Incense from Around the World

History of Scents is a great article to learn about the true origins of the scents we use today in not only Incenses, but also in aromathearphy and other forms of natural healing.

 

In looking for a new home for our Incense recipes from around the globe, it was found that they were in need of a permanent home for all to have access. There are a variety of recipes, some are specific for uses, others for honouring of the Goddess or God throughout various cultures and beliefs, however, all are made and used prior to having them added within our Book of Shadows web site. Do enjoy what we offer to you for the use in honouring the Gods and within Ritual.

If you are unsure of the safety of some scents listed within the recipes, due to preganancy, high blood pressure, or any medical conditions do consult a reputable Herbal or Incense source as most herbs of caution are noted. If you do have questions do feel free to contact me directly at Lady Leona for further questions. Also, please check out Golden Magi of Sacred Circles' Coven group for further information.

Some incenses may call for burning them upon charcoal and for that you can use a censar or a small cast iron cauldron filled with dirt and rocks and then placing the charcoal upon the rocks to heat, others are for stick use, if you do not have a incense burner, simple is best, get some salt fill a small pyrex bowl [that you would use for measurements] and use that to place your sticks in standing up.

There are various contributors to this section and all are seperated, one thing you must remember to consecrate your incenses for the use intended and when doing this you should NEVER feel drained of energy. When you do consecrate remember to always cleanse yourself and ground.

Remember, however, that when making incenses, oils for ritual use, that you do so on the approiate day and hour for maximum power.

My thanks to all who share there recipes. If credits are not correct by all means email me at Lady Leona and I will make the necessary corrections.

 

Our Cauldron of Incenses

 

Spellbinders Smoke

© by Gerina Dunwich

® Magick Potions

To make your own herbal smoking mixture for ritual or non ritual use, combine the following dried herbs; one ounce of coltsfoot [said to conjre forth mystical visions], one ounce of red clover tops [said to keep negative energies at bay], and one quarter ounce each of lavender flowers, rosemary, thyme, and yerba santa [known to Shamans of the southwestern United States and Mexico as the sacred herb]. Using a consecrated ritual dagger, chop the herbs into small pieces, and then store in an airtight jar or tabacco tin.

Place a pinch of the smoking mixture in a pipe, or roll into a cigarettes. Spellbinder Smoke is excellent for the use in shamanistic rituals, dream-magick, divinations, and astral projections. It makes a good alternative to smoking cancer-causing tobacco cigrettes, and can also be burned on a charcoal block as a magickal incense.

Artemis (Warrior-femine) Incense

Strong blend to connect with your Warrior side or with your Warrior Deity.

2 parts Borage
1 part Fennel
1 part Frankincense
1/2 part Dragons Blood
1/2 part Mugwort

Burn on charcoal

Lady Kasaan

Water Elementals Incense

© by Anna Franklin,

® Fairy Ring

Used w/exculsive permission, do not reprint.

 

Prepare and incense of water by mixing

half a teaspoon daisy petals

a few drops of jasmine oil

three teaspoons myrrh resin

two teaspoons willow wood

one teaspoon white rose petals.

Burn on a charcoal block.

This will attract water elementals.

 

Herne Incense

© by Anna Franklin

3 parts frankincense
3 drops oak moss oil
1/2 part pine resin
1 part oak bark
2 parts crushed juniper berries
1/2 part yarrow

In a bowl or with a mortar and pestle, blend frankincense, oil and pine resin. Add oak bark, juniper berries, and yarrow, and crush together until well mixed. Burn on a charcoal block.

Smokers Detox Incense

by Lady Leona

If you are a smoker and trying to quite or wish to quite here is a great blend of herbs that will make an incense that will aid you in detoxing or a least allow you to relax when feeling jittery.

Note: Both Hemlock and Yew are poisonous so only use a very small amount if you are burning this indoors. Then balance it out with some soothing candles and bath of Mustard Seed ground up with Basil and Sage, as those will allow your body to sweat out the toxins, you can also add in Kosher Salt. Once you have them all together, grind them to powder form for easier burning.

