The Path and Life of Witchyredrose

Whether you use raw incense, blocks or incense papers, you'll need an incense burner. The censer can be anything from a gilt, chain equipped, church-type affair to a bowl of sand or salt. It truly doesn't matter.

I know occultists who've used the bowl-and-salt method for years, long after they could have afforded to purchase other censers. Although I have several, perhaps my favorite censer is actually a mortar from Mexico.
It is carved from lava, stands on three legs and is perfect for use as a censer. Your own taste should determine which censer is right for you.
If nothing else is available, use a bowl half-filled with sand or salt and get on with it. The sand protects the bowl and the surface on which it sits against heat. It also provides a handy place on which to prop up stick incense.

Using Combustible Incense
Simply light it, blow out the flame after the tip is glowing, and set it in the censer. As it burns visualize your magical goal manifesting in your life. It's that simple. You may wish to also burn candles of the appropriate color, perhaps anointed with a scented oil that is also aligned with your goal. Naturally, incense may also be smoldered as a part of a larger ritual.

Using Noncombustible Incense
Light a self-igniting charcoal block (see below) and place it in a censer. Once the block is glowing and saltpeter within it has stopped sparkling, sprinkle a half-teaspoon or so of the incense on the block. Use a small spoon if you wish. It will immediately begin to burn, and in doing so, release fragrant smoke.*

Remember: Use just a small amount of incense at first. When the smoke begins to thin out, add more. If you dump on a spoonful of incense it will probably extinguish the charcoal block, so use small amounts.
Incenses containing large amounts of resins and gums (frankincense, myrrh and so on) burn longer than those mainly composed of woods and leaves.
Don't knock off the ash that forms on top of the charcoal unless the incense starts to smell foul. In such a case, scrape off the burning incense and the ash with a spoon and add a fresh batch.
Frankincense does tend to smell odd after smoldering for some time. Incense can be burned as part of a magical ritual, to honor higher forces, or as a direct act of magic, such as to clear a house of negativity and to smooth peaceful vibrations throughout it.
There's a difference between burning and smoldering; though I use such terms as "burn this incense" several times in this book, I really mean "smolder."

Charcoal Blocks

These are necessities for burning noncombustible incense. They're available in a wide range of sizes, from over an inch in diameter (they're usually round) to about a half-inch size. Most religious and occult supply stores stock them, and they can be obtained from mail-order suppliers. Potassium nitrate is added to these charcoal blocks during their manufacture to help them ignite.
When touched with a lit match, fresh charcoal blocks erupt into a sparkling fire which quickly spreads across the block. If you wish, hold the block. It may light easily. If so, quickly place it in the censer to avoid burning your fingers. Or, light the block in the censer itself, thereby preventing burns. This is some what harder to do. Unfortunately, some charcoal blocks aren't fresh, have been exposed to moisture, or haven't been properly saturated with the potassium nitrate solution and so don't light well. If this is the case relight the block until it is evenly glowing and red. Then pour on the incense.

Incense

I make no claims to be an expert on incense, oils, and the like. Nearly all of the information here appears as I would use it from my own Grimoires. I've tried to be concise, but the creation of and the various purposes of incense requires in depth reading.  The following table lists some basic fragrances and their uses. The forms used are up to you. For information, I heartily suggest, Scott Cunningham, 1989. Llewellyn Publications, USA and any books, Wiccan/Pagan or not, on aromatherapy.

Acacia: Attunement, Motherhood.

Allspice: Cleansing, The Element of Fire, Health, Warmth, An end to fear, Power.

Amber (Warm): Attunement, The Consecration of Tools, The Element of Earth, Exorcism, Healing. (my favorite: Labdanum Resin from Cistus ladaniferous)

Amber, Fragrant (or "Sweet"): Authority, Gods, Meditation, Protection.

Apple (blossom): Fertility, Prevention of Homesickness, Spring.

