(no subject)

[dolari]

Recently got a knotted braid of sweetgrass from a Native friend of mine. She said it was used for cleansing. After today, I needed a good cleansing, so I looked up some info on how the sweetgrass is used...

...the article I came across talked about a few things here and there on how smudging and/or burning worked, but then the page had a very big "New Age types abuse this stuff and don't do it right."

I've always walked a fine line between my beliefs and others beliefs. And I am especially cognizant of the idea that I'm stepping on toes when I get close to Native customs. I don't talk about my beliefs often, but they're heavy on the neo-pagany and light on the new-agey...and after reading about how those types shouldn't do it, I'm now convinced I shouldn't either...despite the fact that I think I was given the sweetgrass knot just for that reason.

The smell of sweetgrass is pleasing, though...so's the tobacco in the tobacco pouch. Maybe that's enough....

Comments

[kalibex.livejournal.com]

I'll reiterate further on what I mentioned on FB - if you're hesitating due to not knowing the proper method of smudging, then get educated enough to do justice to the ritual. If after researching smudging you decide that it shouldn't be done at all outside its culture of origin, you still might be able to ask someone (like your N.A. friend) to help you do the ritual correctly.

[pazi-ashfeather.livejournal.com]

Talk to the friend who gave it to you, and tell her about your concerns, and that you're not sure how to do it right?