SS - Palo Santo Wood Sticks

Palo Santo wood has been used for thousands of years by Shamans and Healers among the Inca population. This "Holy Wood" is a part of their ceremonies and healing rituals. It provides energetic protection and clears negative energies. 

Palo Santo wood is harvested under government supervision by the natives of the Peruvian jungle. No trees are destroyed in the collection of our wood, only twigs and branches on the ground are gathered. The sticks themselves may be lit and will burn for a few seconds to a minute, then extinguish themselves, filling a room with its wonderful fragrance 

Sold in a pack of 3 sticks.

Benefits of Palo Santo:

• Rich in brain-oxygenating terpenes such as limonene and a-terpineol, Palo Santo has an uplifting and positive effect, believed to cleanse a person’s energy field, thereby enhancing their ability to deflect and repel negative energies as well as raising positive vibrations in preparation for meditation.
• It is also known for its grounding and focusing effect which can enhance creativity, productivity and increase good fortune.
• Palo Santo is also proven to be an effective natural alternative to insect repellant. Additionally it smells incredible, and can be used instead of scented candles or essential oils.

About smudging:

Smudging is one of the space cleansing methods to invite positive energy and remove negative energy. When smudging a space, you burn plant material and the smoke fills and purifies the environment.

Smoke offerings are traditionally used in Buddhism, Native American and other spiritual religions. The smoke ceremony creates transformation and blesses a space and the inhabitants.

Guide to smudge your house/space:

To begin, allow sufficient space and time for the space cleansing so you do not feel rushed. If possible, meditate for at least five minutes to calm your mind and heart. When performing space cleans, intention is key. Take some time to contemplate your wishes for your home and family. When you clear your house, there is a vacuum that is created and you want to welcome your intentions into the newly cleared and open space.

It is useful to have a fireproof container, like a small clay bowl, to hold underneath the smudge stick to catch any ashes or embers. Native Americans use an abalone shell for this, bringing in a water element. It is also recommended to have a candle nearby to relight the smudge stick during the smudging ceremony when necessary.

Use a candle, match or lighter to ignite your stick. Then hold it at a 45 degree angle pointing the tip down towards the flame. Allow the stick to burn for 30 seconds to a minute and then blow it out. From there you can either place the stick in an incense burner and leave to smoulder, or you can use it for smudging. If left to rest the stick will smoulder and release smoke for approx 5 mins. If used for smudging, or you are waiving it around a space, it will smoulder for longer.

Start from the front of the house and light your smudge stick. Begin to move around the home (in a clockwise manner) mindfully, be sure to allow the smoke to drift into hidden spaces e.g. closets and dark corners. If there are stairs, continue to go up/down the steps and again, move clockwise in the entered space until you meet the stairs again. It is also helpful to chant a mantra or prayer that you are connected to. An example would be the Tibetan Buddhist mantra “Om mani padme hum”, the mantra of compassion. This is a way to fill the space with more cleansing vibrations.

When you have completed the smudging around the house and arrive back at the front door, chant your final mantra or prayer. Visualize the home to be filled with bright white sunlight. Then speak your intention one last time to close the smudging ceremony.

Smudging rituals are a beautiful technique to clear a space. It can be done annually or as often as required. It is especially powerful to perform a space clearing when you first move into a home, or during the lunar new year.