Incense
	Incense has been used throughout history as an offering to the element of air ( air and fire together when placed on charcoal ). It is used in magick to cleanse and purify, or to induce an altered state during quests and visions. It comes in various forms, but to begin, we will concentrate on loose incense.
	A basic recipe is: 1 teaspoon resin 1 teaspoon wood 3 teaspoons herbes and 8 drops of essential oil This is an ideal quantity for the solitary, but if more is needed keep quantities in proportion.
Start by grinding the resin in a mortar and pestle, leaving a few smallish chunks so it will burn longer. As you have herbes to add later, you don't need to create a paste. Powdered resins tend to burn out quite quickly, and if you are casting a circle using the incense, you want it to be still producing smoke by the time you have finished. Resins include: Frankincense, Myrrh, Benzoin, Acacia, Dragon's Blood, Gum Mastic. Next it is time to grind your bark. Some, like sandalwood can be very hard to grind, but luckily can already be bought in powdered form. Woods include: Sandalwood, Cedar, Oak, Cinnamon, Pine, Now it is time to add your herbes. Try to use herbes that are common to the magick you need. Lastly add the oil to bind it all together. You don't want incense too wet that it won't burn, but just held nicely so the ingredients don't burn too separately. Use oils that are the same as your herbes, barks and resins to intensify the aroma.
As you are grinding, concentrate on your magickal goal . . . The act of grinding raises energy . . . feel the energy . . . become one with the energy . . . Finally, make sure you record the ingredients used (in case you want to make it again someday) And don't forget to date it. Now it is ready to be used in magickal workings to be burned on charcoal.
The following are some recipes I tried when I was first starting out. I had good results with them, but as always I eventually moved on.
Protection One Teaspoon each of: Sandalwood Lavender Frankincense Vervain and St. Johns Wort. To this add 3 drops of Lavender 3 drops of Cedarwood and 2 drops of Orange.				Protection 2 One teaspoon each of: Myrrh Cedarwood Mandrake Horehound and Dragon's Blood Powder. To this add 3 drops of Frankincense, 3 drops of Hi John and 2 drops of Cedarwood.
Spiritual One Teaspoon each of: Sandalwood Myrrh Wormwood Mugwort and Galangal To this add 3 drops of the Sandalwood 3 drops of Frankincense and 2 drops of Orange.				Psychic One teaspoon each of: Frankincense Cinnamon Rose Petals St Johns Wort and Dittany of Crete To this add 3 drops of Rosemary 3 drops of Hi John and 2 drops of Frankincense.
Healing One Teaspoon each of: Lavender Myrrh Juniper Berries Cedarwood and Elder Flower To this add 3 drops of the Lavender 3 drops of Rosemary and 2 drops of orange.				Money or Luck One teaspoon each of: Acacia Gum Cedarwood Mandrake Honeysuckle and Red Clover To this add 3 drops of Cedarwood 3 drops of Hi John and 2 drops of Lavender.
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