My Favorite Winter Incense Blend: Legends of Frankincense, Myrrh, & Gold
 | I absolutely love making incense blends myself with raw herbs & smoldering them over charcoal in my little cauldron. During the winter season, especially as the solstice approaches, I enjoy blending very cleansing herbs to ward off the darkness and clear out the old as we prepare for the new calendar year. The classic blend for this is – in my book – Frankincense, Myrrh, & Gold Copal. |
Christian legends around the Nativity mythos speak of Three Wise Men or Three Kings who went to visit the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem by following a bright Star. They’re arrival at the Nativity is celebrated on January 6th as The Epiphany. They each brough a gift, as the story goes – offerings of frankincense, myrrh, & gold.
Okay, two resins & a precious metal? Well, not entirely unheard of. Back in that time, resins & resin incenses for offerings, oils, and incense were highly prized and super valuable. They even have medicinal value. Frankincense has been used to purify the air as an incense, especially in areas where its tree grows. (Remember, resins are tree resin or sap.) It is said to have very high vibrational quality and clears away all harmful energies – popularly used or cleansing, protection, & exorcisms. Myrrh is very similar having properties of grounding & protection. Its high vibration clears away the old and can invoke the assistance of Guardian Spirits & Ancestors. It is often used as offerings to gain the blessings & protection of Guardian Spirits & Ancestors, however it is also used in exorcisms.
These two herbal resins combined raise the energy between heaven/sky & earth and balance the connection-point. It would make sense to give them as offerings to a special child, or any newborn for that matter – bringing protection & blessings & high vibes. But, gold? Well, any parent knows they could use a bit extra prosperity when raising a kid. In those days, it does seem logical to make a gift of precious metal with value that could bring financial support to a new family. Energetically, as a precious metal/mineral, gold also has properties of protection and the energy of abundant creation. For our purposes, though, we shall follow the pattern set by the other two popular resin incenses.
Gold Copal is another highly prized resin for its purification properties. It is almost all about purification. As much as this high-vibe purification brings blessings and protection, it really clears away all harmful energies, imbalances, and interference patterns. It’s so strong, it will clear away even some vibrations that are beneficial if their vibration isn’t strong enough to stay – which is okay because those vibes won’t be barred from returning, perhaps even stronger. This kind of purification is like an all-around “reset” button. It will only allow the strongest of the beneficial & balanced to remain, wipe the slate, and allow us to intentionally place stronger, more balanced vibes built on a solid foundation of basic goodness.
Okay, two resins & a precious metal? Well, not entirely unheard of. Back in that time, resins & resin incenses for offerings, oils, and incense were highly prized and super valuable. They even have medicinal value. Frankincense has been used to purify the air as an incense, especially in areas where its tree grows. (Remember, resins are tree resin or sap.) It is said to have very high vibrational quality and clears away all harmful energies – popularly used or cleansing, protection, & exorcisms. Myrrh is very similar having properties of grounding & protection. Its high vibration clears away the old and can invoke the assistance of Guardian Spirits & Ancestors. It is often used as offerings to gain the blessings & protection of Guardian Spirits & Ancestors, however it is also used in exorcisms.
These two herbal resins combined raise the energy between heaven/sky & earth and balance the connection-point. It would make sense to give them as offerings to a special child, or any newborn for that matter – bringing protection & blessings & high vibes. But, gold? Well, any parent knows they could use a bit extra prosperity when raising a kid. In those days, it does seem logical to make a gift of precious metal with value that could bring financial support to a new family. Energetically, as a precious metal/mineral, gold also has properties of protection and the energy of abundant creation. For our purposes, though, we shall follow the pattern set by the other two popular resin incenses.
Gold Copal is another highly prized resin for its purification properties. It is almost all about purification. As much as this high-vibe purification brings blessings and protection, it really clears away all harmful energies, imbalances, and interference patterns. It’s so strong, it will clear away even some vibrations that are beneficial if their vibration isn’t strong enough to stay – which is okay because those vibes won’t be barred from returning, perhaps even stronger. This kind of purification is like an all-around “reset” button. It will only allow the strongest of the beneficial & balanced to remain, wipe the slate, and allow us to intentionally place stronger, more balanced vibes built on a solid foundation of basic goodness.
