Trying out some new tricks

[lenyberry]

 I got myself a loose-incense burning setup the other day, so that I can test some of the blends I want to make. Ran my first attempt today -- just, using the charcoal, seeing how a few things smell individually when burned so I can guess at how they'd smell in combination, and how much of each thing I might want to use to get the effects I'm after. 

I have sort of vague plans to make an incense blend for each of the equinoxes, solstices and cross-quarters, ideally with exclusively ingredients that I can grow or forage myself in my area. It's at least an aspirational idea, I might end up bowing to the need for more variety and incorporating other stuff than just what's naturally available here, but I've at least got a pretty solid baseline concept for a Samhain blend already, and might be able to concoct a good Yule blend in time for actual Yule, if I primarily go with evergreens.

The charcoal tablets sure do leave a large quantity of ash behind, which will maaaybe make certain of my magical powders and other recipes that use general ash as a key ingredient easier to make in quantity, anyway. Saving up ash from incense cones and sticks takes a while to get enough. 

Also finally got the issue with my paypal sorted out so I could send money for a Pillowfort code. Because I really, REALLY want an actual tumblr-like thing to use that isn't run by complete idiots (which doesn't mean I'm planning on ditching DW as soon as I get on Pillowfort, just... really do want a few options). 

Comments

[lenyberry]

Haven't even fully left tumblr yet and I already miss the ability to just reblog your own post to add on a thing.

Anyway. I put together one blend, which I haven't tested & finalized proportions on yet, but I expect it'll be quite good. Not the Yule blend, one for general-purpose cleansing. I'm debating on whether or not I should add some dragon's blood, but I think I'll wait til I've tried it as it is first and then decide.

Chopping up some birch bark for the Yule blend reminded me how badly I want to get some food-grade birch bark and make an infused honey with birch and lavender, because that sounds utterly delicious. Probably an excellent offering for fae, but mostly I want it just for me because yum.