinal plants....

[Samhain]

Sweet grass
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the city in Montana, see Sweetgrass, Montana; for the First Nation see Sweetgrass First Nation
?Sweet Grass (inter alia)

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Hierochloe
Species: H. odorata
Binomial name
Hierochloe odorata
(L.) P. Beauv.

Sweet grass (Hierochloe odorata), also known as Sweetgrass, Holy grass, buffalo grass, Vanilla grass, Manna grass, Seneca grass, Mary's grass, Zebrovka, or Bison grass, is an aromatic herb which grows in northern Eurasia and North America. It is used in herbal medicine and manufacture of alcoholic beverages . It owes its specific aroma to the presence of coumarin.

Habit: Very hardy native perennial. Native to North America as well as Europe. Grows to about 60 cm in height, leaves grow 60 cm long by late summer. Base of leaves, just below soil surface is broad and white, without hairs, underside of leaves are shiny, no hairs

Propagation: Easiest by cutting out plugs from established plants. Grown in sun or partial shade, they do not like drought.

Distribution: Northern America: Canada; New England States. Asia-Temperate: Europe: from Switzerland north. Only one site in Ireland, and four counties in Scotland; making it very rare in the British Isles.

Harvesting: Cut grass in early to late summer at the desired length, hang to dry in sun for a few days. To make braids, simply place the dried sweetgrass in warm water for a few minutes, braid and hang out of the sun to dry. Sweetgrass harvested after the first frost has little or no scent.

[Samhain]

Uses

European traditions

Sweet grass - Photographed in Ontario, Canada 2003
Sweet grass was strewn before church doors on saints' days in northern Europe, presumably because of the sweet smell that arose when it was trodden on. It was used in France to flavor candy, tobacco, soft drinks, and perfumes. Widely used in neo-pagan practice (syncretized from North American indigenous practice). In Europe, the species H. alpina is frequently substituted or used interchangeably. In Russia, it was used to flavor tea. It is still used in flavored vodka, the most notable example being Polish ?ubrÑwka.

American Aboriginal traditions
Sweet grass was, and is very widely used by North American indigenous peoples. A sacred plant, used in peace and healing rituals. Leaves are dried and made into braids and burned as vanilla-scented incense; long leaves of sterile shoots are used by Native Americans in making baskets. Natives of the Great Plains believe it was the first plant to cover Mother Earth. The Anishinaabe Natives believe it is a purifier, and burn sweetgrass before all ceremonies. It is a reminder to respect the earth and all things it provides.
It is also used in ceremonial items by the Blackfoot and Lakota peoples.
Incense used by at least the Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Dakota, Kiowa, Lakota, Menominee, Montana, Ojibwa, Omaha, Pawnee, Ponca, Sioux, and Winnebago peoples. Used for purification, as oblations to ancestors, for protection of spirits, and keeping out of evil and harm. Used in a variety of ceremonies including peace ceremonies and initiations.
Used by Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Lakota, Montana, Okanagan-Colville, Omaha, and Thompson for cosmetic and aromatic purposes. Blackfoot and Gros Ventre use Leaves soaked in water and used as a hairwash. Sweet grass tea and smoke were used for coughs and sore throats (Flathead, Blackfoot). Teas as wash to treat chapping and windburn, and as an eyewash. The Blackfoot chewed grass as a means of extended endurance in ceremonies involving prolonged fasting. Iroquois, Kiowa, Malecite, Menominee, and Micmac people (amongst others) use sweetgrass in basketry (including mats) and crafts.
Kiowa use fragrant leaves as stuffing for pillows and mattresses. Used for sewing at least by Menominee. Used as body & hair decoration/perfume by Blackfoot, Flathead, and Thompson. Used as an incense to "keep the bugs away" by Flathead. Used by Cheyenne to paint pipes in the Sun Dance and the Sacred Arrow ceremonies.
Sweetgrass has a mellow, almost soporific effect, and for many is a useful aid to entering a meditative state. Interestingly enough, it appears that coumarin, although not known to possess psychotropic effects, is a common denominator among a number of herbs used ritually which have strong anecdotal evidence for at least mild psychotropic properties.

