Dia de Muertos Incense

Description

This incense blend is dedicated to the celebration of the Mexican Dia de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”). It hence contains fragrant woods and spicy herbs that are related to the Mexican tradition of venerating one’s ancestors. The design adorning the incense vessels is inspired by the calaveras, the Mexican sugar skulls adorning the graves of the beloved dead.

In Mexico the celebration starts on All Hallow’s Eve, when children make altars for the angelitos (the souls of dead children). November 1st is referred to as Día de los Inocentes (“Day of the Innocents”) or Día de los Angelitos (“Day of the Little Angels”), which is when the souls of dead children are honored. On November 2nd, the actual Dia de los Muertos, the graves of dead family members are visited. The graves are adorned with cempasuchil flowers, the flowers of the dead. Between the orange sea of flowers, candles are lit and Muertos (the bread of the dead) and sugar skulls are placed as offerings, along with favorite food, beverages, photos etc. The dead are greeted and welcomed back to the world of the living for one day and night. Dancing and intoxication are welcome and encouraged.

In other parts of the Christianized world the customs of venerating the dead mostly also take place on All Souls Day, often coinciding with All Saints Day (a deviation is for example the Argentinean cult of the reaper, which celebrates the Saint of Death in August). In Germany it is custom to visit and adorn the graves of family members on the Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead), which is a protected holiday in all of Germany. It falls on the last Sunday before the first Advent (usually at end of November).

This incense blend is foremost dedicated to the Mexican tradition of venerating the ancestors, but may also work in the contexts of European ancestor veneration, as it simply pleases and honors the beloved dead. Alternative incense blends for these occasions can be found in my shop.

The rosemary, marigold, tobacco, mullein and yauthli are from our garden, the palo santo wood comes from a sustainable source.

Contains: cempasuchil (marigold) flower petals, dark copal, myrrh, palo santo wood, patchouli, red rose, rosemary, tobacco, yauthli, yerba santa

Use: celebrating the day(s) of the dead and honoring the beloved dead

Scent: warm, sweet, spicy