having house blessed?

[Jakegday]

i understand this site has rules against discussing religious type stuff... i dont think this is crossing that line, but if it is, shoot me a message and delete this thread. moving on...

so i come home from the store and my apartment hallway just REAKS of solder. smells like an entire of roll of solder has been melted in the hallway, i can even smell the stench in my kitchen. (the farthest room from the door/hallway).

i go back out into the hallway to prop the door open and lady comes out of her apartment and said the smell im smelling is frankincense and myrrh and theyre having their house blessed....

since that sounds like some religious type stuff, i know nothing about it. can anyone elaborate more on this for me? and more importantly, does frankincense and myrrh really smell like hardcore burning solder? it is a horrible smell, i honestly do not know how they are breathing in there....

 

[Ibrahim]

My Polish neighbhours are very devout Catholics and when they moved in the got their house blessed, as well as their car, all I know along with humming some prayers, I remember the priest sprinkling some water...

 

[JTK]

I never thought of it 'till now, but yes! It does have that pipe-sweating smell to it.

Joel

 

[Mr Nice]

Some hispanic families do that to chase away any bad spirits or bad luck that may be lurking in their new house.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Jakegday
i understand this site has rules against discussing religious type stuff... i dont think this is crossing that line, but if it is, shoot me a message and delete this thread. moving on...

so i come home from the store and my apartment hallway just REAKS of solder. smells like an entire of roll of solder has been melted in the hallway, i can even smell the stench in my kitchen. (the farthest room from the door/hallway).

i go back out into the hallway to prop the door open and lady comes out of her apartment and said the smell im smelling is frankincense and myrrh and theyre having their house blessed....

since that sounds like some religious type stuff, i know nothing about it. can anyone elaborate more on this for me? and more importantly, does frankincense and myrrh really smell like hardcore burning solder? it is a horrible smell, i honestly do not know how they are breathing in there....


It is a religious type thing, but not necessarily what you may associate with religion (i.e. going to church). It's probably a Pagan ritual, although some Christians burn some incense also.

Usually a house blessing would start off with a purifying (typically sage), then something else for the blessing. Exactly what depends on the book, culture and location. In other words, it varies greatly. It could be lavender, cedar, sage, sandalwood, patchouli or any one of a number of plants or resins.

Frankincense and myrrh are gum resins and do smell similar to solder (more the Frankincense) when burnt.

If you swear your neighbors are smoking pot, then that's very likely sage, as it smells nearly the same.

 

[ItsuMitsubishi]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
n that's very likely sage, as it smells nearly the same.





*snicker* I guess my neighbours are blessing their house a few times a day.

I can even hear them using the ceremonial coffee grinder in this semi-detached.

 

[The_Eric]

Well you are in Canada... That stuff is next to legal as I understand it.. LOL!

 

[mechtech2]

As an historical event [not religious], some wise men brought gifts of Gold Frankincense, and Myrrh as gifts.
They knowingly or unknowingly gave gold - the gift of a King.
Frankincense - regarding priesthood, and Myrrh, pertaining to death.
Somehow 2 centuries later some have equated these items with special mystical properties. Many things change so much we could never recognize any original intent.

 

[Shannow]

Fulton's steam boat carried Gold Frankincense and Myrrh?

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
Fulton's steam boat carried Gold Frankincense and Myrrh?


Actually, John Fitch.

 

[Scienceman]

I do not believe in doing that.

 

[97tbird]

Hogwash.

 

[CivicFan]

In my culture, blessing things is quite common. It's common to see priests bless a building, bridge or any major infrastructure item. They also bless personal property as well but I have never seen a car being blessed. Homes, people are blessed to ward of evil spirits.

It usually involves sprinkling holy water (plain water that has been blessed by a high ranking priest) and sometimes may involve burning incense or olive leaves. I have been blessed a few times, too.

It probably is common among ancient religions like Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic or Roman Catholic. The newer Christian religions don't do this because they can be traced to the reformation movement.