HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN HERBAL INCENSE OR BASIC INCENSE RECIPES by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN HERBAL INCENSE OR BASIC INCENSE RECIPES

So you want to learn about how incense is made? If you are just looking for the basic description of how incense is made, you can read an article on incense making in Cambodia, here.

If you would like to learn how to make your own incense by hand, read on.

The following incense recipes are a basic instructions for making a "non-combustible" herbal magical incense. Non-combustible means that the incense will not burn on it's own, but will need to be burned over charcoal tablets. If you would like to make a non-magical incense, just skip the visualizing and empowering directions, but follow all other instructions. Making your own incense is really pretty easy, once you learn how.

TOOLS NEEDED FOR INCENSE RECIPES

First, you will want to have all your tools and ingredients together, before you start.

You will need:

• Your incense ingredients (Need some incense ingredients?

• A measuring device-spoons, cup, or scale, depending on the quantity you are making.

• Mortar and pestle (a grinder) - if your herbs/resins/flowers are not already in a finely powdered form. (Need a mortar and pestle set?

• A hammer and metal mortar-if you have to crush a stone ingredient.

• Some small bowls, plates or containers for the powdered ingredients.

• A large wooden or ceramic mixing bowl-to blend your ingredients.

• A container for storing your finished incense (airtight is preferred).

• A pen and paper-to write down exactly what you did, so you can replicate it, in the future.

GRINDING YOUR INCENSE INGREDIENTS

No matter what incense recipes you are using, your incense ingredients will most likely need to be powdered, one by one. I much prefer to do this by hand. Grinding by hand is a wonderful way of adding your own energy to the incense. It is also somewhat relaxing and hypnotic. If your intention is a magical incense, set your goal in your mind, before you begin (prosperity, love, health, etc). It is especially helpful to visualize the intended outcome, as you grind.

Even if you are not making a strictly "magical incense", you can still add your intention to your finished incense in this way.

Some incense ingredients will be easier to grind, than others. Some, will take a little practice to find just the right method. Experiment and find out what works best for you. Sometimes, you may even find that it is easier, if you don't fight so hard, when grinding. Be flexible. If you have to grind a stone, you might try smashing the stone with a hammer, first. Then, grind the smashed stone to a fine powder in a metal mortar.

If hand grinding your incense ingredients is plainly distasteful, you have arthritis, or you just don't have time, you can always use an electric coffee grinder (do not use the grinder for stones).

If you are creating your own incense recipes or blends, be sure to write down every ingredient, what quantity, and what you visualized, as you go along, so you can recreate this incense in the future.

Incense has been smoldering somewhere in the world for thousands of years. It has been used for religious, and magical purposes, even as an air deodorizer, much as it is today. It is a wonderful way to change or set a particular mood.

All organic matter has it's own inherent energy or vibration, as well as planetary and elemental correspondences. In making ones own magical incense, the magician chooses ingredients that will have the energies needed to manifest the goal. For a love incense recipe, you would choose ingredients that are known for promoting or attracting love. These energies may be used alone, or blended to add power to the magic work. A cleansing incense recipe might be used to clear a space of all negativity prior to the magikal work, as well. In ritual, the energies are released through smoldering, and become accessible to the magician to use towards manifesting the desired magickal goal.

BLENDING YOUR INCENSE INGREDIENTS

Now, that you have all your herbs, resins, crystals, barks, flowers, etc. Finely powdered and filled with intent, you are ready to mix and blend them into a finished product.

Take all your incense ingredients, one by one, and add them to the large bowl. As you add each ingredient, mix them together with your fingers, visualizing the intended outcome as you do. Add your own power of intention, coming off your hands and blending with the energies of the incense in the bowl. Know that your will is infusing the incense with the energy to help manifest the magical goal.

Now you are ready to add any oils or liquids to your blend. You won't need very much, just a few drops is usually sufficient. If you are making a large amount of incense, and you are short a powdered ingredient, but have that oil on hand, it is usually fine to substitute a couple of drops of oil for the herb. Blend the oils and/or liquids into your incense, visualizing as you go.

Some incense will call for a particular stone, as an ingredient. Usually, you only need a very small pinch, to give the effect. Add this in last, visualizing as you do. If you only want to boost your incense, you can normally add a pinch of amber, as it is an all around power booster. Dragon's Blood resin is also used in this way.

NOW THAT YOU HAVE FINISHED

You now have a complete incense. You can choose to take it one step farther and do a full empowerment ritual now, another day, or not at all (if you are not making a magical incense).

Place the finished product in an airtight container, and mark it plainly with name and date. Keep it in a cool dark place. When you are ready to use your incense, just light a charcoal tablet, fan for a minute, then add a teaspoon or so of incense to the top of the tablet.

If your incense recipes are being used for a spell or ritual, a tablet will burn for at least 30 minutes so you can light it at any time, and add the incense later.

We hope this has been informative and useful to you.

Love and Peace,
Raven

Cautions and Disclaimers:

Never leave incense or candles burning unattended.

Charcoal tablets, used improperly can cause severe burns or house fires.