Apple (fruit): The Cycle of Life, Happiness, Marriage.

Bayberry: Birth, Cleansing, Initiation, Yule.

Bay (laurel): Achievement, Consecration, Divination, Exorcism, The God Apollo, Priest(esse)s, Male Deity.

Bergamot: Attunement, Holiness.

Blueberry: Goddesses, Harvests, Protection of crops, Survival in bad weather.

Catmint/Catnip: Bast, Creativity, Gymnastic/acrobatic ability, Inner Harmony, Luck, Power, Visions.

Cedar: Attunement, Ceremonial States, Cleansing, Consecration of Tools, Healing, Purification, Purity.

Chamomile: Centering, Luck, Peace.

Cinnamon: Centering, Divination, Element of Fire, Healing, Oneness, Warmth.

Clove: Element of Earth, Healing, An end to Pain, Openness, Warmth, Wisdom.

Cypress: Banishing, Consecration of tools, Oaths, Out of Body experiences.

Damiana: Aphrodisiac, Love.

Frankincense: Ancestral memory, Divination, Holiness, Initiation, Protection

Floral, Any: Element of Air, Fertility, Goddesses (esp. Floralia), New beginnings.

Gardenia: Aphrodisiac, Beauty, Love, Marriage, Perfect Trust.

Ginger: Anointing, Element of Fire, Energy, Healing, Holiness, Warmth.

Ginseng: Aphrodisiac, Creativity, Element of Earth, Thought, Warmth.

Honeysuckle: Creativity, Element of Air, Love, Peace, Tranquillity.

Jasmine: Anointing, The Element of Water, Fertility, Goddesses, Inspiration, The Night, The Moon, Poetry.

Lavender: Attunement, Cleansing, Healing, Health, Luck, Lust.

Lemon: Appetite, Cleansing, The Element of Fire, Health.

Lily of The Valley: The Goddess Nemisis, The Fey, Purity, Virginity, Wisdom.

Lotus: The Element of Water, Energy, Holiness, Inner Harmony, Inner Peace, Visions, Wisdom.

Mace, see Nutmeg.

Marigold: Fertility, Health, Sun, Warmth.

Melissa (Lemon Balm): Healing, Element of Water, Fertility, Goddesses, Purity of thought.

Musk: The Gods, Lust, Male fertility, Strength, The Warrior.

Myrrh: Cleansing, The Element of Earth, Holiness.

Nutmeg: Luck, Soothing, Strength, Winter.

Orange, Blossom: Goddesses, Rebirth, Spring.

Orange, Fruit: Cleansing, Heartiness, Summer.

Patchouli: Holiness, Inner Peace, The Gods, Strength.

Peach: Fruition, Love, Soothing, Summer.

Peppermint: Anointing, Cleansing, The Gods, Strength.

Pine: Cleansing, Consecration of Tools, Defense, Harvest, Heartiness, Winter.

Pine, White: Attunement, Ceremonial States, Element of Air, Element of Earth, Exorcism, The Gods.

Raspberry: Fertility, Health, Soothing, Sustenance.

Rose, Red: Anointing, Element of Water, Fertility, Harvest, Health, Love, Magick, Romance.

Rose, Yellow: Anointing, Element of Water, The Goddesses, To Turn jealousy, Lust.

Sage: Ancestral Memory, Attunement, Ceremonial States, Cleansing, Consecration of tools, Exorcism, Healing, The Inner Elder, Purity, Magick, Meditation, Wisdom.

Saffron: Ancestral Memory, Dreams, Sacrifices, Warmth.

Sandalwood: Attunement, Autumn, Ceremonial States, Cleansing, Control, Element of Air, Exorcism, The Gods, Shielding, Protection.

Spearmint: Anointing, Cleansing, The Goddesses, Meditation.

Strawberry: The Goddesses, Harvest, Summer, Sustenance, Youth.

Vanilla: Attunement, Element of Earth, Fertility, The Goddesses, Healing.

