*** Your purchase at Peaceful Paths is not just another "cha-ching" sale! To find out why, please click on "The Greater Good" link at the top of the page.*** ***ALL FEATHERS USED IN MY CREATIONS ARE IN THEIR NATURAL STATE, UNDYED, AND NATURALLY MOLTED & CRUELTY FREE.** Every one of my Smudge Wands is a unique creation. Each starts with a stick of Diamond Willow, which, in certain traditions, signifies wisdom and an open mind. The Diamond Willow is ethically sourced in the northern forests of the USA, collected by a Native American man who respectfully gathers the sticks, then carefully cuts and sands them to let each ‘diamond in the rough’ shine. I lightly stain the sticks using a simple, chemical-free homemade concoction of teas, coffees & cacao to further bring out the diamonds, and then each stick is hand-rubbed with a natural beeswax finish for protection. I adorn the sticks with beautiful, naturally molted/cruelty-free feathers from various birds, and any decorative cording is a faux-suede. The feathers are secured by either a jute or hemp wrapping and any crystals or gemstones added to the wand are natural & genuine. This particular Smudge Wand is adorned with genuine PYRITE in its rough form, which is a fantastic stone to shield one against negativity. The wands measure 11”-13” in length from bottom of stick to tip of tallest feather. WHAT IS “SMUDGING” AND HOW TO USE SMUDGE WANDS: While Native American tribal cultures viewed smudging as a “bridge to higher realms and as a way to clear spiritual and emotional negativity that has built up in a space or a person”, records of smudging are found across the globe, dating back thousands of years. From ancient Asia to Native Americans to modern day religions and cultures, smudging is still considered today a sacred ritual performed to purify, heal & release negativity. The act of smudging also connects us to the elements of Earth, Wind, Fire &am