Smudges can be used to cleanse crystals to rid them of absorbed energies, by passing each crystal through the smoke. Yerba Santa is widely used for smudging purposes for clearing and cleansing spaces and environments, as well as possessing medicinal qualities within Native American culture.
Yerba santa is a member of the waterleaf family (Eriodictyon) and is also sometimes referred to as Mountain Balm, Tarweed and Gum Bush, amongst other names. It's an evergreen shrub and can be found growing naturally in clumps of six to 10 on dry hilly areas of Northern Mexico, Arizona and California. It is also called Holy Herb or Sacred Herb and is a primary ingredient in spells of illusions and has been utilised as an offering on altars. Promoting a strong spiritual healing vibe, is useful for healing oneself, others or that of the home. With a grounding energy it quietens the mind to allow us to explore thoughts by relieving the mind of stress and worry, it is useful for when working with the heart chakra to release pent up emotions which can often ravage the soul. Its healing capacity goes deep down to the soul, bringing a ray of sunshine to places covered with darkness caused by negative past events and offers peaceful and loving support to the body and mind. In many instances, native people use the magic of Yerba Santa to recognise traumatic emotional experiences and assists in releasing them by providing an awakening to the soul and teaches people that acknowledging the uncomfortable feeling of pain is oftentimes the only way to let themselves be free from suffering.
As a divinatory herb it increases clarity of mind by also connecting with the crown chakra, increasing the state of consciousness allowing for connections to be made with elementals or spirits to gain answers whether through your divination workings, shamanic journeying or meditations. To still ones mind is to allow it to become again and restarts from a better place. Yerba Santa is an herb that signifies comfort, gifting people with a higher level of spiritual awareness that brings enrichment to the heart and exciting changes to take your life to greater heights, an uplifting scent to help you feel better about the day and banish any negativity.
The herb was widely used by Native Americans and was particularly famed for its ability to ward off negativity and provide an element of protection. The leaves were often carried by individuals to boost their spiritual strength and, in incense form; it's still used today in a healing capacity. As such, it's an ideal incense to choose if you want to bring an air of healing, protection or increase positive vibes in an environment. according to Cunningham, it is carried for spiritual strength, to increase psychic power and to protect the bearer. This doesn't mean you have to carry this bundle around your neck obviously, but you can burn it to instil these powers. It proves useful in setting boundaries whether you need to set them for yourself or others. It offers a sense of empowerment, which allows growth in a positive direction.
Planets: Venus, Sun
Sign: Taurus
Element: Water
Energy: Feminine, Masculine
Deities: Aphrodite, Hathor, Osiris
Each stick is sold individually, for their protection I have placed them in a sealed bag. The small measure between 4-5" and the large measure between 8-9".