After having a discussion with my housemates about all kinds of cultural appropriation, white sage and it’s scarcity was mentioned. I went about looking for articles relating to this topic and was unhappily surprised to find it’s a real issue.
I have tried to be careful about sourcing my herbs, altar tools, et al, and it’s been really tough to find ethical sources/vendors. (There’s another topic/thread about the ethics around buying one’s tools at big box stores, but that’s a subject for another day.)
So, how do we all feel about this? Is it ok to use white sage because we’re wiccan or witches? Or, is it not ok because of the issues noted above and in the cited articles below?
Would love to know your thoughts.
The Politics of Smudging, Ethos
Saging the World, California Native Plant Society
White Sage, California Native Plant Society (PDF)
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Unfortunately I’ve been aware of the over-harvesting problem for a long time… This is one of the reasons why I stopped using white sage years ago.
The problem is, I’ve yet to discover another plant with the level of cleansing power that sage does. If anyone does have an equally powerful alternative they recommend, let me know.
I have found very good results from using cedar, but I still don’t think it’s on the same level as sage. At least, that’s not what I feel after I do a cedar-cleanse. Cedar cleansing I know is much more culturally appropriate for people in a Nordic practice. As far as other practices go, I can’t say.
On that issue though…
Cultural appropriation is a little of a hot-button topic in the pagan world. On one side, some argue that no practice should ever be closed, and on the other, some argue we should never deviate from our ancestral bloodline in choosing our practice.
If I were being honest, my current practice isn’t exactly “culturally appropriate” for someone with my blood. But if you go and interview actual people in Southeast Asia - they are usually thrilled to hear of anyone interested in their traditions.
So it depends who you ask. It depends on the tradition. It depends on how commercialized things become.
I think in some cases preserving the integrity of certain closed practices is important, but I see it on a case-by-case basis. I don’t think it applies to everyone.
My issue with the sage though is the way it’s harvested and how it hurts the biodiversity. Unless there’s a new way white sage is being cultivated I’m not aware of.
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