Sylvan Wicca: Incense Making

Incense has been used for thousands of years for its cleansing, intoxicating and beautifying effects. Ancient Romans, Egyptians and many, many races used incense or herbs and spices for their sweet smelling effect. By the sixteenth century, in Europe, herbs such as rosemary, bay and lavender were commonly used to purify and clean.
During times of plague and pestilence in Europe, fires would be burned in public places and Sulphur, branches of Bay, Juniper and Angelica were thrown onto the flames to prevent the spread of disease. Several members of the Daisy group have antiseptic qualities and were traditionally used as a insect repellent including Flea's Bane and Tansy.

By burning herbs and spices instead of commercial incense the result is more interesting and cheaper. The easiest way to do this is to buy some charcoal blocks and sprinkle ground herbs upon it.
Experiment with different types, my favourite being Cinnamon and Cardamom. The supermarket is great for obtaining cheep, pre-ground herbs.

Another way is to make your own smudge sticks from Lavender or Sage. Tightly bind them together with cotton and dry them well.

Incense of rose

50g scented rose petals
25g dried powdered lavender
!5g powdered oris root powder
15g benzoin
rose water

Crush together in a mortar and pestle rose petals, lavender benzoin and orris. Mix enough rose water in to make a thick paste. Make balls of them about the size of marbles. Dry them on thick paper in the sun for a week or so and burn them on charchole blocks.

Strong scented incense

3 parts frankincense
2 parts powdered orris root powder
1 part cloves
1 part sandle wood
a few drops bergamot oil

Mix together thoroughly. Store in a dark cupboard for a couple of months to mature. sprinkle onto charchole blocks.

Benzoine smokes nicely as a pretty nice atmosphere type thing,
Oris root is used for its absorbing properties ,use talc if you cant find any.
experimentation is crucial because herbs and spices smell quite different when you burn them.