| For this time of year, Gold Copal is the perfect accompaniment to Frankincense & Myrrh. The three together make a superb base for other blends as well, and while we may consider Frank & Myrrh essential to autumn & winter, the lightness but sheer power of the Gold Copal added gives the blend a pleasant energy for springtime as well. I would use this as a base, really, all year for different activities in meditation, healing, and cleansing. In autumn & winter, it is also just a great offering to the Ancestors & the spirit of the holidays which express gratitude for family, friends, communities, & traditions – everything that got us through the previous year, through the dark & cold season, and bring us hopefully & joyfully into the new year. Blending Incense for the Winter Season For Cleansing, Protection, Healing, Clarity, & Abundance If using powdered resins, blend equal parts of Frankincense, Myrrh, & Gold (or, White) Copal. If using whole or cut resins, break down a few tablespoons worth of each individually in a mortar & pestle or specifically designated spice grinder. While mechanical is easier, the resins are super sticky and it won’t clean well or easily – so, there’s your dedicated grinder. Also, beware of overloading your mechanical grinder to prevent over-heating & burnout – maybe just do a tablespoon or so at a time depending on capacity & device recommendations. |  Notice the lighter, whitish-yellow (almost golden) hue to the Copal on the left - Compared to the deeper, more orange-golden hue of the Frankincense on the right. Copal will also have a lighter musk fragrance, & Frankincese in unmistakably "incense-y" with its potent musky aroma. When powdered, the two can look nearly identical. Myrrh has a strong fragrance, but its color is most identifiable - deep & ruddy, more of an orange-brown hue compared to Frankincense. |
For special additions, consider half as much (especially for the spicy herbs) to equal part of some of the following dried herbs:
Rosemary – healing, purification & protection, especially during sleep & travel; also, blessings in relationships
Pine – healing, purification & strength
Patchouli – healing, abundance & grounding
Cinnamon or Ginger – warmth, health & abundance
Orange Blossom – energy, clarity, & joyfulness
Nutmeg, Allspice, or Cloves – energy & protection
And, next springtime, try adding to the Frank-Myrrh-Copal-base some lavender, lemongrass, lemon balm, ginger (again), coconut, or basil. These herbs have qualities of cleansing, purification, blessings, energy, vitality, refreshment, relaxation, and clarity. They are both soothing & uplifting in their energies – like a warm spring breeze or the gentle light of a brightening sunrise.
Using Your Blend
Once you have each of the three whole or partially cut resins powdered through your mortar & pestle or a designated spice grinder, blend equal parts of each into a bowl or jar.
Place this blend in charm pouches or fragrance sachets. Of course, you wouldn’t necessarily have to powder them if you go this route. Just make sure they’re broken into fragrant chunks, like in the pics I have included.
Spoon over smoldering charcoal in your fire-proof incense burner for smudging & purification. When indoors, always ventilate properly to reduce smoke inhalation. This stuff smokes! Or, throw some on periodically to your wood-burning backyard fire-pit while you sit and enjoy some tea or hot cocoa and star-gaze – especially this year with the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction at the Winter Solstice, visible in the southwest skies just after sunset in the northern hemisphere.
Wishing you very blessed season! Chin-up & eyes clear, the light is almost returned -- Peace & blessings!
Please do not hesitate to email or comment below if you have questions or suggestions.
I’d love to hear from you – Cynthia (cynthia@cassadaga.com)
Rosemary – healing, purification & protection, especially during sleep & travel; also, blessings in relationships
Pine – healing, purification & strength
Patchouli – healing, abundance & grounding
Cinnamon or Ginger – warmth, health & abundance
Orange Blossom – energy, clarity, & joyfulness
Nutmeg, Allspice, or Cloves – energy & protection
And, next springtime, try adding to the Frank-Myrrh-Copal-base some lavender, lemongrass, lemon balm, ginger (again), coconut, or basil. These herbs have qualities of cleansing, purification, blessings, energy, vitality, refreshment, relaxation, and clarity. They are both soothing & uplifting in their energies – like a warm spring breeze or the gentle light of a brightening sunrise.
Using Your Blend
Once you have each of the three whole or partially cut resins powdered through your mortar & pestle or a designated spice grinder, blend equal parts of each into a bowl or jar.
Place this blend in charm pouches or fragrance sachets. Of course, you wouldn’t necessarily have to powder them if you go this route. Just make sure they’re broken into fragrant chunks, like in the pics I have included.
Spoon over smoldering charcoal in your fire-proof incense burner for smudging & purification. When indoors, always ventilate properly to reduce smoke inhalation. This stuff smokes! Or, throw some on periodically to your wood-burning backyard fire-pit while you sit and enjoy some tea or hot cocoa and star-gaze – especially this year with the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction at the Winter Solstice, visible in the southwest skies just after sunset in the northern hemisphere.
Wishing you very blessed season! Chin-up & eyes clear, the light is almost returned -- Peace & blessings!
Please do not hesitate to email or comment below if you have questions or suggestions.
I’d love to hear from you – Cynthia (cynthia@cassadaga.com)
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