One Take | What is Smudging? (Longer version)

Summary

The video script delves into the significance of smudging in cultural and spiritual practices, highlighting its role in connecting individuals with their Creator. Four sacred medicines—sage, sweet grass, tobacco, and cedar—are used in this tradition, with white sage being a common choice for ceremonies. The process involves cleansing oneself and the space with the smoke, using an eagle feather to aid in prayer. The script emphasizes the importance of respecting the medicines, returning them to the earth after use, and encourages learning and asking questions about this meaningful practice.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Smudging is a significant cultural practice that connects people with their spirit and Creator.
• 🍃 The four sacred medicines used in smudging are sage, sweet grass, tobacco, and cedar.
• 🌾 Sage is often the first medicine offered in a smudging ceremony, signaling readiness to begin.
• 🔥 There is no right or wrong way to smudge; it's a personal and spiritual practice.
• 👴 Elders play a crucial role in teaching and guiding the practice of smudging.
• 🌾 White sage is a common type of sage used in ceremonies due to its prevalence.
• 🙏 Smudging involves cleansing oneself and one's surroundings with the smoke of the sacred medicines.
• 🕊 The eagle feather is used in smudging to help carry prayers to the Creator.
• 🙌 Smudging can be a personal or communal activity, with participants smudging themselves.
• 🌳 After the ceremony, the smudge is put out on the land as a way of returning the medicine to the Earth Mother.
• 🌼 The sacred medicines have multiple uses, including for healing and cleansing, beyond just smudging.

Q & A

What is the significance of smudging in the speaker's culture?

Smudging is an important cultural practice that connects the people with their spirit and Creator.

What are the four sacred medicines used in smudging?

The four sacred medicines used in smudging are sage, sweet grass, tobacco, and cedar.

Why is tobacco often offered first in a smudging ceremony?

Tobacco is offered first because it signifies that the person is ready to start their smudge.

What is the role of an elder or conductor in a smudging ceremony?

The elder or conductor leads the smudging ceremony and may also smudge the participants.

Why is there no 'right or wrong' way to smudge according to the speaker?

There is no 'right or wrong' way to smudge because it is a personal and spiritual practice that can vary among individuals.

What is the purpose of using an eagle feather during smudging?

The eagle feather is used to help carry the prayers and to honor the spiritual process during smudging.

How does the speaker cleanse themselves before smudging others?

The speaker cleanses their hands, ego feather, breath, eyes, ears, hair, and feet to prepare for smudging others.

What does the speaker do with the smudge after it has been used?

The speaker puts out the smudge on the land, near a tree or on the grass, and offers thanks to the Earth for the medicines used.

How can sweet grass be used for aromatherapy before it is dried?

Sweet grass can be cut and put into oil to create a healing oil that can be used for aromatherapy.

What is the importance of returning the used medicines to the Earth?

Returning the used medicines to the Earth is a way to show respect and gratitude, and to allow the Earth to continue to hear the prayers.

Why is it important to learn about smudging if asked to participate?

Learning about smudging is important to understand its cultural significance, to participate respectfully, and to connect with the spiritual practice.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 The Significance of Smudging in Cultural Practices

This paragraph discusses the cultural importance of smudging, a spiritual practice that connects people with their Creator. It involves the use of four sacred medicines: sage, sweet grass, tobacco, and cedar. The speaker emphasizes that there is no single correct way to smudge and describes a personal smudging ceremony using white sage. The process includes lighting the sage, using an eagle plume to help carry prayers, and smudging various parts of the body to cleanse and prepare for spiritual communication. The speaker also mentions the importance of returning the used medicines to the earth respectfully, acknowledging their power and energy.

05:01

🕊 Personal Smudging Techniques and the Role of Sacred Medicines

The second paragraph delves into personal smudging techniques and the versatility of sacred medicines. The speaker shares their method of smudging with an eagle feather to honor the spirit and assist in prayer. It explains that different individuals may have unique ways of smudging, such as using sweet grass for aromatherapy or as a healing agent. The paragraph also touches on the use of these medicines in various forms, such as oils or teas, for healing and cleansing purposes. The speaker encourages learning about smudging and emphasizes the value of asking for guidance when unsure, highlighting the practice's respectful and honorable nature.