Violet: Anointing, Growth, Nobility, Purity.

Wisteria: Grace, The Inner Child(feminine), Maidenhood, Purity

Incense Papers
Incense papers are a delightful variation of combustible incense. Here, rather than using charcoal and gum tragacanth, tinctures and paper are the basic ingredients. When finished you'll have produced several strips of richly scented paper that can be smoldered with a minimum of fuss.

To make incense papers, take a piece of white blotter paper and cut it into six-inch strips about an inch wide.
Next, add one and one-half teaspoons potassium nitrate to one half cup very warm water.
Stir until the saltpeter is completely dissolved.
Soak the paper strips in the saltpeter solution until thoroughly saturated.
Hang them up to dry. You now have paper versions of the charcoal blocks used to burn incense.

The obstacle in scenting them is to overcome the normal smell of burning paper. For this reason, heavy fragrances should be used, such astinctures.
Tinctures compounded from gums and resins seem to produce the best results. I've tried using true essential oils with incense papers but without much success. Empower the tincture(s) with your magical need, then pour a few drops of the tincture onto one strip of paper. Smear this over the paper and add more drops until it is completely coated on one side.
Hang the strip up to dry and store in labelled, airtight containers until needed. To speed drying, turn on the oven to a low temperature, leave the door open, and place the soaked incense papers on the rack. Remove them when dry.

Generally speaking, incense papers should be made with one tincture rather than mixtures. But, once again, try various formulas until you come up with positive results.

To use incense papers, simply remove one paper and hold it above your censer.
Light one tip with a match, and after it is completely involved in flame, quickly blow it out.
Place the glowing paper in your censer and let it smolder, visualizing or working your magical ritual. Incense papers should burn slowly and emit a pleasant scent, but again your results will vary according to the strength of the the tincture and the type of paper used.

Plain unscented incense papers can be used in place of charcoal blocks.
For this purpose soak the papers in the potassium nitrate solution and let dry, then set one alight in the censer.
Sprinkle a thin layer of the incense over the paper. As it burns the paper will also smolder your incense. You may have difficulty in keeping incense paper lit. The secret here is to allow air to circulate below the papers. You can ensure this by either placing the paper on some heat-proof object in the censer, or by filling the censer with salt or sand and thrusting one end of the paper into this, much as you might with incense sticks. The paper should burn all the way to its end.
Incense papers are a simple and enjoyable alternative to normal combustible incense.
Try them!

The Cauldron
 
Symbol of Rebirth, Renewal and Plenty.
 
The magical depths of the cauldron hold a Witch's most potent primal brews.
Orginially identified with the Witch because of her mysterious habit of brewing potions and herbal remedies, the cauldron is an ancient cooking vessel, steeped in magical tradition and mystrey. It is the container in which magical transformations occur; the holy spring if you like. It is normally a black, cast-iron pot and is used by Witches variously for brewing potions, burning incense or holding charcoal or herbs.
 
Symbolically, the cauldron combines the influences of the four ancient elements and represents the womb of the Goddess. Many other symbols honour the Goddess including the cup or chalice, five-petalled flowers, the mirror, necklace, sea shell, pearl, silver and emerald.
 
Like the cup, the cauldron is also a symbol of rebirth, renewal and inexhaustible plenty, and its ritual use relates to these concepts. It is, however, more adaptable than the cup or chalice, as it can contain fore, water, incense or flowers as the occasion demands.
 
Leaping over the cauldron, like leaping over the broomstick or bonfire, is a fertility rite. While Wiccans see the cauldron as a symbol of the manifested essence of femininity and fertility, it is also symbolic of the element of water, and of reincarnation, immortality and inspiration.
 
It is often a focal point of rituals, and during spring rites can be filled with fresh water and flowers. During winter a fire can be burned within it to represent the returning heat and light of the sun (the God) from the cauldron (the Goddess).
 
