Customer Reviews

Incense: Crafting and Use of Magickal Scents

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We use it every day and we probably take it for granted. Incense is part of our everyday lives. We use it to make our house smell nice, we use it for meditations and we use it for rituals.

But what most of us don't know is how it is made, how to make it ourselves, what is involved in making it and do we want to get into making our own.

Carl F. Neal has put together a book on the basics of making incense and mixing together the scents that make it attractive to our every use.

The book is very well laid out, with an exact Table of Contents, a good index, a very light bibliography and a good glossary of terms. While I would have liked to see more of a bibliography, I believe Mr. Neal's personal experiences make up the bulk of the book, so I can live with the few references he has provided.

The introduction is interesting. His How To Use This Book even tells you where to concentrate your reading in order to produce your first batch of incense... read this chapter, skim over this chapter and so on. He is eager to have you get into the actual making of your own incense.

Mr. Neal has a good overview of the final products, what they are, what their differences are and what you can use them for. I like his easy to read and clarity of writing. He works a simple basic introduction for the reader, assuming that we do not have a good working idea of the product. And for the most part, those picking up this book probably will not.

I like his treatment of the topics. The Importance of Form is a good overview of the different types of incense and I found his advices to be good. Incense Composition gives us the basics of building our incense; what makes them smell, and what science is involved in our being able to make them smell as good as we choose. Even the How To Use Incense part, which seemed silly at first (we all know how to use incense, or do we?) explained how to achieve the best results when we use incense. Pay special attention to the Hazards part of this... some people do not realize that while we are considering incense to be a representation of air, we are actually dealing with fire. Mr. Neal makes this point very clear.

Mr. Neal gives the same kind of careful considerations to the chapters on Selecting Materials, Tools and Workspaces and Making Incense, walking you through step by step to help you select the best materials for your special purposes, the best tools to achieve your final product and the procedures for actually making the incense. Clear instructions, easy to understand and no mysterious terms makes this easy to follow. In the Recipes section he provides simple recipes and complex recipes for those who want to advance to the next round, and the recipes are broken down in to mixes named for specific magical workings you may have in mind. The recipes contain a base, binder, liquid and aromatic so you understand the composition process. He also provides various styles of incense so you can work with them all and decide which ones you prefer to make.

There are also Experimentation and Troubleshooting sections and then Appendices which give you ingredients chart, help with locating materials and Mr. Neal's philosophies on incense and suggested ritual uses. A very interesting section on Listening to Incense: The Japanese Approach to Incense is an insight into how the Masters of incense production, the Japanese, look at the creation, burning and treatment of incense. A brief overview, but it is meant to allow for the individual to explore the topic further if they feel they want to.

I like the idea of the book. While I personally would not go through all the work and expense of making my own incense, I liked the idea of being able to understand the incense process. For those who feel that they would like to explore the topic "hands on", it provides two things. If you are curious, this book can help you make a decision about this being the kind of craft you would like to get into. Do you feel this is something that you can devote the time, effort and interest to? Do you feel this work is worth it for your use of incense? Secondly, if you are a person who has decided on making your own incense, this is a great beginners handbook and will allow you to follow, step by step, the process of making basic incense to creating your own special blends.

On the down side, there are no pictures, so those who need images will be left out.

Mr. Neal's magical associations are general, non-path specific and a good basic starting place for those who are not familiar with using incense in magic. His associations of types of incense with magic (like a combination of pine, clove, benzoin, oak moss and sage for an incense for Air) are from the basics with a touch of inspiration in blending. Nice combinations for the most part.

My opinion of this book being well written, easy to understand and nicely put together makes this a good recommendation for anyone interested in the topic. boudica

I've always loved incense and recently decided to try creating my own. What interested me about this book was the concept of making self burning incense, although I had pretty much discontinued that type due to many of them having a rather artificial/chemical smell. Carl Neal gives you plenty of detailed information about making all-natural self burning types...cones, sticks and other forms. In fact, that is the main focus of this book which makes it unique among other incense books I've checked out. Not that there's anything wrong with blending resins and herbs and using charcoal, but I was very fascinated with the idea of making cones, etc. My first experiments so far have turned out really well, and I am very impressed. This is not "incense making made difficult" as another reviewer stated. I made two batches of different types and molded them into cones in less than a half hour. It is a nice feeling to know *exactly* what is in your incense!

