The Types of Incense

The Types of Incense by Mary Caelsto

When most people think of incense, they think of stick incense with a bamboo core. But there are several different types of incense available, and exploring the wide variety of incense available can lead you on an exciting olfactory journey.

All incense is lit and left to smolder in order to release its aroma into the room. Resin and powdered incense is placed on charcoal tablets. Lighting the tablet creates the flame needed to burn this type of incense. For stick or cone incense, lighting the tip and extinguishing any flame, leaves it to burn. This latter type of incense needs to include some kind of flammable material, such as resins or pastes, to keep it burning. Otherwise it just goes out and doesn’t burn.

Stick incense usually contains a “punk stick” or bamboo core. As the core burns, it also consumes the incense around it, leaving just the remaining stick to dispose of once the incense is gone. Most homemade incenses are of the stick variety, and you’ll most often see Indian incense, such as the 8-10 stick square packs commonly sold, created in this manner. Hand-dipped incense from individual crafts people also fall under this category.

Scents sold as sticks are often created into cone incense as well. The same material that helps the stick to keep burning also makes the cones burn, and since some individuals prefer cone incense, manufacturers provide both types. Instead of putting the incense material on a stick, it’s rolled into a cone shape and dried. The tip of the cone is lit with a match, and as it burns, it consumes the entire cone.

The other type of stick incense simply are the solid sticks, or spaghetti stick incense. In these cases, the incense is rolled or shaped into long cylinders. This incense goes by several names, such as dhoop, joss sticks, senko sticks or simpoi sticks. These sticks are solid throughout, and are either made by extruding (such as the long, thin joss sticks) or are hand-rolled like the thicker dhoop-type incense.

Masala incense can either be rolled around a bamboo core, such as the Hem Flora series, or created as solid incense sticks. Masala incense is considered to be of higher quality than regular stick-cored incense.

While the word “joss” has become synonymous with incense sticks, there aren’t any hard or fast rules in what constitutes a joss stick. The word is Chinese in origin, referring back to describing temples and religious idols. Thus, a joss stick, was an incense stick burned in a temple. The wide variety of traditions in the east, meant that each temple could create incense its own way. Thus, Indian joss sticks usually have the bamboo core commonly associated with Indian incense, and Japanese joss sticks are smaller, solid sticks of incense.

Dhoop sticks and logs come in two forms: a solid stick of incense, and a soft, gummy log. Neither type of dhoop has a bamboo core, and most incense of this type is either Tibetan or Indian in origin.

Senko stick incense sticks are also known as “Chinese matches.” Senko comes from Japan. They’re thin, smooth spaghetti-like sticks of incense, and can also be sold as “joss sticks” by such companies as Morning Star. Senko has many spellings, including sen-koh, senkoo, and senkou.

Simpoi sticks are a Tibetan style of incense stick. Primarily it’s based on Deodar Cedar and lacks the bamboo core. Tibetan stick incense is typically hand-formed and thicker than Japanese Senko.

Of course each of these types of incense requires its own burner. Thankfully most of the specialty incense, such as Tibetan or Senko, comes with its own burner. Other multi-purpose burners can also be purchased, such as ones that burn both cones and sticks.

There really isn’t one type of incense that’s “better” than the others. Most people’s incense preferences come from experience and familiarity. For many years, I burned the Indian incense simply because I wasn’t aware of the other kinds. Then, slowly, my incense repertoire grew, and now I have my favorite scents and brands. Stick incense, because it’s based on the bamboo core, tends to be less expensive than the other types, and because of this, may have a “punk stick” odor to it. For pure scent, it’s widely believed that the solid type incense provides a better experience.

When it comes to choice, my advice would be to try as many different types as you can. Each individual has his or her own preferences. Plus, with such a wide variety of incense available, both in type and smell, why would you want to limit yourself to just one?

Mary Caelsto is a metaphysical writer and also runs Jupiter Gardens, LLC an online store featuring a wide variety of incense along with books, essential oils, and other metaphysical products. Jupiter Gardens Press, a division of Jupiter Gardens LLC, publishes metaphysical, science fiction, fantasy and romance novels.

