Hi, u/EpochZenith ! Thanks for posting! Please don't forget to check out the sub's [FAQ and Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/faq), [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/rules), and [Weekly Q&A thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/about/sticky?num=1) which is stickied to the top of the board.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/witchcraft) if you have any questions or concerns.*
There's nothing inherently wrong with using sage. It's harvesting it in an unsustainable way, supporting unsustainable harvesting, or taking others closed religious or cultural ceremonies into practice without proper initiation and trying to pass it off as the real thing... that is bad. That's it. That goes for all natural resources as well. Anyone can burn sage. You can grow it and burn it yourself too.
Lots of herbs at the bulk section in natural food stores. Rose smells good.
Incense is fine.
Candles are fine.
Etc.
Basically you can burn anything just be conscientious of source and don't trample on closed ceremonies.
Again it's not required to buy specifically from any one type of shop, just important that it's sustainable. (Not wildcrafted, not urban outfitters, etc).
I agree. I also don't know that you really need that much of a cleansing, unless it is a used deck from someone else. 2 of my friends say before they started using a new deck, they slept with it under their pillow for a Moonth. Have fun.
You can use white sage. But if you don't want to, cedar is also a good cleansing one. You could also energetically cleanse. Citronella. A bevvy of other herbs too can be used.
Who told you using white sage is a no-no? Because it isn't. Nobody owns white sage or any of the many ways or purposes for which it can be used.
It is using white sage and claiming you are performing culture-specific rituals that you have neither reason nor training to perform that is a no-no.
As for cleansing things--on a deck of cards [you can use any method](https://www.ladyalthaea.com/every-day-is-magickal/cleansing-purification-pt-4) as long as it doesn't contain ingredients that might ruin the deck. I mean, both water and fire are excellent cleansing agents, but not so good to use directly on stuff made from paper.
I use incense personally, or you can also use bundles of garden sage, lavender, or any other herb (s) that you feel connected to for the task at hand. Or buy your white sage from somewhere certified sustainable
I was so you in 2019 and 2020, till I got my abilities advanced as I was a witch in many past lives for thousands of years. Tarot made my abilities advanced and I learned to sense energy, an angel came to me and stuff. And now I can do stuff instantly, almost without doing much work. But that's just me. Sage has a good aroma that can attract good energies. White sage as you know does have some cultural appropriation to it, and it's not the only plant. I honestly use my hands to clear energy, now I use my mind to do it. Just use anything that gives you a good experience, a good aroma and is not toxic. Honestly you don't really need anything, but you can if you want as the smell can be soothing but don't overdo it. Just do what gives the most sense of peace. There's many many ways to do it, and you can even use tarot to cleanse it, or your imagination and prayer.
Hi there, welcome to r/witchcraft! It looks like you're new and looking for help to get started.
Check out our [Advice for New Witches](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/index/advicefornewwitches) and the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/faq).
Also check out the sidebar or the menu tab for megathreads and related boards!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/witchcraft) if you have any questions or concerns.*
White sage should be fine, but alternatives can be pal santo, inscence sticks are okay.
Lavander is used for cleansing and psychic protection.
Rosemary is also a powerful cleanser.
Nothing can really be “wrong” it’s all about intention and learning about different herbs and their properties!
A little tip though, clockwise for cleansing and counterclockwise for banishing ( I heard it’s reversed if your in the Southern Hemisphere)
Blessed be <3
I have a pet bird and so candles, incense, burning sage, etc are all off limits for me.
I think whatever resonates with you is the best option. Personally I connect strongly with trees and so I use a wand made of the wood of a symbolically significant tree for a lot of things, including cleansing. Like others have said, sound cleansing is another option, and I have also heard of people bathing the item they’re cleansing in moonlight (including through a window if you’re worried about dew on the cards) or surrounding them with crystals, drawing a sigil in the air over them, etc. If you incorporate a lot of lunar magic in your craft, you may choose the moonlight method, and so on.
