Today’s card that showed itself in the 7th spot was Sacred Sweetgrass and it speaks to how we walk our walk, and how we talk our talk. It is wiser and much more thoughtful to speak and act if we pause and take a breath…look to the larger scope of things so that we may react in positives. take a deep breath in of the fragrance of the Sweetgrass itself and allow it to not only clear your thoughts, but to clear your space of negativity, as we all know it is much easier to follow others without thought, but it is much more honorable to be a example of what is right.
So today, honor the being that is you and do not let shadows play in your hearts. Understand that outside influences will be focusing on negatives today… so allow the air to be cleared before adding fuel to a fire that you did not start.
Associated with the element of Air. The botanical name for Sweetgrass is Heirochloe odorata, currently growing mainly in the plains across the United States and on up into Canada. The plant can induce a soporific effect and have been used in meditation and shamanistic rituals with the belief that it has some mild psychotropic properties.
Native People believe that Sweetgrass is the first plant that covered the Great Mother Earth. It is viewed as Sacred often using this plant for religious purposes such as making incense and calling spirits as well as to aid us during fasting. Drawing in positive vibrational energy along with purification it drives away the negative spirits and energies while the sweetness draws in the positive energies and spirits to assist us and guide us in the right ways.
When we use Sweetgrass for smudging drawing in positive energies it changes the energy of one’s space and being. Traditionally you will see the Sweetgrass twisted into braids commercially, and sometimes in smudge packages…I have braids in the rooms of my home and among my sacred objects. I often add clippings into my own smudge mixture with the White Sage, for it adds purification to the intention and space.
Sweetgrass can instantly change the energy surrounding one’s physical body and environment while improving our emotional state, bringing it to a renewed perspective. It draws the feelings of abundance and uplifts our spirits as it invades our senses. It also provides a positive energy to our auric fields and is useful as we perform energy work or healing practices. Used when you need to balance or are in need of comfort, it will bring calmness and peace to your thoughts. I have found it to immediately give me a sense of empowerment, of clarity, and the ability to refocus my thoughts in order to gain a better perspective from a more positive place.
“I am Dedicated to Educating and sharing Culture with the World. It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth. Through the Music… the Arts…the stories…”
Many Blessings of the Day
~bear Medicinewalker
Earth Dance by Chris Ferree as part of the Wolf and the bear Network and is available at http://www.chrisferree.com
