In pre-Hispanic times, the Mexica (Aztec) commemorated the dead during their summer months, around July and August; the offerings included elements of Nature, such as fire, flowers, and part of the harvest. Cempasúchil (Mexican marigold) has been used to decorate tombs and offerings since then, and to this date, its popularity has not diminished as the representative flower during the commemoration of the dearly departed. The tradition was moved to the fall to coincide with the All Hallow Tide after the Spanish conquest.
A few years back, I prepared a full Day of the Dead offering, including cempasúchil, and in another year, I vicariously celebrated by sharing photos of offerings in Mexico and only prepared a small offering with basic elements. This year, I did not grow cempasúchil in my garden, but as I mentioned in a previous post, I am growing Mexican tarragon (also known as yautli and pericón). The flowers and stems are made into crosses on September 29 for the Christian feast of St. Michael and All Angels; my Mexican tarragon was not in full bloom back then, but this week my plants were at their blooming peak, with bright yellow flowers:
So, I saved the making of the cross for my Day of the Day offering this year, as shown at the top of this post, and below:
To make the cross, simply harvest Mexican tarragon flowers with their stems, and divide into four bunches, tying them with yarn or twine:
Join bunches into pairs with more twine, aligning them so their flowers point in opposite directions:
Place the two pairs perpendicular to each other, to form a cross, and secure with more twine, trimming or hiding the ends:
October 31 marks the beginning of the All Hallow Tide, continues on November 1st with All Saints Day, and it concludes with All Souls on November 2, also known as The Day of the Dead (Día de muertos). For more on that, check out my post From Halloween to Day of the Dead – A Three Day Journey for the Souls. Last year on October 31, it was a school night and the weather was blistery and wet; I only had two children asking for treats at my door. I hope this year, being on a Friday and with a dry weather forecast, I will have more little vampires, witches and other cute apparitions. For more Day of the Dead stories, and recipes for bread and other traditional dishes of this holiday, check out some of my posts from previous years, for example: José Guadalupe Posada – La Catrina’s Journey to the Day of The Dead, An Offering for the Day of the Dead, Pan de Muerto – Day of the Dead Bread, Pan de Yema – A Day of the Dead Bread from Oaxaca, Golletes – A Less-Known Day of the Dead Bread, Black Bread for the Day of the Dead, Mixmole – Fish in Red or Green Sauce.
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My Slice of Mexico 
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