PALO SANTO SUMAN
Origin Story of the Palo Santo Suman
When Soraya was a newborn, I used to swaddle her in a receiving blanket like a little eggroll and called her my Shanghai roll, after my favorite type of lumpia. My mom would also say that I wrapped her up like a suman, a Filipino dessert made of glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves.
Soraya is of mixed ancestry, including South American Indigenous lineage. She wanted to incorporate palo santo, which originates from Ecuador and Peru. Palo santo, often referred to as "holy wood," has been used for centuries by Indigenous peoples in South America for its spiritual and medicinal properties. Burning it is believed to cleanse negative energy, promote healing, and invite positive vibrations. The wood's aromatic smoke is used in rituals to purify spaces, enhance meditation, and bring about a sense of peace and clarity.
To honor her roots from the Philippines and Ecuador, Soraya put together the guava leaf and palo santo. It is made up of Ecuadorian palo santo, a leaf from Mama Guava, and is tied together with 100% cotton. The intentions of the bundle are to honor the ancestors, cleanse people, objects, and spaces, and to help open up ritual. Comes in a pack of three.
How to use:
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Set Your Intention: Before lighting the palo santo suman, take a moment to set your intention. This could be for cleansing your space, inviting positive energy, or any other purpose you have in mind.
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Light the Stick: Hold the palo santo stick at a 45-degree angle and light the end with a match, candle, or lighter. Allow the stick to catch fire and let it burn for about 30 seconds to a minute, or until the flame is strong.
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Blow Out the Flame: After the stick has burned for a short while, blow out the flame. The stick should be smoldering, releasing a fragrant smoke. If the flame goes out too quickly, relight and repeat the process.
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Walk Through Your Space: Hold the smoldering stick and gently wave it in the air, allowing the smoke to fill the room. Walk through your space, paying special attention to corners, doorways, and any areas where energy feels stagnant or heavy.
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Use a Fireproof Dish: As you move through your space, you can hold a fireproof dish (such as a ceramic bowl or shell) under the palo santo stick to catch any ash that may fall.
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Focus on Yourself: You can also use the smoke to cleanse your own energy. Hold the stick at a safe distance from your body and allow the smoke to wash over you, starting from your head and moving downward.
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Extinguish the Stick: Once you feel the cleansing is complete, extinguish the palo santo stick by pressing the smoldering end into a fireproof dish. Ensure that the embers are completely out to prevent any risk of fire.
Store Properly: Store your palo santo suman in a dry place, ready for its next use. You can reuse the same stick multiple times until it’s completely burned.
Tips for Safe and Effective Use:
Ventilation: Ensure your space is well-ventilated by opening a window or door to allow the smoke to carry away any negative energy.
Mindfulness: Perform the ritual mindfully and with respect for the sacredness of the practice.
Safety: Always be cautious with fire and never leave the smoldering stick unattended.
*Steamer NOT included