The Censer

THE CENSER
                                                                            
Whether you use raw incense, blocks or incense papers, you'll need an incense
burner. The censer can be anything from a gilt, chain equipped, church-type
affair to a bowl of sand or salt. It truly doesn't matter. I know occultists
who've used the bowl-and-salt method for years, long after they could have
afforded to purchase other censers.                         
                                             
Although I have several, perhaps my favorite censer is actually a mortar from
Mexico. It is carved from lava, stands on three legs and is perfect for use as a
censer.                                                         
                                                                  
Your own taste should determine which censer is right for you. If nothing else
is available, use a bowl half-filled with sand or salt  and get on with it The
sand protects the bowl and the surface on which it sits against heat. It also
provides a handy place on which to prop up stick incense.                                                                    

USING COMBUSTIBLE INCENSE                                                    
                                                                           
Simply light it, blow out the flame after the tip is glowing, and set it in the
censer. As it burns visualize your magical goal   manifesting in your life. It's
that simple. You may wish to also burn candles of the appropriate color, perhaps
anointed with a scented oil that is also aligned with your goal.                                                     
                                                                            
Naturally, incense may also be smoldered as a part of a larger ritual.      
                                                                           
USING NON-COMBUSTIBLE INCENSE

Light a self-igniting charcoal block (see below) and place it in a censer. Once
the block is glowing and saltpeter within it has  stopped sparkling, sprinkle a
half-teaspoon or so of the incense on the block. Use a small spoon if you wish.
It will immediately begin to burn, and  in doing so, release fragrant smoke.*                                                    
                                                                           
Remember: Use just a small amount of incense at first. When the smoke begins to
thin out, add more. If you dump on a spoonful of incense it will probably
extinguish the charcoal block, so use small amounts. Incenses containing large
amounts of resins and gums (frankincense, myrrh  and so on) burn longer than
those mainly composed of woods and leaves.             
                                                             
Don't knock off the ash that forms on top of the charcoal unless the incense
starts to smell foul. In such a case, scrape off the burning incense and the ash
with a spoon and add a fresh batch. Frankincense does tend to smell odd after
smoldering for some time.                           
                                           
Incense can be burned as part of a magical ritual, to honor higher forces, or as
a direct act of magic, such as to clear a house of  negativity and to smooth
peaceful vibrations throughout it.                                
                                                                    
* There's a difference between burning and smoldering; though I use such terms
as "burn this incense" several times, I really mean "smolder."                                                    
                                                           
CHARCOAL BLOCKS
                                                                            
These are necessities for burning non-combustible incense. They're available in
a wide range of sizes, from over an inch in diameter (they're usually round) to
about a half-inch size. Most religious and occult supply stores stock them, and
they can be obtained from mail-order suppliers.             
                                                                  
Potassium nitrate is added to these charcoal blocks during their manufacture to
help them ignite. When touched with a lit match, fresh charcoal blocks erupt
into a sparkling fire which quickly spreads across the block. If you wish, hold
the block. It may light easily. If so, quickly place it in the censer to avoid
burning your fingers. Or, light the block in the censer itself, thereby
preventing burns. This is some what harder to do.                                                                         
                                                                            
Unfortunately, some charcoal blocks aren't fresh, have been exposed to moisture,
or haven't been properly saturated with the potassium  nitrate solution and so
don't light well. If this is the case re-light the block until it is evenly
glowing and red. Then pour on the incense.