Incense of the Day

EGYPTIAN LOVE INCENSE

1/2 oz Benzoin
1/2 oz Cinnamon
1/2 oz Galangal
1/2 oz Frankincense
1 oz Myrrh
3 drops honey
3 drops lotus oil
1 drop rose oil
Pinch of dried Orris root

Incense of the Day

BINDING INCENSE

4 Parts Nettle
4 Parts Thistle
4 Parts Knotgrass
1/4 Part Nightshade
1/4 Part Aconite (Wolfsbane)

Burn with caution during outdoor rituals to destroy baneful habits or thoughts. Use small amounts only.

Do not inhale fumes.

Incense, Asthma and Allergies

A reader asks, “Considering the major role that incense plays in rituals, Circles, cleansing and so on; what would be your suggestions for people trying to perform such activities that have asthma or allergies? There is not much that is more distracting then trying to concentrate on the task at hand and having it interrupted because you suddenly can’t breathe and are coughing trying to get oxygen.

In many cases, the smoke from burning incense can exacerbate asthma. You do have a couple of different options, because there are a number of smoke free alternatives to using incense.

Reader RainbowSkittles, who not only has asthma but also has two kids who suffer from breathing issues, says, “What I use instead of commercial incense sticks is the loose grain incense. I can mix it with water, put it in a small bowl, and heat it up over a tealight burner. This produces the scent, without the smoke.”

MyLittleHomie has a radiator in her apartment, and places frankincense crystals in a pie tin, adds a bit of water, and then places the tin on the radiator.

“You can smell it all over the apartment, and there’s no burning charcoal or smoke to cause my asthma to flare up.”

On the other hand, if your situation is that you’re allergic to certain fragrances – and many of the commercially available incense brands contain synthetics that trigger allergic reactions – you may find that using only natural, fragrance-free incenses is the way to go. Some readers report that if they burn dried plant material like smudge sticks – sage or sweetgrass, for instance – they have no reaction, but if they use commercial incense, it has a negative impact on their ability to breathe.

Keep in mind that it may not actually be the fragrance you’re allergic to, though. A 2008 study looked at religious practices in a number of Asian countries, where incense use is routine. The researchers suggest that allergic reactions to fragrance in incense might in fact be a reaction to tiny particulates that are inhaled into the respiratory system during prolonged exposure to incense smoke.

In some cases, allergic reactions to incense can be more complicated than merely a respiratory issue. A few people have such great sensitivity that they break out itching all over, in a true anaphylactic reaction.

If this is the case in your situation, be sure to check with your healthcare professional, who may be able to provide you with an antihistamine to take if you start experiencing symptoms. There are also individuals who suffer from a disorder known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity syndrome, in which various symptoms are believed to stem from chemical exposures in the environment – incense, perfume, fragrant candles, even laundry detergent.

Finally, do keep in mind that if you’re just using the incense as something representative of the element of Air, you can always substitute something else – a fan, feathers, or whatnot. If you’re using incense as a method of cleansing a sacred space, you might want to try one of these other techniques instead.

 

About

Incense 101 – How to Make and Use Your Own Incense

Smoke in the Sky:

For thousands of years, people have used fragrant flowers, plants, and herbs as incense. Using smoke to send prayers out to the gods is one of the oldest known forms of ceremony. From the censers of the Catholic church to the Pagan bonfire rituals, incense is a powerful way to let your intent be known. You can make your own quite easily, using a blend of herbs, flowers, wood bark, resins, and berries.

Most of these are items you can grow yourself, find in the woods, or purchase inexpensively.

Why Incense?

Incense — and other fragrant items, such as oils and perfumes — work on a couple of different levels. The first is the effect on your mood — a certain scent will trigger a particular emotion. Aromatherapists have known for years that smells affect different parts of the senses. Secondly, an aroma may have various associations. You may be walking through a store, catch a whiff of Chantilly, and suddenly be reminded of your grandmother who passed away when you were away at college. The smell of a particular food may evoke memories of the summer you spent at camp.

