Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeHow to Make IncenseYou Will Need:
Gum tragacanth (or use gum Arabic as a substitute)
is made into a glue, and acts as a binding agent.
It is the key ingredient in all molded incense.
To make the glue, place a teaspoon of the ground
gum in a glass of warm water
and mix completely until dispersed.
A foam may rise, but it can be easily
redistributed, or skimmed off if it gets in your way.
(The gum is unbelievably absorbent!
A mere ounce will absorb up to one
full gallon of water in a single week!)
Allow your gum mixture to absorb the glass
of water until it thickens to a paste.
Now you will need to create your incense base.
An incense base is made up of talcum powder,
sawdust, ground spice, dried herbs and flowers,
or any combination thereof.
Once you have defined your base, an essential
oil may be added for additional scent,
the potassium nitrate is blended in, and finally, the gum-glue.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeHere's a sample mixture for cone incense: You Will Need:
6 parts powdered sandalwood or cedar
2 parts benzoin 1 part orris root
3-5 parts ground herb mixture of choice
6 drops essential herbal oil of choice
Procedure:
Mix the first four ingredients until well blended.
Add the essential oil (or combination of oils)
and mix with your hands until
you have a fine, crumbly mixture.
Add the dried herb mixture and mix again.
Now add 10% potassium nitrate (KNO3).
In other words, use a ratio of 10:1.
If you've made 10 oz. of incense base,
then add 1 oz. of KNO3.
Next comes the addition of the glue mixture.
Add one teaspoon at a time,
mixing with your hands as you go.
Add only enough of the glue to achieve the
consistency of model clay or play
dough from the entire mixture.
On a piece of waxed paper, shape the mixture
into small cone shapes
(just like the store bought ones you're
already familiar with)
and allow them to dry for
a week in a cool, dry place.
The area you choose to dry the incense cones
in must be free of moisture in order to dry thoroughly.
By following the sample recipe given,
you can also make stick incense.
Although, this requires much more patience
and tenacity than making any other form.
Plan to spend the better part of a day in making these.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeHow to Use Incense in Magick Spell Work
In hoodoo terminology, performing a ritual
or spell is often called "doing a job."
The simplest jobs may involve anointing
oneself or dressing an amulet, a candle,
or mojo bags and its contents with a "condition" oil.
More complex jobs take on the characteristics
of elaborate magical rituals, involving all
of the above elements, plus the burning of incense.
The practice of burning incense to accompany
invocations or prayers is particularly favoured
by Christian root workers who follow the
Kabbalist-inspired practice of reciting certain
Psalms for magical effect. In addition, if a job
of work involves a person far away, incense may
be burned to "carry" the wish or deire to him or her.
On a more practical level, many people like to "smoke"
their charms and mojo bags in incense after dressing
them with oil. Also, in a pinch, loose powdered
incense can be sprinkled on the ground
after the manner of sachet powders.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeTypes of Incense
Incense comes in many forms. Some are more popular in one
culture than another, but all are old, authentic,
and traditional in various branches of magic.
The most popular forms are Natural
Resins, Wood Chips, and Herbs.
Compounded Incenses
Natural incenses are generally one-tone scents,
quite vivid and distinct in fragrance.
Compounds, on the other hand usually are
made with a relatively scentless or pleasantly
aromatic base to which has been added
symbolically significant blend pf scents
selected from among the natural resins,
natural essential oils, and, in some
cases, artifical fragrance oils.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeNatural Resin, Wood and Herb Incense
The oldest and most original incenses used by mankind have
been tree resins and herbs or woods that
burn with a fragrant smoke. Typical herbal incenses
include Sage and Tobacco, much favoured by North American
Indians and those who follow their traditions.
Sage is typically utilized in the form of wrapped
and tied smudge sticks, while Tobacco is
burned in a ceremonial pipe.
The best-known wood chip incense is the rare
and expensive Sandalwood, which is made of
finely shaved chips of the tree of the same name.
Resin incenses, which are granular lumps of dried
tree sap, include the Biblical Frankincense and
Myrrh as well as Benzoin and Copal, the latter
a holy incense of the Mayan Indians of Central
America. Resins are often burned in mixtures,
the light scent of golden Frankincense combining
beautifully with richly musky Myrrh and sharply
aromatic Benzoin. Another favourite mixture
is cleansing Camphor and purifying Pine Resin
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeCombistible and Nonconbustible IncenseYou Will Need:
a charcoal block
Procedure:
There are basically two forms of incense:
combustible and nocombustible.