You will notice I do not have amounts listed for the individual herbs used in this recipe. You will use equal parts of all, except for the two with poisonous warning, those a wee pinch is enough. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT

Sabbat Incenses

by Pagan SilkyRose

YULE INCENSE

2 Parts Frankincense
2 Parts Pine needles or resin
1 Part Cedar
1 Part Juniper Berries

Mix and smolder at Wiccan rites on Yule or during the winter months.

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

MABON INCENSE

2 Parts Frankincense
1 Part Sandalwood
1 Part Cypress
1 Part Juniper
1 Part Pine
1/2 Part Oakmoss
(or few drops of Oakmoss Bouquet)
1 Pinch Pulverized oak leaf

Burn during Mabon.

Summer Solstice

2 Parts Sandalwood
1 Part Mugwort
1 Part Camomile
1 Part Gardenia petals
few drops Rose oil
few drops Lavender oil
few drops yarrow oil

Burn at rituals at the Summer Solstice.

Full Moon Incense
By, Enodia Tritone

1 Part Juniper Berries
1/2 Part Myrrh Resin
1 Part Rose Petals
1/2 Part Bay Leaves
1/2 Part Red Sandalwood
1/2 Part Dragon's Blood
2 Drops Lavender Oil
1 Drop Jasmine Oil

 

Mabon Incense
By, Enodia Tritone 2003

3 Parts Juniper Berries
1/2 Part Myrrh
1/2 Part Sandalwood
1 Part Frankincense
1/4 Part Cloves
1/4 Part Cinnamon
1/4 Part Benzoin
1 Part Pine Needles
3 Drops Vanilla Oil
1 Part Rosemary
1 Part Sage
1/2 Part Oakmoss

Elemental Incense
By, Pamela J. Ball

Air

2 Part Benzoin
1 Part Gum Mastic
1/2 Part Lavender
1/4 Part Wormwood
1 Pinch Mistletoe

Earth

1 Part Pine
1 Part Thyme
Few Drop Patchouli Oil

Fire

2 Parts Frankincense
1 Part Dragon's Blood
1 Part Red Sandalwood
1 Pinch Saffron

Water

2 Parts Benzoin
1 Part Myrrh
1 Part Sandalwood
Few Drops Lotus Oil

Incenses

by Morgaine SilverOak

Harmonia Incense

This has a balsam-like sweet and warm fragrance.

2 Parts Frankincense

1 Part Myrrh

1 Part Mastic

1/2 Part Coriander

 

Blue Bird Incense

This mixture has a gentle, ethereal fragrance reminiscent of the blue bird depicted on the famous fresco in Knossos.

3 Parts Mastic

1 Part Lavender flowers

1/2 Part finely grated fruit of the Quince tree

1/4 Part Camphor [do not ingest, extremely powerful in scent when burnt and can create a blue flame with blackenedsmoke]

 

Ariadne's Meadow of Herbs Incense

This mixture is a connection to the healing power of Nature.

2 Parts Mastic

1 Part Labdanum

1 Part Herb Mixture made from: dried lavender, mint, sage, and marjoram, in any combination you desire

 

Kyphi Incense

This incense takes about 2 weeks to make, but is well worth the work involved.It is a fragrant mixture that banishes the troubles of the day and works especially well in the evenings.

4 Parts Frankincense

2 Parts Mastic

1.5 Parts Sandalwood (powder is fine)

1 Part Myrrh

1 Part Lemongrass

1 Part Cinnamon Bark or flowers

1 Part Benzoin Siam

1/2 Part Juniper berries

1/2 Whole Cardamom pods

1/2 Part dried rose buds, petals only

1/4 Part Calamus

1/4 Part Galangal

1 Pinch Aquillaria wood as needed (if not availabe, omit)

1/2 part liquid Forest Honey

1 Tablespoon heavy,Full-bodied red wine, as needed

8 Parts Sultana raisins, unsulphered.

Maneton Incense

This incense has an intense, warm, spicy fragrance that encourages mental activity and self-development.