I should also add that this is a very user friendly and easy to read book. I love Carl Neal's writing style, which is very conversational and down to earth, just like a regular guy explaining what he does. He explains everything thoroughly, such as what tools, conventional and unconventional, that he uses, other tricks about the drying process and so on. There are plenty of recipes, a detailed troubleshooting guide, ingredients chart with elemental and traditional associations and so on. He explains the Japanese concept of incense very well. I also liked the "Advanced Incense Philosophies" in which he discusses the ethical use of various ingredients. All in all, I would highly recommend this book.

This book gives very good advice about making incense at home. I like the fact that the author discourages the use of salt petre and blank cones and sticks for oil dipping. There is a troubleshoot guide in the question/answer format that is helpful. Without a doubt, the author has a passion for making incense.

There is a part in the book that lists suppliers. It is a little confusing because it says Internet sources, but it lists the mailing addresses and phone numbers without the Internet addresses.

Overall, the book is a good starting point, but leaves out information that would classify it as a "comprehensive guide" to making incense. The author encourages experimentation rather than completely engaging in instruction. I guess I am trying to say it could have gone further into some topics, but I am glad I bought the book and recommend it to anyone interested in learning to make their own incense.

People have waited far too long for a book that describes how to properly make incense that is not only *safe*, but does not have sensually to compete with (out-of-date and now needless---thanks to this book) ingredients that used to necessary for incense to burn (saltpeter, self-lighting charcoal, etc.) Finally there is an *up-to-date* modern book that gives good fundamental information on incense making for the magickal and mundane person!

Have you ever had the displeasure of smelling saltpeter or self-lighting charcoal burn? If so, you will thank the Ancient Ones that Mr. Neal has written a down-to-earth book on good incense making. Not only is saltpeter and self-lighting charcoal foul smelling (which ruins a perfectly good incense), but the chemicals that are released when burned are toxic. You don't have to take my, or Mr. Neal's, word on it. Do some research and you will find, just as I have, that burning saltpeter is NOT something that you would want to inhale, subject your friends and family to, nor is it something that you would want to have influence the wonderful scent from your incense. (I'll give you a little hint on what to use---thanks to this book---try an Internet search for something called "Makko." Once you use it, you will ask yourself how you could even call burning incense on self-lighting charcoal, or with the use of saltpeter, "good smelling." Here's the catch, you have to read this book to find out how to make it work better, which is hard to do since it is already a great product.)

Mr. Neal's book walks you through the different items that make incense, such as aromatics (you know, the part that most people think is incense all by itself---as you read Mr. Neal's book you will discover that aromatics are just one part of the craft of making real incense), binders, bases, and liquids. The book also gives a brief look into different practices of incense making from around the world---many of which have been around for thousands of years.

Of course it explains the different methods of making your incense, for example loose, sticks, cones, coils, and other forms. It goes on to explain how to dry your incense (if needed), how to store it, how to burn it, etc.

Throughout the book Mr. Neal walks you through magickal considerations that should be thought about before, during, and after making your wonderful incense. He goes on to explain the different magickal uses you can use incense for.

Of course this book is not meant to be a book like Scott Cunningham's, it is meant to give solid knowledge on traditional and modern incense making for magickal use. Most of Scott Cunningham's books, as well as other authors, seem to gloss over *real* incense making and tend to fill their books with tons of different "crafts" and magickal knowledge---which is fine, as long as you approach those books as such. Mr. Neal's book focuses only on the making and use of incense for magickal purposes. He didn't fill this great book with different ways on how to make essential oils, potpourri sachets, candles, etc.

If you are interested in making magickal incense, then Mr. Neal's book is a perfect one to learn how to exactly that. Once you have the basics under your belt and are able to create incense that is wonderful and non-toxic, then you can move on to other books that talk more about the occult side of things.

I can't wait to read more from this wise, forward-thinking mage.

David Michael Cunningham, Co-Author of Creating Magickal Entities.

In the introduction Neal lets the reader know that this will be a different sort of book, noting that it is not intended to make large quantities of incense, or incense for commercial purposes, as these often use synthetic materials. Neal prefers a more personal and natural approach to incense making. 'Incense' covers a variety of techniques including stick, joss, cone and loose incense making, completely naturally. You won't find any synthetic or dipped incense recipes in this book, and, if you'll forgive the pun, it's a breath of fresh air.

