The oldest form of incense, derived from tree resins. Burn on a charcoal disc to create a wonderful scent and atmosphere.

Incense

Incense not only smells wonderful; it can be wonderful for you if used in the right manner. Used for thousands of years to promote well-being and balance moods, incense is still a valuable sensory tool today. Many religious ceremonies and spiritual purificatory rites employ incense, it is also used in medicine and for its aesthetic value.

Incense can be, like art for the eyes, music for the ears, or fine cuisine for the palate, an indulgence for the sense of smell. Many people burn incense to appreciate its smell, without assigning any other specific significance to it, in the same way that the forgoing items can be produced or consumed solely for the contemplation or enjoyment of the refined sensory experience.

Use of incense in religion is prevalent in many cultures and may have their roots in the practical and aesthetic uses considering that many religions with not much else in common all use incense. In magic incense is used to raise energy, purify an area, cleanse an area of negative energy, create an atmosphere, focus the mind, alter consciousness and used as an offering to the chosen deity or used to invoke the powers of air. The use of "perfumed", "dipped", or synthetic incense is generally avoided during magical workings, since such artificial materials are believed to not contain the energies useful for magic.