Wildcrafting

I do a lot of wild crafting out here. There are many resources around, if you look in the right places. One of my favorite things to Wild Craft is the desert sage. It makes wonderful sage sticks. Over the years, I have found that the best time to gather the wild sage that grows rampant and plentiful around here is during the Full Moon In May. June works too, but if you wait too long, the sage gets to big, or too old, and isn't as *soft* as it is in the beginning of the season. I like to go out and search for the softest tops I can find. Then come home, and spend the evening during the moon tying all the bundle's together. Then hang them up to dry. There is nothing like smelling the drying sage, or seeing it hang around the house while drying, to get you in that *witchy* mood!
I try to gather enough to last me the year. I am usually cutting it close, like this year, because I also like to share, if anyone is in need of some smudging sticks. I have found that even my non-witchy friends and family, like to use sage, to raise the vibrations in their homes once in awhile. Everyone likes a pick me up!
Out here, I have even known people who like to use sage brush, as their christmas trees! While we have never tried that, it is a true western christmas for those that do.

About.com has an article explaining Wildcrafting for those who are interested in learning more about how to do it. Here is the link

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/herbalism/p/Wildcrafting.htm

The Native American's have the corner stone on smudging. Since we live right off one of the largest Reservations in the U.S, it is widely accepted here. They use the sage burning technique's along with sweetgrass and other herbs, in their Sundance ceremonies, along with many others.

http://www.sagesmudge.com/2010/10/how-to-perform-a-native-american-smudging-ceremony-a-traditional-ritual-for-spiritual-cleansing/

There are many other wildcrafting idea's, herbs and plants to be wildcrafted. Pine needles, juniper berries, wildberries of a variety of kinds, as well as many other plants and herbs. But sage is my favorite. And an annual outing, that I look forward to, every year.