1 Part Storax

1/2 Part Calamus

4 Parts Frankincense

1/2 Part Galangal

 

Egyptian Incense

This is a full, spicy mixture that can be used at any time of the day to create a pleasant atmosphere in a room.

1 Part Mastic

1 Part Frankincense

1/2 Part Opoponax

1/2 Part Myrrh

1 Part Cinnamon Bark

1/2 Part Calamus

1/2 Part Storax

Grate the calamus and set aside. Pulverize the cinnamon bark in a mortar and pestle. Add the resins and pulverize then add the calamus. Work until well-pulverized and well-blended.

Add the mixture to charcoal in small amounts.

You will find this useful when alone as well as when in a group. It inspires dreaming and well-being.

Empower the incense by holding the container in which you are storing the blend. Light a candle appropriate to the use for which the incense is intended. Focus on the incense and on the intent for which you have created it. Build energy within your body beginning at your feet and working up until you feel the enetgy concentrated in your hands, and then allow this energy to flow into the mixture.

When you feel drained of energy, you know it has entered the mixture. Sit dow, shake your hands vigorously for a few minutes, relax your body, then snuff out the candle.

Empowering can be incredibly powerful, and not empowering your blends is a sign of a lazy herbalist. The incense is now ready for use.

TO USE:

Light the charcaol block and quickly place it in the censer. Allow the block to burn until it is evenly glowing and red, then pour on the incense. Do not use too much or you will snuff out the charcaol, and be aware that incense burnt in this manner creates quite an amount of somke, so be sure to use in an adequately ventilated area.


Pleasure of the Heart Incense

This incense increases creativity, inspires, and induces a magical atmosphere that produces harmony.

3 Parts Frankincense

1 Part Myrrh

1 Part Benzoin Sumatra

Burn this incense in small amounts on a charcoal, but do not exceed a small pinch at one time. This helps to create pleasure wherever people gather together to make music, or paint. Burning this blend fills the heart with pleasure and allows the senses to open.

Empower the incense by holding the container in which you are storing the blend. Light a candle appropriate to the use for which the incense is intended. Focus on the incense and on the intent for which you have created it. Build energy within your body beginning at your feet and working up until you feel the enetgy concentrated in your hands, and then allow this energy to flow into the mixture.

When you feel drained of energy, you know it has entered the mixture. Sit dow, shake your hands vigorously for a few minutes, relax your body, then snuff out the candle.

Empowering can be incredibly powerful, and not empowering your blends is a sign of a lazy herbalist. The incense is now ready for use.

TO USE:

Light the charcaol block and quickly place it in the censer. Allow the block to burn until it is evenly glowing and red, then pour on the incense. Do not use too much or you will snuff out the charcaol, and be aware that incense burnt in this manner creates quite an amount of somke, so be sure to use in an adequately ventilated area.

Lugal Banda Incense

This blend is also called a festive fragrance of kings. It has a strong sensuous fragrance which relaxes on a very deep level. It is the ideal incense to burn for a beautiful hour fior two. Although it is more complex to make than most incenses, it is well worth the effort.

The Recipe:

1 Parts Storax*

1 Part Mastic

1 Part Myrrh

1/2 Part Labdanum**

1/2 Part Galbanum***

Tree Honey, in liquid form

*Storax-Also known as the Oriental Amber Tree grows in Asia Minor (Liquidambar orientalis Mill). The resinous part is used. It is distinguished from other forms of storax. Look for Storax gum or resin, when purchasing.

**Labdanum (Cystus creticus I) Is a resin made from the shrub of the rockrose. It is a wax-like gum used for perfumes, incense and for the embalming process in ancient Egypt.

***Galbanum (Ferula galbanumflua Boiss) is a resinous substance procured from the roots and lower part of the Galbanum tree. It is also known as "Mother Resin" and is usually used in mixtures.

Note: All three of these resins can be purchased at healthfood stores or incense supply companies.