Ideally the cauldron should be made of iron and have three legs. The opening at the top should be smaller than the pot's widest part. Cauldron's can be hard to find, but you can always ask the God and GOddess to send one your way! Don't forget to try antique or junk shops, and take into consideration an old household cooking pot, which is a perfectly reasonable substitute. A similarly shaped brass or copper pot is also a suitable alternative if an iron one proves too hard to find.
 
Cauldrons come in all sizes, though are rarely big enough for Hansel and Gretel! Some Witches have a collection ranging in size from quite tiny to quite large. If you are thinking of brewing, note that it can take a while for things to boil in a large cauldron, and that it's not always convenient (or legal) to get a big fire burning in your back yard, especially during Australian summer. However, most witches use large pots on stoves these days.
 
In ritual, you can place your cauldron next to your altar. If you have a broomstick, place it on the opposite side of the altar. The cauldron can also become an instrument of gazing -- fill it with water and stare into the intriguing depths.

By Lady Bridget, © 1997

What is dressing a candle and what does it do? Dressing refers to coating the candle with oil while concentrating on the intention for which you will be burning the candle. This is done after you inscribe it. This adds additional vibrations of the oil, and also your own body oil from your hands. Using an oil appropriate to the work you are doing (this may take some research on your part - do it, remember you only get out what energy you put in.) sprinkle the number of drops of oil on the candle (also using a number appropriate to the work you are doing) and gently stroke the candle that same number of times from bottom to top. Then repeat the strokes from top to bottom. Repeat the third time from the middle out to the two ends.

One thing to remember, and this is never written in any books that I have seen, is that there is a definite direction to rub the candle. You always should do the dressing in one direction. For example: If you are doing a spell to bring something TO YOU then always rub the candle towards you. When you rub the candle from top to bottom, rub it towards you. When you have to rub it from bottom to top, then TURN THE CANDLE AROUND so it is still rubbing towards you.

It is also common practice to inscribe your candle prior to adding the oil, using your athame (or your "sacred toothpick"!) or any other sharp object. Inscribe it with a symbol of your objective, your name & birthdate, your sun sign, and any other symbols or sigels or seals which seem appropriate to you. One of my favorites to use for a money ritual is dollar signs! Those definitely speak to my Younger Self!

If you are using a 5 day candle (in the glass), then you won't be able inscribe anything on the sides of it in the wax. The top of the candle can be inscribed with what is commonly called the "Star of David" which is two triangles inscribed over each other and with the points opposite each other. This symbol stands for "as above, so below" which means that what is in the cosmos is reflected here on earth, and vice versa. It is a common magickal symbolism for this concept, and can be found in many other magickal traditions.

Also using oil in a candle encased in glass will be different. Use just a few drops of oil, as too much may cause the candle to smother itself. Using a long letter opener, or other long, sharp tool CAREFULLY push down into the wax at each of the points of the star. Be extremely careful not to crack or break the glass. Use a slow, steady pressure, and if there is a lot of resistance, stop. This gives a channel for the oil to go into and will help the candle to burn it off more evenly. When you are done with the oil, wipe the letter opener or whatever tool you used on each of your wrists to attach this candle to your energies even further. This is especially important if you are dressing a candle for another person, wipe the oil on THEIR wrists to link the candle to them.

You can also sprinkle the candle top with colored sprinkles if they are appropriate to your spell, like gold sprinkles for money, for instance. A little imagination can dress up your candle to a work of magickal art that will delight and inspire you.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

If the candle smothers itself more than once, and keeps going out - take it as a sign that you should stop, especially if you are working a ritual for someone else. If the glass cracks, or if it explodes, you may be getting a message. Go with what you feel the message is.

Whatever you are asking for, you must see it as already manifested for you (put money on the altar for a money spell) see it there for you already. See you spell's outcome in your mind's eye as having already occurred.

Whatever you feed, grows - whatever you starve, dies.