We'll tackle the latter first,
since it's by far the easiest
method and requires little explanation.
No combustible incense is achieved
by simply sprinkling a few pinches
of dried plant material, or a blend
of materials, on a smoldering charcoal block.
That's a charcoal block, not a charcoal
briquette used for the barbecue!
Briquettes are of different composition,
and give off toxic amounts of carbon monoxide.
Don't use them to burn incense!
Instead, occult supply stores,
and many novelty shops carry
a supply of raw charcoal blocks for this purpose.
While we're in a cautious mode, let it be said
that you should always burn incense in some type
of censor. It could be a censor purchased just
for this purpose, or a ceramic dish laid with
a few inches of sand or salt. Sometimes the
sweet aroma of dried plant material can change
dramatically when burned! You'll need to
experiment with blends you may already have
in mind, or to discover new ones. By using the no
combustible method, your mistakes,
if any, will be short lived.
I would also advise that you sample mixtures on
smoldering charcoal before proceeding to making
them into combustible incense. The plant
material to be used should be finely ground in
a food processor, blender, hand held coffee
grinder, or an old fashioned mortar and pestle.
Combustible incense is made in the form of
sticks (sometimes called joss-sticks),
bricks, or cones.
Whatever the volume and shape, combustible
incense is always made with potassium nitrate,
better known as salt peter. This helps the
incense to burn well, and evenly. You can
find potassium nitrate in nearly any drug
store, although you may have to
ask the pharmacist for it.
You will need thin wooden splints or skewers,
such as thin, straight twigs, or cocktail skewers.
Each stick is dipped into the incense base until
covered. They are then allowed to dry standing on
end, perhaps by poking them into a slab of clay,
or a pot of dirt or sand. This process is repeated
until a satisfactory amount of layers
have built up on each stick.
Block incense is made by rolling out the final
mixture on wax paper to a 1/4 inch thickness,
much like cookie dough. Then cut into 1 inch
squares and allow to dry thoroughly.
And there you have it! Not so tough, although
you will get good use from a kitchen apron while
working the mixtures together! Now, on to some
recommended blends, the first of which is
an ancient blend indeed.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeAltar Incense ~ Scott CunninghamYou Will Need:
3 parts frankincense
2 parts myrrh
1 part cinnamon
Procedure:
Suggested as a general all purpose incense
to purify the area around and including your altar.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMagic Aphrodisiac Incense/Oil
This is great to burn in the bedroom if you're
looking for passion and wild sex.
You Will Need:
patchouli
pine needles
sandalwood.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeAphrodite IncenseYou Will Need:
1 part cinnamon
1 part cedar
a few drops cedar oil
Burn during rituals to attract love.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeBanishing Incense RecipeYou Will Need:
bay leaves
cinnamon
red wine
rose petals
myrrh
salt
Procedure:
Should be burned in a ceremonial room during services.
Also used in uncrossing (removes evil forces and hexes).
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeBinding IncenseYou Will Need:
4 parts nettle
4 parts thistle
4 parts knotgrass
1/4 part nightshade**
1/4 part wolfsbane (aconite)**
**Burn with caution, taking care
not to directly inhale the smoke.
Its best to burn this incense outdoors
for destroying baneful habits and thoughts.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeCeremonial Magic IncenseYou Will Need:
3 parts frankincense
2 parts gum mastic
1 part wood aloe
Procedure:
Can be used in general magickal
workings to raise power and to purify the area.
Random Madness Home PageCircle IncenseYou Will Need:
4 parts frankincense
2 parts myrrh
2 parts benzoin
1 part sandalwood
1/2 part cinnamon
1/2 part rose petals
1/4 part vervain
1/4 part rosemary
1/4 part bay
Procedure:
Use for general workings in the Circle, the ritual
working space of Wiccans and Magickans,
and as a general ritual incense.
Clearing IncenseYou Will Need:
3 parts frankincense
3 parts copal
2 parts myrrh
1 part sandalwood
Procedure:
Burn this incense to clear your home of
negative vibrations, especially
when household members are arguing or
when the house seems heavy and thick
with anger, jealousy, depression, fear, etc.
Leave the windows open while burning this incense.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeCompounded Incense
Compounded incenses are those in which fragrances,
usually the essential oils of herbs and flowers,
are blended into a base of very finely shaved wood.
