Consecrated herbs and incense
In some places the custom, already practiced by the Celts, is also observed on the longest night of the year, from December 20th to 21st. On this night, before the so-called St. Thomas Day, the first of the four traditional Salzburg raucous nights, the darkness is to be driven out. Elsewhere, the Pfandl is not filled until Christmas Eve. Often there are twigs from palm bushes, consecrated herbs from the Assumption of Mary (August 15) and incense to the embers from the oven. The mix varies from farm to farm. But they are united by their belief in custom.
Winter Solstice – The longest night is already behind us
