Supplies: Scented oils or perfumes (ingredients you hold sacred to yourself).
Instructions: Pass the four elements (red candle, incense, salt and water) over the altar three times in a clockwise direction. Imagine that you are sitting positive energies into action. Once this is done, place the incense in the east, the fire in the south, the water in the west, and the salt in the north. Dab the scented oil on each corner of the altar, and then in the middle, saying.
I bless and consecrate these, O sacred altar, in the name of Spirit. May you repel negative energy and collect positive energy from this day forward until the end of time. So mote it be.
Draw an equal-armed cross in the air over the altar surface to seal the positive energies to the stone/wood. Tip the edge of the altar four times, once for each direction. Then say:
As above, so below. This altar is sealed. So mote it be. You are now ready to work any kind of magic.
“For Emergencies” Incense(caution!)3 parts Frankincense2 parts Dragon’s Blood2 part Myrrh1 part Rosemary1 part Asafoetida*1 part Cayenne*1 part Grains of Paradise1 part Rue*1 part Garlic*Burn to be rid of foul demons, wrathful spirits, tax collectors, drunks, and other noisome creatures. Stand back and hold your nose–or better still, leave the room while this incense is smoldering. Those herbs marked with an asterisk above aren’t necessarily dangerous or baneful, but they emit powerful smoke that is irritating to the eyes, nose and lungs.
The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews
Scott Cunningham
Magick spells are cast by burning herbs (incense), thus releasing their magick power into the atmosphere (fumigation).
One of the most ancient methods of casting spells is consciously, carefully and deliberately burning herbs. This method incorporates all four primal elements into one spell. By applying the power of fire, herbal power (which has been nourished by Earth and by water), is transformed into smoke (air) and dispersed into the atmosphere to provide magickal solutions and fulfill magickal desires. If you burn incense on a metal pan or burner, then you incorporate what many consider to be the fifth element, metal, into your spell as well.
Modern incense frequently taken the form of sticks and cones, which require a little technical know=how. However, incense is an ancient, ancient art. If cave people had the technology to create fine, viable incense, of course you do, too. The material original incense was loose dried herbal material, ground and powdered. Most magick spells assume incense will be in this form.
Mortars and pestles are ancient magickal, medical and culinary tools. They may be used to break down and blend herbal material. Once upon a time, incense was created by repeated grinding with a mortar and pestle, and then sifting with a sieve (also an ancient magick tool). However, if you desire the fine powder that many spells specify, a coffee or spice grinder, particularly an old-fashioned manual one, can make life easier.
If you prefer stick incense, blanks may be purchased and doctored to your taste.
Mugwort derives from the Eastern hemisphere. Other plants served similar purpose in the Western hemisphere, including one that earned the nom de plume, “Dream Herb.” Calea zacatechichi is a native of the Mexican rainforest. Burning dreams herb as incense extracts its power.
Burn it in the bedroom before going to sleep, allowing enough time for the incense to burn completely.
Do not go to sleep until the incense has completely burned, inhaling the aroma instead and concentrating upon the dream adventures one wishes to experience.
Keep doors and windows closed while the incense burns, but then immediately provide ventilation before going to sleep.
Witches Of The Craft® 