So, why incense? Why bathe in the smoke of these fragrant plants, resins, and flowers? Sacred smoke is a tool of magic and of transformation.

Throughout time people have embraced their sense of smell in new and exciting ways, using delicate flowers, plants, and resins to uplift them and open their eyes to the world and the universe. The plants they grew were offered as a dedication, a sacrifice to the gods to have their prayers heard. The ancient Egyptians burned three different incenses morning, noon, and night: frankincense, myrrh, and kyphi. We can see this idea carrying over in more recent times in many indigenous cultures, the Catholic Church, Pagan religions, and New Age practices. And as we've learned more about plants, their practical benefits have also played a part. During World War II, nurses in makeshift hospitals burned bundles of lavender stems to get rid of “bad air,” as they knew lavender was antiseptic and hoped burning the dried plant would attain the same results. To some extent it did.