Kupala Summer Solstice Ritual Incense

People believe that the celebration of Kupala is the only time when the earth reveals her secrets. Also known as Summer Solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year. Ferns bloomed to mark places where she buried her treasures, the trees spoke and moved, and the wild witches gathered.

Many rites related to this holiday connect to the role of water and fire in fertility and ritual purification. On this night, village folk roamed through the forests in search of different magical herbs and the fern flower. There was an ancient belief that on the eve of Kupala ferns would bloom. Prosperity, luck, power, and discernment befall all who found this elusive fern flower.

Girls would float wreaths of flowers (often lit with candles) on the rivers to gain foresight into their romantic relationships from the flow patterns of the flowers on the water. Men would attempt to capture the wreaths, in the hope of capturing the interest of the woman who had floated it. People built bonfires to jump over as a test of love, bravery, and faith. The failure of a couple to complete the jump while holding hands was a destined sign of separation. The fires were used for burning herbs gathered the previous year and items blessed with holy water that could not be discarded by normal means. The fires are never extinguished by hand but allowed them to smoulder out.

Offer to fires to bring sacrifice and acknowledgment to end of the summer and upcoming harvest. Ritually smoke yourself for purification, love, and bravery. May your families crops be plentiful and your world full of prosperity.

Charcoal is needed to burn this incense

4 dram bottle