Oct 17, 2014

Crafting Blooming Howls - Incense for Autumn Nights



I am, like that white rabbit, almost perpetally running (and often a bit behind) but I am sneaking in just before midnight to play along with Magaly, the wickedly wonderful hostess of Pagan Culture, at her "Witches in Fiction: Crafting Blooming Howls" party.  There is a dark and lovely bouquet of posts over there to peruse if you enjoy seeing what crafty witches get themselves up to when a blog party arises.

As for my craft, I'm always inspired by the world around me - especially the hills, rivers and plant life in my delightful Valley. Although the Autumn colours have taken their sweet time arriving (we've had a remarkably sunny and warm September and October) they are starting to flash some crimson and orange here and there.  The last of the herb harvests have just come in and are hanging to dry and I'm starting to play and create some of my favourite concoctions.


Today I'm sharing one of my swoon-worthy incense recipes.  I make this incense each Autumn and burn it to evoke the smoky, sweet, earthy scent of deep Fall when the gardens are put to bed and the last over-ripe apples are dropping from the trees, and the scent of woodsmoke is in the air.

Autumn Incense

1 part benzoin tears
1 part juniper berries
2 parts frankincense tears
1/2 part cedar greens
1 part sandalwood

Use a mortar and pestle to break down the ingredients into the desired consistency.
You can be finished at this step, or
I like to add a drizzle of local honey or wine at this point,
 to wet the incense and make it stick together.
I let the coarse incense dry over a two-week period, turning often. Burn on lit charcoal.


Definitely burn this incense when wandering through the garden with your witchy friends, drinking midnight margaritas.  And don't forget to howl!


16 comments:

Magaly Guerrero said...

I can smell that incense. And those deliciously bloody leaves look fantastic!

petoskystone said...

Such a lovely ingredients list!

Eliora said...

Jen - between those fabulous resins and that heady Sandalwood, this is a recipe to delight my senses.

Anonymous said...

That incense sounds divine, will need to make my own :)

Rue said...

It's the blush of Oregon grape, Magaly, and I love them too! Thank you for two weeks of fun at your blog!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness I can almost smell that incense! I will have to make some. Thank you for sharing and those leaves are gorgeous! They remind me of my Coleus plants.

thewiildmagnola said...

double splendid, triple cool, craft your incense well.

a delicious incense. a very cool photo......just a peek at the veils edge.

The Artful Gypsy aka Wendy the Very Good Witch said...

Sounds exquisite! Frankincense is one of my favorite incense to burn all by itself, I burn it in my 'sacred space' every day...so I'm quite certain I'd enjoy this Autumn Incense Blend you've created. Thanks for sharing!

Debi said...

I have often wondered how? to make incense, thank you so much! You have chosen my favourites as I live in northern Ontario Canada and I too burn frankensense as well as sandlewood often!
This " Howling get to gather has been huge fun!
xoDebi

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

this list of ingredients look like they would be just what you say.....a lovely autumnal aroma. Thank you for sharing your recipe. xoxo Oma Linda

Debra Nehring said...

A wonderful recipe, and beauteous photo,
I make a similar incense; just add a bit of patchouli to it all.m
A lovely fall energy......Blessed Be

Birgit said...

I wish I could walk around your garden with your friends, smelling this magnificent incense and drinking midnight margaritas -- HOWL! :)

Hugs,
Birgit

Laura S Reading said...

HOWLLLLL!
Thanks for sharing the lovely images, both for sight and mind

Jennifer Michelle said...

This sounds yummy and enchanting! Loveee the recipe! I am very tempted to make this as I so rarely like store-bought incense! Happy Halloween!

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

I am sure that incense smells wonderful! Perfect recipe for a dark autumn night.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures! Just so color and vibrant.