Creator: Ayla Love
Source: The Garden Route, South Africa

Product: Smudge, Smudge Wands and Smudge Bowls

Price: Various

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An Altar

Imagine a magical corner of your home, a place where the everyday meets the ethereal. This is your spiritual altar, a sacred space adorned with treasures that whisper to your soul. Here, a tapestry of colorful crystals glistens like dew-kissed morning flowers, each one humming with ancient energy. Feathers, shells, and candles sit in harmony, weaving a spell of tranquility and introspection. This whimsical sanctuary serves as a portal to the divine, a haven where you can reconnect with your inner self and the universe. It's a place to light candles, sending wishes to the stars, and to arrange crystals, each one a guardian of your dreams. Incense curls in the air, its fragrant tendrils carrying your prayers and meditations skyward. The spiritual altar is your personal oasis of peace, a magical retreat where the mundane transforms into the mystical, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

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I have for a very long time, enjoyed the practise for creating sacred space. Everywhere I live I create an altar, a space of prayer and devotion. a beautiful element of the altar space is its aroma emanating from the burning smudge.

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Smudge

Smudge wands are ceremonial tools used in various spiritual and cleansing practices. They consist of tightly bound herbs, traditionally sage, but they can also include other aromatic plants like cedar, lavender, or sweetgrass and in this case, the various wild growing indigenous plants and vynbos of Southern Africa. These herbs are gathered, dried, and tied together with natural fibres to form a wand.

To use a smudge wand, one lights the end until it smolders, producing a fragrant smoke. This smoke is believed to purify spaces, objects, and individuals by dispelling negative energy and promoting a positive, peaceful atmosphere. The practice of smudging has roots in Indigenous cultures where it is considered a sacred ritual.

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These smudge wands are crafted with care, incorporating herbs from the rich landscapes of Southern Africa. Each wand is a unique creation, blending traditional knowledge with the region's natural bounty. These smudge wands not only serve a spiritual purpose but also embody the connection between the community and their heritage, making them a meaningful addition to any space.

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Collection

In deep prayer and reverence I have crafted these altar pieces, some potions, smudge, smudge wands and carefully painted shells.

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