Finally, we experience scents on a vibrational level. Every living being has energy, and emits its own vibration – plants are no different. When you blend them into incense, these vibrations change in accordance with your intent. This is why, in magic, incense is so popular — in addition to making your ritual space smell nice, you are able to change the vibration in the atmosphere, effecting change in the universe.

Why Make Your Own?:

You can buy commercially produced incense sticks and cones just about anywhere, and they’re not that expensive. However, they’re typically made with synthetic ingredients, and therefore have little to no magical value. While they’re nice to burn, and certainly smell lovely, they serve little purpose in a ritual setting.

Burning Your Incense:

Loose incense, which is what the recipes on these pages are for, is burned on a charcoal disc or tossed into a fire. The charcoal discs are sold in packages by most metaphysical supply shops, as well as church supply stores (if you have a Hispanic Marketa near you, that’s a good place to look too).

Apply a match to the disc, and you’ll know it’s lit when it begins to spark and glow red. After it’s glowing, place a pinch of your loose incense on the top — and make sure you’ve got it on a fireproof surface. If you’re holding your ceremony outside with large fire, simply toss handfuls into the flames.

How to Read the Recipes:

Any good cook knows that the first step is to always gather your goodies together. Collect your ingredients, your mixing and measuring spoons, jars and lids, labels (don’t forget a pen to write with), and your mortar and pestle.

Each incense recipe is presented in “parts.” This means that whatever unit of measurement you’re using — a cup, a tablespoon, a handful — is one part. If a recipe calls for two parts, use two of whatever you’ve chosen. One half part is a half cup, if you’re using a cup to measure, or half a tablespoon if you’re using a tablespoon.

When making your own incense, if you’re using resins or essential oils, combine these first. Use your mortar and pestle to mash these until they get a bit gummy, before you add any bark or berries. Dried herbs, flowers, or powdery items should go in last.

A Note on Allergies:

Many people suffer from allergic reactions to incense smoke. In many cases, this is caused by a reaction to synthetic materials in commercially-produced incense. Some people find that they have less of a reaction if they use incense made only from natural materials. However, if you have an allergy or some other condition that can be triggered by incense smoke or fragrance, you should consult your physician before using any incense, whether it’s commercially bought or home-made and organic. You may find that the best solution for you is to just avoid the use of incense altogether.

 

Author

Incense to Use for A Specific Purpose

Incense of the Day

CRYSTAL PURIFICATION INCENSE

2 Parts Frankincense
2 Parts Coral
1 Part Sandalwood
1 Part Rosemary
1 Pich finely powdered salt
a small purified Quartz crystal point

To Use: Pour a bit of incense (leaving the crystal in the jar) onto charcoal. Smoulder and pass the crystal to be purified through the smoke wafting away the stones impurities. Naturally, this incense can be used in connection with the others recommended purifying rituals, or in place of them.

Incense of the Day

ESBAT INCENSE

4 Parts Frankincense
3 Parts Myrrh
2 Parts benzoin
1 Part sandalwood
1 Part Gardenia petals
1/2 Part Orris
1/2 Part thyme
1/2 part Poppy Seed
1/2 part Rose petals

Burn during rituals and spells on the Full Moon, or at any Wiccan gathering other than the Sabbats.

Incense of the Day

SUN INCENSE

2 parts acacia resin

3 parts frankincense

½ part orange peel

1 part myrrh

2 parts red sandalwood

½ part rosemary

¼ part cinnamon bark

1 part benzoin

Few drops cedar oil

Incense of the Day

FIRE INCENSE

3 parts frankincense
2 parts Dragon’s Blood
1 part red sandalwood
1 pinch saffron
a few drops musk oil

Smolder for summoning the powers and beings of Fire. Also use for success, strength, protection, health, passion and other similar goals. Genuine Saffron is expensive, so only a pinch. You can use Orange peel instead.

