The article is from the Winter '98 issue of The Herb Quarterly, and the lady author is Pamela D. Jacobsen.
She gives these instructions for assembling all the recipes:
1.) Measure "dry ingredients" (except gum tragacanth and salt peter) into a glass. Mix well, set aside.
2.) Measure tragacanth gum into another glass. Add water, stir until lumps are gone. Set aside. Mixture will become thick and mucilaginous.
3.) Measure saltpeter into a glass. Add the boiling water and stir until thoroughly dissolved. Using eye dropper, add drops of minerl oil, if called for in recipe. Stir until oil is evenly dispersed - oil will not dissolve.
4.) Pour the slatpeter/water solution into the glass containing the tragacanth gum solution, stir well.
5.) Add saltpeter/tragacanth gum mixture one tsp at a time to the dry mixture in other glass. Stir after each addition; continue to add solution one tsp at a time until a thick, somewhat moist, putty-like mass forms. When mixture starts to form a natural "ball," the incense is ready to shape. Generally the recipes use all the solution. Dry ingredients fo react differently, however, so if you have used up all the liquid and the mixture is still to dry, add plain tap water (a tsp full at a time) until putty-like dough forms. You can add this addt'l tap water up to a maximum of 1-1 1/2 tsp.
6.) Take approx. a dime-size piece of incense from your glass and roll it into a firm ball on a piece of paper towel. Slowly and gently begin to roll the ball out length-wise, placing more pressure up at one end (where the thinner tip of the cone will be formed) than below near the wider base. Continue to shap until you create a cone approx. 1 3/4" long and 7/16" wide at base. If the cone begins to crumble, roll it back int a firm ball and reform the cone. Gently flatten the wide base so it will stand.
7.) Lay each finished cone on its side on your nonreactive metal pan. Make sure the cone is not crooked. Allow two inches between each cone (on all sides).
8.) Heat oven to 170F and as soon as it reaches that temp, turn off oven and place cones in the oven for one hour and then test for dryness. If cones are not yet dry, remove from oven, reheat oven t 170F and then turn off and put cones in again. Repeat process until dry. Do not leave oven
on as salt peter is flammable!
9.) When done, store all of same type in glass jars, so scents don't bleed.
10.) Wash all utensil thoroughly before storing.
Recipes:
Spicy Kitchen - 3 tsp red sandalwood powder, 4 tsp ground cloves, 2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp tragacanth dissolved in 3 tsp cold water, 1/4 tsp saltpeter dissolved in 2 tsp boiling hot water, 4 drops mineral oil.
Rosemary/Sandalwood - 3 tsp ground rosemary, 2 tsp red sandalwood powder, 1.4 tsp tragacanth in 2 tsp cold water, 1/4 tsp saltpeter in 2 tsp boiling water, 3 drops mineral oil.
White Man's Smudge - 2 tsp white pine bark powder, 1 tsp sage powder, 1 tsp juniper berry powder, 1/4 tsp tragacanth in 2 tsp cold water, 1/4 tsp saltpeter in 2 tsp boiling water.
Smudge Incense - 2 tsp arborvitae leaf powdered, 2 tsp sage, 1 tsp white pine bark powder, 1/4 tsp tragacanth in 2 tsp cold water, 1/4 tsp saltpeter in 1 1/2 tsp boiling water, 3 drops mineral oil.
Lavender Summer Incense - 3 tsp lavender flowers powdered, 1 tsp quassia chis powdered, 1/4 tsp tragacanth in 2 tsp cold water, 1/4 tsp saltpeter in 2 tsp boiling water, 4 drops mineral oil.
Eucalyptus-Juniper Incense - 3 tsp eucalyptus leaves powdered, 1 tsp juniper berries powdered, 1 tsp quassia chips powdered, 1/4 tsp tragacanth in 2 tsp cold water, 1/4 tsp saltpeter in 1 1/2 tsp boiling water, 2 drops mineral oil.
Scarborough Fair Incense - 1 tsp rosemary, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp sage, 2 tsp quassia chips powdered, 1/4 tsp tragacanth in 2 tsp cold water, 1/4 tsp saltpeter in 2 tsp boiling water, 4 drops mineral oil.
Whew! I haven't tried these yet, so let me know if they work.
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 23:34:53 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
Thanks, so much, Emily. I have no idea why she use Quassia chips and mineral oil in almost every recipe. I've never used them ever.
And, don't forget that you can make any of these loose - just leave out the ingredients from the tragacanth gum to the end of each recipe.
