Burning Ayurvedic herbs with the Sonnhof in Tyrol, Austria
Top tips for purifying during the 12 Raunächte nights
Even today, in a time when customs and traditions are often forgotten, many people still use the 12 Raunächte nights after Christmas as a time to perform purification rituals. According to ancient traditions, the world experiences a struggle between chaos and order during the Raunächte from 25 December to 6 January. It is a time of change and new beginnings and, therefore, the perfect time for deep cleansing and focussing on the essentials.
A centuries-old tradition in Tyrol, the burning of herbs accompanied by prayer, is said to drive away evil spirits, demons and chaos. The Ayurveda Resort Sonnhof in Thiersee, Tyrol, Austria believe there is great power in burning herbs. By placing burning medicinal plants in bowls all around the house you not only protect the home, people and animals in it, but also focus on yourself, collect your thoughts and leave everyday life behind for a few moments.
The power of herbs
Christina Mauracher, European Ayurveda® specialist and head of the AyurvedaCentre at the Ayurveda Resort Sonnhof explains: ‘For me, sage and juniper are the most important herbs for burning. Sage has great cleansing power, while the intense aroma of juniper drives away negative energy. Camphor, myrrh and thyme are also suitable for burning. Of course you can also combine different herbs. I recommend that everyone develops their own incense ritual. Even the less spiritual among us will quickly find that it helps them to gather their strength and concentrate on what is important to them.’
Smudging herbs
Preparing for the ritual
10 questions to conclude the old year
Performing the ritual
European Ayurveda® Resort Sonnhof
Ayurveda – the name originates from Sanskrit and essentially means ‘science of life’. The ancient Indian holistic system of knowledge is based on the interrelationships of body, mind and spirit, and the mix of three life forces or Doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which are responsible for the basic characteristics and respective constitutions of human beings. If these Doshas are unbalanced due to stress, poor nutrition or other influences, we feel physically and mentally unwell. The aim of Ayurveda is to bring the three Doshas together in harmony – this is done through soothing oil massages, purifying measures, Ayurvedic nutrition, meditation, Yoga and more. At the Ayurveda Resort Sonnhof in Hinterthiersee in Tyrol, knowledge of traditional Eastern Ayurveda is integrated into European culture to create a treatment programme geared towards our lifestyles, climatic conditions and eating habits. Hence the resort’s motto ‘Tyrol meets India’. Guests are offered a medical Ayurveda break based on European Ayurveda® and the three pillars of health – Ayurvedic Nutrition, Yoga, Mind Detox & Meditation and Diagnosis & Treatment – that is perfectly in tune with Western requirements and able to deal with modern lifestyle diseases.
