Smokin’
Bane Folk on Twitter has a thread concerning how over-harvesting of White Sage, Salvia apiana, has lead to the species becoming endangered in its native habitat.
It’s unfortunate that Bane Folk talking about herb sustainability brought out white supremacist trolls and dickish replies, because Bane Folk was bringing up a number of interesting issues of how we can be in more positive and harmonious ways.
I see ritual as a kind of art, and believe that we are better when we invite art into the many aspects of our lives. Burning herbs for blessing people and occasions can be meaningful. Bane Folk’s observation that “if white sage doesn’t grow where you live and you’re not a gardener, there are plenty of suitable substitutes everywhere.” is quite good. It’s nice to get permission from a top herbalist to know that the place where you are already has what you need to offer blessing.
When I was a boy, I smoked Rabbit Tobacco, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium. I know what it tastes like, but thinking back I wonder how I smoked it. Cigarette papers were not something laying around when I was a kid and I had no pipe. Neither of my parents smoked. Anyhow as a young boy in South Carolina I could identify the plant because other children pointed out to me. Here in Pennsylvania, I don’t remember seeing the plant. but I have found Baltimore Oriole nests here on my ground which I think have Rabbit Tobacco as a major component.
I’ll have to look for it. More generally I want to look around at what grows nearby. Looking through a lens of what grows that might be used in making blessings.
Sustainable Herbs Program












