Incense and Oils

[Rae'ya]

Re: Incense and Oils

I just realised where this thread is posted... in Hearth and Home. Which makes this entire alchemy discussion not only off topic but completely out of context.

Can I make a suggestion? Alchemy discussions probably belong in Ceremonies and Ritual or somewhere similar. I'd be glad to continue this discussion in a relevant thread there, but I feel that continuing it here is an unecessary derail.

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You speak rather boldly for one who has not chosen to make the Great Work your life path. If you are going to attempt state facts, have truth behind them. Perhaps some research would benefit you greatly. As for the integrity of the sacred path you have no say, you are not an alchemist, you do not study or research the Great Work, nor do you show any respect when referring to it. It would be wise of you to have a better understanding of a subject before attempting such atrocity in the future.

Please see my above post. If you want me to respond you can PM me or start a thread in a relevant board. As I said I'd be glad to continue discussing it there. But I wont continue derailing this thread.

[Rowanwood]

Re: Incense and Oils

Nevermind me.

[Maria de Luna]

Re: Incense and Oils

Can a discussion of incense and oils be not alchemically related? I work with both (I don't make oils, I buy em, that's far more practical for me.) Because I am always interrested in those things, but Alchemy is not my forte.... I am unendingly klutzy and it would be a bad combination....

[Rowanwood]

Re: Incense and Oils

Can a discussion of incense and oils be not alchemically related? I work with both (I don't make oils, I buy em, that's far more practical for me.) Because I am always interrested in those things, but Alchemy is not my forte.... I am unendingly klutzy and it would be a bad combination....

Yes, and usually is not related to alchemy. You're thinking of chemistry and distillation and that's something completely different.

[MaskedOne]

Re: Incense and Oils


Posts have been removed.

Be advised that if I enter this thread in an official capacity again then I'm sealing it.

[ChainLightning]

Re: Incense and Oils

What incense and oils do you burn for spell casting and ritual work? What do you burn just for peaceful aroma?

I like to use Cernunos oil and Abramelin oil for spells or rituals myself, and for lounging about I burn dragons blood or cinnamon incense.

I use oils a fair amount in candlemaking, but not exclusively. I also use incense, though far more frequently.

As for scents? Whatever appeals to me at the time of purchase. A rough guess, I probably have more than 30 assorted "flavors".

Spell work, even ritual work, of mine, is ne'er dependant on smell, color or taste, so that part of the question is not applicable.

[B. de Corbin]

Re: Incense and Oils

Can a discussion of incense and oils be not alchemically related? I work with both (I don't make oils, I buy em, that's far more practical for me.) Because I am always interrested in those things, but Alchemy is not my forte.... I am unendingly klutzy and it would be a bad combination....

Yes. There's a connection, but they are not joined at the hip.

[Azvanna]

Re: Incense and Oils

Ironically, I don't tend to use the classic all-rounders like frankincense much, because they are expensive and I couldn't afford them as I was learning. So in the beginning I made do with using more accessible oils and blending them to create similar effects. I could buy three oils for the price of something like frankincense... and still can.

Where do you buy from and what oils do you use to get the same effect as frankincense? The only reputable brand I can find in Bundy is Young Living but its really, really expensive. I'll look online if I have to and see if I can get things sent express post if inside Australia.

Also, someone on the thread mentioned that the scent matters more than the oil itself. I'm not sure about that, I feel like the oil would only be doing half its work. Isn't the chemical make-up of the oil supposed to effect your body somehow? What's other people's opinions on that?

[Rae'ya]

Re: Incense and Oils

I'm on the bus right now but remind me to reply later from home and I'll dig out some brand names and reply properly.

[Azvanna]

Re: Incense and Oils

Wool do, ta.

[Clive]

Re: Incense and Oils

Also, someone on the thread mentioned that the scent matters more than the oil itself. I'm not sure about that, I feel like the oil would only be doing half its work. Isn't the chemical make-up of the oil supposed to effect your body somehow? What's other people's opinions on that?

It depends on what you're doing and your beliefs. If you're using an oil as medicine, then you'd want an actual essential oil. If you're using it for aromatherapy and you find that an artificial fragrance is able to produce results, then so be it. If you're using it for spellwork and believe that the power is in the scent and its ability to affect your mindset, then conceivably fragrance oils could work. On the other hand, if you believe the power is in the plants themselves and/or your practice is very nature-based, then you'd want pure essential oils. Or infused oils if you prefer.

[Amunet]

Re: Incense and Oils

I like loose incense. I'm still learning but I find that I prefer to burn dried orange peels.

[Azvanna]

Re: Incense and Oils

...I prefer to burn dried orange peels.

Wow, never heard of someone doing this before! ^.^

[thalassa]

Re: Incense and Oils

Also, someone on the thread mentioned that the scent matters more than the oil itself. I'm not sure about that, I feel like the oil would only be doing half its work. Isn't the chemical make-up of the oil supposed to effect your body somehow? What's other people's opinions on that?

Like Clive said, it depends...it depends on your goal and on how you plan to use it. Honestly, a lot of aromatherapy is bunk. But, some of it is legit. But, some of the reasons it can be legit be based in psychology rather than physiology...or on physiology that is prodded on by psychology. To be perfectly honest, (with the exception of homeopathy, which is complete bunk and only any good as a placebo) most complimentary/alternative medicine is like this (and some conventional medicine as well).

Some plants have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, etc properties by virtue of the chemicals they produce. Some plants have specific chemicals that do specific things in the body (like willow bark=salicylic acid=asprin) which can be used as medicine. In some cases, distilling the plant matter into the terpenes and other volitile oils will concentrate those properties (the chemical that is anti-bacterial or whatnot) into something that is useful to us. Clove oil, for example, is mostly eugenol, which acts as an analgesic--its chemical structure interferes with pain receptors...also, it kills bacteria and some fungi (I think it disrupts something in their cell walls, but I could be misremembering there) and anesthetizes fish...its a also toxic to the liver if too much is taken internally. Some EOs have effects when inhaled (lavender and eucalyptus, for one) for specific treatments, but clinical research is pretty mixed for most uses of inhaled EOs. Many herbs have medicinal qualities. But, those qualities aren't always best expressed in essential oils...certain chemicals are actually destroyed by the distillation process.

[Amunet]

Re: Incense and Oils

Wow, never heard of someone doing this before! ^.^

It smells pretty good ^_^