Beltaine: Make Scents
by Jon Bergeon
The following herbs listed fall under the categories of the element of fire, of growth, renewal, fertility, prosperity and gain, harmony and success. Items in parentheses are attributes of secondary concern that may help in designing a suitable incense recipe.
- Angelica: gain and renewal (also guards against negativity)
- Basil: prosperity, harmony and success (also aids in banishment)
- Bay: harmony (also guards against negativity)
- Cedar: gain and success (also aids psychic activity)
- Cloves: growth (also aids psychic activity)
- Coriander: gain and fertility (fire part of fire element/Mars)
- Garlic: success (also aids in self-assertion and banishment)
- Hyssop: prosperity (also aids in purification)
- Juniper: gain and fertility (also guards against negativity)
- Marigold: renewal and success (also aids psychic activity)
- Mustard: fertility, success and gain (also guards against negativity)
- Onion: success (also aids against negativity)
The following lists the recommended parts of the herbs to be employed in the making of incense.
- Angelica: root
- Basil: all
- Bay: leaf
- Cedar: all
- Cloves: buds
- Coriander: seeds
- Garlic: bulb
- Hyssop: all
- Juniper: berries
- Marigold: flowers
- Mustard: seeds
- Onion: bulb
In all cases, the oils of the herbs listed may substitute for the recommended parts to be employed for incense.
Flowers, due to their place in May festivities, may be used to reduce the martial qualities of some of the herbs. The following flowers do not magically interfere with the previously listed herbs.
- Alyssum: quells anger
- Chamomile: calms
- Geranium: fertility, love
- Lavender: calms, aids in psychic activity
- Lilac: protection, banishment of negativity
- Rose: love, peace and protection
As an alternative to burning herbs as an incense, the herbs may be placed in water and the water heated to produce a desired effect. This may be done by obtaining a stand with a small bowl, underneath which a candle may be placed.
Herb parts may be used in a loose incense and burned with the use of charcoal, or herbs may be powdered (which is best done with a coffee grinder) and saltpeter, gum arabic and water added to make the herbs into a paste from which cones may be fashioned. Making cone incense is, however, more difficult than just burning loose incense, as sometimes the saltpeter mixture, when too much or too little is used, burns at an undesirable rate or even not at all.
Sources
- Smith, Steven R., Wylundt’s Book of Incense, Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1989.
- Zalewski, C.L., Herbs in Magic and Alchemy, Prism Press. England, 1990.
- Cunningham, Scott, Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Llewellyn, 1993.
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