Tag: Chi Cicero

Magick in the Air: Homemade Incense by Monica Crosson

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If you are using smoke to honor hte spirits of the land that surround you, doesn’t it make sense to make incense form ingredients founds or grown in your own region? Gathering resins or plant materials from your local wild areas or from your own backyard garden allows you to make a deeper onnection with your region and relieves some pressure form popoular resinous trees and plant materials whose demand is leading to overharvesting.

Resins from conifers such as pine, fir, cedar, spruce, and hemlock are just as wonderul as the more exotic resins that we are more familiar with. And though they carry subtle differences in scent and energy, they are no less powerful. For example, resins front the trees in the pine family are a great substitute for the resins of non-native trees such as Protium copal (copal tree) of Central America and the Boswellia sacra (frankincense tree) whose sustainability is under threat because of its popularity. Common garden herbs such as garden sage, rosemary, and lavender, whcihc an be grown in your backyard or in pots, along with teh bark, berries and leafy material from many of your local deciduous trees and shrubs make a magickally potent addition to your incense blends.

Coniferous Trees that Best Produce Resin

Cedar. Use in incense blends for calm, spirituality, healing, and denoting sacred space.

Fir. Use in magick for ancestral work, healing, blessings and past-life regression.

Hemlock. Coniferous hemlock can be used in magick for transformation and illumination. It blends well with lavender and is used for meditative blends.

Juniper. Teh resin, berries, bark, and wood have a calming and relaxing effect and have been used to sharpen mental clarity, for protection, and to raise spiritual energy.

Larch. Use in mixes for connecting with the otherworld, for confidence, and for protection.

Pine. Can be used as substitute for copal or frankincense in blends and is used for healing, cleansing, strength and grounding.

Redwood. Use to connect with the otherworld, abundance, healing, and protection.

Spruce. Use in magick for constancy, versatility, and determination.

What Is Resin?

Resin is a main component in most incense blends. … Resin is produced in special resin cells in plants to protect them from insects or pathogens and is made in response to an injury to the plant. Resins can be produced through the bark of a tree, the flowers of an herb, or the buds of a shrub and can occur as part of other compounds, such as latex.

Some folks use the terms sap and resin interchangeably, and though both are secreted by plants, sap is a thin, sweet liquid that carries nutrients to the living parts of the tree. Resin, on the other hands, is a sticky secretion that is located in the outer cells of the tree and is produced as a seal that prevents infection when a tree is injured. Gathering your own resin is actually easier than you might realize, and you are benefited with the knowledge that your material was gathered ethically and with love.

Harvesting Resin

You will need:

  • Designated dull knife or small metal paint scraper
  • Jars, baggies or wax paper to hold the resin
  • Gloves (optional)

You know that thick, sticky substance you see dripping down the trunk of a tree typically where damage has been done? That is resin. You can easily harvest it by using a dull knife to gently remove the resin from the bark. But remember to keep way from the injured part of the tree and harvest only the drips or what has collected on the ground. The resin acts as a bandage to help keep infection at bay, and you don’t want to further injure hte tree by opening the wound. If you keep resin in a plastic bag, it will remain sticky. to dry it, place on a cookie sheet in the sun or a warm dry place and wait . . . but be patient: it can take months for resin to dry out completely.

Another option (what I do) is to harvest already dried resin from the tree. The pieces can be removed very easily from the trune and around the base of the tree with little mess.

Remember, resin is very stick and does not clean up easily. Alcohol works for cleaning your tools, and olive oil, shortening andhand cleaners such as Goop work on your skin.

After your collected resin has dried, the easiest way to utilize it to simply burn small chunks of it on a charcoal black in whatever amount you may require. Remember to test a small amount first to see how much smoke you get. You might be surprpised at how little you will need.

Other Plant Material

Once you have collected and dried your resin, you may want to add dried plant material or essential oil to create a unique incense blend that is suited to your magickal needs.

Correspondences for Common Woody and Fragrant Material

Alder. Use in mixes for journeying, for self-love, and to ease fear.

