What is the function of incense?

Incense has been burned for millennia and its main function is to carry, through its smoke, our prayers, messages and requests to the gods. As the smoke rises, your intentions are also raised and spread across the physical plane until they reach the vibration of the spiritual plane.

Because of this power to establish connections between people and the spiritual planes, many religions of the world burn herbs, resins and aromatic oils as incense in their rituals. Catholics, Umbandaists, Wiccans, Buddhists, Hindus and many others benefit from the powers of incense in their rituals, especially those intended for cleansing.

There are many forms of incense available. Among them, cones, spirals, incense in natura or even sticks and this article will deal with its use in rituals to attract or repel energies. Since each herb has specific properties and functions, we present the meanings of 22 popular scents, so you can use them. Check them out.

The functions of each incense

When choosing your incense sticks, it is essential that you are aware of their functions and properties. In this way, you can use their energies properly and benefit from them. In the following sections, we present the meanings of 22 aromas for you to choose according to your intentions. Check them out.

7 Herbs Incense

The incense of 7 herbs is used for purification of environments, spiritual connection, discharge and protection. This type of incense is made from combinations of powerful herbs such as rosemary, rue and aromatic resins such as frankincense and myrrh, but the recipe varies widely.

The number seven of this incense represents spiritual communication and that is why it is so powerful. To rid environments of negative energies, burn 7 herb incense in your home, preferably starting on the first day of the waning moon and continuing through the first day of the new moon.

When burning it, it is important to keep all the windows open so that stagnant energies start to flow as the aroma spreads.

Rosemary incense

The powers of rosemary incense are related to protection, purification, healing, youth, mental powers and studies. Ruled by the sun and the fire element, the aroma of this incense stimulates concentration, being indicated for students who need more focus to study.

When lit indoors, the invigorating aroma of rosemary attracts a youthful spirit into the home, cleansing the energies of the house and protecting everyone in it. It should preferably be lit on Sundays, the day ruled by the sun. Rosemary incense also helps to elevate the mind, being ideal for reaching deep meditative states.

Incense of Rue

Rue is an herb known for its powers of protection and purification. Incense made from this herb also possesses these properties and is also used to open the paths to love and aid in health.

To benefit from its purifying energies, it is best to light it when the moon is waning, preferably on Tuesdays or Saturdays. If you wish to open your paths to love, light it on a Friday of the new moon. Its protective effect is more intense when the moon is crescent or full.

Incense of Breuzinho or breu-white

The breu incense is produced from the aromatic sap extracted from a tree native to the Amazon region. Also known as breu branco or breuzinho, this incense is a powerful ally for protection, purification, astral cleansing and spiritual healing.

It should be burned preferably in its natural state, but there are incense sticks on the market 100% natural produced from this powerful herb. Light it during your bath to ensure an astral cleansing. Its power is more intense on Sundays.

Benzoin incense

Benzoin is an aromatic resin extracted from an Asian tree. Its incense is used because of its powers of purification, astral cleansing, prosperity, love and emotional stability. To purify your home or cleanse it astrally, light a benzoin incense stick in each room of the house, making sure all windows are open to circulate the air.

If you want to attract prosperity, burn benzoin incense when the moon is rising, preferably on Sundays or Thursdays. For love or emotional stability, benzoin incense should be lit on Fridays, ruled by Venus, the planet of relationships.

Cinnamon incense

Cinnamon incense is an excellent ally for those who wish to attract money, clients, increase love energy, instigate passion, increase protection and spice up sex life. Burnt on Fridays, this incense creates an atmosphere of lust and sensuality and is used to attract love and ensure pleasurable nights.

Because it is so versatile, it is important to pay attention to the day you burn this incense. If you want prosperity, it should be burned near the front door of your home or business, preferably on a sunny day (Sunday).

Burnt on Saturdays, the cinnamon incense ensures more astral protection. It is ruled by the Sun and the Fire element.

Lemongrass incense

Lemongrass is one of the names of the herb popularly known as capim santo or lemongrass. Its fresh scent invigorates the mind and elevates thoughts. Ruled by Air and Mercury, you should burn this incense when you wish to increase your protection and connect with higher beings.

In addition, it can be burned to promote astral cleaning of environments, preferably when the moon is waning and after doing the physical cleaning of the place where it will be burned.

