sunshineluvr said:
thats what i was doing wrong.. i think i wasnt waiting long enough before adding the incense mix on the charcoal.
ok so light charcoal, wait until it stops fizzing/ sparking, THEN add incense. I'll give it a go, ty so much
Sulis and Sharpchick hve it pretty much down. I'd add to the above; wait a bit longer until it stops fizzing and the block starts to glow red all over. To facilitate this blow gently with 3 long breaths on the charcol.
Deffinatly be prepared to insulate the censor, thurible or whatever it is, Either on a little stand or coaster or have sand in the bowl, or a little pad to hold it with if the handle gets hot. I had a lovely censor once but it wasn't designed for that purpose, the heat melted the solder that held the handles on
.
I also used to use a steel plate with holes in it, or some H.D. metal mesh in the bottom to rest the charcoal on so the air could flow around it and keep it burning.
I dont like the charcol tabs they sell in most shops, the larger ones, they are hard to light, go to a Greek othodox church supplier and get rolls of the smaller ones (sometimes you can get a whole box of charcol rolls at these shops for a few dollars. They catch and burn very well, sometimes too well, they can explode and break apart if a few are set together).
Here is a hint for dramatic ritual (some people think this sort of thing is a wank but dramtaic ritual should be just that - dramatic - but not wanky posing) if you are lighting the charcol for a ceremony, do it in the dark, the charcoal makes great light patterns as it catches, like infectious electricity, (also blowing three times on it adds a bit of drama).
Some disagree with this approach but I have been to rituals where people couldn't even get the candles gong properly - pathetic, how are they going to be competent in ceremony or magic if they can't lean something as simple as that (and they weren't newcomers!). A competent practioner that knows their element and tool (and the surprises it might have in store for them) is a pleasure to watch. And chances are they are going to be able to deal with the rest of the ceremony and any unforseen events that may arise.
Some people don't seem to care about this, but ....if I went to the dentist and he kept dropping his instruments .....