Easy Witch Incense!

>>>Hello Witch and Pagan friends!!<<<3

I'm here to tell you a little secret of mine that could help you immensely if you're doing spell work or cleansing that requires just a bit (but not too much) incense!

I always struggle with charcoal because I never need to burn that much incense, and the initial fumes from it is just awful. Sticks and cones are sweet but they don't let you control how much you want very well. They burn until they're out!

I'm here to tell you how you can control exactly how much incense you need that you can turn "on" and "off" pretty much at will. It takes the smallest bit of effort and it's worth every minute. Besides, who doesn't love an extra bit of intention and energy in their incense?!

I LOVE using dried herbs as incense, particularly rosemary. I prefer rosemary for cleansing and exorcising because it smells fantastic and has extremely high vibrations. Even one small piece burned from the flame of a candle will purify any cozy circle cast around me.

I'm going to show you how to make an incense packet of rosemary that you have full control over.

Anyway let's get on it!!

>>>>>>STEP 1!<<<<<<3

Go to a local smoke shop or a gas station or shop online for some rolling papers. I use a 1&1/4 size because I like it small, but there are a ton of sizes you can get which is awesome.

Note: This is not a promotion of this particular product, it's just what I have on hand.

These are super cheap and it's what I'll be using for this project.

You'll also need:

- a round pen (about the size of a BIC) *lol also not a promotion*

- your tongue

- A small piece of paper

>>>>>>STEP 2!<<<<<<3

Before I get to step 2 I want to explain some things about rolling paper:

- it's SUPER easy to tear. Use a gentle hand and be patient.

- there's a shiny strip of gum on the paper, and that's what you use to get it to stick to itself. Eventually you'll lick this (I know right). Make sure when you roll it the shiny part faces inward.

Take out a paper and wrap that bad boi on your pen. This doesn't have to be perfect, or super tight but make sure it rolls flat. That'll help with later steps!

Now the fun part,

LICK THAT STRIP

But wait wait wait, don't get it too slimy or it'll make the paper wet, so just use the tiniest tip of your tongue and that should be enough.

After you lick it smooth it down and avoid creases.

You should end up with something like this:

Great!

>>>>>>STEP 3!<<<<<<3

Here I'm going to show you how to prepare this for filling. The idea is that we fill this paper with rosemary, and then burn it from one end.

So! Put the paper on the pen and leave about a centimeter of space off the end.

Then twist it up nice and tight!

Amazing, good job! We're almost done.

>>>>>>STEP 4!<<<<<<3

Now you'll want your rosemary, and that piece of paper.

Put the rosemary on the paper until you have a good-sized pile and crush it up!

I use my favorite mortar and pestle to crush it but you can just wrap it in the paper and agitate it that way. Be careful not to crush too hard with the paper though or it'll break and rosemary will go EVERYWHERE.

Now you've got crushed rosemary and a little paper tube to put it in! Woo success!

>>>>>>STEP 5!<<<<<<3

Okay, this part can be abnoxious but I've tried to make it as easy on you (and me) as possible. Filling the rolling paper!

So, to make this a bit easier I used that small paper piece and folded it along the middle, put my rosemary in it and essentially made a little tent to pour from.

Now stick the folded crease just into the hole of the rolling paper and start tapping on the tent with your middle or pointer finger.

As you fill it, take the pen and pack it down into the rolling paper so that it fills up easily. This packing will also make it burn more evenly!

Keep filling and packing until you finish. Along the way, you'll drop some little pieces on the table. That's alright, I've got a trick for that too!

Just push it into a pile, and smush your finger on it really hard for a few seconds (works better if your hands are warm). Lift up your finger really fast and you can push those pieces back onto the tent.

>>>>>>FINAL PRODUCT!<<<<<<3

Great! The moment of truth is almost here. After putting all of your rosemary into the rolling paper, twist a centimeter of the paper tightly at the open end to seal it up.

Now you've got a sweet little incense packet to burn.

Quick tips!

- when you begin to burn it, only put a small bit of one end in the flame at a time. Rotate it as you light it and then (away from the flame) turn it upside down for a couple seconds so that the burnt end faces the ground! This will help it continue burning.

- don't blow on it! Blowing it will help it burn but it'll also make little flaming pieces fall out. The easiest way to keep it burning is to move it in little circles in the air. That'll keep up the air flow.

- don't worry about stuff falling out too much but be mindful. The burnt end should hold nice and tight as long as you don't squeeze it.

Okay! Now, how the heck do you control this? Once lit, you can snuff the burning end in some salt by holding it close to the end and pushing lightly until the smoke stops.

If you want to re-light it, put the burnt end back in the flame and rotate! Boom.

Hope you enjoy this nice trick! It's helped me a ton.

>>>>>>OTHER FUN USES!<<<<<<3

I like to use this as a general purpose incense but I have used it for:

- cleansing doors and rooms

- circle casting

- purifying tools

The great part about it is you can add whatever herb you want to it, or even herb mixes!

If you want to use a resin in it as well, you can powder it in a mortar and pestle and either mix it in with herbs - or - try using it by itself (haven't done this though so let me know how it works for you).

Thanks for reading!