Friday, May 28, 2010

Sustainable Smudging

We had two customers special order smudge sticks in the last couple weeks - enough this month to nudge our favorite wild plants vender, Juniper Ridge to the top of the "to be ordered" list.  Smudge sticks are not one of our signature items like prayer flags or fair trade chocolate, nor are they very noteworthy to the casual shopper the way any of our items made from recycled materials are.

Instead it's the item that a dedicated customer gets in her car and drives 5 miles into town for, scouts around a 2 block radius to find a parking space for, walks directly in the shop to the smudge corner, makes her choice without a glance at anything else and heads to the cash register for.  It's the item that quietly, unobtrusively sells out quicker than we can get the word out that they're back in.  Those who smudge regularly like to be stocked and will go out of their way for a good smudge stick. 

And ours are good!  From the moment the plants are sustainably wildcrafted (carefully harvested in the heart of their range) "from the mountains and deserts of the West", bundled into sticks, and packaged in vegetable based biodegradable plastic - Juniper Ridge does it right.  

And how exactly do you use a smudge stick? Here's what  Juniper Ridge has to say on their website, "Smudge sticks are the most natural form of incense—they’re just wild plant trimmings, nothing else. Just light the tip on fire, blow out the flame and let it smolder. Extinguish with sand or water when you are done. They’re also great in the fireplace."

We have 3 varieties in stock at the moment - 

White Sage:  Traditionally used to clear spaces of stale, or negative air, feelings, and energies.  When a change is in order sage is your herb to move out the old.  Found in the rugged mountains of the Southwest, Sage is used  ceremonially in purification rituals. 

Western Red Cedar:  "In the Pacific Northwest, the people burn cedar for purification in much the same way as sage - it drives out negative energy; but it also brings in good influences. The spirit of cedar is considered very ancient and wise by Pacific Northwest tribes, and old, downed cedar trees are honored with offerings and prayers." (http://www.asunam.com/smudge_ceremony.html

Mugwort:  Described best on the JR website, "Mugwort, also known as Dream Weed for its unique ability to stimulate dreams, is found in the mountains of the West Coast from California north through British Columbia. It is renowned as a smudging herb for its subtle, sweet scent and dream-inducing qualities. So burn a little before you go to sleep and dream sweet dreams of wildflower meadows heavy with the smell of the waning winter rains and new green life rising all around you."

Get 'em while they last!


Karen
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Friday, May 14, 2010

Hope in Haiti



Common Good Thursday is back on May 20th to raise money for Haiti Foundation of Hope, a non profit that has been at work in Haiti building schools and clinics  for the past 20 years.  The organization has it's U.S. base in Vancouver, Washington and maintains a low overhead ensuring effective use of donations on the ground in Haiti.  Other programs Foundations of Hope is involved in include micro-loan, community health, clean water and a woman's trade school.

Next Thursday Small Planet Trading will share Haiti Foundation of Hope information and donate 25% of the day's sales to their work.  Come support Fair Trade, kids, and community development in Haiti!

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Monday, May 10, 2010