Can a stick of incense be a ritual? I think so.
The act is the ritual
While taking time to pick out a simple stick (or cone) of incense may seem basic, there is potent potential every time you burn incense. Incense is a wonderful tool not only in compliment of rituals, but as ritual itself.
Inside Incense
Incense are commonly plant materials (ground plants, gums, and resins) that are burned for the purpose of creating fragrant smoke.
Incense can be on a stick, formed into a cone, or a loose mixture burned over charcoal. All forms are wonderful tools and each application allows the user to find what is best for their individual practice.
Digging Deeper
Here are 10 ways to utilize incense as ritual (with no other tools):
Cleansing – smoke cleansing is a powerful and soothing way to energetically clean spaces, items, and even yourself. Intentionally wafting smoke in a pattern or rhythmic motion can help shift energy and release anything that may be stuck. For tips on effective smoke cleansing, check out this blog post.
Protection – much like cleansing, incense smoke can also be utilized to fortify personal protections. Just as you would waft incense smoke to release energy, shifting your intention to invite in protection is also effective. Coupled with reciting an affirmation out loud, building protective energetic boundaries is a wonderful way to use incense.
Timer – mini incense sticks can be the perfect timer for a task you don’t exactly want to do. Folding laundry, doing dishes, or breaking down boxes become easier tasks with the gentle aroma of incense filling your space.
Concentration – sometimes a chaotic (or too quiet) workspace can make it hard to finish or even begin what we need to accomplish. Lighting incense while you begin a reading, writing, or computer task can give your wandering mind a sensory anchor inside the gentle aroma.
An Invitation – specific incense can be used to welcome the energy of ancestors. If Grandma’s house always smelled of citrus, seek out a citrus scended incense to welcome Grandma into your space and practice.
Release – allowing the scent of incense smoke to envelop your energy can aid in releasing anything from a bad day to a hasty habit. A way to incorporate this into your daily life is while showering or bathing. Light the incense just as you step in the water and as the water washes away physical dirt and grime, envision the smoke washing away energetic, mental, and emotional build up.
Smoke Scrying – gazing into the smoke of incense is a wonderful scrying practice. Allow yourself to enter a meditative state and while you gaze into the smoke of your incense images and symbols may appear. Journal your impressions as a way to reflect on any intentions or questions that arise during your scrying session.
Consecration – when welcoming new tools into your rituals and personal practices, it can help to have a process for dedicating those items. Passing these sacred items, new and well-loved, through incense smoke while speaking your intentions to each, facilitates the consecration of that item to your practice.
Sending Spirit Mail – in many cultures and religions, there is a belief that incense smoke carries our messages, prayers, and intentions to those in the spirit realm. Out loud, tell your stick of unlit incense exactly what it is you wish to communicate to the beyond. As you light the incense, visualize a cosmic mailbox receiving your imbued incense smoke and transporting it to the mailbox of your recipient.
Celebration – incense are an ideal enhancement for the ambience of celebrations and gatherings. The inclusion of an uplifting aroma and it’s gentle smoke can amplify the excitement and energy for all occasions.
Other Options
What about smokeless-incense? Great question, glad you asked!
What is called smokeless-incense is typically a liquid room spray in an atomizer bottle or aerosol can. This form often utilizes many of the same plant materials but more likely in oil form. This tool can absolutely utilized as incense, especially in spaces where burning/smoke are not appropriate or welcome; however, the 10 rituals described above may not exactly translate. That’s okay! Move in a way that makes sense to you and make them your own.
Cultivating the Embers
With endless scents and sizes, there is an incense perfect for your practice. Start small and slow, have ventilation options, and allow yourself to intuitively engage. As your rituals and personal practice develops, the role incense plays will shift and grow as well.
The true beauty of engaging in incense rituals are their seemingly simple nature. With no other tools or supplies necessary, incense welcomes you into a one-on-one experience where it’s gentle smoke guides you to explore and expand your consideration of ritual and fulfillment within.