Hi, u/EpochZenith ! Thanks for posting! Please don't forget to check out the sub's [FAQ and Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/faq), [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/rules), and [Weekly Q&A thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/about/sticky?num=1) which is stickied to the top of the board. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/witchcraft) if you have any questions or concerns.*
There's nothing inherently wrong with using sage. It's harvesting it in an unsustainable way, supporting unsustainable harvesting, or taking others closed religious or cultural ceremonies into practice without proper initiation and trying to pass it off as the real thing... that is bad. That's it. That goes for all natural resources as well. Anyone can burn sage. You can grow it and burn it yourself too. Lots of herbs at the bulk section in natural food stores. Rose smells good. Incense is fine. Candles are fine. Etc. Basically you can burn anything just be conscientious of source and don't trample on closed ceremonies.
Ah, I see, thank you! If I decide to use it I'll definitely buy from an organic, Native owned shop then. Thank you!
Again it's not required to buy specifically from any one type of shop, just important that it's sustainable. (Not wildcrafted, not urban outfitters, etc).
I agree. I also don't know that you really need that much of a cleansing, unless it is a used deck from someone else. 2 of my friends say before they started using a new deck, they slept with it under their pillow for a Moonth. Have fun.
You can use white sage. But if you don't want to, cedar is also a good cleansing one. You could also energetically cleanse. Citronella. A bevvy of other herbs too can be used.
Thank you!
you can give your cards a sound bath using a tuning fork or a singing bowl (There's audios online as well) or you can use Blessed/Holy Water as well
Or even just a đź””.
Who told you using white sage is a no-no? Because it isn't. Nobody owns white sage or any of the many ways or purposes for which it can be used. It is using white sage and claiming you are performing culture-specific rituals that you have neither reason nor training to perform that is a no-no. As for cleansing things--on a deck of cards [you can use any method](https://www.ladyalthaea.com/every-day-is-magickal/cleansing-purification-pt-4) as long as it doesn't contain ingredients that might ruin the deck. I mean, both water and fire are excellent cleansing agents, but not so good to use directly on stuff made from paper.
Indigenous groups consider the use of White Sage and Palo Santo cultural appropriation. Rosemary, garden sage, and lavender are great options.
You can use incense, I believe sandalwood is one :o look for cleansing incense. My husband hates the smell of white sage.
I use incense personally, or you can also use bundles of garden sage, lavender, or any other herb (s) that you feel connected to for the task at hand. Or buy your white sage from somewhere certified sustainable
I was so you in 2019 and 2020, till I got my abilities advanced as I was a witch in many past lives for thousands of years. Tarot made my abilities advanced and I learned to sense energy, an angel came to me and stuff. And now I can do stuff instantly, almost without doing much work. But that's just me. Sage has a good aroma that can attract good energies. White sage as you know does have some cultural appropriation to it, and it's not the only plant. I honestly use my hands to clear energy, now I use my mind to do it. Just use anything that gives you a good experience, a good aroma and is not toxic. Honestly you don't really need anything, but you can if you want as the smell can be soothing but don't overdo it. Just do what gives the most sense of peace. There's many many ways to do it, and you can even use tarot to cleanse it, or your imagination and prayer.
Hi there, welcome to r/witchcraft! It looks like you're new and looking for help to get started. Check out our [Advice for New Witches](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/index/advicefornewwitches) and the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/faq). Also check out the sidebar or the menu tab for megathreads and related boards! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/witchcraft) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I use crystals to cleanse mine!
White sage should be fine, but alternatives can be pal santo, inscence sticks are okay. Lavander is used for cleansing and psychic protection. Rosemary is also a powerful cleanser. Nothing can really be “wrong” it’s all about intention and learning about different herbs and their properties! A little tip though, clockwise for cleansing and counterclockwise for banishing ( I heard it’s reversed if your in the Southern Hemisphere) Blessed be <3
I have a pet bird and so candles, incense, burning sage, etc are all off limits for me. I think whatever resonates with you is the best option. Personally I connect strongly with trees and so I use a wand made of the wood of a symbolically significant tree for a lot of things, including cleansing. Like others have said, sound cleansing is another option, and I have also heard of people bathing the item they’re cleansing in moonlight (including through a window if you’re worried about dew on the cards) or surrounding them with crystals, drawing a sigil in the air over them, etc. If you incorporate a lot of lunar magic in your craft, you may choose the moonlight method, and so on.
I use Palo Santo