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eaglewolf
February 9th, 2001, 10:31 PM
Transfered



Posted by mol

Now how about that? I have wondered about making my own for some time. How do you do it? Or rather...can it be done?

I must say i have been pretty much locked into buying most of my items.





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Posted by eaglewolf

Sure, you can make your own incense... personally, we do not due to lack of time (...laziness...)

I have many resources for making your own incense, however. There are two basic types of incense, combustable (sticks or cones), and non-compustable (loose incense to be burned on charcoal).

Tell you what, I will start an incense topic/class, beginning with which ever you are most interested in at first.

Let me know...





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Posted by mol



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Tell you what, I will start an incense topic/class, beginning with which ever you are most interested in at first.

Let me know...
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Lets do some combustible incense. Then we can go to non..later.




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Posted by eaglewolf

I decided not to start a new topic, this one should be fine.

The easiest way to make your own incense is to start with cones. Cones are a simple solution for beginners and burn more eromatically, in my opinion.

Starting out, you should purchase premade incense blanks. These are formed charcoal cones with no scent, and save alot of headache! They can be purchased, or ordered, from most metaphysical shops and will save you a bundle. We get 100 cones for $2.00 US.

If cone blanks are not available to you, I will try to explain a method for making them later.

For this block of instruction you will need :

A ziplock bag (any sealable plastic bag would do)
Your cone unscented blanks
Your choice of oil (1 oz should make 100 cones)
Cutting oil*

* A note on cutting oil. Most essence oils are very strong. It is best to dilute them with a cutter. We use dipropolyne glicol, which is a purfume cutter, but this is hard to find. Any grain alcohol will work, but you want to use grain alcohol only (DO NOT DRINK IT!)

Cutting oil is used to soften the scent of more powerful oils. You do not have to cut it, but some scents can be very powerful and overbearing. If you can stand it, or like it, fine. I do suggest cutting most oils however. If you are mixing an ounce, you will want to use about 1/2 ounce of the cutter for thick or expensive oils (those you want to stretch). For others, experimenting is the only way to determine how much to add. The cutting oil will take the scent of the essence to which it is added.

Now comes the easy part.

1. Put the cone blanks into your ziplock bag.
2. Add the oil.
3. Make sure the cones are covered well and let them sit for about a half hour to soak.
4. Lay the cones out on some newspaper (or whatever) to dry.
5. When the cones are almost dry (not completely) you will want to put them into a container for storing. We use tupperware (plastic containers) but you may use whatever you like. Ziplock bags, plastic wrap or tin foil are good to use for storing, you just do not want them to dry out.

If you make ALOT of incense, you could store it in the refigerator to keep them from drying, just do not store them near foods which may soak up their scent.

Hmmm, I think that's it! Enjoy...

Take it slow, and remember, practice makes perfect (well better anyway).






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Posted by mol

Ok. Sounds good. I am off to the supply store...well. Not right now. But soon. :)

Blesses Be.



[Edited by eaglewolf on 02-10-2001 at 01:10 PM]

Aurora
February 24th, 2001, 11:16 PM
I will most definitely have to try it...... but I do have 1 simple ? and that is why don't you want it to dry out???

All the ones you ever buy in the store seem to be dried or are my fingers lying to me?? =)

eaglewolf
February 24th, 2001, 11:29 PM
I should have been more specific...

Your incense will dry out, especially if stored in containers. After time, with incense you make yourself (preservative free) it will lose its aromatic properties. Not completely, but I like them more fragrant...

In large quantities, they will begin to fall apart if allowed to dry for long periods of time... not to mention lose aroma. It is best to let home made incense 'breath' for about 30 minutes before burning... this will allow it to dry enough for proper burning.

Does that help? I think I confused myself :D.

~ew

Aurora
February 24th, 2001, 11:36 PM
I think I'm the one that was confused =)
But thanks for clearing it up for me.

Now another ? for you

Which is better to use: the true essential oil or the synthetic?? Or does it really matter??

(sorry for all the questions but that's me =) )

eaglewolf
February 24th, 2001, 11:44 PM
Never apologize for asking questions... just for not asking them ;).

For obvious reasons true essence oils are best, but to be honest, we use more synthetics. We do make incense in mass quantities though, and it is not always necessary to go the cheap route :).

We use the more expensive and "better" oils for special occasions, some ritual incense etc. Many are purists and would never use anything other than tue essense. We, however are not....

If you do use true essence oils, be sure to cut them (I think I mentioned that above) or have a really good idea of what type of aroma you are trying to achieve.

~ew

Aurora
February 24th, 2001, 11:46 PM
What would be a cutting base?? I am confused on that point and until you reminded me I had forgotten to ask about it.

eaglewolf
February 24th, 2001, 11:52 PM
Do not use base oils... you will want to use grain alcohol of some type. (graves or everclear works good)

The grain alcohol will take on the aroma of which ever oil you are cutting it with.

For thick oils use about 1/2 oz grain to 1 oz oil. Anything else you really just need to experiment (no more than 1/2 oz per oz though).