For more information please visit www.jupitergardens.com or www.marycaelsto.com

Garden Magick

Garden Magick - Transform a Difficult Garden into a Sacred Resort for the Soul by Carolyn Donnelly

Are you establishing a new garden? Are you trying to bring a long neglected or difficult garden back to life again? You can create a flourishing garden anywhere. All you need is loads of desire, a little imagination and an open mind. In this article I briefly summarise some techniques that I have successfully used for encouraging growth in difficult areas of the garden. By adding a little magick to some basic ecological gardening principles your can create a sensation.

There are a few essential requirements for a healthy garden. These are: soil with the correct texture, nutrient levels, and drainage; water; sunlight and the appropriate plant choice for your local environment. Garden bed preparation is of utmost importance and you would be well advised to ensure that you have provided your plants with the best physical environment possible for their successful growth. But getting the physical environment right is just the first step. To get the best out of your garden you need to provide a happy environment, full of positive energy and a little magick.

Visualize

When you first start planting out your garden it doesn’t look much like it will in two, three, five or ten years. Visualization is a crucial part of the garden design and planning process. It is also important for the growing process. To keep your garden growing in the direction would like it to grow, you need to visualize regularly. This is just a matter of looking at the garden and imagining what it will look like when your plants are fully grown. In doing so you are mentally sending your plants messages of encouragement. Make a habit of visualizing your garden on a daily basis and imagine it as it will look in, say, five years of constant and healthy growth.

In the meantime … fake it

While you are in the early stages of garden creation, try making a ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ garden. This simply means creating an interim garden. You can do this by placing pots filled with colourful plants around the area. This will give you some instant gratification for your efforts. It will also give your new plants some company. After all, plants are communal and are not meant to grow alone.

You can quickly and easily create new pot plants by taking cuttings from other plants in your garden or your existing pot plants. Put the cuttings in water until they sprout roots – some won’t grow roots this way, it will be trial and error but many will grow roots within a week. Alternatively, buy some plants, preferably colourful flowering plants. Of course, choose appropriate plants for the location of your garden - shade loving plants for areas with little sun, etc.

Place the pots around the area where you want the garden to be and in between the plants that you have recently planted. If the garden is located in a harsh landscape that is subject to extreme hot or cold or strong winds, you can place the pots so that young plants are protected from harsh winds or direct sunlight. If your environment is particularly harsh, you may consider adding small screens made from bamboo or other natural materials to protect young plants until they establish. In a dark or very shaded area, ensure that your pots will not block any sunlight that your seedlings may be receiving.

Attract Native Animals

Life attracts life, so by attracting as many animals to your garden as possible you will increase the life energy of your garden which will help your plants to grow. Place rocks and logs in your garden to provide shelter and homes for small lizards and insects. If you do not have any tall trees, installing a pole that a bird can perch atop (but a cat can’t climb) is a great idea, as birds will contribute seed laden droppings that can bring additional plants to your garden as well as additional nutrients. Show your delight when you notice a new native occupant and let him know he is welcome.

Allow the ecology of your garden to evolve along with the growth and addition of your plants and other components. Resist interfering by removing or killing particular animals that you don’t like such as spiders. Instead, become curious and learn about them. Talk to them. You will gain an entirely new appreciation for these animals and improve your karma at the same time.

Avoid Using Poisons

Garden shops are full of garden poisons. It’s big business. It would be easy to assume that weed killers, snail killers and the other exterminators are an essential component to gardening. However, the reality is that they are really bad for your plants and the animals that add value to your garden. There is almost always a natural or more gentle alternative to using poisons in the home garden. It is far more effective in the long term to pull weeds out by hand and you will save a lot of money.

Decorate and Communicate

Celebrate your garden area by decorating it with beautiful things, such as hanging pots, statues, bird baths, sculptures and low lighting. These will add positive energy and atmosphere. If possible, include an outdoor table and chairs and spend some time there entertaining friends, laughing and having a good time, or just be there on your own relaxing and smiling upon your garden. Make sure you remove or disguise any ugly or unsightly objects. It is important to keep the area beautiful as you are more likely to spend time in, and give loving energy to, a garden that you like the look of and feel good about.

Take a leaf out of Grandma’s Book

Did your Grandmother speak to her plants? Mine did, and that practice was passed down to my mother and now I do it. It works! You don’t need to spend a lot of time in conversation with your flowers. Simply walk around and admire your plants for a few minutes most days. In the difficult spots, stop and talk to those plants that are struggling. Express pleasure when you see some growth. Smile at your plants and talk to them in a light manner as you are attending to their needs.

