Incense Preparation

 

There are two more known kinds of incense...Combustible (like the cones and sticks you buy) and Non combustible. Also there's another kind I learned to make on the Net...Incense Papers.

 

 Non Combustible Incense

Items Needed
A censer (something to burn the incense in)
Bowl with sand
Charcoal blocks (sold in many sizes, but not bbq grill type)
A mortar and pestle or an electric grinder (herbs and ingredients must be finely ground  preferably to a powder, you can also grind stones for additional power in your rituals)

Your charcoal is lit and now smouldering in the bowl of sand and you have your finely ground, herbs, stones and your oils standing by.
Sprinkle small amounts of your chosen herb(s) on the lit charcoal and let it smoulder. Don't just dump it on as it tends to put out the charcoal. While you do this envision your purpose and say any incantations that need be
 

Raise the Dead Incense
1 part pepperwort
1 part red storax
1 pinch saffron
A few drops musk oil

Burn near graves and it will cause the spirits to gather.

 

Love Incense
1 part lavender
1 part rose petals
1 part cinnamon
A few drops rose oil

Burn to attract love

 

Egyptian Incense
4 parts frankincense
3 parts gum arabic
2 parts myrrh
1 part cedar
1 part juniper
1 part calamus
1 part cinnamon

Burn during rituals to honour an egyptian diety.

 

Altar Incense
3 parts frankincense
2 parts myrrh
1 part cinnamon

Burn to purify an altar

 

Beltane Incense
3 parts frankincense
2 parts sandalwood
1 part woodruff
1 part rose petals
A few drops jasmine oil
A few drops neroli oil

Burn during Beltane or on May Day for fortune and attune with the change of seasons.

 

Imbolc Incense
3 parts frankincense
2 parts dragon blood
1/2 part red sandalwood
1 part cinnamon
A few drops red wine

Burn to celebrate Imbolc or to attune with the rebirth of the sun in spring.

 

Paper Incense

Items Needed
White blotter paper cut into six inch strips about an inch wide
1 1/2 teaspoon potassium nitrate added to one half cup warm water (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 frangrances should be used.

 

To scent the incense papers
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. 
Use only tinctures to scent the papers essential and base oils just don't do it very well

 

Tinctures to scent your incense papers with
A tincture is the process of soaking dried plant materials in alcohol which captures the scent.
Do not use rubbing alcohol. use only ethyl alcohol or "Everclear". Needs to be a minimum of 140 proof (70%)

you will need a good supply of dried plant materials (your choice) Dont' use fresh herbs - they don't work. Grind the dried herbs and reduce to the finest possible powder. Pour the ground herb into a small bottle and then pour in just enough ethyl alcohol to cover the herb. cap tightly. Shake the bottle once or twice everyday for a week or two.

Then using a coffee filter -strain the alcohol. The scent may be strong enough for you at this point.
To Test: add a drop or two to your wrist and wait for the alcohol to evaporate.
 
If the scent is not strong enough, pour the mixture back into the bottle and repeat the shake and wait for another week.

Then when the plants scent has completely overpowered the alcohol smell, filter one last time, bottle, and add a few drops of castor oil or glycerine to stabilize the scent. Label and store in a place out of direct sunlight.

 

To burn 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 smoulder.
If you draw symbols on your papers - use only Indian ink.