~ew

Yvonne Belisle
February 25th, 2001, 02:16 AM
Where can I get everclear?

eaglewolf
February 25th, 2001, 02:27 AM
If it is not illegal in your state, it can be purchased at most liquor stores. It is 95% grain alcohol and works well, but can be toxic... because of this, it is not sold in some states.

You used to be able to order it from http://www.internetwines.com but you would have to surf their site to see if they still sell it.

Hope this helps...

~ew

Yvonne Belisle
February 25th, 2001, 02:46 AM
Thank-you.

Semele
February 26th, 2001, 03:07 PM
Allright...now with the sticks. I prefere them especialy since we have so many incense burners designed for sticks!!! Tell me all you know old wise one!!!
Semele

eaglewolf
February 26th, 2001, 05:46 PM
Sticks are generally the same... take the easy route at first and pick up some stick blanks.

Perpare a baking pan (or anything you can get your hands on) with tinfoil.

Lay the sticks in the pan and pour your oil over them. Roll the sticks around in the oil to ensure saturation. Lay them out on your newspaper to dry, then store following the steps as with cones...

Not really much to add, I discussed the hard part above ;).

~ew

Later, we will get into creating your incense sticks and cones from scratch :D ... much later :p

Semele
February 26th, 2001, 05:53 PM
Yes Sir!!!

Thank you Sir.

Uh...where to find the ready made cones and sticks... hmmmm
*scratching my head* i thought he mentioned something about that...

Oh..Hey EW Help with my herbs!! When do i need to put them into a bigger pot and what kind of soil??? I am afraid of killing them..AAGGGHHHH!!!

Semele

belladonna23
February 26th, 2001, 10:52 PM
Thanks for the great tips, EagleWolf! I've been wanting to make my own incense (as well as my own candles) fro quite some time now. I'll have to try it soon...

Yvonne Belisle
February 27th, 2001, 01:32 AM
Candles is something I know if you have any questions on making them please ask. I have been helping or making candles since I could roll wax into a ball at 3 years old. I even have molds in my house that are older than I am. I have learned how to harvest wax from waxberries even. I love candles.:) ok so it doesn't take much to make me happy lol. I can make my own candles, make my own paper, I bake my husband bread and make him chocolates. No I am not Suzie Homemaker :D. lol But I am begining to resemble a pilsbury dough girl. There are some other things I can do to but not many.

rantnraven
February 27th, 2001, 05:01 AM
Sorry.

Enlighten me. I too love candles and practice Candle Magick. While candle are ot that expensive, it would be more meaningful to make them. Please explain (from start to finish).

Why not start a new thread since this one is about incense, others might miss it. Let me know what you call the thread or, email me.

-T

Semele
February 27th, 2001, 12:09 PM
Yvonne,
i knew there was some reason why I love you!!! I also love making candles. Not much of a baker anymore though. We need to get together and make some candles. My favorite is still hand dipped. I love the process of starting with nothing and ending up with a nice symmetrical (hopefully) piece. I have found that you add so much energy to the candle when you make it yourself and that makes for some nice candle magik!! Perhaps we should start a candle making thread. ooohh and I had another thought. Look out!! We should all make bread on the same night and concentrate on releasing energy into the kneading of the bread. I was a member of an AIDS support group and we all did that one time. Focused all of our anger and pent up emotions on the dough and then we were all supposed to break bread and eat it "together". Well mine wasn't fit to eat... imagine that. But it was fun anyway. You could give us all some bread making tips!!

Semele

rantnraven
February 27th, 2001, 02:07 PM
That sounds like a GREAT idea. I think I still have some flour and an egg. The lease is due on the apartment in June and I have less then $100 on the deposit. I can see flour and dough all over the walls and windows. State a day and I will be there.

-T

Earth Walker
March 20th, 2001, 03:25 PM
What kind of Incense did you want to make?
I have several recipes, and will include two.
If you want something specific, let me know. :)

ARIES INCENSE
--------------------

2 parts Frankincense
1 part Juniper
3 drops Cedarwood oil

Burn as a personal altar or household incense to
increase your own powers.

EARTH INCENSE(PLANETARY)
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1 part Pine needles
1 part Thyme
a few drops Patchouly oil

Burn to honor the Earth, and for all Earth-reverencing
rituals.

Silver Venus
March 21st, 2001, 10:04 AM
Wow I never thought of making my own but Ive always loved incense and love maing candles.
I really want to get started on this soon as its Mothers day here on Sunday and I would love to give some to my mum (making her lots of little presents this year to surprise her)!

Please ~ can you tell me where I can get grain alcohol from in England? Is it like Vodka?

Mekaikira
April 10th, 2004, 03:40 PM
:strike: - - Directions to make incense from formula ingriedients...................

----- In mixing them, Powder all the solid ingriedients and mix them well with your
pestle.
Mix All the liguid ingriedients and disolve the saltpeter in them.
Slowly add the liquid ingriedients to your powdwerd herbs.
Spread in a tin pan or plastic container, and allow to dry for 30 min to an hour
When dry simply crumble up and you have your incense.
Blessed be.

-