 

 

Gilgamesh Incense

This blend produces strength and is uplifting. It works well in times of melancholy, doubt or depression. It also helps to open up the respiratory tract; and is especially suited for men. To use burn on charcoal in a censer or drop small bits on a hot rock next to the fire.

The Recipe:

1-1/2 Parts Cedarwood shavings

1 Parts Cedar Tips ( from the tips of the cedar tree)

1 Part Myrtle leaves

1 Part Calamus root*

*A reed that grows on the edges of small rivers in Egypt. The rhizome is dried and used for its fragrance (Acorus calamus I.)

 

Duir (Summer Solstice Incense) Incense

This blend has a full, warm, balsam-like fragrance. Use only a small amount at a time on charcoal or in an incense burner. It works best when burnt outside. Traditionally people used these herbs during the summer solstice. This incense connects us to the high point of the earthly year, to the special memories of that time, and, to connection between the masculine and the feminine.

The Recipe:

1 Part Inulin root*

1 Part Myrrh

1/2 Part Mugwort

4 Parts Frankincense

3 Parts sage (Native American white sage is best)

*Inulin root (Inula helenium L.)is an easily cultivated plant for the garden. In the Middle Ages it was widely considered a panacea. It is available in health food stores. For incense burning, cut into small pieces with a knife.

 

 

Avalon Incense Blend

This blend awakens the ancient spirits of the Celts and speaks of Avalon, the paradise islanf of the Celtic people. This mixture strengthens and reinforces and helps one to reconnect with the powers of nature. It also aids finding inner stability and the source of yor own sacred power.

This mixture has a sharp, aromatic fragrance.

The Recipe:

5 Parts Frankincense resin

5 Parts Mastic

1 Part White Pine needles

1 Part Juniper berries

1 Part Mistletoe herb or wood

1 Part Verbena

 

The Game of the Elves Incense

This blend has a fine, warm fragrance that inspires creativity and inspiration and is cheerful and relaxing. It is the doorway to the gentle powers of light and the secret powers of the plant world. This blend is an invitation to dream and fantasize.

The Recipe:

5 Parts Mastic

2 Parts Propolis*

1/2 Part Elderberry Pith**

1 Part Fragrant grass (Sweetgrass or Lemongrass)

1 Part Lupulin (Hops Flowers)

*Propolis is a dark brown solid, waxy resin produced by bees with a warm balsam-like fragrance. It is available in health food stores. For incense burning, scrape off a few small pieces with a knife.

**Elderberry pith is the inside of the elderberry twig. It is whitish and light, and can be scraped out with a knife.

 

Twelve Holy Nights Incense

This is an old recipe used by the Celts and Germanic peoples. Traditionally, the herbs used in this incense are collected between August 15 and September 8 when they are at the peak of healing power and fragrance. Collect them around noon and allow to dry on a cloth.

First you will need to make an herbal bouquet consisting of equal parts of the following herbs: mugwort, verbena, sage, mullein, lemon balm, inulin root (Inula helenium L) cut into fine pieces, St. John's Wort, yarrow, mint and chamomile. When all plant material is thoroughly dry, pulverize them in a mortar and pestle (You can do each herb individually and then blend them). Alternatively, chop finely in an electric coffee mill.

This incense has a balsamic aroma. It is used at year's end for cleansing and clarifying the house and inside space. It is also good for celebrating the changing of the seasons.

The Recipe:

3 Parts Frankincense resin

1 Part Mastic

2 Parts Herbal Bouquet

Abramelin Incense

2 Parts Myrrh

1 Part Wood Aloes

2-3 Drops essential oil of Cinnamon

Follow the mixing instructions below.

Burn to contact spirits during rituals or as a simple consecration incense to sanctify the altar or magickal tools.

 

Altar Incense

3 Parts Frankincense

2 Parts Myrrh

1 Part Cinnamon

1-3 Drops essential oil of Cinnamon

Suggested stones: Aquamarine, Calcite, Salt

Follow the mixing instructions below.

Burn as a general incense on the altar to purify the area.