[Samhain]

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/220px-Hierochloe_odorata_USDA_.jpghttp://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/pl_sweetgrass.gif
sweet grass
S

[warmhandedcanadian]

hey sam thanks for that pic, I forgot that it had those little seed thingys at the top of some of them... the ones in the "store" are just grass... usually braided. I have only had mine given to me either alone or weaved with other plants. I mostly just use sage, but the smell of sweet grass is completely different. My husband went with a bunch of people to pick medicine. I will ask him how it was found.

[warmhandedcanadian]

Nimh if you are growing it ..... it would be a great hobby eh?

[nimh]

i've thought about ordering a plug, it'd make a neat houseplant. :) not really the same was wild-grown, but still kinda neat.

[Samhain]

i've thought about ordering a plug, it'd make a neat houseplant. :) not really the same was wild-grown, but still kinda neat.
you can't do that, that would be like you eating instant mash :D
S

[warmhandedcanadian]

haha really sam?

Today I burned some sweetgrass as opposed to sage, it really did have a different smell than the sage. I cant say which was better..... we have quite a few braids that were gifts.

[nimh]

you can't do that, that would be like you eating instant mash :D
Ssheesh, it's not like i'm some kind of saint when it comes to food (http://hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2807105#post2807105). i'm not perfect ya know. :)

ps, i've never really used sweetgrass, i've always used sage. i've been thinking about using cedar, i love the way it smells when it's burning and it's abundant around here.

[Anima_Mercury]

you're funny nimh ;)

♥ Love ♥

V

[Samhain]

sheesh, it's not like i'm some kind of saint when it comes to food (http://hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2807105#post2807105). i'm not perfect ya know. :)

ps, i've never really used sweetgrass, i've always used sage. i've been thinking about using cedar, i love the way it smells when it's burning and it's abundant around here.
i'm kinda just joking, cause you don't seem the type to take short cuts!
S

[warmhandedcanadian]

Hey.... my friend "shaz" has a foster child at her house....... long story short, he is of aboriginal decent. One night Shaz and I got drunk.... so her little guy slept over here with D and the kids ......

In the morning, I had some sage burning, and was cleaning, meditating... he was here, so I showed him how to smudge (im guessing somewhat too, I do it my own way)....my kids do it, especially owen who is this kid's buddy . He asked Sharon about it! (shaz) and now she wants some medicine ... and I have a clam shell for her, btw why does it need to be burned in that of the earth?I was trying to explain to shaz......

[Samhain]

Hey.... my friend "shaz" has a foster child at her house....... long story short, he is of aboriginal decent. One night Shaz and I got drunk.... so her little guy slept over here with D and the kids ......

In the morning, I had some sage burning, and was cleaning, meditating... he was here, so I showed him how to smudge (im guessing somewhat too, I do it my own way)....my kids do it, especially owen who is this kid's buddy . He asked Sharon about it! (shaz) and now she wants some medicine ... and I have a clam shell for her, btw why does it need to be burned in that of the earth?I was trying to explain to shaz......
I'm not sure I quite understand you, did you mean the shell represents the earth and why does it have to be burnt in that???
well to me the shell would actually represent water and useing the shell as water and the smudge as air or fire it creates a sacred balance, shell water goddess, smudge fire god.
I don't think there needs to be strict rules though, if its meaningful to you go for it.
why not ask your hubby is opinon?
S

[warmhandedcanadian]

he is not that knowledgable... he was not raised with traditional spirituality... I did ask him some stuff... but he's kinda "duh"..... he is wrapped up in his own stuff too much!

