Smudging involves lighting the herb-- in this instance, sage-- and directing the ensuing smoke about the room.
Chase the Devil: The Healing Powers of Smudging
March 29, 2019

Smudging is a cleansing ritual that has been used for thousands of years by indigenous people in North and South America. The purifying use of herbs, added to a fire for spiritual purposes, has been practiced by all cultures. The Catholic church uses frankincense, the ancient Greeks chose myrrh and frankincense, and the Chinese preference was for mugwort.

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Hopi kachinas, or katsinas, created by Native american carvers
Kachina or Katsina: The Hopi Carvings, Explained
March 21, 2019

The Hopi believe that everything has a spirit, and the Katsina are a visible form of those spirits. Katsina dancers embody this essence, and the dolls represent the dancers.

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Cliff dwellings of the Salado people in the Tonto National Monument.
Tonto National Monument: Not Just Another Day Trip
March 15, 2019

The Apache Trail near Roosevelt Lake and Dam, part of the Tonto National Monument in Arizona, features the cliff dwellings of the Salado people, as this vintage photograph shows.

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Turquoise is found with matrix (veining), created by copper, iron, and other materials.
Touched by Turquoise: The Universal Appeal of Turquoise Jewelry
February 19, 2019

Many of the words used for turquoise in Native American languages translate as the ‘sky stone’ in English. Turquoise is believed to offer positive healing energy, to assist in communication, expression, mental functions, and protection.

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