At Sage Winds Farm, East (pictured above) the Saliva apiana grows in it's native region. Our SWF East property, in the high desert facing east into what eventually dips down into the Imperial Valley.
The Kumeyaay and Cocopah Indians were the area's earliest inhabitants, and the area is rich in Native American history, culture and archeological resources. Today Boulevard is the headquarters of the Manzanita Band of Diegueno Mission Indians.
The Kumeyaay called white sage pellytaay. The Kumeyaay would burn these leaves in a sweat-house to help purify the body from toxins connected with illness.
In a sense, some of our illnesses are certainly physiological. You are exposed to someone with a strain of flu or cold. If your system has no immunity to that illness, the illness will manifest.
Nowadays many of our infirmities are not just physiological. We know about germs, infection, and how to prevent the spread of maladies. Today, our afflictions can also be psychological and spiritual. The Kumeyaay knew this too. They burned leaves to decontaminate spirit.
How do you feel after a social media session? Inspired? Or depressed from the condition of comparison?
How do you feel after a day at the office? Optimistic and cheerful? Or despondent?
How about the news? After scrolling through your news feed, how do you feel about the world condition?
When my head starts to pound from anxiety, I stop and deliberately light some sage. I waft it toward my heart, breathing the deep, refreshing smoke. It helps me slow down. I recover.
The sacred sage reminds us of the strength our spirit; we are more than this human form.