[Samhain]

he is not that knowledgable... he was not raised with traditional spirituality... I did ask him some stuff... but he's kinda "duh"..... he is wrapped up in his own stuff too much!
did what I say answer your question?
S

[warmhandedcanadian]

I'm not usually a big fan of incense, some times its too harsh and gives me a headache. I recently picked up some "natural herbal incense" from a gift/book/spiritual store. I used some to smudge my crystals and I hung up the packages near my bed.... HOLY SHIT it smells sooooooooo good even when its not burning... my whole room smells delicious.

I got an incense called "Goddess" OMG its delicious I want to bite the air.... I cant even tell you what's in it, as it was a pick your own thing going on.... I never paid alot of attention.

The other scent i got is "hawwian high" and it is also fabulous.... but Goddess... if you ever see it, damn well get it!

I cant begin to explain it quite like KC or sam can!

[honeyhannah]

Sounds heavenly to me, at the moment... I'm sure it'd put me right to sleep.

We burned incense last night while we were sleeping, even that little bit of heat makes you feel warmer, but I don't think it's really about the heat...

[warmhandedcanadian]

what is going on?

where abouts do you live?
its getting cold here too .....

[nimh]

i cant handle inscence, i can only seem to burn it outside. there's a metaphysical shop in town that i dont even go into anymore because their inscence is so strong~i bought a book from them, and i sneeze like crazy whenever i try to read it. so, anyways, i congratulate you on finding some tolerable inscence, whc

ps, HH, what on earth did you guys do with all your bedding?

[warmhandedcanadian]

hey nimh, yeah that's the kind of place I got it, i just happen to love it .... but burning isnt quite as nice , but it really is a nice natural smell......

God she logged out now! (hugs her in mind)

[erzebet1961]

Being the scent hound that I am..Im going to keep my eyes open for the one called GODESS.....!!!!!!!!!!

[warmhandedcanadian]

great....:)


I have no idea what the smells are supposed to be, they were loose and 10 for 2.00 ......

[Samhain]

Remember this thread folks?!
http://www.hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168478
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[warmhandedcanadian]

shit, i forgot to give you some sage and its all gone, I hope to pick some soon.......

[themnax]

i love incense but don't always have any. like now. some of the more common varieties that are mass produced are not so good. or maybe it's just me that i've long ago gotten tired of sandlewood for instance, and that other common one other then patchouli, i can't remember the name right now. but the ones you get at those kind of alternative sprituality book stores and places like that, or earth day on college campuses or at farmer's markets and the like, like that one you mentioned: goddess, though i'm not familiar for sure with that one particularly, i'm not so sure really that such names are any sort of standardized. there are some that smell like particular kinds of trees that i'm familiar with, that sometimes have the same names and sometimes not, these i like.

orange peels on a cast iron stove, just set them on where it's hot, make a pretty good smell. and fresh picked wild mint under your pillow.

there's a plant some call tar weed and some call mountain missery and some call kitkitdiz that smells like pine needles only more so, that's another smell that i like.

it's like those prostrate cedars if you're familiar with them. firn high bushlike relatives of trees.

=^^=
.../\...

[Samhain]

In my opinon stick and cone incense is ok for burning to scent a room, but for serious work, powered or a mix of incense should be burnt on charcoal, plus its so easy to pick your own, dry it out and maybe mix an oil, have fun do a workshop!

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/RELWicca.jpghttp://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/charcoal1.jpg

[Samhain]

How Do I Burn Loose or Powdered Incense?

You will need:

A container
Incense
Charcoal Tablets
A taper candle
A feather or piece of cardboard
Matches or a cigarette lighter
Sand
Long handled Tweezers or needle nose pliers
Mica Plate (optional)

In my experience, beginners should start with a store bought incense burner. Look for one that is brass, bronze or stoneware and that has legs. The legs of the vessel prevent the heat from damaging the surface its on. Traditional incense vessels had three legs - symbolizing the body, mind & spirit.

