|
|
|
|
 Incense is a topic that act ually transcends
most of the other topics here. Eastern
and western religions alike use incense in their religious ceremonies.
People light a stick of incense to help them meditate. Purifying your
home environment in feng shui uses incense, among other things. Incense
is made from herbs and essential oils. Shamans burn sage, cedar,
sweetgrass or copal to purify themselves and their tools. Wiccans and
other pagans purify their ritual tools with incense, and use it to
represent the fire element on their altars.
So rather than scatter incense articles willy-nilly throughout the
site, I've made this section for articles on this wonderful substance.
Most people are familiar with incense in some form or other. The most
popular form of incense is the stick; this is a splinter of bamboo that
has been dipped in a compound made of herbs and other sweet smelling
ingredients, which when burned creates a pleasant aroma. This aroma has
long be thought to be 'pleasing to the gods'.
Incense also comes in self-igniting cones, which are lit and stood on a
heat-proof surface and allowed to smolder.
Less common than either sticks or cones, but familiar to those familiar
with 'high church' services are the powdered and resin incenses. These
don't burn on their own, and are smoldered on a block of burning
charcoal, either carried in a swinging censer, or placed in a standing
censer. The charcoal-burned incenses are good for producing large
quantities of sweet smelling smoke, which may be just the ticket for a
particular spiritual application.
Stick, cone, powder, resin or single herb on charcoal, incense is a
wonderful addition to your spiritual and home life.
Incense: The Sacred Woods - Sandalwood,
Cypress, Juniper and Cedar - NEW
Incense has been in use for at least the last five thousand years. As
long as there has been offerings to the gods, incense has been one of
the most pleasing.Wood was probably the very first incense. It didn't
take a genius to recognize that when certain woods are burned, they
emit a pleasant odor. These woods, usually rarer than the less aromatic
ones, were soon
used as burnt offerings, to please or propitiate a diety, to sanctify
an area or purify objects, occasions and beings. (more)
FEATURE: Nag Champa - the
Most Popular Incense in the World.
Nag Champa is the best selling incense in my store, so I wasn't
surprised to learn that it is the most popular incense in the world.
Most people, even those who have never heard the name, will recognize
the scent – it is a sweet floral odor, much in favor in the psychedelic
sixties and in ashrams and meditation centers today. (more) |
|
|
|
|