[pagancrafts] Leprechaun's Incense
Date: Thu, 03 Dec 1998 15:10:03 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
This is a good luck/money blend - since was all know the legends about the leprechaun's and their pots of gold. Besides, it's a fun incense that I just like. (grin) Again, to make it easiest, all ingredients should be powdered, with the exception of the orange peel since these bits give the incense a special look and also add a burst of aroma as they burn. As with all my recipes, the amounts can be adapted. If I don't have the full amount of one item, I'll add what I have and just increase one of the other ingredients that I really like to make up the difference.
1 ounce cinnamon
1 ounce sandalwood
1/2 ounce grated orange peel
1/2 ounce anise
1/4 ounce bayberry (powdered herb, not oil)
1/4 ounce frankincense
1/4 tsp saltpeter
1/2 tbsp tincture of benzoin
[pagancrafts] Oh boy!
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 19:45:55 -0800
From: Endora Aphrattos
Organization: PHOENIX RISING OCCULT MAIL FORUM
MamaJ HELP!
I've lost my Obeah incense recipe (which really ticks me off). I got that in New Orleans from a Mambo, it was fabulous but now I have lost it. I know it had Sandalwood (white), brown sugar and cinnamon but the rest is compleatly gone. It's just gone. I never wrote it down out of a promise, and now it's gone. SIGH This recipe was unique, but I thought maybe if you could tell me another recipe it might charge my brain. SMILE
Thanks, either way...
Truly heartbroke...
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 17:30:45 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
Endora, I have a couple of recipes that take cinnamon, white Sandalwood but no brown sugar. However, since many of us add our own ingredients - for varying reasons - it could be that this is added just for her blends.
Particularly powerful is a Haitian blend that I use - and this should not be used by novices because although it can be used to avoid hexes, it can also be used to place them and it's not hard to go from one to the other without realizing it.
It takes cinnamon, High John, and white sandalwood, and I always colour this one red.
Another one is with orris, frankincense, vetivert, white sandalwood, cinnamon and gold glitter.
I'll check into my old, handwritten BOS and see if I can find anything else - especially look and see if I can find one with brown sugar. (grin) Did you ever think maybe you lost it because you don't need it anymore or because you were supposed to develop your own blend? (VBEG)
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 12:06:03 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
Endora, did either of the mixes I sent sound like the recipe you had for Obeah incense? I am still looking, but there are so many Mam'bos out there (yeah, I know, here, too) who add special touches to a regular incense to make it especially their own. The Obeah recipe I use has myrrh, patchouli, lemon, jasmine, galangal and high john in it. (grin)
[pagancrafts] 7 African Powers Incense
Date: Tue, 03 Nov 1998 17:18:14 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
I'm going to be making this tomorrow.
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Orris
1 part Rose
1 part Vetivert
1/2 part Bay
1 part Lavender
1 part Lemon (I use dried peel)
This should be purple in colour.
This is an all-purpose incense for any kind of help whether it be luck, love, money, protection - anything.
[pagancrafts] Applesauce Incense
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 14:47:07 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
This can be made loose without the QB or as cones and sticks with the QB. Measurements for the QB are on the incense page.
2-1/2 parts Chamomile
1-1/2 parts Cinnamon
1 part Sandalwood
3 parts QB
This is just a fun incense to make the house smell great.
[pagancrafts] Divination Incense x2
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 20:33:39 -0700
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
# 1
1 part clove
1 part chicory
1 part cinquefoil
#2
2 parts sandalwood
1 part orange peel
1 part mace
1 part cinnamon
The second one smells better than the first one, but they are both used for burning during or directly before using tarot cards, magick mirrors, crystal balls, rune stones, etc.
You don't have to make cones or sticks. Just mix and burn on (church) charcoal. :)
[pagancrafts] Cedar Forest Incense
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 11:54:54 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
This is another holiday blend.
Cedar - 1
Sandalwood - 1
Cloves - 1
Water - 1-1/2
[pagancrafts] Five Saints Incense
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 14:46:58 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
This can be made loose without the QB or as cones and sticks with the QB. Measurements for the QB are on the incense page.
1 part Basil (St. Joseph's Wort)
1 part St. John's Wort
1/2 part Mugwort (St. John's Plant)
1/2 part Solomon's Seal (St. Mary's Seal)
1/4 part Valerian (St. George's Herb)
1-3/4 parts QB
This can be used when asking for help in any matter or as a thanks for help received.
[pagancrafts] Guardian Incense
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 11:49:38 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
This is to be made as a loose incense.
10 parts Cascara Sagrada
4 parts Frankincense
4 parts Vervain
2 parts Angelica
2 parts Yerba Santa
1 part Valerian
This can be burned either when asking your guardians for assistance or as a thank you to them for help given.