Angelica. Use in mixes for protection and clearing negativity.

Ash. Burn the bark of ash in blends for prosperity, protection, and good health.

Aspen. Use for protection, antitheft, and eloquence.

Basil. Use in belnds for improving memeory, to cleanse and purify, and to induce calm.

Bay. Use to promote healing, sharpen your psychic abilities, for protection, and for purification.

Birch. Use in magick for new beginnings, protection, resilience, and inspiration.

Chamomile. Use for peace, healing, divination, and dreamwork.

Dill. Sporting beautiful fragrant fronds, dill is used in blends for love, money and protection.

Elecampane. Use to work with elves, for purification, and for divination.

Elderberry. The perfect addition to working magick with the fae, for protection, or to break curses.

Eucalyptus. You can’ tbeat this tree’s cleansing abilities. Great for protection and to zap negative influences from your surroundings.

Fennel. Use fennel in blends for courage, strength, and transformation.

Fern. Use in faery magick, for luck, for health, and for protection.

Ginseng. Use for love, lust, prosperity, and protection.

Hawthorn. Use in magick for protection, faery magick, and happiness.

Lavender. The smoke of lavender creates a calming, peaceful atmosphere that can be used in mixes for loving vibes, to induce sleep, for meditation, for purification, and for healing.

Lemon Peel. Use dried peel in mixes for summertime rituals, cleansing, happiness, and friendship. Great added to a ritual bath.

Maple. Use in magick for prosperity and love.

Mint. Can be used in mixes to aid in meditation, sleep, and psychic awareness. Use for love, for peaceful vibes, and to stimulate mental clarity.

Mullein. Use for protection, strength, and astral travel.

Mugwort. Use to cleanse a space of negative energies, for dreamwork, and in divination.

Orange Peel. Dried citrus can add an uplifting scent to your incense blends and can be used in blends for mental clarity, luck, for joy, or to raise energy.

Poplar. Use the sticky, sweet resinous buds in magick for success, money, endurance, hope, and rebirth.

Rose. The lovely dried petals of the rose can be used in incense blends for love and healing and to promote a peaceful vibe.

Rosemary. Can be used in mixes for peace of mind, for luck, to stimulate mental clarity, for protection, for healing, and to designate spiritual space.

Sage. Use in mixes for cleansing, promoting spirituality, increased memory, and healing.

St. John’s Wort. Use for happiness, positivity, and protection.

Thyme. Lends well to blends for health, healing, strength, and purification.

Yarrow. Use in mixes for psychic awareness before divination and for clarity.

A Threshold Spell

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For this spell you’ll need:

  • some salt
  • a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar
  • one clove of crushed garlic

Begin by sprinkling some salt along your threshold. In a small dish, mix together a few grains of salt, the lemon juice or vinegar, and the crushed garlic. Now, bury the garlic near your front door. Next, with a broom, sweep the salt you’ve sprinkled along your threshold away from your door. Continue sweeping the salt away from your home and off your porch or steps if you have them. As you sweep, say this charm: 

Spirits dark and spirits that I dread,  
Leave this threshold where I tread.

Repeat this spell once a year, or more if you feel it’s necessary.

Incense Balls

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These are a favorite of mine to make and are a fun way to get the kids involved when creating incense.

You will need:

  • Dry fragrant materials such as dried herbs (lavender, rosemary, mugwort, thyme, sage, etc.) and/or dried resin
  • Mortar and pestle
  • Sticky resin that is cleaned (as best you can) of bark, twigs and needles
  • Essential oils (optional)
  • Cookie sheet

Coarsely grind fragrant materials and optional essential oil with a mortar and pestle, then take a pea-sized glob of resin and knead it together with dry fragrant incense materials. You can use hte back of a spoon or some other tool for kneading to keep your hands clean. When you are finished, your resin balls should have neough dry ingredients added to no longer feel sticky.

Spread them out evenly on the cookie sheet and set it in a warm place with good circulation.

To use them, simply burn them on a charcoal black in a heat-proof container.

