Sage vs Palo Santo: Which Smells Sweeter?

Before incorporating Palo Santo and Sage into your daily ritual, it's crucial to know what they're used for, their history, and when to use them. Burning sage has been a feature of Native American spiritual rites for generations, and the different sages have varied uses in some Native societies, which is also worth noting.

To begin, it's important to note that both sage and palo santo have long been employed by indigenous shamans and healers as spiritual instruments. When it comes to these rituals, there are numerous ways to be disrespectful, therefore being aware of their genuine intent is essential. Overharvesting of palo santo occurs in some areas, while white sage is unlawfully taken from protected areas and preserves. Knowing where your products come from is critical. Using plant medicine that has been illegally obtained or that has been stolen contradicts the entire purpose, so be careful where you get your sacred materials from.

Palo santo, like sage, purifies the energy in your body or space to promote a more positive outlook and a calmer atmosphere. These are only two examples of the countless herbs, woods, resins, and plants that have been burned for thousands of years in purification rituals. Sage should never be burned when under the influence of any substance, and given the history of its use and the fact that it was formerly unlawful to do so, we should always approach it with gratitude for the plants and the history of its intended purpose. This is especially true today.

SAGE

As a result, when burned, sage leaves give out a stronger, more plant-like odor. Sage is the more potent of the two plants, as it can be utilized to remove all negative energy from a location, making way for fresh and pleasant vibes. I'm talking divorce, nasty roommates moving out, fighting with your spouse, horrible tenants, etc. Sage is your best friend when you're moving out of a place with a lot of toxic energy.

Sage is a powerful tool for purging yourself and your surroundings. Sage, on the other hand, has the unfortunate side effect of clearing away any spirits or positive energy you'd prefer to maintain. It is possible to bring it back, but it is best to be aware of this before doing so. You're not done until the sage has been consumed. After the sage has been used, the space is completely devoid of any positive energy. Positive music, dancing, meditating to set intentions, essential oils, crystal ceremonies, singing to plants, etc. can all be used to set positive intents.

Sage should only be purchased from local farms that cultivate it themselves due to the numerous problems associated with importing the herb. Our sage is ethically sourced from a small family farm in Southern California. White sage is frequently stolen from public and private lands, which goes against the very purpose of its use. In addition, White Sage is said to be more protective, whereas Blue Sage is thought to be more purifying. You can pick and choose between the two types that I keep on hand.

PALO SANTO

On the other hand, Palo Santo is made from pieces of Bursera Graveolens trees, which are usually bought in Ecuador. Palo Santo, whose name means "holy wood," is best known for bringing good energy into a room, while sage gets rid of bad energy. The best way to think about it is that sage gets rid of the bad and palo santo brings the good back. I reach for Palo Santo every day because it just makes me feel good and cleans the air. Since this one brings positivity back into the space, you don't need to do anything else afterward. However, you should always be very aware when using either one, as your intentions are a big part of both. I like the smell of palo santo better than the other one. It smells like a very fragrant essential oil-infused wood, which is one of my favorite smells.

HOW TO BURN

Before you burn either, you should always get everyone and every pet out of the room. Also, make sure a window is open so that any bad energy can leave the house. This is a very important step, because if you don't do it, the bad energy will stay in the house. Again, you'll want to decide what you want to happen before you start. Don't pass this up! For example, if you just moved into a new home, you might want to get rid of all the good and bad energy there so you can start over. Your goal would be to get rid of any energy that has been there for a long time but no longer belongs there. After that, you would want to bring in abundance, happiness, and comfort.

For sage, untie your bundle and take off any decorative ribbon, leaving only the thin white string that holds the sage and flowers together. Indigenous people who do smudging ceremonies don't use butane lighters because they think it kills the medicinal effects. Instead, they use a match. I let it burn for about 20 seconds, then I waved it in the air to put it out. You can walk around the room from corner to corner while the smoke is still there to let it hit all the walls and corners. Once your space is clean and the smoke has gone out the windows, you have a new, safe place to be. When you're done, don't put it out with water. Instead, put it on a plate or dish that is on fire.

For Palo Santo, light it for 30 seconds, then blow it out. Let the smoke move around for one to two minutes to get rid of bad energy. For the best results, we like to set a good intention before we start, because this is a very intentional process that goes far beyond the smoke. Place it here on one of our sage dishes until it goes out.

And that's it! There should be a clear and concise explanation of when and why to use each one. As you can see, both are very deliberate rituals, so you should always be aware, present, thankful, and polite. Do you know of something I forgot? Leave a message down below!