Incense is an absolute must in any magickal home. We buy tons of it, besides making our own. Sticks, cones, dhoop sticks (beware of the huge ones, they are really strong!) and powdered incenses are the ones we buy. We make loose incense to burn on charcoal with different dried herbs, flowers, cedar tips, and dried orange and lemon rinds. We also smudge a lot, but found that the regular garden sage smells horrible. I believe it is the sagebrush that grows in the desert from which those big smudge sticks are made. However, in the Midwest, there is not a desert to be had anywhere close, so we have to buy those too, but Keltriana breaks them up and burns them in her censor so there is no flying ash to land on a dog or cat, to say nothing of the furniture. We feel smudging is essential for a peaceful home.

Making Incense

• Lavender
• Cedar tips
• Rose petals
• a few drops patchouli oil

Grind herbs in a mortar & pestle. As each is ground, pour into a special bowl (ceramic, pottery, glass, not metal) that you save just for mixing magickal herbs. Mix gently. As you stir them, toss gently while you meditate on your intention for this incense. Add the oil, drop by drop, and stir again. Store in a glass jar (Pier One is a great place to find these) and label.