Incenses
Sweetly scented smoke, spiraling upward to the stars, Sun, and Moon, is an almost universal feature of magical altars. It is linked with magic and religion as far back as can be traced. The earliest Witches and magicians threw fragrant herbs and woods onto fires or glowing embers to release their scents. In later times, cauldrons and censers contained these charcoal blocks, and the ritualistic burning of incense became an established part of magical and religious practice.
The power of incense lies in its vibrations and scent. Be warned, however, that many herbs smell vastly different when they are being burned or fumed than in their natural states. In most mixtures, it is not the scent that is important but the vibrational rate it emits while being smoldered on the charcoal in the censer.
Incense is used today to cleanse and purify magical tools and working areas, to raise vibrational rates and summon energies, to banish and exorcise evil entities and influences, to concentrate and contain power, and to build up an atmosphere attuned to the type of ritual to be performed.
Incense is available commercially from many herb stores, religious supply outlets, and occult shops. The most powerful and effective incense, however, is that which you concoct yourself. Store-bought incense works, of course, but not as well as homemade.
The basic form of the incense used in magic is the granulated, or raw form. This is also the most compli-cated to work with. Cone, stick, or block incense is complete in and of itself, but the granulated or powdered form must be smoldered on glowing charcoal blocks within a censer or some other device capable of holding red-hot coals.
This can be a very showy part of a ritual, with the use of censers, clouds of scented smoke, and a good deal of symbolic carrying or swinging of the censer.
As an aid to magic, incense ought to be prepared with care and serious intent, observing proper days and phases of the Moon for best results. The ingredients are easily purchased from the usual sources, either in your town or by mail.
Your mortar and pestle will come in handy in their manufacture, for many gums and woods have to be ground to a fine powder, and the final blend will need to be mixed together.
Though many of the herbs are available in preground form, it is best to grind them yourself, if you have the time. The repetitive action of the pestle moving within the mortar, and the time involved in silently (or invokingly) mixing up these age-old incenses increases their power. Use your own judgment when purchasing ingredients whether to buy preground or not.
When actually mixing up the incense, enchant it by saying a little rune stating the ultimate use of the scent. For instance, for an incense of purification, say some thing like, “Purify, purify, evil thou shalt deny,” or simply state, over and over again, the basic use of the incense.
Following are a few recipes themselves. These, together with the others described elsewhere throughout this book, should give you a good idea of the methods of creating blends and also their basic uses.
Before using any incense, perform an exorcism over it. Set it on the altar between two burning white candles, either still in the mortar, or in a bowl. Touch the center of the incense with the tip of your magic knife and, summoning all your willpower and energy, say in a forceful voice:
I conjure thee, by this sign,
to drive out all that is impure and unclean,
so that thou mayest receive
strength, virtue, and power.
May this incense be a boon and
an aid in the magical art,
and serve me well.
As usual, you may add any names of gods or goddesses you hold sacred, such as Diana, Tara, Jesus, etc.
Now the incense is ready for use in your magical art. It is best to perform this exorcism on the Full Moon or a few days afterward.
When finished, store the incense in a dark-glassed or ceramic jar with a tight stopper. Keep from light and, if it is not completely used up within a year, lay in a fresh batch.
Incenses of Purification and Exorcism
These incenses dramatically raise the vibratory rate of a room or building so that negativity and evil is driven out. Such incenses are often praised for their cleansing and clearing powers.
Perhaps the most powerful of all purificatory incenses is frankincense, a gum from a tree that grows in eastern countries and has been used in religious rituals for centuries.
This is practically an all-purpose incense, used for purification, exorcism, and all manner of banishing rituals. It is the basic ingredient in many incenses.
In purifying a large area, frankincense is sometimes set fuming on several censers placed in different areas of the house or building, though one is generally enough. Objects that are to be purified (old jewelry, coins, amulets, etc.) are held in the smoke for several seconds.
Used alone it is quite powerful, and there is no need to add any other herbs.
Protection Incenses
At times, an additional magical protection may be desired, especially when performing very heavy magical operations or when there is a serious disturbance in your neighborhood, such as a rash of burglaries or violence.
These incenses set up an impenetrable barrier surrounding you and your space, effectively turning away harmful energies, thoughts, and physical threats. (Although you should have the locks checked and take all the normal precautions as well. Magic works with you, and not for you; always back it up with physical actions that will help bring about your intent.)
