"We are CLEAR LIGHT, the makers of lifestyle essentials from the desert southwest. New Mexico is the place people visit for the expansive sky, ancient culture and a healing connection to nature. The term "clear light” describes the perfect state of mental bliss and complete happiness." - Creators of Clear Light
The story of Clear Light’s long-term success is truly the story of the original owner and founder Josh Peine, his legacy, his journey, and the land that surrounded him. Peine began packaging cedar needles from the nearby trees in sachets, as gifts for close friends and family. In 1971 the demand for his small gifts grew into a business which he began calling Clear Light, an homage to his love for religious readings, and specifically, a state of being outlined in ancient Tibetan texts.
The southwest cedar has been a focal point of life for the Hopi Indians of this region. They’ve long used it for the health and purification properties they claim it possesses, and when Joshua Peine, a former actor, by chance settled in the northern section of central New Mexico and learned about cedar from the tribe, he knew this was where he belonged. Peine, who passed away in 2006, is still the primary influence on operations at Clear Light, which is run by the company’s small and dedicated staff, and Peine’s sister Penny, who took over ownership and operations following his death.
Cedar needles have long been used by Native Americans who believe it possesses therapeutic and healing properties. After settling in New Mexico, Peine learned through Hopi Indian ceremonies the benefits and therapeutic use of cedar. Also a natural insect repellent and coupled with its distinct fragrance, cedar has become widely used in homes across the American Southwest.
In order to maximize the properties of the cedar, the staff at Clear Light only harvest when the trees aren’t pollinating, primarily in the winter months. They make the short trip into the hills just up the road from the company’s home office in a rusty pickup truck that picks and chooses when it wants to start. The trees grow on government land, which the company is authorized to use. Once the cedar boughs are pruned from the trees and complete the curating process, they’re run through a large shaker, which removes any of the pollen, leaving the needles in their most pure and aromatic form. One of Clear Light’s flagship products is its incense, formed out of a day long cooked cedar tea and then mixed with cedar oil and a proprietary gum. The clay-like substance is then run through a mold and dried for four days before it’s packaged for the customers.
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