6 lovely alternatives to sage
one of the conversations i’m mindfully following this year is the use of sage among non-Natives. i’m not ready to dispense any advice because there are different points of view being expressed. however, i’m encouraging anyone who works with burning herbs to consider a few lovely alternatives to the sacred white sage bundle so often reached for…
and with that, here a few of my absolute favorites i keep within reach:
LAVENDER | this mighty plant is well-known for cleansing, purifying, and imparting tranquility and LOVE. but did you know that men are particularly attracted to lavender? so, add sachets of it to your drawers or anoint yourself with a little oil if you’re looking for LOVE. and if your marriage is feeling stressed (thanks, COVID!), try lighting a lavender bundle to diffuse that unwelcome discord.
CINNAMON | this is a powerhouse for bringing money, wealth, and prosperity into your life. using it at the front door can actually help remove energetic blocks that prevent money (income and customers) from coming in. and given its association with the root chakra, cinnamon will spice up your creativity and business moxie! also, a single cinnamon stick can be purchased for much cheaper than a smudge stick, so consider it for your more frequent cleansing rituals. (psst…in my R+Co video, i share a few more ways to work with cinnamon!)
ROSE | the rose is magic and wisdom and LOVE, all bound into one bloom. it’s a mighty tonic when we need to either / both give and receive LOVE to / from others and ourselves. it’s perfect when your heart needs healing or your self-care practices could use a helping hand. and if you want to be even more specific, seek out the color of rose most aligned with your desired outcome. white = purification. yellow = wisdom and happiness. lavender = enchantment and serenity. pink = gratitude, grace, and gentleness. red = love, passion, and beauty.
ROSEMARY | this magical herb has an impressive dossier. it can claim cleansing, improving mental clarity, stoking courage, offering protection, and enhancing money luck. my very first shui mentor, Ellen Whitehurst, taught me 4 rosemary plants in the Wealth area support female financial independence. add to that rosemary helps clear away negative energy – especially the “poor me” chatter that disrupts your thought process – and you might notice your money mindset and moola improving!
BASIL | this delightful herb is revered a symbol of LOVE because the leaf looks like a heart! when working with it energetically, it stimulates LOVE, prosperity, and happiness. some practitioners i know add basil into their soups and stews, stirring intentions of prosperity into their food. and @thriftywitch suggests carrying 8 basil leaves in your wallet for raising your money frequency. basil also helps instill harmony within a home. it creates a sympathetic vibration (softening any disagreeable tempers), which then allows negativity to move along.
CLOVES | lucky you, this is high season for cloves! i shared in this recent blog post how cloves and oranges are the dynamic duo for protection and collection. additionally, you can burn cloves like you would a loose-leaf herb or simmer them on the stove to attract money into your life. (btw, my book has a couple clove recipes!)
*one simple shui note: none of these herbs are short-cuts. money, love, quick fixes won’t likely magically appear after cleaning your space with these herbs and flowers. instead, opportunities will knock. i often say that when the knock comes to the door, your response is DO THE WORK that shows up. shui always triggers the opportunity and lends a helping hand, but it does not do the work for you. so, just remember your effort is a necessary and required ingredient when working with shui! xo
