Coven of the Unicorn's Realm
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 suble 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<pre>3) Purificatory: Angelica Mastic gum Bayberry Myrrh Burnet Olive Cinnamon
5) 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
6) 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
7) 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 Lavender Vervain, Blue Lemon peel St. John's Wort Life Everlasting flowers Wormwood Mandrake Yarrow Mistletoe Ylang Ylang Orris Root