Hoodoo incense makers use the same herbal
and floral essenses that go into their condition
oils, and they often add colouring as well,
usually according to the same sort of colour-symbolism
by which offertory candles are coloured.
A small amount of saltpeter is then added
to improve ease of lighting and even burning.
Once an incense has been compounded,
it can be sold in a number of forms, including:
Stick, Often Rolled Onto Thin Slivers
Of Wood (Aragbatti, Agarbathi, Joss Stick)
Cones Or Logs (Dhoop)
Long Thin Coils
Self-Lighting Powders
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeConsecration IncenseYou Will Need:
2 parts wood aloe
1 part mace
1 part storax or gum arabic
1 part benzoin
Procedure:
Burn when purifying or consecrating ritual
tools, jewelry, quartz crystals, and stones.
Smolder this incense and pass the object through
its smoke several times visualizing
the fumes purifying the object.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMagic Full Moon IncenseTiming:
Within the three days prior to the actual full moon, but not after!
You Will Need:
1 ounce (about 30 grams) of the finest
sandalwood powder you can find (santalum album)
5 grams (a marble sized nugget) of amber resin, NOT the stone!
The soft, sweet smelling resin that is often imported from India,
available at health food stores, and of course herb and Witch shops.
3 drops of vanilla essential oil. NOT the perfume or fragrance oil,
only true vanilla from the orchid (Vanilla planifolia or Vanilla aromatica)
If this is cost prohibitive or unavailable, use real vanilla extract
Procedure:
Gather the ingredients required, along with
a pestle and mortar to blend them in.
If desired, you can use your cauldron,
and some sort of crushing or mixing tool.
Fill the mortar or cauldron with the sandalwood powder.
Crush the amber into it with the pestle or tool of your choice.
Use clockwise or deosil blending motions.
Focus on the energy of the full moon,
or if you are making the incense for a specific spell.
Focus on the goal of that spell alone.
You can incorporate your favorite words of power
or chant while doing this.
When the powder is smooth and consistent,
add the vanilla, one drop at a time while
saying your chosen words of power,
(which is best) or the following
(which will suffice in most cases)
Say:
Drop of moon, grant my boon.
Blend in the drops in the same
way you blended in the amber resin.
Place the mixture in a clear glass
jar with an airtight lid.
Keep it away from heat, sunlight, and moisture.
Charge it under the light of the
full moon on the three days prior
to it becoming actually full.
The full moon light penetration
is the reason for not storing
this in an opaque jar.
It is ready for use immediately,
but can be charged more if desired.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeEarth Incense (Elemental)You Will Need:
2 parts pine resin (pitch) or needles
1 part patchouli 1 pinch finely powdered salt
few drops cypress oil
Procedure:
Burn for invoking the powers of the
element of Earth for money, stability and so on.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeEsbat IncenseYou Will Need:
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 any rituals and spells on the Full Moon.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeFor Emergencies ONLY Incense Recipe
Inspired by Jim Alan's song "Talkin' Wicca Blues"
Procedure:
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 * aren't necessarily
dangerous or baneful, but they emit a
powerful smoke that is irritating
to the eyes, nose and lungs.
You Will Need:
3 parts frankincense
2 parts dragon's blood
2 parts myrrh 1 part rosemary
1 part asafoetida
1 part cayenne
1 part grains of paradise
1 part rue
1 part garlic
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeGreek God and Goddess IncenseYou Will Need:
4 parts frankincense (Apollo)
2 parts myrrh (Demeter)
1 part pine (Poseidon)
1 part rose petals (Aphrodite)
1 part sage (Zeus)
1 part white willow bark (Persephone)
few drops olive oil (Athena)
few drops cypress (Artemis/Hecate)
Procedure:
Burn to honor them.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeHecate IncenseYou Will Need:
3 parts sandalwood
2 parts cypress
1 part spearmint or peppermint
To honor Her, burn at crossroads or
during ritual at the waning of the Moon.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeHorned God IncenseYou Will Need:
2 parts benzoin
1 part cedar
1 part pine
1 part juniper berries
few drops patchouli oil
Procedure:
Burn to honor Him in his many guises,
especially during Wiccan rituals.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMagic Kitchen WhitchenHouse Blessing IncenseYou Will Need:
2 tablespoons dry lemon peel
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 tablespoon almond extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pinch. garlic skins
1 teaspoon anise seed
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 pinch salt
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMeditation IncenseYou Will Need:
1 part gum acacia (or gum arabic)
1 part sandalwood
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMidsummer IncenseYou Will Need:
2 parts sandalwood
1 part mugwort
1 part chamomile
1 part gardenia petals
few drops lavender oil
few drops rose oil
few drops yarrow oil
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeLock IncensePurpose:
eep away intruders
You Will Need:
3 part frankincense
2 part juniper berries
1/2 part cumin
1 part vetivert
Procedure:
To guard from thieves: during the day
smolder this mixture in a sensor
before the front door, then move
it to each opening in the house
(doors, windows, cellars, etc.)
