Best hoodoo incense?

[Godgifu]

Okay, so I'm curious if anyone's got an opinion about what supply houses make the best incenses for hoodoo practitioners. I've used Lucky Mojo, Anna Riva and Ar-Jax brands so far, and found scentwise Lucky Mojo is the worst (in fact, every time I burn their incense my family starts running around the house complaining it smells like there's a gas leak or that someone left the oven on :o Very distracting when I'm trying to work a spell and they start pounding on the door to check that the room's not on fire!) Anna Riva is less consistently bad in scent, but they also tend to be less consistently authentic or effective. Ar-Jax I admit, I've not tested much variety, but if their Road Opener is a good indication, it's an unusually smoky blend but does have a bit more of a true fragrance than the others.

I think the habit of traditional hoodoo incenses being made in a base of wood chips is largely to blame for this kind of problem with burnt odors -- makes all the incenses somewhat reminiscent of backyard barbeque. I have heard that Augustine's uses a resin-based incense powder, has anyone tried this?

[Artiste-LiLi]

Have not tried any of the ones you mentioned because I will only purchase my incense from Madison at The Silver Cauldron. She makes all her incense by hand and from scratch...it truly is homemade incense and Madison is a true "HooDoo Goddess". I saw Madison this past weekend and she had the most AWESOME selection.

See if this email works: silvercauldron@yahoo.com

If it doesn't let me know and I'll get a hold of her through other contacts.

[Teresa]

I can't help you with the brands because I either make my own or have them custom blended locally by a good friend.

[Zhr Morgana]

When it comes to altar work, for the most part I burn resin incense like Dragons Blood and Copal, or I also burn special blends that were put together by the owners of a local Pagan store which is no longer in business.

As for stick incense, I have only tried Anna Riva's High John the Conqueror, and didn't like it much because I had to keep relighting it. I prefer the Satya, HEM and Morning Star brands overall because I've never been disappointed in the scents.

[Shanti]

Any incense can be very powerful as long as it moves that hoodoo spirit in you!!
It doesn't have to come from some particular supply house.

Try all different incense and go with those that move you the way you want.

A lot of the stuff on the market is just hype to make a sale.
I imagine hoodoo practitioners of the ages would laugh and some of the claims made in retail!

[Meisopomenos]

Normally, I just go to Wal-Mart or some retail store and buy the incense sticks or cones. If I need several I may burn several at the same time... (Not for those with weak stomachs or sensitive allergies/asthma/ or breathing problems.)

Of course, being in college, that stuff is not allowed.

[Godgifu]

When it comes to altar work, for the most part I burn resin incense like Dragons Blood and Copal, or I also burn special blends that were put together by the owners of a local Pagan store which is no longer in business.

As for stick incense, I have only tried Anna Riva's High John the Conqueror, and didn't like it much because I had to keep relighting it. I prefer the Satya, HEM and Morning Star brands overall because I've never been disappointed in the scents.

I do prefer stick incense in general, but usually it's not specifically hoodoo and sometimes you need to smoke a place with a formula and not a one-note fragrance. I do like Hem; Morningstar less so.

I had been wondering about the Anna Riva stick incense (though I wouldn't touch the John the Conqueror because you can bet it's never been near one of those roots.) Sounds like it's poorly made -- good to know.

[Artiste-LiLi]

I do prefer stick incense in general, but usually it's not specifically hoodoo and sometimes you need to smoke a place with a formula and not a one-note fragrance. I do like Hem; Morningstar less so.

I had been wondering about the Anna Riva stick incense (though I wouldn't touch the John the Conqueror because you can bet it's never been near one of those roots.) Sounds like it's poorly made -- good to know.

The lady I spoke of at The Silver Cauldron does blends. I tell ya...she is a "HooDoo Momma Supreme"! Last time I saw her she also had some of the most beautiful amber skulls for the Ancestors.

[Godgifu]

Does Silver Cauldron have a website?

[Artiste-LiLi]

Does Silver Cauldron have a website?

You know.....I'm not sure! I always buy from Madison when I see her......but I can find out! Or I can get you contact information. Gimme a little bit...I have to run for now, but I'll get back with you tomorrow or the next day.

[Teresa]

You know.....I'm not sure! I always buy from Madison when I see her......but I can find out! Or I can get you contact information. Gimme a little bit...I have to run for now, but I'll get back with you tomorrow or the next day.

Hmmm, I am wondering if this is a Madison that I may know.

[Godgifu]

I thought I would update on this -- I've recently gotten to try Augustine's incense. Since it's resin with a bit of herbs and oil on it, it doesn't get that burnt smell that self-lighting powders do. On the downside, since it's not self-lighting it needs to be burnt on charcoal, which makes it a pricy choice.
It does appear to work tolerably well.

[Teresa]

I thought this website might help weed some of the wheat from the chaff:

http://hoodooreview.blogspot.com/

Good luck!

That site is just one person posting their opinion of those products, your opinion and success rate may vary. It would have been nice if there was a site where people get together and voice their success rates and opinions of specific "Hoodoo" products more like a panel discussion. That would give readers a more broad perspective of said items. You or I could make a site just like this one and post our opinions and also advertise our products and cartomancer services just as Talia has.

In my own experiences I have found more success in making my own products, ensuring that real herbs and quality ingredients are incorporated into them.

There are some good recipe books out there if one takes the time to search them out.