Astral Travel Incense

3 Parts Sandalwood

3 Parts Benzoin

1 Part Mugwort

1 Part Dittany of Crete

1-3 Drops essential oil of Sandalwood

Suggested stones: Crystal (quartz), Opal

Follow the mixing instructions below.

Burn a small amount in the room to aid in projecting the astral body.

 

 

Aries Incense

2 Parts Frankincense

1 Part Juniper

3 Drops essential oil of Cedarwood

Suggested stones: Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby

 

Apparition Incense (Caution!!!!)

3 Parts Wood Aloe

2 Parts Coriander

1 Part Camphor

1 Part Mugwort

1 Part Flax

1 Part Anise

1 Part Cardamom

1 Part Chicory

1 Part Hemp (illegal use in USA)

1-3 Drops essential oil of Anise or Coriander (or a mix)

Suggested stones: (none applicable)

 

Apollo Incense

4 Parts Frankincense

2 Parts Myrrh2 Parts Cinnamon

1 Part Bay

1-3 Drops essential oil of Frankincense

Suggested stones: Amber or Citrine for healing, divination amethyst

Burn during divination and healing rituals.

 

General Incense-Making Instructions:

1) Gather all the ingredients together. If you do not have a certain ingredient, consult a substitution list such as the one in Scott Cunningham's Incense, Oils & Brews.

2) Fix your mind on the incense's goal: protection, prosperity, etc..

3) IN a large wooden or ceramic bowl, mix together the gums and resins with your hands, mixing their energies together as well. Visualize your personal power, vibrating with your magickal goal, leaving your hands and entering into the contents of the bowl. Pulverize the resins in a mortar and pestle. Alternatively, the resins can be individually ground in an electric grinder (I use an electric coffee grinder), and then each added to the bowl and blended as above with your hands.

4) Grind each of the herbs, leaves, barks, flowers, roots, etc. and add them to the bowl in which you have placed and mixed the ground gums and resins. After all the herbs are added one-by-one, then again blend with your hands.

5) Add any essential oils you may need, again blending the whole mixture together with your hands.

6) Finally, add any additions you may want: glitter, ground gemstones, etc.

Note# 1 : To grind gemstones there are 2 methods depending on the size of the stone you are using. If the stone is large, use a rasp or metal file that you would find in a hardware store, and file the stone down into a powder. If you are using chips, such as those from a gemstone chip piece of jewelry (my preference), grind these in a stoneware (marble) mortar and pestle. DO NOT GRIND IN THE COFFEE GRINDER. You will only need the tiniest pinch of gemstone powder.

Note# 2: Although blending with your hands is recommended, you may wish to wear surgical gloves for this process as many resins, herbs and oils may be irritating to the skin. You may visualize your energies entering the mixture as usual, the gloves will not be a deterrant.

7) Place the mixture in a tightly closed jar, label with the name of the incense and the date of composition.

Empower the incense by holding the container in which you are storing the blend. Light a candle appropriate to the use for which the incense is intended. Focus on the incense and on the intent for which you have created it. Build energy within your body beginning at your feet and working up until you feel the enetgy concentrated in your hands, and then allow this energy to flow into the mixture.

TO USE:

Light the charcaol block and quickly place it in the censer. Allow the block to burn until it is evenly glowing and red, then pour on the incense. Do not use too much or you will snuff out the charcaol, and be aware that incense burnt in this manner creates quite an amount of somke, so be sure to use in an adequately ventilated area.

 

Sources for Morgain SilverOak's recipes

Wylundt's Book of Incense ISBN# 0-87728-869-0

Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews: By Scott Cunningham ISBN # 0-87542-128-8

Natural Magick: Inside the Well-Stocked Witch's Cupboard: By Sally Dubats ISBN # 1-57566-461-5

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic: By Scott Cunningham ISBN # 0-87542-126-1

2003 Llewellyn's Sun Sign Book ISBN# 0-7387-0071-1

Azure Green 2003 Catalog 2B www.auregreen.com

The Complete Book of Incense By: Susanne Fischer-Rizzi ISBN# 0-8069-9987-X