Keywords

💡Smudging

Smudging is a cultural practice that involves the burning of sacred plants to cleanse and purify individuals and spaces. In the context of the video, it is a spiritual ritual that connects people with their Creator and their spiritual essence. The script mentions that there is no 'right or wrong' way to smudge, emphasizing the personal and cultural significance of the practice.

💡Sacred Medicines

The term 'sacred medicines' refers to the four plants used in smudging: sage, sweet grass, tobacco, and cedar. These plants are considered to hold spiritual power and are used in various rituals for their cleansing properties. The script explains that sage is often the first to be offered, followed by tobacco, indicating a specific order or significance in the smudging process.

💡Elder

In many indigenous cultures, 'elders' are respected figures who hold wisdom and knowledge passed down through generations. The script mentions that elders have taught the presenter about the importance of smudging and how to conduct it properly, highlighting the role of elders in preserving and transmitting cultural practices.

💡Ceremony

A 'ceremony' in this context is a formal event or ritual of cultural or religious significance. The script discusses how people who are unfamiliar with smudging might feel hesitant to participate in ceremonies, indicating the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural practices involved.

💡White Sage

White Sage is a specific type of sage plant used in smudging ceremonies. The script mentions that it is commonly found in many ceremonies and can be mixed with other sacred medicines. The use of white sage illustrates the diversity of plants that can be used for spiritual purposes.

💡Eagle Plume

An 'eagle plume' is a feather from an eagle, which is often used in indigenous ceremonies as a symbol of honor and to aid in prayer. In the script, the presenter holds an eagle feather while smudging, suggesting that it helps to carry the prayers to the Creator, adding a layer of spiritual significance to the ritual.

💡Prayer

Prayer in this context is a form of communication with the spiritual realm, often seeking guidance, blessings, or expressing gratitude. The script describes how participants in a smudging ceremony might pray silently or out loud, using the smoke as a medium to convey their prayers to the Creator.

💡Cleansing

Cleansing in the video refers to the act of purifying oneself or a space through the use of smudging. The script details the process of cleansing various parts of the body, such as the hands, eyes, and ears, to prepare for spiritual connection and to receive the Creator's presence.

💡Respect

Respect is a fundamental aspect of the smudging ritual, as it is shown towards the sacred medicines, the process, and the Creator. The script emphasizes the importance of treating the sacred plants and the earth with reverence, reflecting the deep respect ingrained in the cultural practice.

💡Healing

Healing in the context of the video is not only about physical well-being but also about spiritual and emotional healing. The script mentions using smudging in a healing circle to bring positive energy into the space, indicating the belief in the restorative power of the sacred medicines.

💡Teaching

Teaching is an important aspect of cultural transmission, as the script encourages those who are unfamiliar with smudging to ask and learn. The presenter expresses that it is honorable to seek knowledge and guidance, emphasizing the value of learning and sharing within the community.

Highlights

Smudging is an important cultural practice that connects people with their spirit and Creator.

There are four sacred medicines used in smudging: sage, sweet grass, tobacco, and cedar.

Sage is often the first medicine offered in a smudge ceremony.

Smudging can be done in various ways, with no right or wrong method.

White sage is commonly used in ceremonies and can be mixed with other medicines.

The speaker personally prefers to smudge using their senses first.

During smudging, one should cleanse their hands, ego feather, breath, eyes, ears, hair, and feet.

Prayers can be offered silently or out loud during the smudging process.

The speaker asks the Creator to be with them from that day forward during the smudging.

The smudge bowl has an open side, and participants face it while smudging themselves.

An eagle feather is used to help carry the prayers during smudging.

Different people have their own ways of smudging, and it's important to respect those differences.

Sweet grass can be used for aromatherapy to help people relax and feel at ease.

After smudging, the used medicines are returned to the earth with gratitude.

The four sacred medicines have various purposes, including healing and cleansing.

It's important to understand the power and energy these medicines carry for the community.

The speaker encourages people to learn about smudging and not be afraid to ask questions.