through which thieves may enter.
Visualize this smoke forming
invisible but impenetrable barriers.
Move in a clockwise circle
throughout your home, replenishing
the incense as necessary.
Repeat monthly at the time of
the Full Moon, if possible,
or use as needed.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeLove IncensePurpose:
To attract,strengthen & expand your ability to give & receive love.
You Will Need:
2 parts sandalwood
1/2 part basil
1/2 part bergamot
a few drops rose oil
a few drops lavender oil
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeDouble Fast Luck Incense PowderYou Will Need:
green talc (do not put talc in floor wash)
patchouli (money)
rose (luck)
juniper berries (anti-theft)
ground-up dollar bill.
Procedure:
Sprinkle at your business, on the doorway
into your home, around any home business furniture,
or in your wallet, purse or pocket
to increase luck and success.
Load into candles or put in
conjuring bags for money magick.
To make a powder, you will
need a mortar and pestle to start,
and at least three to five
different ingredients of equal proportions.
As with oils, the more ingredients,
the stronger the powder.
Powders usually smell good;
to retain that nice fragrance,
add Orris Root Powder.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMagic Incense
There are basically two forms of incense:
combustible and nocombustible.
We'll tackle the latter first, since it's by far the easiest method
and requires little explanation. No combustible incense is achieved
by simply sprinkling a few pinches of dried plant material,
or a blend of materials, on a smoldering charcoal block.
That's a charcoal block, not a charcoal briquette used for
the barbecue! Briquettes are of different composition,
and give off toxic amounts of carbon monoxide.
Don't use them to burn incense!
Instead, occult supply stores,
and many novelty shops carry a
supply of raw charcoal blocks for this purpose.
While we're in a cautious mode, let it be said that
you should always burn incense in some type of censor.
It could be a censor purchased just for this purpose,
or a ceramic dish laid with a few inches of sand or salt.
Sometimes the sweet aroma of dried plant material
can change dramatically when burned! You'll need
to experiment with blends you may already have in mind,
or to discover new ones. And, by using the no
combustible method, your mistakes, if any, will
be short lived. I would also advise that you sample
mixtures on smoldering charcoal before proceeding
to making them into combustible incense.
The plant material to be used should be finely ground
in a food processor, blender, hand held coffee grinder,
or an old fashioned mortar and pestle.
Combustible incense is made in the form of sticks
(sometimes called joss-sticks), bricks, or cones.
Whatever the volume and shape, combustible incense
is always made with potassium nitrate,
better known as salt peter.
This helps the incense to burn well, and evenly.
You can find potassium nitrate in nearly any drug
store, although you may have to ask the pharmacist
for it. You will need thin wooden splints or
skewers, such as thin, straight twigs,
or cocktail skewers. Each stick is dipped into
the incense base until covered. They are then
allowed to dry standing on end, perhaps by poking
them into a slab of clay, or a pot of dirt or sand.
This process is repeated until a satisfactory
amount of layers have built up on each stick.
Block incense is made by rolling out the final mixture
on wax paper to a 1/4 inch thickness -
much like cookie dough. Then cut into 1 inch squares
and allow to dry thoroughly. And there you have it!
Not so tough, although you will get good use from a
kitchen apron while working the mixtures together!
Now, on to some recommended blends, the first of
which is an ancient blend indeed.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMagic Kyphi IncenseYou Will Need:
¼ cup raisins
white wine
tea towel or cheesecloth
calamus,
gum mastic
peppermint
bay laurel
orris
cinnamon
galangal
1 tbls. powdered myrrh
1 tbls. clove honey
juniper
acacia
henna
sweet sedge root
1 bowl
Procedure:
Place 1/4 cup raisins in a bowl.
Add just enough white wine to cover the raisins.
