Calling pagan/wicca types, aromatherapists, or StGeorge.

[Spidermama]

I've just bought a censer (incense burner) and some resins and mixes. I have the charcoal blocks too. How should I light the blocks and how long should I expect them to stay lit. Also when do I add the mixes and how much do I add? I think I may have put in too much and put out the charcoal block.

Thanks.

[Spidermama]

DH seems to think I need to let the charcoal smoulder for a while before putting anything on it.

[SaintGeorge]

Light with a taper or candle lighter if you can (supermarkets, about £3, just a long-nosed lighter).

Allow to smoulder for a couple of minutes. A 2" disc should burn for about 1-2 hrs.

Add tiny amount of resin, 3-4 sand grain size pieces only to start with. You can always add more, but getting it back off the charcoal is nearly impossible.

What resins have you got?

[moondog]

Ooh,this is useful.
I have loads of lovely resins from Saudi that i can never get to grips with. Will follow the advice of the lovely StGeorge.

[SaintGeorge]

Just go easy when you first try them. Natural resins are the strongest form of incense and it can be overpowering if you get the amount wrong.

I lit some frankincense at a Mind Body Spirit show once but my hand slipped when I was putting the grains on. I had to dump the whole lot in the sink before they evacuated the building

[moondog]

lol lol

[Spidermama]

Thanks for the warning. I've got some frankincense, some myhr, some pine-type one and also some mixes. One for business and the other is a yule one.

I need to practise with them a bit as I'm going to use them in a workshop at the school christmas fair. That's if the health and safety people don't arrest me.

I've wanted a censer for ages as some of the resins smell absolutely lovely.

I also love the idea of using them thoughtfully for things like clearing energy. I have friends who do this sort of thing and it always appeals to me though I feel like a total beginner and therefore a bit of a fraud.

Thanks StG. I might have another go this evening.

[SaintGeorge]

I have some 'vatican mix' if you want some.

[Spidermama]

Vatican mix? Is it nice?

We're doing a storytelling workshop with silk flames in the middle and I'm hoping to make it smell a bit different and magical so using the yule mix. We've got some lovely background music too. My main worry is going to be trying to get 30 kids to focus when they're out of their heads on sweets and juice from the fair.

Wish me luck.

[SaintGeorge]

Very evocative of church, IYSWIM.

Drop me your address if you want some and I'll bag some up for you.

antlxstew at yahoo dot co dot uk

[MaryBS]

I love incense too!

I'm told St Sulpice, from Paris is rather special...

[Spidermama]

Mmm sounds tres exotique!

StG I have emailled you.

[SaintGeorge]

Have replied