Citronella incense

Citronella incense is a powerful natural insect repellent. Its aroma is fresh, inspiring and reminiscent of lemon scent. It should preferably be burned on summer evenings to combat insects. Use it also to create an invigorating atmosphere. Give preference to handmade and natural citronella incense sticks.

Clove incense

Clove has been burned as incense through the ages to attract money, prosperity, love and protection. Due to its intense powers, clove incense drives away any and all evil from the place and that is why it is employed in exorcism rituals.

Besides being an excellent insect repellent, clove also helps to break negative energies. To be used for love, clove incense should be lit when the moon is full or crescent, preferably on Fridays.

If you desire more money in your life, light clove incense sticks near the windows of your home so that the energy of prosperity finds its way to you. When burned, especially on Saturdays, cloves also increase protection.

Patchouli incense

Patchouli, sometimes spelled patchouli, is an herb native to Asia. Its energy is ruled by Saturn and the earth element and it is no coincidence that its aroma is reminiscent of the scent of wet earth. When burned, patchouli incense is used primarily to arouse passion and in purification rituals.

Patchouli incense is commonly burned to attract sexual attention from men as it is also considered an aphrodisiac. When burned on a crescent Sunday, this powerful incense attracts money, abundance and prosperity.

Apple incense with cinnamon

The apple and cinnamon incense combines the power of the Water and Fire elements in a perfect synergy between masculine and feminine polarities. Its powers are related to love, passion and seduction. If you wish to attract a new love, burn this powerful incense when the moon is rising.

Just remember that to attract a man, you should light it on a Friday, whereas it should be lit on a Sunday to attract a woman. When lit on a full moon night in the bedroom, it instigates passions and sexual desire, thus increasing the intensity of pleasure, as it is an aphrodisiac.

Passionfruit incense

Passion fruit is a fruit ruled by the element of Water and the Moon. Its strong feminine energy makes this incense to have calming properties, which also helps to attract more peace, harmony and new friends.

Whenever you feel that your house is charged, light a passion fruit incense to change the aura of the place. This powerful incense is extremely useful to drive away entities that cause fights. If burned on Fridays, passion fruit incense attracts new friends.

Honey Incense

The honey incense can be used to attract prosperity, increase fertility and affection. Its sweet fragrance transforms the energies of the environment, creating a more welcoming and cozy atmosphere.

It should be burned mainly during the full and crescent moon phase. Its power increases considerably during springtime.

Myrrh Incense

Myrrh is the resin extracted from an African aromatic tree. Ruled by the Moon and the element of Water, it was burned to honor Egyptian gods such as Isis and Ra. Its powers are associated with protection, healing, spirituality and exorcism.

If you wish to contact higher beings, myrrh incense is the most suitable for you. By burning it, this powerful incense will establish a bridge of connection between you and the divine. Whenever you need to increase your protection, burn myrrh incense during the crescent moon.

To ward off all evil from your home, myrrh incense should be burned during the waning moon. Its powerful feminine energy causes this incense to be burned in rituals to celebrate the Goddess in neo-pagan religions such as Wicca.

Lavender incense

Lavender incense is ruled by Mercury and the Air element. Its powers are related to harmony, relaxation, sleep and peace. Burn it in your room before going to sleep to bring good dreams and ward off nightmares. On full moon nights it can even bring prophetic dreams.

Whenever you feel stressed, burn lavender incense to relax. It is also used to combat shyness, anxiety and to improve family relationships, bringing harmony to the home. To do this, burn it on Wednesdays, day ruled by Mercury, its planetary ruler.

Frankincense of Olibanum

The incense of frankincense is one of the oldest incenses on record. Its use dates back to the period before Christ and it was one of the gifts given by the Magi to Jesus when he was born. Its powers are associated with purification, protection and astral cleansing, and it was already used in Ancient Egypt to honor the sun god, Ra.

For this reason, it is ruled by the Sun and the element of Fire. Olibanum incense should be burned indoors whenever you want to create an atmosphere conducive to connecting with your inner divinity, as well as to aid meditation.

In addition, it protects from all evil and has been used in rituals of religions such as Catholicism, Wicca and Buddhism.

Palo Santo incense

Palo Santo, or simply "pau santo" in Portuguese, is made from the aromatic wood of a tree native to South America. Used by the Incas and Andean peoples, the purifying power of this incense has gained increasing popularity.

You should burn it to ward off negative spirits, purify environments, and ward off bad luck. Its aroma is mild, woody, and slightly sweet with citrus overtones. Because it is considered an endangered tree, be careful when purchasing your palo santo incense, making sure it was extracted from a certified site.

