Incense

Incense is associated with the element of Air, and, in some traditions, Fire. Smouldering incense is often placed before images of the deities on an altar or a shrine. Many Mages feel that incense is an essential component of a successful ritual. This is partly due to the consciousness-altering potential of quality incense, which can facilitate a more focused state of mind when performing magical work. Smoke from the incense can also provide visions of the deities being invoked in ritual, or other images pertinent to the work being performed. Furthermore, certain herbs, spices, barks, and roots have specific magical qualities, so homemade incense blends can be used to strengthen magical spells. Whether homemade or store-bought, traditional Wiccan rituals favour raw or granulated incense, which requires charcoal briquettes to burn on, and is usually held in a censer. The censer can be a traditional swinging censer suspended from chains, like those used in the Catholic church, or a more simple construction, depending on whether the incense is moved around during the ritual. Some Mages may let the incense smolder in the cauldron in lieu of a censer. For Mages who are more sensitive to incense smoke, lighter stick or cone incenses may work better. Some opt for scenting their magical candles with oils instead. Whatever the choice, it’s generally agreed that some form of aromatic enhancement is optimal for magical work.

## About

Incense is a traditional, primordial component of spirit veneration. It is believed that ascending smoke carries prayers and petitions with it, magically delivering it to the correct recipient, like the owls who know just where to deliver mail in the Harry Potter books. Specific fragrances are used to signal to specific spirits Candles, especially scented ones, may be used in addition to or instead of incense. Wax candles were once prohibitively expensive and so incense, which may be made of any fragrant botanical material, was more popular.

Incense is typically available in three forms:

* Sticks
* Cones
* Loose botanical material intended to be sprinkled over charcoal and then burned

Much commercially manufactured incense is now synthetic, particularly very inexpensive brands of cones and sticks. (High-quality stick and cone incense does exist but is not cheap.) Loose incense tends to be real, as it is less labour intensive to create and, by its very nature, less easy to fake. One botanical may be substituted for another, but it is unlikely to be synthetic.

Read the ingredients on incense purchased. It is best to always be aware of exactly *what* you are burning because that way you know exactly *who* you are attracting. Incense is very easy to handcraft, even sticks and cones. Instructions are readily available oline and in books.

## Allspice (money, luck)

Wear allspice oil to increase luck, especially when gambling. Allspice is added to incense to attract money.

## Ambergris

Ambergris is useful for attracting love as well as lust. As a way to increase passion mix it with a small amount of vanilla and burn on the night of a full moon.

## Basil (love, wealth, protection)

Add basil to food, or sprinkle around the house to attract love. Carry basil in a pouch to attract money and wealth. Make a wreath of basil tied with red and black ribbon for protection.

## Benzoin

Burning benzoin can purify a room and if mixed with frankincense and burned during the new moon it can help to increase psychic powers and clear confusion.

to clear a room of unwanted vibrations. Mix benzoin with frankincense and burn during the new moon to clear confusion, and increase psychic powers.

## Carnation (strength, healing)

Wear carnation oil to promote physical strength. Add carnation oil to frankincense resin and burn to promote healing.

## Frankincense (spirituality)

Burn Frankincense to consecrate ritual space. Anoint candles to be used on the altar for ritual with frankincense oil.

## Galangal (money, lust, protection, psychic power)

Powdered galangal is sprinkled on the ground to bring good luck and money. Pieces of galangal are carried to attract money. Galangal is burned as an incense to increase psychic powers. The powder is sprinkled under the bed to promote lustful feelings.

## Heliotrope (wishes, money, healing)

Wear heliotrope oil to attract money. Burn heliotrope incense to attract money and make wishes come true.

## Honeysuckle (money, protection)

Wear honeysuckle oil to attract money. Mix honeysuckle oil with a bit of vervain for protection. Burn honeysuckle incense on the night of the new moon to attract money.

## Lavender

Lavender oil can be worn to soothe both the body and mind as well as drawing love. It can be used to protect and purify the home when mixed with sage and burned during the waning moon.

## Magnolia (fidelity)

Wear magnolia oil to keep loved ones faithful. Burn magnolia incense in the bedroom to maintain a faithful relationship.

## Orange (divination, love, luck, prosperity)

Mix dried orange peel, rose petals, and lavender buds to make a love drawing sachet. Anoint forehead with orange oil before doing divination. Mix orange and allspice oil together and wear for good luck.

## Patchouli (money, lust)

Wear patchouli oil to entice passion in the one you love or desire.

## Pine

Pine can be burned to help with breathing problems, clearing the air, and when mixed with eucalyptus to attract money and improve a person's life.

## Rosemary (love, lust, healing, protection)

Burn rosemary and Lavender for protection and healing. Place a sprig of rosemary under your loved one’s pillow so he or she will dream of you. Anoint green candles with rosemary oil to attract love and lust.

## Sage

Sage oil can be used to clear confusion and its leaves can be left under the doormat to keep negativity from the home. During the waning moon, it can be burned to clear confusion and for protection.

## Star Anise

It can be worn to increase psychic powers and the seeds can be scattered during a windy day to bring luck.

## Sweetgrass

Sweetgrass can be burned to call forth spirits and when mixed with lavender can protect the home from harmful spirits.

## Vervain (protection, purification, youth)

Mix vervain and patchouli oil together and wear as a veil of powerful protection. Mix vervain with sage to cleanse and protect your home from negative influences. A drop of vervain oil on a cloth placed inside your bed pillow will keep you feeling young.

## Vetivert (love, luck, money)

Wear a drop of vetivert to attract both love and money. Gamblers rub vetivert oil on their hands before playing cards for good luck.

## Information Sources

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes