Samhain Incense Mix 20g – Ancestor & Protection Ritual Blend (1st Nov)

Samhain Natural Resin Incense -

Samhain is celebrated 1st November it is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or "darker half" of the year. Celebrations begin on the evening of 31 October, since the Celtic day began and ended at sunset. This is about halfway between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice.

The leaves are falling and the life force is in obvious retreat. Nature is preparing for its Winter sleep. The Sun God is dead and the Flower Goddess is mourning. But in the hidden depth of the underworld death works its alchemy of transformation. Imperceptibly it decomposes and regenerates so that the litter of leaves and debris become the fertile ground that will nourish next year's growth.

The veils between the worlds are thin at this time of the year and life and death are but opposite poles of the same continuously regenerating life-force. Samhain is a time to honour the dead and to contemplate the mysteries of life, death and regeneration. It is a time to turn inwards and in the depth and silence of our souls we confront our shadows and our own mortality.

FESTIVAL INCENSE-
Everything has its season - there is a time to be born and a time to grow, a time to learn and a time to mature, there is a time to live and a time to die, a cycle of seasons that marks the passage of time. Each time of the year has its beauty and its special gifts, but inevitably the wheel must turn and the season will pass - until its time comes around again. The seasonal cycle gives rhythm to time.

Today it is easy to ignore the necessities of time that dominated the lives of our ancestors until quite recently. It is easy to forget that time is not linear, but cyclical in nature and although we may ignore it, deep within our hearts we move to that same rhythm as the earth.
Our ancestors could not escape the seasonal cycle as we can today. On the contrary, it was crucial to their survival. Naturally, they were much more keenly aware of the seasonal changes, which they celebrated with their annual festival cycle. In the Celtic traditions of northern Europe this cycle consisted of 8 festivals, the quarter days, which marked the equinoxes and solstices and the cross-quarter days, which marked the 'in-between times'. The cycle of the season was envisioned as the story of the Earth Goddess and Sun Child, which becomes her lover and husband and together they make the Earth fertile and abundant. At the Summer Solstice he reaches his peak and must die. His declining power still ripens the fruit, but by the time harvest comes he is dead. The life-force retreats and the Earth Goddess is mourning, until she realizes that she is pregnant. At Winter Solstice she gives birth to the Sun God once again. His power is restored and her womb is fertile once again and so the cycle of life starts all over.

The seasonal festivals marked the ‘stations’ of the year. At these times we are at a threshold when time, for a moment seems to stand still and everybody, young and old came together to celebrate the cosmic drama of the Earth Goddess and the Sun King. For a brief interlude the rules and routines of everyday life were set aside and the focus of the community was directed towards the Gods and the changing balance of male and female forces in nature.

USE:
As without - so within. The seasonally shifting energy reflects on the inner rhythms of the soul. Today, most of us are out of touch with the seasons of nature and the crucial points in time that determine the rhythm of the growing cycle. However, those rhythms still beat within our hearts. Celebrating the seasonal festivals may harmonize the soul with the rhythms of nature.

HOW TO BURN INCENSE:
Place a self-igniting charcoal disc on a fire-proof surface, well away from flammable objects. The charcoal disks can be ignited simply by holding a match or lighter to the rim. Be aware that these discs may occasionally spit and sparkle profusely upon ignition. Allow plenty of air to flow around the charcoal to ensure that it burns evenly. Some people prefer to open the window while the charcoal is igniting as it gives off quite a bit of smoke. Once the charcoal disc has finished sparkling it will start to glow, usually first on one side, then slowly spreading over the whole disc. When the entire disc is glowing red hot it is ready to use and you can place a little pinch of incense on top. As the disk glows through, the fire will concentrate in its centre. You may occasionally want to scrape off the ashes to expose the glowing centre and add fresh incense as desired.

CARE FOR YOUR INCENSE:
Incense keeps well and often improves with age if kept in a cool and dark place. Charcoal, on the other hand, does not, as it has a tendency to absorb moisture from the air. Once the packet has been opened, keep it in an airtight container to preserve its self-igniting properties.

CAUTION:
Keep incense and charcoal out of pet’s and children’s reach. Charcoal discs are highly flammable. PLEASE BE CAREFUL when igniting your charcoal disc. Once the disc has been lit do not touch it, as it will cause a burn. Make sure your incense dish is fire proof and does not conduct heat to the surface on which it stands. Glass (even glass ashtrays) will break. Do not dispose of the remaining ashes in a waste paper bin or plastic garbage bin as it may cause a fire. Do not hold the disc in your hand while lighting or burning.

How do you use gum resin incense?

Prepare a Heat Source: You'll need a heat-resistant container, such as an incense holder, or a charcoal burner specifically designed for resin incense. If you're using a charcoal burner, make sure it's on a stable surface and away from flammable materials.

Charcoal Incense Disc: If you're using a charcoal burner, place a charcoal disc on the burner. Light the edge of the charcoal disc until it starts to spark and crackle. Allow it to fully ignite and turn gray. This process may take a few minutes.

Add your particular Gum Resin Incense: Once the charcoal disc is fully ignited and has a layer of gray ash on top, you can start adding the myrrh resin. Use tongs or a spoon to place a small amount (usually a pinch or a few granules) of myrrh resin onto the hot charcoal.

Enjoy the Aroma: As the incense resin heats up, it will release a fragrant smoke. Enjoy the calming and aromatic atmosphere created by the burning incense.

Safety: Always exercise caution when working with burning materials.

Keep the burner away from children and pets, and ensure good ventilation in the room.

Allow the charcoal and resin to cool completely before disposing of any ashes.

Myrrh incense, like frankincense, Copal, Sandalwood, all have a rich history of use in religious and spiritual rituals. It is also known for its potential therapeutic properties and is used in aromatherapy.