You can use a plain metal or porcelain bowl but make sure you set it on a fireproof surface - like a trivet. You will also want to pack it with sand and sit your charcoal on the top. I have also made an effective swinging censor from a tuna fish can. Just punch three holes into the sides and thread with metal wire. These work great for situations where you need to carry the burner - like for ritual cleansings. Once I even made a burner from folded and shaped aluminum foil. If you don't have a fancy incense burner - not to fret. You may still enjoy the ritual of incense burning.

If you want to burn incense outdoors find a large flat stone and heat it up in a campfire. You may then sprinkle the surface of the stone with your incense. If you throw herbs or incense directly into a fire they burn too quickly. This method will also work in your home fireplace.

The last type of burner is the incense stove. These set ups usually involve a fine mesh screen where the incense is placed sitting directly above a lit candle. The incense stove produces less smoke than the charcoal or rock method. Incense burns much more slowly which is great for expensive ingredients (like aloeswood) and blends.

Charcoal (remember it will get red hot and spark, so handle it with more care than you would candles, if touched it will burn you once lit- Samhain)

The Charcoal used for incense burning IS NOT the same used for BBQ pits. You do not want to use BBQ charcoal indoors as it produces noxious fumes.

Incense charcoal is self-lighting. The means of combustion is included in the briquette. Tablet SIZES VARY. If you are burning a small amount of incense the tablets are very easy to break up.

If you have a hard time lighting your charcoal, it is probably damp. Dry it the sun or on a radiator.

Always place charcoal on a bed of sand. It will burn more evenly and keep its amber like glow longer. In addition the sand will reduce the risk of the container cracking due to extensive heat charcoal produces. The sand layer under the charcoal should be at least 3/4-1 inch thick.

If you have a Mica Plate (a small thin piece of the stone Mica) you can lay it on top of the charcoal. As you deposit your powder, herb or resin onto the plate it will begin to burn. Mica plates help your materials last longer as they are not in direct contact with the charcoal.

Feather

Feathers are traditionally used to fan the lighted charcoal. Any kind of large feather will do - as will a post card or thick piece of paper. Fanning the charcoal provides oxygen which will allow the tablet to produce a more even burn.

Candle

I always light a taper candle when burning incense. Most often I will select a candle color corresponding to my intentions. Light you candle with the matches or lighter and then using your tweezers - light the charcoal tablet. This prevents the annoyance of matches extinguishing before you get the tablet going and/or burning your fingers.

Tweezers

Use on long handled pair of tweezers to hold the charcoal over the candle flame and then deposit it in the incense vessel. Traditional Japanese incense kits include these types of tweezers. You will also find them in laboratory supply catalogs.

Burning your Incense

Set aside enough time so that you can enjoy the ritual of incense burning. When selecting a location, make sure there are no easily combustible objects nearby. Fanning and blowing charcoal will often send sparks into the air.

First, light you taper candle. Holding one side of the charcoal tablet with your tweezers, place it in the candle flame. The briquette should start to crackle and glow.

Next set the charcoal in your container on a bed of sand. Slowly fan or blow on the tablet. Only after the charcoal is aglow and stops crackling do you put your incense into the indentation on the top.

Use a knife, spoon or tweezers to drop your incense onto the tablet.

Lastly, charcoal may continue to burn for two hours after lighting - so don't just throw it in a wastebasket. Use your tweezers to extract the tablet and submerse it in water.

Blessings,

Tribble

[warmhandedcanadian]

In my opinon stick and cone incense is ok for burning to scent a room, but for serious work, powered or a mix of incense should be burnt on charcoal, plus its so easy to pick your own, dry it out and maybe mix an oil, have fun do a workshop!

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/RELWicca.jpghttp://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/charcoal1.jpgsam is that your hand?

[Samhain]

no silly its a pic from google!
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[warmhandedcanadian]

hmm I thougt you had a ring like that..... you need one really.

[Samhain]

hmm I thougt you had a ring like that..... you need one really.
mmmmmm I'm thinking Samhain's coming up, I'm thinking new age shops in Canada!!
S