 | Communicating with Your Creator |
 |
There are many varieties of sage found throughout the United States. When
harvesting the plant, one should take tobacco and make a prayer, face each
of the four directions, the sky, and finally deposit the tobacco on mother
earth. When used ceremonially, sage is burned and the smoke is used
to purify (by smudging) each individual engaging in the ceremony. The
smoke is
offered to the four directions, to the sky, the ground, then the
individual. It is used to open such ceremonies as
inigakapi, the purification lodge, wiping of the tears,
and all times when prayers and good thoughts are communicated. Because it is a rich and vigorous plant, taking every fourth plant will ensure the continued flourishing of this gift. The roots are deeply embedded in the earth, and they should never be pulled out. Instead, break the stem an inch above the ground. Take only what you can use. Sage used in this picture was a gift to the Institute. The medicine wheel is in traditional colors, black, red, white, and yellow. The spokes point to the four directions. Mr. Shane Schroder, who worked with us here at the Institute a long time ago, took the pictures for us. Pidamayo. |
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26 February 2002, lrb