Cover loosely with a tea towel or cheesecloth,
and allow to steep for seven days.
On the third day, blend equal parts of the
following powdered herbs in a bit of white wine:
Juniper, Acacia, Henna, Sweet Sedge Root.
After two days drain and reserve any liquid.
On the last day, drain the raisin mixture,
reserving the liquid. In a small bowl mix
together equal parts of the following ground herbs:
Calamus, Gum Mastic, Peppermint, Bay Laurel,
Orris, Cinnamon, and Galangal.
Set aside.
In another small bow blend together 1 tbls.
powdered myrrh, and 1 tbls. clove honey.
To this mixture add the ground herbs,
and the raisins and herbs steeped in wine.
Blend well.
Add a little of the reserved wine if the mixture becomes too dry.
Follow the directions for making cone or block incense.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeProsperity IncenseYou Will Need:
2 parts frankincense
1 part cinnamon
1 part nutmeg
1 part lemon balm
1 part citron
Procedure:
Burn to attract wealth.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeSpring Sabbat IncenseTiming:
Burn during spring and summer Sabbat rituals.
You Will Need:
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Benzoin
1 part Cinnamon
a few drops Patchouli oil
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeQueer Spirit IncenseYou Will Need:
Peel of 2 lemons, finely chopped and dried
1/4 handful green cardamom pods
1/8 handful powdered ginger
3 cinnamon sticks
chunk of dragon's blood resin
Procedure:
Grind to a fine powder in a mortar
and pestle and charge the incense.
I use this to honor my Queer Spirit.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeWitch's Sight IncenseYou Will Need:
1 part gum mastic
1 part patchouli
1 part cinnamon
1 part juniper
1 part sandalwood
a few drops clove oil
a few drops nutmeg oil
Procedure:
An All Purpose formula for any divinatory method.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeSimple Full Moon IncenseYou Will Need:
3 parts frankincense
1 part sandalwood
Procedure:
Burn during Full Moon rituals or
simply to attune with the Lunar powers.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMoon Incense 2You Will Need:
4 parts sandalwood
2 parts wood aloe
1 part eucalyptus
1 part pul. cucumber seeds
1 part mugwort
1/2 part ranuculus blossoms
1 part selenetrope
few drops ambergris oil may substitute gardenia or jasmine for selenetrope.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMoon Incense 3You Will Need:
2 parts juniper berries
1 part orris
1 part calamus
few drops spirits of camphor-or-
camphor tincture or
1/4 part genuine camphor
few drops lotus bouquet
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMoon Incense 4You Will Need:
2 parts myrrh
2 parts gardenia petals
1 part rose petals
1 part lemon peel
1/2 part camohor
few drops jasmine oil
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeFull Moon Ritual Incense RecipeYou Will Need:
2 parts sandalwood
2 parts frankincense
1/2 part gardenia petals
1/4 part rose petals
a few drops ambergris oil
Procedure:
Burn during Esbats or simply at the time
of the Full Moon to attune with the Goddess.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeTurning Powders Into Self Burning Incense
**CAUTION** these methods should only be
attempted by a knowledgable user.
The Inner Sanctum is not responsible
for injury resulting in these methods.
Procedure:
Mix and empower herbs. Mix and grind them
into a powder, if you have not already done this.
Place powder in a non-flammable container
and soak with charcoal starter fluid.
After about an hour, place
in a SAFE place and light.
Let it burn until some of the
herbs on top start blackening.
Immediately put out the fire by
smothering it with something non-flammable.
DO NOT use water, sand, fire retardants
or ANYTHING that will mix with, disturb
or even touch the herbs, use only smothering.
Once the container cools, remove the herbs
and spread them out in a flat sheet on
a piece (or several pieces) of paper.
Cover with paper and set heavy books on
them and let it compress for a day or more
(the paper may get saturated with lighter
fluid, so dispose of them properly).
Remove the weight and pour you new powdered
incense into whatever container you use.
You are done.
Once you have you powder, you may melt some of
the appropriate resin and mix it with the powder,
then roll it into a cone, stick,
or whatever shape you choose.
This incense will now work similar to a stick
or cone, light it and wait until the flame dies.
It will now smolder until it is used.
Don't use too much at a time, a little goes a long way.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeHouse Purification IncensePurpose:
For once-a-month house cleansing;
or burn in new home before moving in.