Brief histories of incense making around the world are given, acknowledging different philosophies and traditions. Also noting that many so-called 'traditional' recipes may only go back 10-20 years, and while still useful, may not really be historically accurate, but reminds the reader that this doesn't diminish their wonderful scent. He also gets into various incense philosophies, the ethics of incense making, for example whether or not to use animal material (he advises not), rare poached plants, possible attempts at fraud by merchants of incense materials, etc.

Neal discusses the possible dangers of synthetic based dipped incenses, the possible toxins and harmful effects, as well as the dangers of saltpetre found in most commercial charcoals, and why he prefers to use more natural materials. He seems to have a special reverence for Japanese incense making techniques, philosophies and practices, and several are detailed within.

A variety of recipes are offered, including numerous 'traditional' scents, and ritual-specific recipes such as 'Sanctification', 'Handfasting' and even 'Happy Cats', followed by a chapter on experimentation, which he encourages, whereas some other books don't mention or avoid for fear of making something 'dangerous', but without the use of saltpetre, as Neal advises, this is unlikely to be a problem.

Advises making nice smelling incense, but also notes that one might want to 'make incense that does not create a pleasing scent, strictly because of the magickal alignment of the materials' (pg 40-41), or perhaps 'if you're a prankster, you'll even find that your incense making skills can be used to create some pretty terrible smells' (pg 41) ' though he does note that no recipes of this type can be found in this book.

Wonderful as it is, I do have a few criticisms. There are a few typos, and it often gets repetitive in parts; indeed, there is even a small section that is repeated in its entirety (pg 45). While there are a few pictures, step-by-step illustrations to go along with the text, though detailed, would have been appreciated, as not everyone will be able to visualize the steps clearly, especially those who have never made incense before. Appendix B lists numerous suppliers in the United States, with a handful in the UK, but none in Canada. It would be nice if, in future editions, the appendix branched out a bit to include more locales.

Very easy to use, 'Incense' offers step-by-step instructions on how to acquire tools, materials and various incense burners. This is an excellent book for those with an interesting in incense making or who are just starting out, and as Neal notes, even if you don't end up making your own incense, you'll have a much better idea of what goes into the process and which things to consider when purchasing off the shelf at your local shop.

I bought the book after attending one of his lectures at UEA in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I found if to be a great and informative book. I now know my days of using chemicals in my past blends is finally at an end. Thanks for the enlightenment.

I read this book the day it was released. I have read about every incense book I can find. This is by far the best as far as explaning how to make incense that I have ever read. And yes, saltpeter is dangerous. I have allergies and the smell of saltpeter makes me very ill. It also hides the smell of the loose incense that you are burning. I am glad to know that there is an alternative to burning loose incense. This book is a job well done!!!

This is THE book for those who want to learn how to make natural herbal incense (not using saltpeter which is dangerous). It is filled with good information for the beginner as well as the expert, and is set up in an easy-to-use format. I have already tried some of the recipies and am delighted with the results. Carl Neal has proven that he knows what he is talking about and knows how to present the information in simple language for even the most rank beginner to understand. If you want to know how to make good incense, buy this book.

IVE MADE LOTS OF THE INCENSE IN THIS BOOK. I LOVE THE ALTAR BLENDS BEST. I LIKE THIS BOOK MORE THAN OTHERS IVE GOT BECAUSE IT IS SO EASY TO UNDERSTAND. IF YOU BUY THIS BOOK AND CUNINGHAMS MAGIC ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS AND YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE MAGIC INCENSE.

EVEN IF YOU DONT USE INCENSE FOR MAGIC, YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO ROLL YOUR OWN CONES AND STICKS. IT WAS FUN AND IM REALLY GLAD AMAZON HAS THIS BOOK.

Finally someone wrote a book on how to make stick, cones, and other incense naturally. Carl shows us step by step, how to make incense without using unnatural products. Not only is this wonderful for those who follow the Pagan path, but for people who have terrible allergies. This burns cleaner and you can smell the REAL scent of the herbs and resins used.

Cunningham is great for loose incense and for magical correspondenses, but Carl expands and shows us how to make the solid sticks, cones, etc. These are much handier when traveling or don't wish to bother with charcoal(especially the kind with saltpeter).

Kudos also for showing some Japanese methods. This book is intended to show different kinds of methods and doesn't focus on just one idea. Just like there are all sorts of people in this world, there are all sorts of ideas coming from this book.

So I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who wants to make NATURAL incense for whatever their reasons. I've used several of his recipes and haven't failed yet. They smell so WONDERFUL and NO saltpeter!

Congratulations Carl Neal on a job well done.