For those seeking a formal operation beyond simple anointing, the following rite is suggested for use during the Samhain season or the anniversary of a passing.

• I. Cast your Circle: Cast your circle as your tradition dictates. Use your Wake the Dead oil to anoint the four corners, applying it directly to your elemental candles or corresponding elemental objects.
• II. Preparation of the Vessel: Place a photograph or a memento of the departed upon a clean surface. Flank this with two white candles, previously anointed with Wake the Dead from poles to equator.
• III. The Sensitization: Apply the oil to your temples and the back of the neck. Sit in a posture of stillness. As the mercurial notes of Lavender rise, visualize the "static" of your daily concerns dissolving into a clear, violet light.
• IV. The Invocation of the Silent: Light the candles. Ring your consecrated bell three times. State clearly: "By the oil of the Star and the Root, I thin the threshold. I call to the lineage of the Wise Blood, not to disturb, but to commune."
• V. The Reception: Close your eyes and remain in the silence for ten minutes, observing impressions as shifts in the etheric temperature of the room.
• VI. The License to Depart: When your work is complete, extinguish the candles. Give thanks to the spirits that joined you and bid them a peaceful departure. Close the circle as your tradition dictates. Take a moment to ground and center your energy, and journal your experiences.

1. Can I use this if I am new to spirit work?

Absolutely. Wake the Dead is designed to help facilitate a connection, but you are always in control of the ritual. We recommend starting with simple ancestral workings, like lighting a dressed candle for a departed loved one, before moving into deeper ritual work.

2. What does this oil smell like?

It opens with a light floral top note, deepening into woodsy undertones and the warm, spicy kick of the star anise floating inside the bottle. It dries down to a light, almost baby-powder finish that is never overpowering or distracting. This blend is intentionally formulated to anchor your physical body while you tune into the frequency of the spirit realm.

3. How do I anoint tarot cards without ruining them?

Because oil will stain and warp paper, never apply it directly to the faces of your cards. Instead, roll a tiny amount of oil onto your fingertips, rub them together until mostly absorbed, and lightly tap the outer edges of the deck. Alternatively, you can anoint the bag or wooden box you store your tools in.

4. Is this only for use during Samhain?

Not at all. While the veil is naturally thinnest during the Samhain season, your ancestors and spirit guides are accessible year-round. Use this oil whenever you feel called to the altar or need clarity during a divination session.