My meaning come mostly from "traditional" sources but in my actual teaching
and working I place more emphasis on what an
individual scent does to the worker. In my beginning classes
I simply passed around a collection of incenses and had each
member tell what it meant to them and then we talked about the "traditional"
meaning. If, for example, the traditional meaning for cinnamon is
concentration and you smell it and think of grandma's pumpkin pie and all
you can think about is food,
it is not going to be appropriate to burn to help you study!
Introduction:
...Botanical and other incense are a tool which can be tailored to the user's desire. At their simplest they may be used to stimulate the sense of smell and bring enjoyment to those nearby, alternatively, they can be a subtle compilation designed to create a specific ambiance for a ritual or magical operation.
The following guide contains some botanical (and a few other substances)
and their uses when burned. The attributes have
been derived from a great many sources, both published and personal
communication, and like most magical properties
they are most effective when tailored to the individual or group using
them. So sit down and burn some and see if they
work for you. Try combinations. I have included some recipes
which have worked for myself and others in the hopes that you will
find them useful. Happy Censing!
A Scheme of Things:
The botanicals which I will discuss fall into several broad categories:
1) EVOCATIVE - used to get the attention of divinities or to summon
spirits
2) DIVINATORY - used to foretell the future or to see hidden
secrets
3) PURIFICATORY - used to purify the purpose of a rite or the
action of a given object
4) ENHANCING - used to intensify the purpose of a rite or the
action of a given object
5) PROTECTIVE - used to shield the user or area from harm
6) BANISHING - used to drive out unwanted influences or spirits
7) HEALING - used to promote wholeness in mind, body or spirit
8) SPELL CASTING - used to promote a purpose, e.g., love, fertility,
money, luck, fortune, concentration, etc.
Many botanicals fall into several categories, for example: Wormword
(Artemesia) can be used
1) to evoke Artemis and call the dead
2) to promote divination
6) when consecrated to Mars in banishing
6) & 7) it was used to banish the Black Plague fleas
8) when consecrated to Mars, in works of anger.
Some Examples:
1) Evocative
Almond
Lotus
Ash
Mandrake
Basil
Myrrh
Bay
Olive
Blessed Thistle
Patchouli
Damiana
Rowan
Dittany of Crete
Rue
Elm
Thyme
Frankincense
Verbena
Henbane
Vervain, Blue
Life Everlasting Flowers
Wormwood
Yarrow
2) Divinatory:
Ash
Linseed
Bay
Mugwort
Cinquefoil
Rowan
Clove
Thyme
Elm
Wormwood
Frankincense
Yarrow
3) Purificatory:
Angelica
Mastic gum
Bayberry
Myrrh
Burnet
Olive
Cinnamon
4) Healing
Balm of Gilead
Myrrh
Lavendar
Rosemary
Life Everlasting
Wormwood
4) Enhancing:
Anise seed
Lotus
Angelica
Mandrake
Celery seed
Mastic gum
Cinnamon
Mugwort
Cinquefoil
Orris root
Cloves
Peppermint
Damiana
Sandalwood
Dragon's Blood
Styrax
Frankincense
Uva Ursi
Henbane
5) Protective:
Alfalfa
Juniper wood
Basil
Life Everlasting flowers
Blessed Thistle
Mastic gum
Bay
Mistletoe
Camphor
Mugwort
Cinquefoil
Orris root
Elder
Rosemary
Five Finger Grass
Rowan
Frankincense
St. John's Wort
Garlic
Vervain, Blue
6) Banishing:
Agrimony
Lavendar
Ash
Pine
Camphor
Rowan
Dragon's Blood
Vervain, Blue
Juniper wood
Wormwood
8) Spell Casting:
Basil
Patchouli
Bayberry
Peppermint
Bezoin gum
Rosemary
Camphor
Rowan
Cinnamon
Rue
Damiana
Sandalwood
Dragon's Blood
Tormantil
Frankincense
Uva Ursi
Lavendar
Vervain, Blue
Lemon peel
St. John's Wort
Life Everlasting flowers
Wormwood
Mandrake
Yarrow
Mistletoe
Ylang Ylang
Orris Root