Inspiring Ignatian Quote #3

July in the Pacific Northwest is full of unfurling growth, one of the definitions of ‘spiral’ and a magnificent spectacle! This is foundational work at Urban Sanctuary, whether we are helping you unfurl your spiritual life, your creative life or some of the dynamics of your everyday life. I am blessed to live on a piece of property with huge (over 100’ tall) cedars. I truly believe they are a sacred tree and full of healing benefits, whether the scent, the oils, the bark or the branches are used. I prayed before I removed branches that were weighing down the limbs that were resting on the ground. They instantly bounced back up as if joyfully saying, ‘thank you’ for releasing a burden, now I can continue lifting upward.

I promised to give new life to the green branches in the form of smudge sticks. Besides its healing properties, cedar is known for its cleansing and purification properties. My mother had a cedar chest in which she stored her most treasured possessions; the cedar ensured all would be protected with the added benefit of smelling wonderful, even after decades of use. She also used cedar oil for cleaning, polishing and restoring wood around our home, and cedar chips in blanket and linen storage closets. Dating even farther back, cedar was used in the Biblical Temple of Solomon and its altar. (1 Kings 6:8-22)

While making smudge sticks for Urban Sanctuary, for an added calming effect and de-stressing benefit, we added lavender from my garden, and other aromatic herbs from my sister’s garden. The lavender plants were purchased when my mother, my sister and her daughters and I went to the Sequim Lavender Festival on the Olympic Peninsula of WA. This lasting memory is now embedded with the addition of some rose petals commemorating other memorable occasions. All these gifts of nature personalized a few sticks for family members. How generous is our Loving Creator! As we wrapped the bundles, we used natural cotton/linen thread and prayed for the person(s) who would use them, and with gratitude for such bounty.

I think Ignatius would be proud of the way we have appreciated the gifts God has blessed us with, as we learn a bit more of His love for us, and His desire to have us find joy in His creation. This naturally leads to a deeper love for our Creator and the desire to share this message with others, as well as a handcrafted smudge stick. Watching the natural incense/smoke rise, reminded me of my prayers being lifted up to heaven. Ignatius also encourages us to use our imagination when we pray. I invite you to do just that with the following scripture. If you already have a smudge stick, I encourage you to light it and use your imagination to become a part of your prayer and scripture!

Revelation 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.