You Will Need:
3 parts frankincense
2 parts dragon's blood
1 part myrrh
1 part sandalwood
1 part wood betony
1/2 part dill seed
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeDivination IncenceYou Will Need:
2 parts sandalwood
1 part orange peel
1 part mace
1 part cinnamon
procedure:
Smolder during or directly before
using Tarot cards, Magic Mirrors,
Quartz Crystal Spheres, Rune Stones, and so on.
How to Make Incense Paper
The 'other kind' of incense.
You Will Need:
1 white blotter paper
Procedure:
Cut into six inch strips about an inch wide 1 1/2
teaspoon potassium nitrate
(you can buy potassium nitrate
over the counter at most drug stores)
added to one half cup warm water.
Stir until completely dissolved.
Soak the paper strips in the solution until
thoroughly Wet, then hang them up to dry.
You now have paper versions of charcoal
blocks used the burn incense! NOW when
making incense papers - your goal is to
overcome the smell of the burning paper -
so Heavy fragrances should be used.
To Scent Your Incense Paper
Choose a scent for your magical need and add
a few drops at a time to the paper and smear
over one side of the paper - then hang to dry .
When completely dry - store in an airtight
container until ready to use :) (if it is
not completely dry - you will have a moldy
mushy Mess when you open your container)
Use only tinctures to scent the papers -
essential and base oils just don't do it
very well Making tinctures to scent your
incense papers with...a tincture is the
process of soaking dried plant materials
in alcohol which captures the scent.
NOTE: Do Not Use Rubbing Alchol.
Use only ethyl alcohol or "Everclear" needs to
be a minimum of 140 proof (70%) For further
information on this subject see Scott
Cummingham's book The Complete Book
of Incense, Oils Incense Paper
Lighting the Incense Paper
Simply light one end of your dried paper
and let it catch fire incense papers should
burn slowly. When it has a good flame going -
quickly blow it out and put it in
your censer and let it smolder.
Great Idea: Just sprinkle a little
incense on your smoldering paper and let it burn as well.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeIncense Paper History
In the past, Chinese families owned ancestral tablets
with the ancestors' names inscribed on them. Such
tablets are placed on ancestral altars and urns meant
for placing joss sticks, and food offerings are
usually placed in front of it. Ancestral tablets
found in Chinese homes only state the names of
patrilineal ancestors and their wives.
With the advent of modernism, and perchance
owing to the decline of traditional Chinese
values reinforced through Taoism, filial piety
and thus such practices have almost vanished.
At most only Taoist or Buddhist altars
are found in Chinese homes. Families may choose
to have their ancestors cremated or buried in
columbariums and cemeteries respectively.
Families would visit their ancestor's
resting place, especially during the
Qing ming Festival. They would bring
joss sticks, incense paper
and food offerings to the ancestors.
According to Chinese custom and tradition, people
worshiping ancestors at Chinese cemeteries or
columbariums must first lay out their offerings
and prayer items before burning the joss stick.
The worshippers may then recite prayers before
proceeding to place their
joss sticks on designated areas.
The worshipers then burn the incense
paper and collect the food after worship.
Incense paper used for ancestor worship comes
in several forms; each represents a present for
the ancestor's spirit. Paper colored yellow with
a gold foil printed on it represents a gold tael;
that with a silver foil represents a silver tael.
Another variant is single-colored paper which is
manufactured with a rougher surface on one side
and a smoother surface on the other side.
Such paper come in varying colors. Incense paper
of this type is to be rolled up and snugged tightly
at both ends. The smoother face should form the
exterior surface. Incense paper of this variant
is used to represent clothes for the ancestor.
Paper with a soft and rough surface printed
in brown recycled paper serves as cloth.
Bank notes of various sizes as well as Kai chin
are used to represent money. All of this incense
paper is arranged and collected into a bundle
known as Yi bou in accordance to significance.
The brown incense paper serves as the base.
Usually, the base must have an even number of
"cloth" papers, and one sheet will serve
as the nucleus of the base. They are followed
on by the bank notes, Kai chin, clothes and taels,
and the Yim bou is gathered up, and burnt
with a candle Yi bou before throwing it into the urn.
Joss papers manufactured into the shape of shirts
and trousers are sometimes
burnt together with the Yi bou.
