Smoking

Incense burning is a practice that has been used for thousands of years in various cultures to cleanse energy and connect with the inner self, among other things. Incense burning brings us into contact with the powers inherent in nature, which can be helpful to us in many ways. Burning resins, herbs or woods not only creates a soothing fragrance, but also a special atmosphere, and the subtle powers of the incense can unfold.

Incense burning - an ancient ritual practice

Rituals with incense serve to clear energies, support the receptivity for inner or subtle processes, open and relax the mind and much more.
Here is a brief summary of some of the purposes of smoking...

Purposes of smoking

Smoking was traditionally done with the following intentions, among others:

• for energetic cleansing
• to expel foreign energies
• as preparation for spiritual ceremonies
• to promote meditative states
• for healing impulses on the subtle level
• as a gateway to the other world
• as an offering for deities or genii

Incense - resins, woods, balsams and more

Depending on your preferences, you can use resins such as frankincense or myrrh, dried herbs such as sage or lavender or woods such as palo santo - to name just a few particularly popular examples from the wide variety of different incense materials! You can also buy ready-made incense blends that promote specific moods or have been specially formulated for specific purposes from the list above. Last but not least, of course, incense sticks, which are also a form of incense and are wonderfully easy to use!

Tip: A well-founded series of articles on various incense substances has been published in YOGA AKTUELL magazine. In it, the author Kevin Johann presents copal, frankincense, myrrh, eaglewood, sandalwood, dragon's blood and other incense substances in depth and in all their nuances. Very readable, informative and inspiring!

Smoking on special occasions

Incense burning is often associated with certain occasions or seasons in order to consciously channel energies, organise transitions or create a special atmosphere. Here are a few examples:

Rough nights

The Rough Nights, which lie between Christmas and Epiphany, are considered a magical time of reflection and new beginnings. Each night symbolises a month of the coming year. When burning incense with herbs such as mugwort, juniper or frankincense, old energies are released, the home is cleansed and visions for the new year are received.
"Certain incense substances support deep introspection, serve to protect and cleanse rooms and are a proven remedy for winter depression. Incense rituals have a long tradition, especially during the Rough Nights." (Kevin Johann: "Wintertime is incense time", YOGA AKTUELL No. 119)

Annual festivals

At traditional festivals such as Ostara (in spring), Samhain (in autumn) or Yule (winter solstice), incense supports contact with the cycles of nature. Resins such as myrrh and woods such as palo santo invite you to feel gratitude, let go of the old and welcome the new.

House cleaning and new beginnings

When moving into a new home or after difficult phases of life, an energetic cleansing with sage or laurel helps to clear old energies and invite in fresh strength.

Meditation and rituals

Incense such as sandalwood, lavender or rosemary is ideal for deepening meditation or accompanying rituals. The rising smoke helps to calm the mind and enter into a spiritual connection.

Celebrations and transitions

Whether a wedding, birth or farewell - incense can accompany such transitions in a gentle way. Fragrances such as rose petals or styrax create a festive, harmonious atmosphere that connects and strengthens emotions.

Smudging - shamanic incense burning with bundles of herbs

Smudging is a centuries-old spiritual practice that has its origins in indigenous cultures and has recently attracted widespread interest. Smudging usually involves lighting a bundle of dried herbs, such bundles of herbs are called smudge sticks. The smoke is then spread around the room or around a person with a feather or by hand, and prayers are often said. Smudging has strong roots in shamanic traditions.

Can anyone smoke?

The smudging just described is also becoming increasingly popular because this incense practice is easy to carry out, as all that is needed on a practical level is to light the smudge sticks. However, incense experts would of course always remind you that the inner attitude plays an important role and that the casual lighting of a bundle of herbs is not comparable to a well-prepared ceremony or an incense ritual that is performed with care and inner sensitivity. Even the selection of incense to suit the particular situation or intention requires either a certain amount of knowledge or a clear intuition to guide the choice. Nevertheless, anyone who is interested in incense burning can do it. (It goes without saying that you should be careful with the element of fire!) Depending on which method of incense burning and which type of incense you choose, you will need a few things such as a stove and incense charcoal:

What you need for smoking

The following utensils are essential or helpful for smoking:

1. Incense burner: A fireproof bowl or incense burner is ideal for burning the incense safely. Sand is often used as a base to insulate the heat.
2. Incense charcoal or tea light: To incense resins or herbs, you will need incense charcoal, which you light with a lighter or match. Alternatively, you can use a tea light if you have an incense burner.
3. Tongs and spoon: A small pair of tongs helps you to hold the charcoal securely while you light it. You can use a spoon to place the incense precisely on the charcoal.
4. Feathers or fans: Feathers or small fans are suitable for distributing the smoke. They help to direct the energy in a targeted manner, for example to certain rooms or corners.
5. Protective mat: To protect your furniture from heat or ash, you should place a heat-resistant mat under your censer.
   ... and last but not least, of course, incense of your choice!

FAQ about smoking