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Magical Use and History of Incense
Sep 23, 2010 Arden Wikberg
Incense is an important feature of magical alters, its power lies in its scent and vibrations.
Sweetly-scented smoke, spiraling upwards towards 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 threw fragrant herbs and wood onto firs or glowing embers to release their scent. In later times cauldrons and censors contained these charcoal blocks, and the ritualistic burning of incense became an established part of magical and religious practice.
Incense is used for its vibration and scent
The power of incense lies in its vibrations and scent. It gives off a energy depending on the herbs or scents used. Be warned, however that many herbs smell different when they are burned.
In most mixtures, it is not the scent that matters but the vibrational rate it emits while being smouldered on the charcoal in the sensor. 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 an atmosphere attuned to the type of ritual to be performed.
Incense can be purchased in cones, stick form or ground yourself
Incense is available commercially from many herb, religious, and Pagan shops in its raw form to be burned on the censor. Cone, stick, or block incense can also be purchased and is complete in itself. Store-bought incense is convenient, but many prefer homemade incense. You can also purchase herbs in whole form to be ground yourself and used.
As an aid to magic, incense should be prepared with care and intent, observing proper days and phases of the moon for proper results. Your mortar and pestle will come in handy, for many herbs need to be ground into a fine powder, and the final blend will need to be mixed together. Though many of the herbs are available in pre-ground form, it's believed that it often enhances the ritual if you grind your own. The repetitive action of mixing up the incense, increases their power.
When mixing up the incense, enchant it by reciting a little rune, stating the ultimate use of the scent. For instance, for an incense of purification, say something like, ’purify, purify, evil thou shalt deny,’ or simply state, over and over again, the basic use of the incense.
Incense is used for more than magic
Incense helps to cleanse the atmosphere for magical rituals it can also be used to aid calm, reduce anxiety, stress and fear. Revitalize, stimulate and renew energy and hope and alleviate insomnia. Incense can be an effective tool when used to prepare the mind and body for prayer and meditation.
Source:
Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham, Llewellyn Publications.
Read more at Suite101: Magical Use and History of Incense http://www.suite101.com/content/magical-use-and-history-of-incence-a289110#ixzz10mhXB9Kq
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