Noncombustible Incense

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Noncombustible incense is made up of loosely ground aromatic plant material, resins, and essential oils and releases its smoke when sprinkled onto a hot ember (typically an incense charcoal tablet) in a censer or a heat-proof container. Wht’s great about noncombustible incense is that it’s easy to make, you’re in control of the ingredients, and you can specialize blends to fit your intentions.

You will need:

  • Mortar and pestle
  • Coffee grinder (optional)
    • Works great for hawthorn or juniper berries but destroys some of ht eessential oils for most material
  • Essential oils (optional)
  • Self-lighting charcoal tabs
  • Censer or firesafe container

Creating your own incense blends helps you infuse your perosnal power into the incense. And by using resin that you collected, along with either homegrown or locally sourced dry plant material, you will find that there is not only a pleasant difference in the scent of the smoke but a stronger energy that raises gooseflesh.

Grind your material. Then add optional essential oils. Store in a jar in a warm, dry place and your incnese will keep for years. Noncombustible incense can be burned on a charcoal tab in a censer or other firesafe container.

Black Cat Witch’s Amulet

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Black cats are universally associated with witchcraft and the occult. A black cat is often portrayed as the ultimate witch’s familiar and is believed by some to house a spirit or otherworldly being. Sometimes they’re considered good luck, other times bad luck. Over time, the image of the black cat has become a repository of witchy attributes and associations.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a cat person, you can make and wear this amulet to call upon the archetypal trats of the famous black cat: luck, connection to spirits, mysticism, and, of course, witchcraft power. This amulet is meant to increase magickal abilities, aid in occult studies, and generally bring out your inner witch.

You will need:

  • Small tiger’s eye crystal that will fit in the bottle
  • Small glass bottle with a cork, available at craft shops
  • Pinch of dried catnip
  • 3 strands of hair from a black cat
  • Glue
  • Piece of cord or string long enough to go around your neck

On the night of the full moon, find a quiet place ot make your amulet. It’s preferable that you’re able to see the moon, but if you can’t, visualize it in your mind instead.

Hold hte tiger’s eye up toward the moon. Think about how a cat’s eye glows in the dark just like the moon does, and say: 

Cat's eye, cat's eye, 
Moon shining bright.  
Guide my way in darkness 
Like a black cat in the night.

Add it to the bottle. The stone represents your inner vision, helping you see mystical undercurrents and increasing your psychic senses.

Put the catnip in the bottle. Catnip attracts most cats and is a favorite tempting treat for them. Say: 

Fetch and summon, come to be.  
Black cat spirit, come to me.

Place the cat hairs in the bottle. Say, 

Black cat power is here with me, 
With secrets, luck, and wile.  
A witch's companion spirit
Now lives wihtin this vial.

Put the cork in the bottle and glue it in place. When it’s dry, string it on the cord and wear it as an amulet during rituals and spells or in situations when you need extra power form the black cat spirit.

Airy Walks

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Whenever I feel troubled or I want to change my mindset I go outside and take a walk. I’ve found it’s a great way to get in touch with the magical element of air. Physically, walks increase our breathing rates and circulation, creating aerobic respiration on a whole-body, cellular level. Walks also have numerous magical applications as well. Here are my favorite hacks to do my “airy walks.”

  • While you’re walking, look up at the vast sky above you. Connect with how big it is in all directions. You may start to feel your energy expand and decompress as you take in its enourmous beauty.
  • Pagans and witches talk about the practice of grounding a lot, but hardly anyone talks about the magical practice of elevating. It’s just as important, and it can raise your energy and give you fresh perspectives. To elevate, align your mind or your upper chakras with eh sky high above you. Imagine that your arms are branches, adn feel them grow upward into the sky. Envision them being caressed by a gentle breeze. Allow these snesations to lift you up. Another way to elevate is to connect with a flying bird or a cloud passing overhead.
  • Trees, bushes, and other plants are so in tune with the element of air that even when there’s no breeze that we can feel, they may be dancing in an unseen wind. While walking, look for leaves or branches that are waving at you. Wave back at them or acknowledge them mentally. If you feel moved to do so, ask them for a message. They may just share some arcane wisdom with you.
  • As you walk, gather a ball of air energy around yourself. This is an uplifing experience that’s easy for anyone who has every played with a ball of energy in their hands. to gether a ball of energy while you walk, swing your arms naturally. Cup your hands slighty so that when your arm is moving backward and toward you, your hand brings energy toward the center of your body. Continue walking this way unti lyou’ve getaered a ball of energy around you that doesn’t seem to be growing any bigger. With a deep breath, breathe it in.

