Free Incense Magick by Carl F. Neal

amazing resin. I have had the great joy of harvesting piñon, which is quite easy, as piñon generously leaves large chunks of resin on the ground all around it. If you harvest fresh resins like this, you either need to give them many months to cure or boil the water out of them before they are suitable for powdering. You can use “younger” resins in loose incense blends, but expect large amounts of smoke and occasional crackling from the water still in the resin.
    Sage ( Salvia officinalis or S. apiana ): Salvia officinalis is the common “garden sage” that most of us have in our spice racks. The term “sage” is most commonly associated with white sage ( Salvia apiana ).This classic Native American aromatic is renowned for its cleansing and healing properties. It is not to be confused with “desert” sage ( Artemisia tridentata or A. tripartita ),which is a completely different plant.
    Sandalwood ( Santalum album ): Here I refer to yellow or white sandalwood. Although there is another wood named “red sandalwood,” the two species are not related. This threatened species of tree is slow-growing and needs to mature to a certain age before it can be harvested. Thus, sandalwood can be expensive.
    Storax ( Liquidambar orientalis ): Often found in combination with calamus, storax has a sweet scent that can overpower lesser aromatics. This balsam has been used by man for millennia as an intense addition to incense blends. It will enhance your intentions, but beware of overindulging yourself.
    Sweet Grass ( Hierochloe odorata ): This amazing Native American aromatic still grows and is gathered wild. Traditionally braided into long strands and used as a smudge bundle, sweet grass is not at all a limited botanical. When combined with an appropriate base wood, sweet grass is also an excellent aromatic for use in self-combusting incense. Easily available in North America, the growth in international trade means it can now also be found anywhere in the world.
    Vetiver ( Vetiveria zizanioides ): Vetiver, more commonly called khus khus, is a unique aromatic with a distinct scent. Khus khus is generally thought of as an Indian spice rather than an incense ingredient. This is one of the many reasons that a certain form of incense stick has come to be called masala (“spice”). Roots of this grass have been used in incense for many generations. This is another strong herb that can overpower more subtle ones. I find it ideal for grounding, be it in a magick ritual or just relaxing after a hard day.
    Yohimbe ( Pausinystalia yohimbe ): Not traditionally considered for incense, yohimbe root is a very interesting aromatic. While often associated with love (or, more accurately, physical love), it has shown me its ability to aid in visions. This is a case where listening to an herb told me something I would not have otherwise guessed. Though difficult to work with, once you use an incense containing yohimbe, you may never do divination again without it.
    Endangered and Rare Ingredients
    While some botanicals are abundant and easily located, some are rare and more difficult to find. Sadly, some are endangered and are facing extinction. How we treat Mother Earth and her gifts to us says a great deal about us and our respect for Nature. As incense users (and incense makers) we have legal, moral, and ethical obligations to use Earth’s resources wisely.
    I want to briefly discuss two primary incense ingredients that are endangered. These botanicals have been in use for thousands of years and are amazing gifts from Nature. The loss of either of these would be far more than a loss to incense users. It would not only deprive future generations from enjoying them in incense, soaps, perfumes, and more—it would also be a tragic loss of biodiversity.
    Aloeswood
    Aloeswood is one of the most unique aromatics. It is not only taken from a particular species of tree but it also requires some very