Making Incense

Making incense is a simple task.  All it requires is a scented oil and an unscented stick.  Finding an unscented stick isn't difficult however I've had some experiences trying to buy this stick from vendors.  Fortunately for me I'm on good terms with a woman who runs an oil and essentials shop so she gave me 200 unscented sticks.  Whatever shall I do with that many sticks?  This site offers 10,000 sticks for $45.60.  That comes out to less than half a penny per stick.  Be warned that shipping and handling may give you a heart attack.  You'll have to let me know how well they work.

Oils can be expensive so search for a good deal.  Prices will vary depending on the scent you're looking for.  Frankincense is one of the more expensive oils.  You can always make your own oil which can be fun but also time consuming.  You can easily blend the oils to produce your own unique scents.  Just make sure that these odors compliment each other.  The wrong scents can produce a nauseating perfume.  Now the easiest way I've found to make incense was to place an oil in a glass container and by dipping your fingers smear this oil onto the stick.  I like to place my sticks in the earth and let the sun dry them.  I sometimes put on a second or third coat depending on how strong I want the perfume.  This is the simplest way of making incense.

If you want something a little more traditional then I'll offer the method I've used.  If you're fortunate enough to have your own herb garden then cut the herbs according to the proper day and hour of the energy needed.  Allow them to dry and crush them with a pestel and mortar.  As for the rest of us I've found this site to be useful for buying the proper herbs.  You'll need Sandalwood and Orris Root as the base.  Gum Arabic as the glue and Potassium Nitrate (better known as Salt Peter) to properly ignite the incense.  You'll also need a scale to weigh the herbs.  The proper measurements are crucial to the success of making incense.  I found this scale which I'm absolutely in love with.  It's so compact that it fits in the palm of your hand.  This is a good scale for you druggies out there who make a profit on the streets.  It would be a good investment and I'd appreciate a finder's fee.  One last thing you'll need is wax paper.  This is the exact measurement I use for making incense.

These are the steps I take.  Take six parts of Sandalwood and one part of Orris Root and test its weight.  Add 25% Gum Arabic to the mixture.  This will be your base compound.  Check the weight a second time.  Measure no more than 10% of Salt Peter but do not add it to your base just yet.  In other words if you're base is 10oz use only 1oz of Salt Peter.  Boil a small amount of water.  Put X% of water in a glass and add the Salt Peter to this.  Mix the solution until it dissolves.  A note should be added here that Potassium Nitrate is used in gun powder.  Adding too much may spark when lighting the incense.  You can add essential oils here to the base.  I prefer to wait until I have my incense so I can scent them as I need then with the method I offered above.  Add the water mixture a little at a time to the base and mix it all with a spoon.  What you're looking for here is dough, not paste.  Take your dough and shape it into cones.  Place your cones on wax paper and make sure that the bottom is flat so they don't roll around.  The hardest part here is the waiting.  I should mention here also that making incense is a magical act.  The herbs represent Earth and water is add.  A flame ignites the aroma representing air.

Now here comes the spiritual aspect of incense making.  I never make incense without a purpose (unless of course I'm just looking to make my place smell nice).  First, I decide my intention for the scent I'll be using.  Perhaps it's spiritual development, evocation of spirits, to have visions or what ever my need is.  That need can be listed on any of the planetary influences.  Chose a day for making the incense based on your intention.  Determine which hour would be appropriate for your need and place the wet sticks or cones under the sun's light so that the scent may bake.  The sticks or cones will absorb the proper energy for your needs.  Store bought incense won't have this quality.  You should always move according to the influences of the days and hours.  A close observation of the planets can reveal much more than just astrological alignments.  Those of you who have experience determining magical hours will know what I'm talking about here.  For the rest of you I'll write about it next month.