Incense of Pitanga

Pitanga is a citrus fruit native to Brazil. Its incense retains its citrusy and slightly sweet aroma and is used to attract love, happiness and prosperity. Burn it whenever you feel sad, as its energy will infect you and the whole environment. It can also be burned to attract prosperity, especially when the moon is rising.

Priprioca incense

Priprioca incense is another natural fragrance from Brazil. Of indigenous origin, this powerful incense is used as an aphrodisiac and to attract love. To attract love, burn this incense when the moon is new, crescent or full.

When burned in the bedroom, priprioca incense is an aphrodisiac and increases sexual desire. Priprioca incense is also burned to develop lightness and rootedness.

Rose incense

Considered one of the most noble and popular incenses, the rose incense is ruled by Venus and the Water element. Its properties are linked to love, peace, passion, prosperity, harmony and astral cleansing, depending on its color.

If you wish to attract more prosperity and abundance into your life, choose yellow rose incense. To attract love and passion into your life, burn red rose incense, especially on a Friday when the moon is crescent or full.

If you want more peace, protection, harmony or to do astral cleansing, the white rose incense is the most suitable.

White Sage incense

White sage is one of the most popular herbs used by Native American people in shamanic practices. When burned, white sage incense promotes intense astral cleansing, purifying people and environments of any and all negativity.

In addition, white sage incense is associated with ancestral memory and can be burned to establish contact with beings from other planes and facilitate trance.

Sandalwood incense

Sandalwood incense is made from the sawdust of the noble wood of an Indian tree, currently endangered. Ruled by the Moon and the element Water, sandalwood incense has been burned for millennia to establish contact with the spiritual plane and facilitate meditation processes.

It relaxes, brings peace, harmony and can also be used to ward off negative entities, increase protection and reduce stress. Burnt in the bedroom, sandalwood incense facilitates sleep and attracts good dreams. It can also be burned to contact the gods while saying your prayers.

It can be burned any day, whenever you need it. Because it is a base commonly added to incense, it can be combined with any other scent.

Recommendations for the use of incense

The use of incense can be recommended for different occasions and functions. Among the most popular purposes are cleansing, the exercise of belief and its use to change the mood of places and environments. We describe each of these recommendations below.

Cleaning

Incense is a powerful instrument of cleansing. Its energy is characteristically masculine, not only because of its predominantly phallic shape, but also because it contains within itself the energies of the Air element, present in the smoke, and the Fire element, necessary for its aroma to be exhaled into the air.

You can burn it while taking your bath to promote a spiritual cleansing of your body or simply pass the smoke it exudes over your body for a more practical astral cleansing.

If you wish, you can use the smoke of incense to enchant and purify objects that you use in your daily life. Another tip is to leave your boxes in your drawers, to perfume your clothes with your scents and charge them with your energy.

Exercise of belief

Lighting incense is also a form of belief exercise. The simple before burning incense causes a shift in our brain, calming the spirit and creating a specific mental state that prepares you for a ritual or contact with the divine.

You can burn incense while saying prayers, invocations or even as a sign of gratitude to a deity you believe in.

Place and environment

Another very relevant recommendation is the use of incense to modify the energies of places or environments. Whenever you feel that a place is charged, the simple act of burning incense, provided it is of an appropriate herb, is able to transmute the energies of the place.

Don't forget that it is important to leave the incense sticks fixed in a fireproof container so that they burn safely.

Also, make sure to light them in places with air circulation, so that their energies flow freely and are spread throughout the environment. Never use incense sticks in closed places, as it can be harmful to health.

What is the energetic influence of incense?

Incense has a strong energetic influence on your body and the environment in which it is burned, since by burning it you are transforming matter into spirit. Therefore, it is important to know which aroma is best suited to be used by you, according to the energy you wish to attract or repel.

Initially, it is important that you choose an incense, whose aroma is pleasant to your sense of smell. You can either start from the property of the incense you are choosing or simply go straight to the one, whose smell pleases you.

This connection is essential because since incense sticks can cause changes in your energy body, you need to be in alignment for the change to occur. It is also important that you give preference to natural incenses. Many incense sticks may contain synthetic fragrances and other chemical components that are bad for your health.

Do not forget that you should not light incense indoors and that they should be fixed in a suitable censer. Follow these tips and enjoy the energetic change that these powerful allies can give you.