Spell to Break a Bond

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This spell is to be done when you wish to remove yourself from another person’s sphere of influence or cut energetic ties with them for any reason. This is best performed during the dark moon.

You will need:

  • Piece of hair belonging to the person in question
  • Piece of your own hair
  • Scissors
  • Bowl
  • Fireproof dish
  • Charcoal disk
  • Lighter
  • Dried bay leaves

Hold the two hairs together. Visualize the bond between yourself and the other perosn, which may be toxic and unhealthy. Allow yourself to feel the emotions this i nvokes, as you gaze at the entwined hair. You might feel sadness, anger, regret, or other unpleasant things while doing this. Now imagine your feelings are forming a mass of energy in front of your heart/chest area. This may look like a scribbled chaotic mess, a sad murky blob, or something else, depending on your relationship with the person and the nature of its discord. Visualize this mass of energy moving into the hairs.

Place the bowl in front of you. Using the scissors, cut the hairs into as many tiny pieces as you can, being sure to catch all the fragments in the bowl. If the hairs are too short for this, you can snip the scissors in the air around the hairs to symbolically cut what binds you.

Light the charcoal disk and put it in a fireproof dish. Carefully transfer hte hair pieces from the bowl onto the disk. As they hiss and burn, imagine the unhealthy ties that bind you together transforming into smoke and floating away.

Place a bay leaf on the charcoal disk. As it burns, allow the smoke to cleanse the area. Waft the smoke with your hand onto your face and body, feeling the purifying energy. You can burn as many bay leaves as you wish until you feel the spell is done.

You have now begun to free yourself from the unhealthy attachment. After a spell of this kind, there may be changes in your life, such as a breakup, a shift of circumstances, or some other upheaval. Keep in mind that in a truly toxic situation, thsi tupe of change is for the best.

Protective Armor Spell

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In this spell, you’ll surround a piece of hair with a protective seal, thus guarding the person it came from with an energetic shield. You can do this spell for yourself or someone else.

You will need:

  • Piece of cardboard to protect your work surface from melting wax
  • Square of black paper
  • Piece of hair belonging to the person you’d like to protect
  • Olive oil
  • Black candle
  • Lighter

Put the cardboard on your work surface to prevent it getting ruined by melting wax. Lay the piece of black paper down, and then place the hair in the center of the paper. Visualize the person it belongs to as clearly as possible. Carefully fold the paper aorund the hair, bending all the corners in so the hair cannot fall out. Make it into the smallest possible compact shape. Set it on the cardbaord.

Put a dab of olive oil on your fingers. Anoint the candle by rubbing the oil into it, starting at the bottom and massaging the oil up to the middle of the candle. Repeat this motion fro the top of the candle, down to the middle. Whle you do this, visualize the person represted in the spell surrounde dby a protective sphere of energy.

Light the black candle. Hold it at an angle, and let the wax drip onto the folded paper. While you do this, repeat the chant, 

A layer of armor protects [name] from all harm.

Continue to drip the wax onto all sides of the folded paper, rotating it as necessary, unti lit is completely covered in a shall of black hardened wax. Blow out the candle.

Anytime you feel that there’s a need for a boost of protective energy, light the candle and drip more wax onto the amulet, thickening the “armor” surrounding the person.

Keep the amulet in a safe place. Once the protection spell is no longer necessary, dispose of the amulet or bury it. If the black candle isn’t all gone, you can keep it for future protective spells.