I have a question about incense

Q&A
1

Merry meet…I have a question about incense. Is there one incense that can be used as a substitute for all others like clear quartz can with crystals?

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2

I’m not sure if it’s an actual replacement like clear Quartz or a white candle but if I don’t have a certain incense a recipe requires I use a sage incense.

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3

I’ve never heard anything, but probably either sandalwood or lavender. Then again, they are two of my favorites so I may be biased!

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4

Hi @victoria10,

Good question! The Magickal Substitutions guide on Spells8 has a few suggestions depending on the type of the incense and what ingredients it is made from:

  • Rosemary and Lemongrass can replace any other herb in the spell.
  • Rose can be used instead of any other flower in the spell.
  • Sandalwood can substitute any other type of wood.
  • Frankincense can be used instead of any gum resin.

From Spells8: Magickal Substitutions

So while there’s not a one-for-one substitution for incense per say, you can use any of the “all purpose” ingredients to help with any spellwork you are working.

And as always, hold your intention clearly - that’s the best way to guide your spell in the direction you want it to go :mage: :wand_tarot:

Happy casting and blessed be!

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5

Thank you all for your answers :black_heart:

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6

You’re welcome, Victoria - happy casting and blessed be! :incense: :sparkles:

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7

I am NOT the experienced person others who have answered this are. However, and for meditation, I will clear the space with sage and then use any incense I want to set my mood. I like to use any back flow incense when meditating. For me, back flow smoke is mesmerizing in itself and helps me relax.

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8

You can also use sound if you can’t get hold of incense. Just ring a bell around your altar and around yourself to cleanse, go through each room and ring a bell or clap your hands, make sure to open the windows to clear the energy. Sometimes incense makes me cough so I can’t always use it so I use bells instead as a substitute :sparkling_heart:

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9

I’ve bought several back flow incense burners and none of them work. I’d love to have one that works. Any suggestions on where to get one? Am I buying the wrong incense? Thank you for responding to my question. :black_heart:

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10

Back flow incense uses a different incense type - but all the different scents are available… I bought the burner in the photo from Walmart ($5 on sale); The incense cones have a hole in the bottom and are labeled as back flow.

While there is a rich mesmerizing flow from them, they still have some flow up that you can use for consecration/cleansing etc.

Our local crystal shops and Amazon (and many others) have back flow incense. It is a bit more expensive but not terribly so.

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11

re: Use a bell instead of incense

Yes, I get a bit heavy handed sometimes and have to clear out the room where I am burning incense. One stick or cone is fine but after that it can be a bit much. A bell is a good substitute (but doesn’t smell as nice!). My SO reminds me I’m over-doing it by closing all the doors to my altar area. :rofl:

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12

I sometimes put a couple drops of an essential oil on a candle, when you burn it, you get the smell without choking your SO. :laughing:

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