Let’s talk about the Smoke Ritual

Aromatic smoke dancing in the steam during a sauna session can give off a magical feeling. Sigrid has used this technique many times in her shows (The Last Flight of the White Raven and False Fortune).

In my opinion, smoke aromas are best enjoyed in a calm sauna session, where you can combine aromatic smoke with natural infusions or essential oils. You can even make it a complete smoke ritual by using the same charcoal for different ingredients throughout the ritual. This creates a deeply calming and relaxing atmosphere in the sauna, it’s almost enchanting.

For those who have used the smoke aroma method before, I’ll briefly elaborate:

1. A deep wooden or ceramic bowl filled with fine, clean sand (about 2 cm)
2. Use special lightable charcoal
3. Light the charcoal in the bowl
4. Wait about 8 minutes until it turns grey
5. Take a spoon
6. Apply a protective sand layer
7. Add the ingredients
8. Remove burnt ingredients
9. Replenish with a new protective sand layer and fresh ingredients
10. Enjoy

Using the Smoke ritual in the Sauna

Now, this method seems easy, but there’s a catch. It gets very hot, so hot that if dropped or touched, it can cause instant second- to third-degree burns. Because of this, using this method in the sauna is meant for experienced sauna masters. It requires knowing your limits and being cautious about where you place, and how you move with, your smoke bowl.

Due to this, we highly recommend that anyone wishing to perform smoke rituals in the sauna starts practising at home, as shown in our digital workshop. With practice, you’ll understand that the smoke ritual requires constant attention. You need to care for your ingredients while also being aware of your movement in the sauna.

When you first begin offering these kinds of rituals, it’s best to find a solid spot near the stove, create a strong base for your smoke bowl, and keep a lid nearby to cover the bowl when you’re finished. When you apply the ingredients and add water to the stove, the aromatic smoke is dispersed throughout the sauna by the humidity. Your bowl remains steady and secure, allowing you to move around the cabin with a fan or towel.

With more practice and confidence in managing the ingredients, you may choose to hold the bowl and move through the sauna, perhaps waving a small fan or leaf. We don’t recommend towel waving while holding the bowl.

For me, this method truly brings a new level to a ritual. It’s a valuable skill for any sauna master, as it greatly expands the possibilities of the sessions you can offer. I also sometimes enjoy these aromas at home, it’s a bit ceremonial, but I genuinely love the process.