Four Sacred Medicines : Tobacco, Sage, Cedar and Sweetgrass

We have four sacred medicines. Tobacco in the East Direction. It is said that we were the last to leave the Creator's side. The Creator gifted us with tobacco so that we may always acknowledge our spiritual connection. In this way, tobacco always comes first in prayer, in consultation, in sacrifice. Tobacco is a gift of peace.

Sage in the South Direction. From the South, the sacred plant is the sage. The sage plant is sacred to the woman. When the sage burns it is a means of cleansing the mind and the body to receive the spirit.

Cedar in the West Direction. During times of great emotional distress. Cedar is used to cleanse and purify, to calm the mind. Cedar is the protector medicine, the healing medicine.

Sweetgrass in The North Direction. Sweetgrass represents the braid of Mother Earth, kindness, sharing and honesty. When you put them together you are braiding. It's like braiding your life; you're putting your virtues and values into your life.

A blade of grass isn't strong. When we bring blades of grass together we have something very strong, a rope that cannot be broken. That's what happens when we work together. We have a strong community.

Traditional Aboriginal Herbs, Smudging and the Holy Act of Purification

The Cree and Ojibway tribes of Northern Ontario Canada use white sage, Canadian cedar, sweet grass and juniper for smudging. Smudging is an ancient aboriginal tradition whose roots date beyond historic times.

This holy act was performed to purify the places about to be used for sacred or important events, such as before meditation or before opening an important meeting. Any member of the tribe could smudge before offering help to an elder or during healing in order to cleanse the area of bad spirits. The tradition to purify a new dwelling place before moving in is deeply rooted in pre-historic ceremonies of happy tribes pleased to have found a good hunting territory. This is where they will dwell now until Mother Earth tells them to move elsewhere. Health Centres that are open to our Aboriginal culture allow our tribes to perform the Holy Act of Purification to keep the space clear. Anywhere that has been the site of a traumatic event is smudged to allow the area be cleansed of bad spirits.

White Sage

White sage ( salvia apiana ), the most masculine of these incenses and a powerful purifier, is harvested in the South West deserts.

Sweet Grass

Sweet grass ( anthoxanthum odoratum ), often called the hair of Mother Earth, grows in Eastern Quebec. Sweet grass is the most feminine of these herbs and is used to call in good energies.

Canadian Cedar

Canadian cedar ( thuya occidentalis ), called the Great Tree of Peace, has the perfect balance of feminine and masculine polarities. A powerful purifier, it predisposes to prayer, tranquility and serenity.

Juniper

Juniper ( juniperus scorpuiorum ), which also grows in the South West, is used for remembering dreams and purifying the sleeping space.

Native American Incenses and Smudging

Traditionally, our Aboriginal people would burn smudge in a big shell. Any shell can be used, but the abalone is the most popular. It is a beautiful shell that withstands the intense heat emitted from the burning. We choose a shell because in the alchemical process of transformation ( in this case purification ) four elements are represented: the shell for the water, the match for the fire, the herbs and ashes for the earth and the smoke for the air.

How to Perform a Smudging

Native spirituality teaches us that as the smoke rises in the air so do our prayers rise up to the spiritual world. As the smoke from the burning herbs vanishes into the air, it floats up into the sacred place where all the Spirits live. The smoke brings our message to the world of the Creator and all the good spirits are grateful for the offering.

It is a standard practice in our tribe to have all your smudging materials safely stored in one place because a member of the tribe should be prepared to smudge at any time. The method in which a smudging is performed is about the same. Place several sage leaves in the center of the shell. On top of it, add a pinch of cedar powder. Some of the pieces pieces of sweet grass is then used to top the herbs. A wooden match is to be used. A feather is used as a fan to activate smoldering. To prolong combustion, adding more cedar powder usually does the trick.

The Holy Act of Purification

Purification begins when the shell is moved around in such a way that the smoke comes into contact with all parts of of the smudger's body. The shell is then placed in front of you or have someone hold it while bringing the smoke towards the body with the hands similar to the way one would cup water out of the river to drink.

Our traditions recommend to offer the smoke to The Four Directions, beginning to the North or the East. Stop and say a prayer when at each direction.

Smudging being a holy act, the remaining ashes are sacred and consequently should be given back to the earth in a respectful manner. In some nations, these ashes are accumulated during the year and buried during a special ceremony.

Cree and Ojibway Legends : Mother Earth : The Drum : Moon Time
Four Directions and Four Seasons : Birch Bark Canoe : Incenses and Smudging
Sweatlodge Ceremony : Pipe Ceremony : Sacred Tobacco