Crystals for Positive Energy
Use crystals and semi precious stones to add some beneficial energy to the area. Here are some ideas:

Agate
This crystal is known for its ability to produce abundance and increase yields in crops. It can be used to enhance the health of your pot plants or your garden plants.

Jade
Jade represents life and growth and has been associated with the health of plants and the environment. Place jade statues in the garden or use jade in a decoration that hangs above or nearby your plants.

Moonstone
Moonstone helps to enhance the growth and health of plants. Use it in decoration in your garden or wear it when attending to your plants.

Clear quartz
Quartz will amplify and enhance the qualities of any other stone and can be used to achieve any goal of pure intention. Use it alongside the other stones or alone in your garden to enhance plant growth. I hang crystals over pot plants to improve their performance.

These are examples of stones and crystals that have specific qualities that can assist plant recovery and growth. However, there are many crystals and stones that have healing and nurturing properties so it may pay to experiment. Crystals can be placed in pots, used as a display on a table, in a bird bath or water feature. They are particularly beautiful when they form part of a hanging decoration.

Add a Little Fairy Magick
Fairies have long been associated with gardens. Flower fairies were thought to live in the flowers of plants. They looked after the plant by ensuring it had everything it needed. You can add your own bit of fairy magick to your garden by placing a hanging fairy near the garden that you want to prosper from this energy.

You can also increase the positive energy of your garden area by hanging or placing sculptures of powerful symbols such as the Sun, for positive energy, and the Moon, for receptivity and supernatural powers. Both of these symbols together represent balance and harmony. There are many other symbols of good fortune such as Buddha that will enhance the energy and the feel of your garden. These symbols and bearers of good energy also look great.

Feng Shui Garden

Designing your garden for good Feng Shui
The Feng Shui garden is designed to allow Chi to flow. To create good Feng Shui, design your garden with plenty of curves. If you have a garden with very straight edges, add features that give the impression of curves. You can achieve this by the way you place your garden features and how you locate your plants. Choose rounded pots and curvy furniture to increase the positive Feng Shui in your garden.

Windchime Magick
Another way to increase Chi in your garden is by hanging a windchime or a windchime bell. Windchimes aid in the flow of Chi and add an additional element to your garden through sound. The right windchime can create a sensation of peace through its harmonic tunes. It is worthwhile selecting a well made bell or windchime that you enjoy listening to as this will make a valuable addition to the atmosphere of your home and give you joy every time the breeze blows.

Water Features
A water feature is also extremely beneficial in the creation of a positive Feng Shui garden. The water must be flowing, however, so that Chi can flow and so that it does not become stagnant. The addition of fish to your water feature will provide more positive energy due to the additional life. Be sure to find fish that do not eat the spawn of local frogs. Gold fish, which originated in China, have become an environmental nuisance in some countries and they will eat frogspawn. For frog friendly fish, check with your Government Fisheries Department.

Frog Magick
Frogs represent good luck in many cultures around the world. The first frogs hopped this earth alongside the Dinosaurs. They are wise beings, worthy of respect and they will bring good energy to your garden. Be sure to locate any pond a good distance from bedroom windows, however, as frogs can croak up a storm at night.

Scent
A wonderful way for a garden to enrich your life is through scent. You can create a special atmosphere by planting the shrubs, trees and flowers in your garden that provide certain scents that enhance particular moods. Add some instant inspiration by filling your pots with lavender, jasmine, geranium, lemongrass or whatever your nose desires.

Burn incenses outside or light a scented candle at night while sitting in the garden. Select the scent that will be most beneficial for your garden’s growth. Try gardenia or lavender for love and healing, ginger for success, patchouli or rosemary for love and growth, the invigorating benefits of sweet orange or frankincense and myrrh for healing and growth.

A closing thought ..
Your garden reflects the relationship it shares with you and the other inhabitants of your home. By increasing the positive loving energy in your garden you will create a place for growth and harmony, a place where life will thrive. In return you will receive much enjoyment. By combining good ecological concepts with a little magick you can turn a difficult garden into a sacred resort for the soul.

About the Author: Carolyn is an ecologist, avid gardener and supporter of new age spirituality. Her website, Placid Moon www.placidmoon.com, features a range of products that can assist you in building your ‘sacred resort for the soul’, such as essential oils, incense, scented candles, incense burners, candle holders, oil warmers, crystals, hanging sculptures, windchimes and bells.