Using cheap indian incense

[noob99]

so I have a lot of cheap incense just laying so can use them like giving them as offerings or using in rituals evocation

 

[Tryp]

You can use it in offerings, but the fact you see it yourself as "cheap incense just laying" doesn't make it look like a very enjoyable offering, does it?

It's a bit like "Oh, I have two bottles of that cheap wine I don't feel like drinking myself. Maybe I will just open them the next time I have guests, so I don't have to prepare or buy anything and they will drink it anyway".

I'd say, consider you get what you give.

 

[frank1]

I have two cases of knock off incense from India that I ordered from Amazon and got scammed. I give them away any chance I get.

Agreeing with Tryp on this one.

 

[Dyn Hysbys]

You're better off binning the cheap stuff.
Offerings, like sacrifice, have to mean something. Giving offerings is part of forming & maintaining relationships.
Offer the good stuff, pour the expensive wine, burn the fancy candles.
Otherwise what are you doing in that relationship?

 

[noob99]

i see that it might be a little disrespectful twords them

 

[agloval]

i see that it might be a little disrespectful twords them

Perhaps it can be offensive, sure. But if you don't have the money at the moment and genuinely don't have anything else available, I don't see why you couldn't offer it anyway. You could simply make it clear that when you have better-quality incense, you'll be able to offer that as well.

It is a relationship, as you guys said, but if that were the case, nobody could practice Enochian magic, because the PELE ring is supposed to be made of gold. I don't know... there's a bit too much snobbery here, and people seem to forget what it was like when they were just starting out.

 

[frank1]

Perhaps it can be offensive, sure. But if you don't have the money at the moment and genuinely don't have anything else available, I don't see why you couldn't offer it anyway. You could simply make it clear that when you have better-quality incense, you'll be able to offer that as well.

It is a relationship, as you guys said, but if that were the case, nobody could practice Enochian magic, because the PELE ring is supposed to be made of gold. I don't know... there's a bit too much snobbery here, and people seem to forget what it was like when they were just starting out.

100%. Intention is everything.

 

[Tryp]

Perhaps it can be offensive, sure. But if you don't have the money at the moment and genuinely don't have anything else available, I don't see why you couldn't offer it anyway. You could simply make it clear that when you have better-quality incense, you'll be able to offer that as well.

It is a relationship, as you guys said, but if that were the case, nobody could practice Enochian magic, because the PELE ring is supposed to be made of gold. I don't know... there's a bit too much snobbery here, and people seem to forget what it was like when they were just starting out.

I did not intend to imply it would be offensive... just that it could feel careless. Like, recycling dinner leftovers to offer deipnon. It's not a matter of snobbery (Enochian magic is perhaps an extreme comparison, and personally I wouldn't aim to have guests that require a Dom Perignon glass to get along) but rather about making an offering meaningful.

You only have cheap incense and you cannot afford to go pick up some fresh herbs, or to buy a bit of frankincense online? Okay, use that incense, but dress it nicely, or improvise the best burner you can use, and put some heart in the rest. Which OP can surely do.

But I don't think that trying to offer something you procured for the occasion, instead of recycling cheap stuff you were not otherwise going to use, is being a snob.

 

[agloval]

I did not intend to imply it would be offensive... just that it could feel careless. Like, recycling dinner leftovers to offer deipnon. It's not a matter of snobbery (Enochian magic is perhaps an extreme comparison, and personally I wouldn't aim to have guests that require a Dom Perignon glass to get along) but rather about making an offering meaningful.

You only have cheap incense and you cannot afford to go pick up some fresh herbs, or to buy a bit of frankincense online? Okay, use that incense, but dress it nicely, or improvise the best burner you can use, and put some heart in the rest. Which OP can surely do.

But I don't think that trying to offer something you procured for the occasion, instead of recycling cheap stuff you were not otherwise going to use, is being a snob.

yeah, I see your point. I didn't mean to sound so harsh, and you're right that “offensive” wasn't really the word I was looking for. And yeah, obviously I wouldn't offer leftovers either.

i also admit the Enochian example was a bit extreme. I just couldn't think of a better example at the time haha.

i was mainly thinking about someone who genuinely has nothing else available and is trying to work with what they have. But I agree that, when you can, putting some thought and effort into an offering and getting something specifically for the occasion makes much more sense.

 

[Tryp]

yeah, I see your point. I didn't mean to sound so harsh, and you're right that “offensive” wasn't really the word I was looking for. And yeah, obviously I wouldn't offer leftovers either.

i also admit the Enochian example was a bit extreme. I just couldn't think of a better example at the time haha.

i was mainly thinking about someone who genuinely has nothing else available and is trying to work with what they have. But I agree that, when you can, putting some thought and effort into an offering and getting something specifically for the occasion makes much more sense.

Yeah, understood.

For me it pays off to think about it like giving a pleasant treat to guests I appreciate. Within my possibilities, of course. In the past I did think about following the letter of the law, so to speak. I'm supposed to give some incense? okay. So I will just comply with that, and job done. But unless you are already close friends with your guests (that buddy who will drink whatever as long as it's cold and he gets to hang with you) that's not the best attitude, specially as you start to make friends.

 

[frank1]

Yeah, understood.

For me it pays off to think about it like giving a pleasant treat to guests I appreciate. Within my possibilities, of course. In the past I did think about following the letter of the law, so to speak. I'm supposed to give some incense? okay. So I will just comply with that, and job done. But unless you are already close friends with your guests (that buddy who will drink whatever as long as it's cold and he gets to hang with you) that's not the best attitude, specially as you start to make friends.

What’s your go to incense for a first contact?

 

[Dyn Hysbys]

Context, definitely.
This reminds me of the difference between ethically sourced, organic, grimoire-accurate handmade incense used by some high magicians, and the last Marlboro shared with Loki Leyfarson.
Both are appropriate offerings, but consider means, intent, relationship and, as you guys pointed out, communication with whoever the recipient is.

 

[Tryp]

What’s your go to incense for a first contact?

I'm a plant nerd and love to collect strange resins and essences, make tinctures and the like... so for me it really depends on who, and I like to make simple blends for different cases, again like getting the snack or drink I believe a guest will like.

But an all-purpose, introductory incense? I think you can't go wrong with frankincense. And if it's chthonic spirits, throw in some myrrh.
To cleanse space, and with a little more budget (but highly depends on the variety) I love copal. Specially white copal, is miraculous. Then some black styrax to power up mixes.

But to keep it simple, frankincense. And a pinch of herbs to flavor, or rose water.

 

[frank1]

I'm a plant nerd and love to collect strange resins and essences, make tinctures and the like... so for me it really depends on who, and I like to make simple blends for different cases, again like getting the snack or drink I believe a guest will like.

But an all-purpose, introductory incense? I think you can't go wrong with frankincense. And if it's chthonic spirits, throw in some myrrh.
To cleanse space, and with a little more budget (but highly depends on the variety) I love copal. Specially white copal, is miraculous. Then some black styrax to power up mixes.

But to keep it simple, frankincense. And a pinch of herbs to flavor, or rose water.

Frankincense is my go to as well.

I’m going to look into copal. Thanks!