Finding the Spirit in Sweetgrass

I was first introduced to the Spirit Keeper of the North Direction "Sweetgrass" in the late 1980's when an American shaman came to the city to do some teachings here.

I was fascinated by the concept of the braids, intrigued by the sharp, pungent yet sweet scent, and empowered by my first smudging done with this sacred medicine.

Since the teachings stressed that you never purchase Sweetgrass, it must be given to you , it was a long time before I found myself in possession of a braid that came to me in the appropriate gifted fashion.

I shutter to think that at the time (the initial budding of my spirituality) that I then hung it on the wall like a mini status symbol. There it stayed -- sadly unused, unrevered and unprayed for until such time as I was taught a few lessons about respect for the gifts from the Great Mother.

I was shown that medicine is kept on one's sacred area or altar or kept wrapped when not in use -- that way the spirit essence stays intact and ready for use when needed rather than being open and tired from being on call 24 hr. a day. But above all I was shown that medicine needs to be used regularly not put on display.

But sadly when I did try to use my initial braid of Sweetgrass it would not smolder for me. I made a trade for some new braids -- they wouldn't smolder either. I even went so far as to purchase a few braids and it was for sure they wouldn't burn for me either.

The Sweetgrass was giving me a definite message -- I had not developed a relationship with this particular medicine and it was not time for me to use.

Truly I didn't even know how to recognize it in the wild. To develop a relationship one has to go to the grassroots literally.

This summer became the time................

I was invited to join a small group going a field for their summer gathering. Fortunately one of the group was a seasoned Sweetgrasser and was able to teach us where and how to identify the Sweetgrass in the wild.

Sweetgrass is elusive and needs a sharp eye to spot as it hides amongst other grasses and in this particular case lots of thistles! And some of the time you need to let you nose do the leading! I finally learned to look for the purple base that is at ground or slightly below ground level. To do so I had to get right down, nose to the ground, delicately separate the strands of grass, insert my index finger into the mother to look for the purple, then ask permission from the plant before I sniped it off with a finger nail at that level.

This is what I mean by getting to the grass roots. It is slow, -- challenging on the back -- but a completely satisfying process.

Then to master the braids...........

Once again our teacher ably demonstrated the technique but again it was an exercise in patience to accomplish. After much struggling I had four beautiful braids to thank the Mother for.

And should it come as any surprise that these now seasoned braids smolder beautifully!!

A Medicine Man recently told me that Sweetgrass is getting very scarce due to over harvesting for retail purposes. Selling the braids defeats the purpose of this precious medicine and it may not be with us much longer if this persists.

Do your part and do not purchase the braids. If you find Sweetgrass in the wild, pick it reverently and sparingly being extra careful to leave the roots intact. Better yet, give back to the Mother and grow your own! This will be my next project as soon as I have the appropriate ground.

What do I use Sweetgrass for??

As mentioned, Sweetgrass is a powerful ceremonial smudge where it is used to draw positive spirits and energy towards self. It can be mixed with sage or even cedar for smudge. When braiding the Sweetgrass there are always seem to be a few strands that resist the braid so I include these leftovers when tying sage in the sage sticks.

Sweetgrass is used in ceremonially in many other ways such as the sweat lodge and some pipe carriers use the tip of the braid to light their pipes.

The best home made soap I have ever used was made with Sweetgrass. Apparently Sweetgrass makes an unique tea just as sage does. And once again use any left over tea in your bath or for a hair rinse.

And to end on a note of humour -- the most unique use of Sweetgrass that I have ever witnessed is when it was used to mask the distinctive burning smell of an illegal substance -- you know , the potty kind. Definitely not spiritual and definitely not recommended but couldn't resist mentioning it!

Enjoy finding your individual relationship with Sweetgrass.

By Terra-Marlee