This means that whatever you dwell on, positive or negative, you are "feeding" energy to, namely, the energy of your thoughts. So be sure that the thoughts you dwell on are the positive things you want to see manifesed.

Observation is critical (and could save your ..ahem..assets). You should keep a magickal journal of your observations. For example: If you are doing "XYZ ritual and this is the result, and noticed this when..." WRITE all this down in your BOS or a magickal diary. THIS WILL PROVE TO BE INVALUABLE !!! At some time in the future, you may need to do a spell again. It is critical that you know exactly what happened, and when. If a spell was ineffective, you certainly wouldn't want to waste your time doing it that way again, would you? A magickal diary will also document and show your grouth, both spiritually and as a magickal worker.

Whenever you do a spell, give yourself an out, by saying
"if it be for my highest good...."
"and with harm to none....."
and "this or something better for me.."
This is to prevent ourselves from trying to outsmart your Self by asking for something you may want badly, but which is really not conducive to your well-being. Remember, your Higher Self, or Guardian Angel, or Spirit Guide (whateer you choose to call this force/being) is looking out for you. Given the chance, He/She will guide you to the correct path.

It is alright to have a SMALL amount of alcohol to relax you if you feel very tense. Of course, getting drunk or high will not make your magick better!

Types of Candles and Their Uses

Regular Candles

Plain, straight round candles come in many sizes, which affect their burning
time. These include: "minis" which burn a few hours; small votives types
which burn 10 hours; jumbos which burn 15 hours; seven day (and even 14
day!) candles which burn for more than an entire week.

Cat Candles

Burned to reverse bad luck.

Cross or Crucifix Candles

Used as altar candles to uplift one's consciousness, cleanse the atmospheres
and attract positive spirits from which you will receive aid.

Seven-Knob (Or Wishing) Candles

Burn an entire candle for a wish, one knob each day for a week. Write your
wish down on a piece of parchment paper and place it below the candle before
starting your ritual.

Image Candles

Candles in the shape of a man or woman. Act as an aid in the visualization
process to associate the candle with the person toward whom the spell is
directed

Devil Candles

Burned to exorcise or release negative holds on individuals. As the candle
burns, so does the evil in life disperse.

Skull Candles

Generally used for revenge, to break hexes & reverse adverse circumstances,
and to banish death. The symbolism is that, as the "face of death" burns
away, the practitioners will grow stronger.

Reversible Action Candles

Red candles coated on the outside with a layer of black wax. Burned to
dispel evil influences and to send them back from wherever they came.

Double Action "Jumbo" Candles

Two-layer candles, symbolic of the good and evil forces of life. Burned in
two ways at once - to draw beneficial energy and favorable circumstances,
and to disperse harmful energy exerting a negative influence.

Novena or 7 Day Candle

A 9" tall, glass encased candle which burns for approximately 7 days. They
are generally given very particular purposes, according to the designs and
symbols on the glass jar.

Hedge Magic
Author Unknown

Hedge magic is the simple, homespun magic of the hearth and home, the minor spells and charms designed to make one's earthly existence a bit more comfortable. It can be used to find lost buttons, to heal minor ailments, to mend torn cloth, to calm a frightened horse, and so on. It is magic that is passed down from generation to generation, learned from an elder relative.
Hedge magic is not particularly formulaic, and can thus be cast 'on the fly', but usually consists of simple spells or chants for a specific purpose. Hedge witches may create up to 5 standing spells (ex. finding spells, minor healing spells, mending spells, animal charm spells, etc.). They have immediate access to these spells at all times, and can use them without limit. These spells require only a spoken component and a direct intent. They do not require any ritual paraphenalia or materials, though those items may be used to increase a spell's potency. Hedge witches may also use magic in a less constrained manner, though it takes more effort and time, and the effects are usually less immediate. These instances are handled on a case by case basis. This sort of hedge magic is often accompanied by material components (usually small tokens created by the hedge witch to focus the intent of his or her magic).