Incense of the Day

APPARITION INCENSE

3 Parts Wood Aloe
2 Parts Coriander
1 Part Camphor
1 Part Mugwort
1 Part Flax
1 Part Anise
1 Part Cardamom
1 Part Chicory
1 Part Hemp

Burn to cause apparitions to appear, if you REALLY want this to happen.

 

Blending granular incense

 

• • When blending, first grind the gum resins (such as gum Arabic or benzoin) until the granules are like granulated sugar.

 

• • Then add the woods, herbs and spices, all of which should have been finely ground and thoroughly blended together.

 

• • Add the essential oils a drop at a time and mix well. The blending of the incense is an important part of the process, both from the perspective of the synergy of the ingredients and the personal energy you add to the incense.

 

• • At this point you might like to dedicate the incense to the purpose intended, saying perhaps simply:

I dedicate this incense to be used in [name spell]

• • Place the incense mixture in a strong polythene bag (so that it retains its pungency) then put it into a clean jar with a screw top lid.

 

• • Do not use for at least 24 hours to enable the perfumes and qualities to blend properly.

 

• • Don’t forget to label the jar, noting the ingredients and the date you made the blend. It is also a good idea to note the intention or purpose for which the incense is made.

 

• • Make your incense in small quantities so that it does not lose its potency.

 

When making your incense you may like to follow the example of herbalists of old, who gathered their herbs in tune with the cycles of life and planetary correspondences. Even though you may have to use bought herbs, the more you are able to work with the correspondences and think about timing the more effective your spells or rituals will be.

Incense

 

As well as making use of herbs as plants, decorations and for healing, their most important use in magic was – and still is – in incense. Incense symbolizes the Element Air and the spiritual realms and has been part of ritual use by occultists and priests alike for thousands of years. Granular incense, with its basis of resins and gums, sweet-smelling woods and herbs is nowadays usually preferred for magical workings or ritual worship. It has a magic all of its own. For this reason a good incense burner will be one of your most important tools. You should choose this carefully, and not just for its aesthetic sense, because it is vital that the incense is allowed to burn properly.

 

Egypt became especially renowned for its high standard of blending and the use of ritual incense. There was a particular class of incense – which is still available today – called Khyphi. It required magical techniques and the finest ingredients for its manufacture. Some incense were mind-altering and could produce trance-like states in users.

 

For short spells, joss-sticks work very well, though they are not to everyone’s taste. Dhoop, or incense cones as they are known, are another way of using the same material.

 

By far the best method is to burn the granular type on a charcoal disc which is lit and placed in a fireproof receptacle. The incense is then piled onto the concave surface and allowed to do its work. You should dispose of the discs very carefully, dousing them with water and ensuring they are no longer hot. You might like to bury what remains of the incense as an offering to the Earth.

 

Many of the herbs we have already encountered are suitable for incense, if you wish to make your own. You should choose your correspondences carefully, according to your spell. You will soon find out through experimentation what works for you.

 

When blending your own granular incense it is important to use a pestle and mortar to grind and mix all the ingredients together properly. You may wish to consecrate your pestle and mortar first. Granular incense usually consists of a base of incense gums to which are added the woods and herbs of choice before the mixture is blended using fragrant oils.

Incense of the Day

FIRE INCENSE

3 parts frankincense
2 parts Dragon’s Blood
1 part red sandalwood
1 pinch saffron
a few drops musk oil

Smolder for summoning the powers and beings of Fire. Also use for success, strength, protection, health, passion and other similar goals. Genuine Saffron is expensive, so only a pinch. You can use Orange peel instead.

Incense of the Day

SCORPIO INCENSE

2 Parts Frankincense
1 Part Galangal
1 Part Pine resin (pitch)

Use as a personal altar or household incense to increase your powers.

Incense of the Day

UNIVERSAL INCENSE

3 Parts Frankincense
2 Parts Benzoin
1 Part Myrrh
1 Part Sandalwood
1 Part Rosemary

Burn for all positive magickal purposes. If used for negative magickal goals, it will cancel out the spell or ritual.