[pagancrafts] Meditation Incense
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 14:47:25 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
This should be blue in colour and is great for all psychic workings since it attracts not only success but spirits.
2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Cinnamon
1 part Benzoin
1/2 part Orris
[pagancrafts] Money Incense
Date: Wed, 04 Nov 1998 12:13:02 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
This can be made as a loose incense using just the herbs, or you can check on the incense page for the instructions for making it into cones, sticks, etc. The formula for the QB is on the incense page.
Star Anise - 1
Thyme - 1/2
Garlic - 1/2 (use the skins for this)
Bay - 1/2
Cinnamon - 1/2
QB - 1-1/2
Use this for prosperity rituals.
Ooops, measurements for this are in tablespoons, at least that's what I use.
[pagancrafts] Peace
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 14:47:17 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
This can also be made into oil, incense, etc. It should be blue in colour and will bring peaceful conditions to the most chaotic of homes.
3 parts Lavender
1 part Lemon
1/2 part Violet
1/4 part Orris
1/4 part Cardamom
[pagancrafts] Pine Woods Incense
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 11:54:09 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
With the holidays coming up, I thought everyone would enjoy this. Remember, for the QB recipe and instructions on making the incense, check out the "incense" web page. It can also be made as a loose incense by leaving out the QB ingredients. Measurements are in tablespoons and oil is used to scent as you desire.
Cinnamon - 1/2
Pine - 2-1/2
Pine oil
QB - 1-1/2
[pagancrafts] Protection
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 14:47:12 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
This can be made as an oil, incense, powder or in bath herbs, bath salts - just about anything. It should be blue in colour - when it's made in a form (oil, incense, powder or salts) where colour can be used.
4 parts either Verbena or Vetivert
1 part Cinnamon
1 part Peppermint
1 part Galangal
few drops Rue
This is great for any kind of protection and the herbs and salts make a great uncrossing bath that also protects against further crossing.
[pagancrafts] Shi Shi Incense
Date: Tue, 03 Nov 1998 17:21:13 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
I love this one. I start out with equal parts of each and then adapt every time - as the mood strikes me.
Cloves
Bay
Angelica
This should be green in colour.
This recipe draws wealth and prosperity very quickly. Use it when you need a FAST change in your fortune.
I don't know about the rest of you, but my magick will work wonders when I do it for others, but falls kind of flat when I do it for me. (smile) So, if anyone makes this and wants to thank me by burning some of it to send a little wealth (heck any wealth) my way, I certainly won't say no.
[pagancrafts] Single Ingredient Incense
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 20:03:19 -0800
From: Crone
Organization: Mama Yasmini's Place
There are a number of herbs that you can use to make incense, without blending with other herbs. The ones that follow are taken from Wylundt's book, and they include the instructions for making the cones and sticks, etc.
As you read the recipe list from left to right, it indicates the amount of the herb, the amount of base (see below for bases), the gum (preferably tragacanth), and the liquid you will need for the incense to bond properly. Check the Making Incense post for cones, etc. for the FW, QB, and LF recipes. And, remember, all measurements are LEVEL teaspoons, tablespoons, etc. I recomment using teaspoons and testing each recipe before you make larger quantities to see if you like it.
A base is usually a either a wood powder, sandalwood, red sandalwood, quassia, vetivert, evergreen needles, willow, or talc. The wood powder is possibly the easiest for many to obtain since it's basically sawdust ground very fine. You can take regular sawdust, put a cup in the blender, and blend on "chop" for about 2 minutes. You can use almost anything, but pine is most readily available at lumber stores, or if you are in an area where people cut their own wood for fireplaces, you may also be able to get cedar (plentiful in my area). Wild cherry and the woods from almost any fruit trees are excellent bases.
Now, to the recipes.
Allspice - with a warm, spicy, semi-sweet, mild scent
Part Used - fruit
Recipe - 2-1/2, 1/4, 1/8. 1-1/2 water
Anise - with a bittersweet, nutty, spicy, full-bodied scent
Part Used - seed
Butn this loose on charcoal only
Benzoin - sweet, flowery, perfume-like scent
Part Used - gum (you can get this in a powder)
Recipe - 1/2, 2, 1/8, 1-1/2 water
Cedar - woody, everygreen, robust scent
Part Used - foliage
Recipe - 2-1/2, 0, 1/8, 1-1/4 FW
Cinnamon - warm, sweet, spicy, mild scent
Part Used - bark
Recipe - 2-1/2, 1/2, 1/8, 2-1/4 QB
Eucalyptus - woody, leafy, green scent
Part Used - leaves
Recipe - 2, 1/2, 1/8, 1-3/4 FW
There's a few to start you off. I'll send more from time to time, including blends of different herbs.
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