Incense Burning: Meanings, Uses in Spiritual Practices & Smudging
By Amy Lupton
Almost every religion and spiritual practice to date has an incense element to it. The burning of incense has been transporting people to a different spiritual plane for many centuries, connecting them with their sole purpose in life.
In Japan, Kōdō – meaning “Way of Incense” is a highly ritualized incense ceremony that cultivates refinement and deepens both sensory and spiritual awareness.
Indigenous peoples and Native Americans used Smudging or Sage Burning to cleanse spaces spiritually or energetically.
According to John Parrott, co-founder of Relax Like a Boss, in Christianity, the burning of incense can be related to things of worship, like confessions, prayers, and adorations. They represent truth and faith, with the good and pleasing aromas they make representing all that is acceptable. Incense and the practice of burning it can be found in several places in the Bible (Exodus, Leviticus, and even Psalms). In Revelation, incense is depicted being held in bowls and is directly referred to as “the prayers of the holy ones.” Many people today have called these practices "New Age" or "Modern Age", but they stem back for thousands of years.
You don't have to be a specific religion to honor the practice of incense burning. It is a medium to accomplish a prayer, thought, or ritual.
How To Burn Incense On Charcoal
PSA: Common sense shows whenever you work with fire of any kind, please, please be safe. Never leave open flames/fire unattended and always be cautious of where you place your items so nothing can be easily disturbed or knocked over. Always make sure you are in a well ventilated space (once again common sense comes in handy as you should never breathe lots of smoke in a small space). Please also be aware of purchasing charcoal tablets that are appropriate for incense burning methods as inhaling fumes from the wrong kind of charcoal tablets can be very dangerous. Also, incense that is made from chemical agents have been shown to have an adverse effect on the body and Liferoot recommends only using herbs and naturally occurring resins. Ok, now to the fun!
Tools you need for Charcoal Incense Burning:
1 Charcoal Tablet
1 Heatsafe Dish (circular incense holder)
1 Lighter/Matches (long lighter is best)
1 Set of Tongs
Incense Blend (enough to cover the charcoal tablet)
Sand (enough for a good solid protection between the charcoal disk and heat safe dish)
Instructions:
The only thing you will need to do for maintenance is very occasionally change out the sand and restock your charcoal.
Take up a charcoal (using the tongs) and light it with a lighter. It might be best to light it outside, because the charcoal will smoke when it’s first lit. Once it stops smoking, you can bring it back inside. It should be glowing red, or at least have apparent flecks of red burning within.
Using the tongs, carefully place on the sand in heat safe dish.
Place your loose incense on top of the charcoal to let it smolder. Read above our PSA to make sure you are practicing safe methods.
The charcoal dish will remain hot for around 45 minutes, so make sure to not leave unattended.
We recommend two types of loose incense:
Herbs (plant material) & resins.
RESINS:
Many religions have some sort of resins they burn (Mosques, Temples, Buddhist Temples and so on). Resins produces more smoke that plant material and need to be in small pieces (can use mortar and pestle for this).
Our Faves:
Frankincense- This resin was used in ceremonial offerings, as a way to "offer" your thoughts and prayers to heaven. It's a very earthy and wonderful smell.
Myrrh- Also a resin, this was used for anointing and purification. When burned, it brings about good remembrance, often contemplative, reflective thoughts and feelings.
PLANT MATERIAL
Many herbs, flowers and plant material have a wonderful smell when burned, but some don’t. Some pleasant smelling herbs are rose, lavender, sage, patchouli. Burning different fragrances with their incense can have different meanings and purposes.
Some of these include:
Acacia. This can be burned with Sandalwood to stimulate your third eye chakra and increase spiritual awareness.
Basil and Sage. These common herbs can be burned to protect against negativity or unwanted energy.
Bergamont, Lavender: Burned for prosperity, wealth, joy, and an uplifting of the spirits.
Peppermint or Cardamom: This can be burned to increase and enhance focus, motivation, mental clarity, confidence, strength, and balance.
Chamomile, Lavender: Commonly burned for feelings of calm, peace, and tranquility.
Orange, Rose: These are burned to increase luck, wealth, love.
Sandalwood: Burned for increase awareness of mind and spirit.
What Does Smudging Mean?
Smudging is somewhat similar to the idea of burning incense. It was common throughout ancient history of cultures around the world, though it’s perhaps most well-known as a Native American tribal ritual.
Smudging is burning plants (most commonly sage) wrapped in a bundle with string or string-like grasses wrapped tightly around it. Smudging can also be done with a small stick of wood such as Palo Santo, or a bunch of grasses such as sweetgrass.
Some native groups that commonly smudge include the Lakota, Cahuilla, and Chumash. We are grateful for these groups that have carried these traditions on and made them available for others to practice and translate into other cultures. Today, several cultures share similar practices surrounding smudging.
In addition to the spiritual meanings, it can come with health benefits. Many believe that the smoke can promote healing, lift mood, and be used to purify and sanctify. It will effectively “clean out” the energy in the space where the smoke is burned.
This is why many practices use it in the home, garden, or outdoor space. This can be used to clean negative energy, bad trauma energy, and so on.
It is also known for its healing energies, and some scientific studies have been conducted to back this up. Many plants when burned have an antimicrobial effect on the air around it, so it is believed to alter the viral load in the air.
According to relaxlikeaboss.com, the burning of sage may also release negative ions. This releases positive ions. Some of these positive ions include allergens such as pet dander, mold, dust, and pollution. The sage may be able to relieve the symptoms and effects of these allergens on the body. It is has been known to help those with asthma and bronchitis as well as allergy symptoms.
It’s important to note that these conditions can actually be worsened by inhaling the smoke itself. Therefore, it’s best to wait until after the smoke has cleared to enter a room or home where smudging has taken place. It is also known for its ability to lift mood, help with sleep and improve cognition.
To see the Healing study click here.