Quiet time at home

A soothing ritual for mind and soul: incense burning is an ancient tradition in the Alps – especially during the nights of incense between Christmas and Epiphany, 6 January. The smoky aroma of incense, resins, flowers and herbs calms our senses, invigorates us and relaxes us.

At Chesa Monte ****Superior, we would like to take you on a fragrant journey to a Christmas tradition that is mindful and loving.

A big THANK YOU to the Zammer Kräuterhex for her inspiration.

 

Reading sample Smoking in the Alps - Book by Michaela Thöni-Kohler

Everything you need to know about incense and the Holy Nights

Rough nights

These are the nights when animals talk and people can get a glimpse into their future. The Rauhnächte are very special nights. Traditionally, people burn incense in their homes and yards at these times. The Rauhnächte begin on the night of 21 December (St Thomas’ Night) or at Christmas at the latest and end on 6 January. There are twelve nights in total, which is why they are sometimes referred to as the ‘Twelfth’. The most important are those on 21 December, 24 December, 1 January and 6 January.

Fumigation

Delicate smoke rises and fills the room with a magical fragrance. Does burning incense in the house and yard really drive away evil spirits?

Even today, it is still customary in the Alpine region to go through the house on 24 December with a pan of incense and smoke it out. This is done in many different ways. In Catholic families, it is customary to do this while praying. In other areas, people walk through the house with the simple saying ‘bad luck out, good luck in’, wishing that all bad things will go and good things will come into the house.

On farms, the barn is also fumigated to protect the cattle from disease.

 

Incense utensils

Smoking bowl and incense burner

Incense bowls and goblets are available in various designs and sizes (preferably from a local producer). If you enjoy smoking with charcoal and like a lot of smoke, heat-resistant incense burners are suitable. It is important that the bowl is not too small and that the material is heat-resistant.

Smoking pan

You can use an old iron pan as a smoking pan or a special smoking pan, which are also available with a lid.

Be sure to put smoking sand in the pan to insulate it from the heat, as the pan gets very hot. Only place on a heat-resistant surface.

Incense burner

When smoking on the teapot, only a small amount of fine smoke develops. It is important that the teapot has a minimum height of 9 cm and the sieve has a diameter of at least 9 cm.

The tealight in the teapot must get enough oxygen so that it can burn well. There are commercially available teapots with various attachments such as a sieve or smoking plate.

Never leave unattended.

Incense blends

Getrocknete Kräuter mischen, zerkleinern und auf der Kohle oder am Stövchen verräuchern. Nie unbeaufsichtigt lassen.

Protection and cleaning

5 g lavender (provides clarity and fresh energy)
5 g mugwort (paves the way for new beginnings)
5 g rosemary (dispels negative vibrations and creates space for positive things)
5 g juniper (brings happiness into the home)
5 g white sage (protects with its powerful energy)

 

Christmas

3 g dried orange blossom or orange peel
2 g powdered frankincense
2 g powdered myrrh
2 g powdered cinnamon bark
1 g styrax

nice.
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