Witches Cupboard Blog
new age & spiritual guidance

How to use Powder Incense & Resins

• October 15, 2009 6:19 pm

You may have seen powder incense & granular incense in new age shops, and wondered what the difference is from incense sticks or cones and how do you use it?

Powdered incense frequently comes in the “self lighting” variety. It is generally herbs, oils, and/or resins ground and mixed with an unscented incense power, salt peter or charcoal. The mix gives the incense powder a way of maintaining the burn once lit.

When using a self lighting powdered incense, start by forming the incense into a cone shape. This can be done by creating a cone out of paper and packing the incense powder into the cone shape. Turn it over, lightly tapping to expel the incense cone onto a fire safe dish or incense burner. Light the tip of the incense cone and it should provide a nice even burn. If you have trouble using paper to achieve your desired response find something else (like the inside of a candle snuffer) that is cones shaped to use as your incense mold.

If you are using power that does not contain a self lighting aid, or if you are using granular incense or resin chunks, you will want to burn the incense on a charcoal tablet. If you have a resin, first use a mortar and pestle to grind the resin into a powder.

Place the charcoal tablet in a fire safe dish or incense burner, indent side up if it has an indent in the tablet. Use sand under the tablet for safety and to dissipate the heat, charcoal can burn quite hot. Never light it while holding in your hand! Now light the edge of the charcoal tablet. The tablet will start to spark, this is normal. Most charcoal tablets designed for use with incense contain added ingredients, such as salt peter, to help them light and stay lit.

The charcoal will glow red and accumulate ash as it burns. Once the charcoal is fully started, sprinkle your power/herbs/ground resin/etc diirectly on top of the charcoal. Don’t use too much, or you could smother it and have to start over. Just a pinch or so will do, maybe about 1/4 teaspoon or so.

If the smoke begins to fade, add more incense. Be careful not to leave your incense unattended., and be certain to dispose of the remnants safely.

Happy buring!

~Sandy

You can find incense cones, incense sticks, granular incense, natural resins, self lighting powder & charcoal in my store. I also carry a variety of burners, censers, and mortar & pestles.

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