There are two forms of incense:

Combustible Incense - used when forming mixtures into incense cones or by adding a combustible material directly to the incense mixture, usually Potassium Nitrate. This give the common sparking effect when the incense is placed on to hot coals.

Non-combustible Incense - this is a loose incense as would be commonly used during rituals. The combustible element being provided by the charcoal, either natural of self-igniting. All ingredients are added in pre-determined quantities, after grinding and mixing. The incense is burnt within an incense burner, which is usually a cup or bowl made of metal.

To ensure that you create the necessary links to the cosmic energies we strongly recommend that you make all your equipment that you use during you working, if it is possible. There is energy to a self-made burner that cannot be put into words; it blends perfectly with the burning of natural incense.
In order to make aromatic incense mixtures, it is strongly recommended they you use high quality natural ingredients. Start with some of your favorite woods and spices and experiment with new substances, possible taken from your own garden, as you become more comfortable and at ease with the process. Try to always use at least one resin or wood in your mixture as a base as this will assist the burning process.

Sandalwood is common to almost every incense formula, and serves as a base aroma as well as a burning agent. Resins like frankincense are more difficult to burn and must be used in much lower percentages to burning agents such as sandalwood. Otherwise, your incense won't burn properly and may me too smoky or keep going out.

See the Dangers of Incense Exposure - Click Here

1. Decide which incense recipe you are going to use and collect the necessary ingredients.

2. Grind your ingredients by ingredient classification. Grind woods first, then dried herbs and saving the resins for last. If the resin is soft place it in a deep freeze for an hour or two to make it easier to grind.

3. Mix all your dry ingredients together first, woods and herbs, then your separately mixed ground resins.

4. If adding any essential oils, add with the resins.

5. Keep mixture in an airtight container until the time comes that you wish to use the incense.

Some makers of incense suggest that you should not try to use your incense mixture for a couple of weeks as this gives the mixture time to infuse and the energies to subtly combine.

Lastly, heat your incense mixture over charcoal. Try to use natural charcoal as it is the best and most natural method of burning incense. However, be warned it can sometime be difficult to ignite. If you experience this just pour a small amount of methylated spirit on to the charcoal and light.

Remember to pour the spirit onto the charcoal prior to the operation you are carrying out. When the coals covered with a light white ash you can commence to burn your incense on the coals.

Some of the most common Resins, Woods and Herbs used in incense mixtures:

Suggested Incense Base

5 parts ground Natural Charcoal.
1 part ground Benzoin.
2 parts ground Sandalwood.
1 part ground Orris root as a fixative.

If you wish to add any essential oils then 6 drops is adequate. Then add appropriate herbs/oil relating to the particular entity you are working with.

Practice your new found skills and create something unique, interesting or traditional.

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