This listing is for our Raunächte Solstice Ritual Smoke Fumigation Set, from The heART of Ritual.
 
Here in the European Alps, the center of Celtic Europe, there is a beautiful ancient tradition that is called 'Raunächte', a period of twelve days and nights of ceremony that begins at midnight on 'Mothers Night' (Dec 24th) and ends on Jan 6th.
 
In Ireland, we have a similar tradition that begins at astronomical Solstice and ends...quite simply, when the work is done (more on this below). In essence, this ancient practice is a labyrinth journey and winter flight that takes place in deep winter, the purpose of which is to observe and assess the deep state of BEing, release the old and invoke what it is you require to heal, so that you can return to your natural state of harmony and wholeness. I go into this in more details throughout the audio files.
 
This gorgeous collection of fragrant talismans and olfactory allies is one of two different ritual sets created to support and guide you through this Solstice vigil and ritual experience. This set relates with smoke offerings and ritual fumigation.
 
The other set focuses on working with the herbs through fragrant fluid offerings, using an oil burner. This can be found elsewhere in the shop and works with bespoke blends of wild native medicinal herb and resin ritual oils that you add into and gently warm in a base of distilled botanical waters (hydrosols). I personally tend to two different (indoor) formal altar spaces throughout the day, one is in my clinic and workspace, the other is in my (shared) home space. My partner is not crazy about smoke offerings in our living room or on his clothes at work, so I only work with smoke offerings in the clinic or outdoors. I work with the oil burner in our shared living space, and this works perfectly in every way. I decided to offer this alternative option as a set for those in similar circumstances, or people living in small spaces where smoke might not be permitted! This way, both options are available and there is no reason for you to not engage in this ritual! 
 
The arc of this solstice ritual journey is to begin with cleansing and protecting you on the path ahead, centering yourself and grounding, invoking the ancestors (and guides), beginning the journey, divination, the alchemy of the transformational fire, essential life force, the return of the light, embodying heartspace and the gifts of grace and compassion. We close with a gratitude offering for those that supported the process. 
 
What you bring to this experience, what you weave in and around it through your own unique prayer expression, and what you receive from it is entirely up to you!
 
Each set consists of
- a large 'Banishing Braid'
Made with native medicinal herbs to cleanse, ground and protect you, and clear the path before you begin your journey
 
- two large 'Rememberence Cakes' 
These are large herbal 'incense cones' that you offer at the beginning and end of your solstice journey. The first is to invoke the ancestors for support and wisdom, the second is to offer upon completion, in gratitude for the support and insights the ancestors shared during your solstice ritual experience
 
- Six different ritual incense powders for daily Solstice smoke offerings, in handcrafted red ochre vessels
Details for each shared in the digital information that is part of this set.
 
- Full overview and audio recordings to guide and support you with your solstice ritual journey
This is conveniently provided through the members only area of theheartofritual.com, and your password is sent to you by post with this set. Please note that this ritual is designed to follow the traditional 12 solstice days, however for those looking to engage in the journey longer, this can easily be modified to 24 or 36 consecutive days by simply staying with the themes longer. You can even do this over your own chosen number of consecutive days, and this is my personal way of working. I tend to start as soon as I feel the solstice energy growing, and stay with each of the themes for as long as I feel it is necessary, before moving to the next. As such, the journey itself, and the depth of process you go into at each stage, dictates the length of the overall process, and remember, the magic you put into each moment is what you will get back out of it in return! 
 
Each of these gorgeous textured vessels is encrusted with absolutely stunning crystal, mineral, plant pigment and wild clay body that Niamh developed for this seasons offerings, for you to etch your personal and unique symbols, sigils, words and other marks upon. You will also receive a complimentary tool to use for etching your personal symbols and/or words upon these vessels.
 
These lovingly handcrafted offerings are potent ritual blends, and sure to enchant and enrapture the senses with the essence and energy they carry. Each vessel is a temple space unto itself, it's walls encrusted with hand gathered sacred red earth, and crystal and mineral pigments to protect the energetic integrity, and enhance and augment the properties of each blend.
 
I share details of each incense powder in the digital files, but I would like to share insights here into one particular blend which is a honey incense:
 
ABOUT HONEY INCENSE
Honey has been used in rituals for thousands of years. It was often used as an offering to the Greek gods, particularly the goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite. In addition, it is thought to be one of the five elixirs of immortality in ancient Hindu texts.
 
The heady, sweet aroma of honey is instantly recognizable, and immediately soothing, bringing images of summer days and warm evenings. It was often used in spellbinding due to its connection to the sticky consistency of honey, lending itself well to romance spells, strengthening the bond between two people. Found all over the world, its accessibility and beautiful scent mean it is unsurprising that it sees such popularity.
 
This raw honey is from a wonderful native bee husband (and beekeeping teacher) that I met in West Cork, who loves and cares for 25 hives in and around the mountains of Bantry Bay. I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to visit his home where he showed me his 'honey room', the space in which he gathers the combs and extracts the honey by hand. I was tickled by the fact that he leaves a window open in the room at all times for the bees to fly in and out as they please, something that I found deeply touching. I love this very natural method of working harmoniously with the bees and how he extracts the honey from the comb, he even removes a small part of the comb from each frame and returns the rest to the hive for the bees to build upon again. His lifes work with bees is so intimate and respectful and the bees reciprocate! It was a blessing to meet him and to receive this heavenly blackberry blossom raw honey.
 
Our wildcrafted ritual fumigation blends are deliciously fragrant and created with the very best of biodynamic, sustainably hand gathered, wild native herbs, resins, fungus, berries, blossoms and fine crystal powders from the high Alps around our nest.