Incense derived from the Latin verb incendere, "To burn."

Incense has been used by mankind for over two millennia. It's use has varied but mainly incense has been used in a religious and or magical sense. Originally incense was used to cover up bad smells by made by your animal sacrifice. But today the use of incense is not so gruesome. Taoists use three Joss sticks when praying to their deities they place them in a censer in front of a statue of a deity. The Ancient Egyptians used incense to wake the Gods so that they could pray and honor their deities. It has also been used to accompany prayer, release negative vibrations, induce self-awareness and to uplift the emotional state.  Many authors will tell you that you should never use incense around the house casually as an air freshener. Personally I think that burning the right kind of incense in your home as you do the housework or when relaxing is quite a good idea. Every home should be cleansed regularly buy different methods incense is but one.

Hindu deity Ganesh Incense Holder

These days incense is so popular you can buy it at your local supermarket. But this does not mean that the cheap incense sticks and cones with synthetic fragrances are any good. Furthermore they tend to make me have an asthma attack and I am not an asthmatic! Always try to use good quality incense not cheap imitations. Although there is an exception to using the real thing in some cases. Certain types of incense are made from animals such as Ambergris oil. Help save our Animal friends by not using such incenses remember it is your Will that really produces the results. If you still feel the need then it is ok to use a synthetic substitute.

There are two different kinds of incense 

1) Combustible; These are generally incense sticks and cones that are made with salt petre which allows them to smolder by themselves. There are many different fragrances in this type of incense not all though is the real thing. 

2) Non-combustible; is what most Witches prefer. Non-combustible incense can be powdered herbs, gums, resins and other substances that are sprinkled on a combustible charcoal block in your Censer which allows the incense to smolder. Charcoal blocks and Incenses can be found at New Age shops and also Church shops the later I have found to be cheaper. 

Some of the widely used incenses are;

Frankincense
Dragons Blood
Myrrh 
Sandalwood
Sage

In a magical sense incense is used in ritual or when casting a spell. All incenses relate to a goal choose one that is appropriate to your working.  E.g. use Sage as a protection incense. 

I also believe that incense acts kinds of like a drug, and in this way it helps you reach Ritual Consciousness. Sprinkle some incense in your Censer and trace an outline of smoke to seal the perimeter of your Magic Circle. Incense is also used as the element of Air in consecration procedures. Pass your items through the incense smoke and ask the element of Air to bless it for you. 

Like most things in regard to Witchcraft I believe you should create your own incense mixes and use them in your magic.

It can also be used to lift the mood of a room or house this relates to aromatherapy. Certain smells can stimulate responses in the brain and can be quite helpful with stress and other complaints.

 

Back to QuickSilver's Book of Magic index page

Murray Byfield © 2000-2002