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You will need:
The Container
In my experience, beginners should start with a store bought incense
burner. Look for one that is brass, bronze or stoneware and that has legs. The
legs of the vessel prevent the heat from damaging the surface its on. Traditional
incense vessels had three legs - symbolizing the body, mind & spirit.
You can use a plain metal or porcelain bowl but make sure you
set it on a fireproof surface - like a trivet. You will also want to pack it with
sand and sit your charcoal on the top. I have also made an effective swinging
censor from a tuna fish can. Just punch three holes into the sides and thread
with metal wire. These work great for situations where you need to carry the burner
- like for ritual cleansings. Once I even made a burner from folded and shaped
aluminum foil. If you don't have a fancy incense burner - not to fret. You may
still enjoy the ritual of incense burning.
If you want to burn incense outdoors find a large flat stone and
heat it up in a campfire. You may then sprinkle the surface of the stone with
your incense. If you throw herbs or incense directly into a fire they burn too
quickly. This method will also work in your home fireplace.
The last type of burner is the incense stove. These set ups usually
involve a fine mesh screen where the incense is placed sitting directly above
a lit candle. The incense stove produces less smoke than the charcoal or rock
method. Incense burns much more slowly which is great for expensive ingredients
(like aloeswood) and blends.
Charcoal
 The
Charcoal used for incense burning IS NOT the same used for BBQ pits. You do not
want to use BBQ charcoal indoors as it produces noxious fumes.
Incense charcoal is self-lighting. The means of combustion is
included in the briquette. Tablet SIZES VARY. If you are burning a small amount
of incense the tablets are very easy to break up.
If you have a hard time lighting your charcoal, it is probably
damp. Dry it the sun or on a radiator.
Always place charcoal on a bed of sand. It will burn more evenly
and keep its amber like glow longer. In addition the sand will reduce the risk
of the container cracking due to extensive heat charcoal produces. The sand layer
under the charcoal should be at least 3/4-1 inch thick.
Feather
Feathers are traditionally used to fan the lighted charcoal.
Any kind of large feather will do - as will a post card or thick piece of paper.
Fanning the charcoal provides oxygen which will allow the tablet to produce a
more even burn.
Candle
I always light a taper candle when burning incense. Most often
I will select a candle color corresponding to my intentions. Light you candle
with the matches or lighter and then using your tweezers - light the charcoal
tablet. This prevents the annoyance of matches extinguishing before you get the
tablet going and/or burning your fingers.
Tweezers
Use on long handled pair of tweezers to hold the charcoal over
the candle flame and then deposit it in the incense vessel. Traditional Japanese
incense kits include these types of tweezers. You will also find them in laboratory
supply catalogs.
Burning your Incense
Set aside enough time so that you can enjoy the ritual of incense
burning. When selecting a location, make sure there are no easily combustible
objects nearby. Fanning and blowing charcoal will often send sparks into the air.
First, light you taper candle. Holding one side of the charcoal
tablet with your tweezers, place it in the candle flame. The briquette should
start to crackle and glow.
Next set the charcoal in your container on a bed of sand. Slowly
fan or blow on the tablet. Only after the charcoal is aglow and stops crackling
do you put your incense into the indentation on the top.
Use a knife, spoon or tweezers to drop your incense onto the tablet.
Lastly, charcoal may continue to burn for two hours after lighting
- so don't just throw it in a wastebasket. Use your tweezers to extract the tablet
and submerse it in water.
Blessings,
Tribble
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