using incense in and out of ritual

[RandallS]

Technically anything besides oxygen getting into your lungs is so bad, so a incense shouldn't hurt you that much compared to the very air you breath.

While I know what you mean, technically this isn't so. Air is only 21% oxygen. Getting pure (or even over 50%) oxygen in your lungs for long periods of time is actually bad for the body. Fluids start building up in the lungs within 24 hours (at normal atmospheric pressure), for example.

[hufflee]

I've been wanting ideas as to what scents people love most during meditation =)

 
Sandalwood. Almost always.

[Miss]

Technically anything besides oxygen getting into your lungs is so bad, so a incense shouldn't hurt you that much compared to the very air you breath.

Anyway I use it both in everyday life and in ritual. It just smells nice, and can really set the mood for any occasion, parties, small get together, dates, etc. In ritual it makes an excellent offering to the Gods (certain gods like certain scented ones), helps set the ritual "mood", and it's good for meditation and general magick studies.

 
Inhaling smoke isn't good for your lungs, but think of all the things your missing out on if you avoid even brief contact with it. Campfires and even just walking around in a city where people are smoking.Every time I go downtown I come into contact with someone smoking for a few seconds as I'm walking down a street.

If you're worried about the smoke from incense use it in moderation in a ventilated room. I only burn half the incense stick at a time for it to fill the room with aroma.

I have blended incense just to clear any unpleasant order that might be lingering, but I'm sure I'll be using it in ritual once I've sorted out my practice. Scents are powerful. So far I love wood smells and I just burned myrhh for the first time. It kind of reminded me of caramel popcorn. Does anyone else get that from myrrh? I burned resin on a charcoal disk. I thought it was weird.

[PhantomQueen]

Sandalwood. Almost always.

 
I used to use sandalwood all the time til I found Nag Champa.  I recently wanted to get another scent for the more special rituals I do for Morrigan.  I heard that dragon's blood was a favourite of hers, but when I was looking at the different scents in the store I was more inclined to get the amber one.  It's strong and I wouldn't use it alot.  I do tend to burn one stick of it a day, so I suppose I do use alot. I'm glad that there's a 250g box of Nag Champa available-I'd hate to go every 5 minutes to the store for stocking up!

[Zeno]

While I know what you mean, technically this isn't so. Air is only 21% oxygen. Getting pure (or even over 50%) oxygen in your lungs for long periods of time is actually bad for the body. Fluids start building up in the lungs within 24 hours (at normal atmospheric pressure), for example.

 
I was mistaken! I'm sorry bout that :ashamed:.

[Zeno]

Inhaling smoke isn't good for your lungs, but think of all the things your missing out on if you avoid even brief contact with it. Campfires and even just walking around in a city where people are smoking.Every time I go downtown I come into contact with someone smoking for a few seconds as I'm walking down a street.

If you're worried about the smoke from incense use it in moderation in a ventilated room. I only burn half the incense stick at a time for it to fill the room with aroma.

I have blended incense just to clear any unpleasant order that might be lingering, but I'm sure I'll be using it in ritual once I've sorted out my practice. Scents are powerful. So far I love wood smells and I just burned myrhh for the first time. It kind of reminded me of caramel popcorn. Does anyone else get that from myrrh? I burned resin on a charcoal disk. I thought it was weird.

No, no you're mistaken!  I'm not worried about the smoke at all! I use it all the time, I guess I just worded that post badly.

[sephira]

I burned resin on a charcoal disk. I thought it was weird.

 
I personally do NOT like the smell of resin incenses on charcoal. I find the smell too overbearingly nasty, myself. So I agree with you, Miss, it is weird.

[Miss]

No, no you're mistaken!  I'm not worried about the smoke at all! I use it all the time, I guess I just worded that post badly.

 
Or my reading comprehension is awful. Some days the cogs aren't oiled properly. :p

I've actually bought some raw material to make some home made incense cones. Should be fun, and natural.Some of my older incense stock is cheap and probably has a ton of fakeness in it. I was looking for excuses to get a mortar and pestle as well, but don't tell my husband that. :ange: