▶ Is burning sage compatible with the Christian faith or is it Witchcraft? Burning sage—also known as smudging—has become a popular spiritual practice for those seeking peace, healing, or to “cleanse” negative energy from a space. But as more Christians encounter this trend, it raises ... More on forums.crosswalk.com

Smudging is an indigenous practice using white sage, a feather, and typically a shell to smoke cleanse. I personally don’t practice this because at some point it was illegal for them to participate in their own cultural. Then for me personally to use it when it’s convenient for me as a white person and ignore all that history feels disingenuous. While using white sage alone to smoke cleanse is a grey area some people say it’s not ok and some people say it is. If you are going to do that at least make sure you are purchasing from an indigenous person or at least a place that obtains it ethically. Most of the mass produced stuff is not and therefore I won’t use white sage. But instead I will use bundles of lavender to smoke cleanse. More on reddit.com

Native here. 1st, a bit of a copy/paste from one of the Native subreddits wiki. "It is common today to find many vendors, both Native and non-Native, selling what many Natives refer to as "medicine" at private business or to the general public during events such as Powwows. This category includes natural products such as dried sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and tobacco (these four are usually the most common types of natural medicine and are utilized by a number of Tribes across the United States). Many Tribes have ethical gathering practices that ensure these medicines are procured in an environmentally friendly manner and in a way that preserves their spiritual integrity. Purchasing these items from unknown vendors may have unintended consequences and/or may be supporting unethical gathering practices. It is good to inquire about the manner in which these items were procured. However, if you must purchase these items for your personal use, remember to always seek assistance from legitimate Native American vendors." White sage use is not a closed practice. The Ojibwe both sell it, and have tutorials on youtube in its use. Even calling it a "smudge" is not a closed term, as that was used long before Natives used that as a name for their ceremony. It is the exact METHOD that is closed, very similar to some of our rites/rituals from our traditions closed BOS. More on reddit.com

As a native American I think using our religious practices in a respectful, meaningful way is sweet, not offensive. It works towards a global culture and that's beautiful.

More on reddit.com