|
History Of Incense As incense makers following Biblical formulas it is our intention to tell it like it is. No ad-lib or made up stories but as told to us by the Holy Fathers that took the time to share with us the way it is! While some tend to re write historical truths and add their own twists, we believe that there is a responsibility of accurately passing knowledge without adding or subtracting from facts and truth. The sense of smell is the most powerful of all our senses. Smells trigger memories, of experiences and events form this life, and it is believed from past as well. While today most think of incense as something that just smells good (or bad) and used to mask odors, it truly is mean for much more.. Incense from as far back as can be found was an offering to the powers that be, food for Spirit. (God, Creator, what ever you wish to call THAT that is and always has been) It is the exchange for that which we are seeking or asking in prayer. After all God has no use for your money, but the devotion from the seeker. Original incenses were made from aromatic barks, wood, and resins (concentrated sap oozing from wounds, joints, and lightening struck trees, or shrubs) and burned by placing them on hot coals. Direct flame to these forms of incense consumes it rather than allowing it to smolder or vaporize as it needs to to release the aromatic qualities contained. Each incense having specific properties metaphysically and healing wise. Yes incense can heal, but many have no knowledge in that area. However thanks to the stead fastness of folks like Spiritual Leaders, Monks , Nuns of certain ancient orders they keep it alive. Incense making in it's purest form is a Sacred Art, as the understanding is you are a vehicle for the process, hands for divine sources to work through when you are open and focused. We were taught that Spirits, (Angels, helpers whatever you wish to call them) actually transformed the incense. Now I am speaking of Resin Drop Incense not stick or the many other forms that we will look at as we continue. These are resin based (frankincense, myrrh, copal, benzoins', and the vast other types of resins) and are infused with essential oils and bound by prayer. It may be hard to conceive or accept that prayer makes something but life has shown me the truth to this, and we hope someday you can see it for yourself, but you have to pay attention or you'll miss it or discount it as a phenomenon. It was common place for people as they entered Temples or places of worship to place incense resins in large burners containing hot coals (maintained by the priests, or whomever' responsibility it was to do so) as an offering for what they were asking or praying for. Now you can only imagine the intense amount of smoke being created and the constant work involved in keeping the coals going. As modern incense charcoal is a far better advancement than the old method of making charcoal but that is another story to be found someday under charcoal. Historically we know this to be so and anyone ever doing historical preservation on such Temples and Church's has experienced the varnish that is built up inside these places. Yes varnish is made from a solution of aromatic resins, and has also been used in paints, and furniture over the past centuries and much longer. Somewhere in the areas of Asia stick incense and cone incenses have their birth. Probably due to the sheer number of people it would be easier for devotees to offer these in prayer than maintaining burners, charcoal for burning resins. All one needed was a flame source and a bed of sand. So since all places of worship contain a flame 'technology' steps in. Originally stick incense were made using splinters from Sandalwood, Aloeswood and other aromatic woods. Then the resins would be rolled onto the stick by hand, and the stick would provide the 'coal' for vaporizing the crushed resin(s) mixed with dry dung as the burning agent.. Variations of mixing to include aromatic wood powders into the resin base, and adding essential oils to the mixtures over time and as on got inspired or the voice inside (creativity) would occur. Down the road in time these incense would evolve into cheaper forms by adding wood powders or fine saw dust binding them with much less resin and then needing to infuse this with essential oils to provide scent. Hey folks cut corners to make a bigger profit. Not that that is always the best thing especially when we speak of offering this 'food to the powers that be' but folks have a way of putting commerce in front of spirituality.. Today Sandalwood is not used for the stick (unless your somewhere in say India and doing this for your religious order) as bamboo (dyed yellow) has replaced the costly Sandalwood sticks. If you see someone claiming other wise, they are not being honest. As an incense maker I cannot find any sources for Sandalwood Stick based blanks and we purchase from the sources... Cone incenses have 2 basic methods of creation. First the finest are made from aromatic wood powders, and then some will have the addition of essential oils and a bit of resins. The second and much cheaper simply use saw dust, and a binder then infuse them with essences by soaking overnight. These can be made from essential oils or chemical fragrances. So the nose knows! Trust it and you'll know by the smell if it's real or chemical. Dhoops are mixtures of herbal, resin, and essential oils that are either worked into a tar like roll, or just mixed together. They require charcoal for the most part as they are quite sticky and have not enough dry mixture to carry the coal. How ever they are quite incredible in bouquet! Imagine roses, and other aromatic flowers petals combined with resins, rice (offering) coconut, some wood powders like Sandalwood, and essential oils. Placed on charcoal the myriad of scents is incredible! Resin Incense is simply (if natural) the sap from aromatic trees and shrubs. Left alone the sap will harden into clumps or tears, depending of the type of tree. Example is Frankincense also called Olibanum is a shrub in nature the sap will ooze from either scars, lightening strikes, or at the joints of branches when the weather cause them to crack n creak. These oozes when exposed to the air in combination with sun, days heat and wind evaporate the moisture and leave the tears which are sort of like Amber deposits, but obviously no as old. Now a days the trees are cut to gather the sap. Exception is folks like us who gather in the wild from trees in forests. Most pine or fir resins don't get quite the chance to fully cure and the semi soft textures you find are the reason. If left long enough exposed to air they will form firm and eventually dry. This does not effect the smell nor the properties. Resins have no time limit in shelf life. The older the better to some extent. Their flavor becomes richer! Resin Drop Incense is a combination of resins, and essential oils that are incorporated together. This is a very Sacred Art. It is said this method or formulas we given to people through out time through Voice or Vision. The art and secrets are closely guarded by Monks and Nuns of the Orthodox Church, Greek and Armenian. Yes it did get over to the Roman Catholic Church, but you see more of a resin blending, than the incorporating of it all into a homogenous form. It is said that the formulas can be traced back to Moses. What I do know is that of all the incenses these are my personal favorites. Rarely have I shown them to anyone who wasn't grabbed by them. The are made completely with prayer. With the understanding that you are a vehicle to the process and that the Angels come down and that Divine Spirit actually creates them. I do know that all worries and physical pain leaves me when I get to do these. I find myself worry free and giddy as a child. The entire reason of incense as it was meant to be, is for prayer. It is my prayer that you try it, use it as an offering. No matter what the problem, the Creator is listening, offer it up and see, after all what you got to lose?? For the Benefit of all Sentient Life, with great love and respect to all. Louie Kampouris More coming later, remember it's under construction!
|