Transcripts

yeah but you see sighs it is the cause

if you can't do them get your long dingy

bar smudging is a very important part of

our culture it connects us with our our

spirit our Creator and in smudging we

have four sacred medicines we have sage

sweet grass tobacco and cedar and most

much as you'll find people using sage

because it is the medicine that we say

that when you first offer tobacco then

you are you are ready to start on your

smudge so we have a smudge bowl here and

we have some medicines here and there is

no right or wrong way to smudge I've

been told by my elders and a lot of our

people when they go to ceremony if they

don't know how to smudge they feel

reluctant so they'll step back and say

no but as part of these circles we

usually stand and the person the elder

or the conductor of the circle will like

to smudge now today what we're gonna do

is we're going to use I'm going to use

sage and this is what they call a white

sage and there are a number of different

sages depending on where they come from

and white sage is one of the ones that

you'll find in a lot of ceremony now you

can invite us say sage much but you can

also mix it with all the other medicines

you can put a little bit tobacco in it

you can put a little bit of sweet grass

in it and cedar but today we're just

going to smudge it with just a one

medicine now when we smudge we usually

don't put anything to contaminate I

don't anyway this the bowl so we just

strike a match and then we can light

and every go further today we have an

eagle plume with us and when we smudge

I personally again like to uh smudge

using my senses first to smudge those

and people who are wearing glasses will

use the smudge their glasses and take

those glasses aside know a nice much I

used to say bush Olga gem that Oh

cease Isaac digital Kozma she adored him

so he knows that I am addressing him and

when I smudge I cleanse my hands and I

usually cleanse my ego feather because

I'll use that to help smudge the people

in the circle so I'll smudge my breath

because those are where my sacred words

will come out of I will smudge my eyes

so that I may be able to see all the

good things that has he has to offer us

I also smudge my ears because I'd like

to hear those good words that people

have to say in those circles I also

smudge my hair because for me this is my

identity and this hair also has that DNA

they say of our history and I also

smudge I also like this much here and I

also smudge down I also smudge my feet

so that I may walk on this mother earth

with a great respect and

you can pray in silence

you can pray or whatever you need and

today what I need to do is that the

Creator to be with me so I say Baruch

Hashem they do not emotional we do

shemagh can all gay go was checking on

Nika Nikki Anthony gonna be which we all

so I asked the Creator to be with me

from this day forward and all that I do

and just have a spirit around me so the

the smudge that we liked helps create

that that message up to creator and then

that smoke and when we smudge if we're

smudging there's an open side to this

ball and we face that open side of that

ball out to the people that were

smudging and when I come up to them will

smudge them in a way that is offering

them that smoke and then those people

will smudge themselves and while they're

doing that I hold this eagle feather I

hold it in honor that so that this eagle

feather will also hear help to hear

those prayers

so again there's many different ways

that a person can smudge there's no

right or wrong for me this is the way

that I do it and if I model that

behavior for others they pick up their

own ways of smudging so it's one way for

our for us to connect their spirit with

our Creator with the agenda dough in my

language there are other ways that

people smudge some people will take a

sweet grass and they will like it and

they will fan it and they will also

smudge with sweet grass if you need to

be you had a rough day some people to

say you take wingless linguish in our

language to hear of Mother Earth and

it's kindness and the aroma from

swinging sweet grass will help you feel

at ease will relax you

so that's just a little bit about

smudging what I do after this is burnt

and allowed to go out on itself I will

take this and put it out on the land I

will take it out and put it out wherever

I feel I have to was by a tree or

somewhere on the grass or somewhere and

when I put the medicines back out I will

also ask for Shannon ado I'll say Jimmy

witch thank you for letting us use these

medicines and I'll return him back to

you and put them out on the earth so

that you may continue to hear our

prayers through the trees so when we do

that we don't just throw it away in a

garbage can we put it back out on a land

that's where all the medicines came from

Earth Mother so for me it's very

important that we understand how

powerful these medicines are how much

energy they carry for all of us so you

can use these in combination and I've

been told by elders that try to change

in combination try to use our Sam our

tobacco mixed with the sage with the

wingless and above all you know use a

feather to fan that you can smudge in

circle and sometimes if it's a healing

circle what I like to do is like to

smudge the room to bring all that good

energy into that room so there's many

things that smudging can do for us also

many of these medicines we have here

these sweet grass or English can be used

as a as a Roma therapy before it's dried

you can cut it and put it into oil and

make a Roma oil and the oil itself will

also help to heal sage you can also make

a CH tea and the sage tea can also be

used to cleanse so the medicines have

many purposes for us these four sacred

medicines so I hope that if you're asked

to smudge by an owl there take the

opportunity to learn and I also feel

that if you don't know in today's time

don't be afraid to ask don't be afraid

to ask

although it's a it's a ceremony with

much respect and with much honor it's

also very honorable to ask or to say I

don't know how teach me so that's my my

little lesson on smudging Jamaica which