Incense Papers
Incense papers are a delightful variation of
combustible incense. Here, rather than using
charcoal and gum tragacanth, tinctures
and paper are the basic ingredients. To make
incense papers, take a piece of white blotter
paper and cut it into six-inch strips about an
inch wide. Next, add 1 1/2 teaspoons potassium
nitrate to 1/2 cup very warm water. Stir until
potassium nitrate is completely dissolved.
Soak the paper strips in the nitrate
solution until thoroughly saturated.
Hang them to dry.
You now have the paper versions of the charcoal
blocks used to burn incense. The obstacle in
scenting them is to overcome the normal smell
of burning of burning paper. For this reason,
heavy fragrances should be used, such as tinctures.
Tinctures compounded from gums and resins seem to
produce the best results. Empower the tincture(s)
with you Magickal need, then pour a few drops of
the tincture onto one strip of paper. Smear this
over the paper and add more drops until it is
completely coated on one side. Hang the strip up
to dry and store in labeled, airtight
container until needed.
To speed drying, turn o the oven to a
low temperature, leave the door open,
and place the soaked incense papers on
the rack. Remove them when dry.
Generally speaking, incense papers should
be made with one tincture rather than
mixtures. To use incense papers,
simply remove one paper and hold it
above your censer. Light one tip with
a match, and after it is completely
involved in flame, quickly blow it out.
Place the glowing paper in your censer
and let it smolder, visualizing or working
your Magickal ritual. Incense papers should
burn slowly and emit a pleasant scent.
Plain unscented papers can be used in place of
charcoal blocks. For this purpose soak the papers
in the potassium nitrate solution and let dry,
then set one alight in the censer. Sprinkle a thin
layer of the incense over the paper. As it burns the
paper will also smolder your incense.
You may have difficulty in keeping incense paper lit.
The secret here is to allow air to circulate below
the papers. You can ensure this by either placing
the paper on some heat-proof object in the censer,
or by filling the censer with salt or sand and
thrusting one end of the paper into this, much
as you might with incense sticks.
The paper should burn all the way to its end.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeIncense Magic
When incense is burned prior to magical workings,
fragrant smoke also purifies the altar and the
surrounding area of negative, disturbing vibrations.
Though such a purification isn't usually necessary,
it, once again, helps create the appropriate mental
state necessary for the successful practice of Magic.
When the incense is smoldered in a ritual setting it
undergoes a transformation. The vibrations, no longer
trapped in their physical form, are released into the
environment. Their energies, mixing with those who use
them, speed out to effect the changes necessary to
the manifestation of the Magickal goal.
You needn't limit incense use to ritual, but avoid
burning healing incense just for the smell, or to
freshen up your stale house. Burning magickally
constructed and empowered incenses when they're
not needed is a waste of energy. If you wish to
burn a pleasant-smelling incense, compound a
household mixture for this purpose.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeThe Making of IncenseYou Will Need:
Incenses are composed of a variety of leaves, flowers,
roots, barks, woods, resins, gums and oils.
Semiprecious stones may also be added to incenses
to lend their energies to the mixture. Out of the
literally hundreds of potential incense ingredients,
perhaps 14 are most frequently used. Keep a stock of
these herbs on hand if you plan to make several incense.
These might include:
Frankincense, Myrrh, Benzoin, Copal, Rose petals,
Bay, Cinnamon Pine needles or resin(pitch)
Juniper Sandalwood Cedar Thyme Basil Rosemary
Be aware that many plants (if not all) smell quite
different when being smoldered.
Sweet scents turn sour fast!
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMoon Incense 4You Will Need:
2 parts myrrh
2 parts gardenia petals
1 part rose petals
1 part lemon peel
1/2 part camohor
few drops jasmine oil
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeMoon Incense 1You Will Need:
2 parts frankincense
1 part sandalwood
few drops eucalyptus oil
few drops jasmine oil
few drops camphor oil
Procedure:
Burn to attract its influences,
and also during psychic workings,
love magick, healing, rituals
involving the home and dream magick.
Go to TopClassroom Main ListMain List IndexRandom Madness HomeCurse Breaker Incense RecipeTiming:
Waning moon
You Will Need:
2 parts sandalwood
1 part bay
Procedure:
Burn at night near an open window
if you feel "cursed". Though curses
are rare, if we believe we are cursed, we are!
Smolder this incense and visualize
it banishing all negativity from you.
Repeat this ritual for 7 nights
during the Waning Moon,
if possible or desirable.
Incense Classes
Classroom Section Main List Index Random Madness Home Incense Classes