A good protection incense can be compounded of frankincense, sandalwood, and rosemary. Alternately, any of the herbs listed in chapter 5 can be burned, singly or in combination.
Here is a selection of incenses with varied uses. If you wish to alter a formula, do so as long as the change is made with wisdom and thought.
Moon Magic
Mix together equal parts of these herbs: Add one-quarter part orris root. Anoint with a few drops of lotus oil. Burn during the Full Moon to receive its blessings and during all lunar rituals.
Success Incense
Equal parts of:
Cinnamon
Benzoin
Mix, grind together, and burn when you desire success in the business world.
Yule
Burn during all winter rites, and also to purify the home from November 1 to March 21:
Pine
Juniper
Cedar
Offertory
Often burned as a sacrifice or as a general working blend. Use when no other incense seems to be right for the ritual.
Equal parts:
Rose petals
Vervain
Cinnamon
Myrrh
Frankincense
Meditation Incense
A good blend:
Bay leaves
Sandalwood
Damiana
Burn a little at a time; do not set too much smouldering on the coals directly before going into meditation.
Kyphi
An ancient Egyptian blend often used in general magical working, and especially burned at night. Plutarch said, “Its aromatic substances lull to sleep, allay anxieties, and brighten the dreams. It is made of things that delight most in the night and exhibits its virtues by night.” It is also a useful banishing incense.
On the night of the New Moon, get about half a handful raisins and put them into an earthenware bowl. Cover with white wine and let steep, loosely covered in a place where they can remain undisturbed for five days.
Three nights after setting the raisins to steep, take equal parts of the following herbs:
Juniper
Sweet sedge root
Acacia
Henna
Macerate in white wine and steep all that night and the next day, until night falls again. On this night, just as the Sun sets, if possible, gather together these dried herbs:
Calamus
Gum mastic
Cinnamon
Peppermint
Galangal
Bay laurel
Orris
Take equal parts of each and grind well until it is the consistency of a powder. Mix well and set aside.
Now mix together one tablespoon each powdered myrrh and honey. Add to this the drained raisins, and drained herbs, and finally work in the powdered herbs. If the texture is too dry to mix completely, add a little of the used white wine.
Spread out on a wooden board and let dry, uncovered for some time. Then pack into jars. This is a wonderful scent, useful in all magical operations.
Study Incense
Burn, while studying, to increase mental powers and concentration efforts, and also to improve the memory.
Equal parts:
Cinnamon
Rosemary
Mace
Burn only a small amount at a time.
Circle Incense
For general magical work, this formula is well suited and very helpful in raising power:
Frankincense, two parts
Myrrh, one part
Benzoin, one part
Cinnamon, one part
Rose petals, two parts
Vervain, one part
Rosemary, two parts
Sandalwood, one part
Bay laurel, one part
All herbs should be finely powdered and mixed until completely blended. (Note: It is nearly impossible to powder bay leaves completely. Even in the modern grinders and electric processors they just do not reduce to a powder. So, add the bay leaves and do not worry about the lumps that will remain when you’ve finished powdering the rest. Rose petals are sometimes a problem, too, as is frankincense—the latter sticking to the pestle. Remember, though, the energy you exert in the composition of the incenses is directed into them, and thusly, they will be of greater power.)
Planetary Incense
This incense is aptly named, for it contains ingredients sacred to each of the planets. Burn for extra power during rituals.
Frankincense, Sun
Orris root, Moon
Lavender, Mercury
Rose petals, Venus
Dragon’s blood, Mars
Cinquefoil, Jupiter
Solomon’s seal, Saturn
Mix up, with fairly equal parts. (There are many varieties of dragon’s blood. Be sure to research all of them. Some are harmful and can cause pregnant women to abort.)
Prosperity Incense
Equal parts:
Cloves
Nutmeg
Lemon balm
Poppy seed
Cedar
Moisten with a few drops each of:
Honeysuckle oil
Almond oil
Make on a Thursday during the Waxing Moon.
Love Incense
Mix on a Friday during the Waxing Moon:
Rose petals
Patchouli
Cinnamon
Red sandalwood
Burn during rituals designed to draw love to you.