Yule incense ideas...?

[AuroraSilvermist]

I've been Google searching for a good Yule incense recipe, and all I seem to find is the same Scott Cunningham recipe over and over and over. It's a good one, I'm sure, but I'm having a hard time finding all the ingredients, and I don't particularly want a "piney" incense. Here's the recipe I keep running across:

2 parts frankincense
2 parts pine needles or resin
1 part cedar
1 part juniper berries

Anyone have any suggestions for herbs appropriate for Yule other than pine? I do have frankincense on hand, but what else might I combine for a pleasing, aromatic and effective incense for Yule rituals? I'm an herb newbie, so any help would be appreciated! :)

[Calyx]

What about myrrh or any spicy scents like cinnamon or nutmeg?

[DebLipp]

I'd do frankincense and myrrh.

[asamananara]

Well, you could go with the obvious first:
2 pt. Pine Needles (fresh)
1 pt. Holly
1 pt. Mistletoe
1 pt. Nutmeg
Pound dry ingredients with 2 pts. Red wine; dry in sunlight.
...
Another nice one, IMO, is:
2 pts. Frankincense
2 pts. Lavender
1 pt. Cloves
1 pt. Cedar
1 pt. Cinnamon
1 pt. Bay

[hedgecub]

I made one that was:

3 parts frankincense
1 part crushed juniper berries
1/2 part mistletoe
a few drops orange oil
a few drops juniper oil

(I didn't have any juniper oil so I left it out.)
The finished product smells like fruitcake, I swear. It's perfect :D

[veinglory]

Frankinscence and Myrrhe would be very heavy and not pleasing to everyone. I suggest Myrrhe, Kandea and Camphor -- or Frankinscence and Eucalyptus. This gives a combo of musky and clean scents without using pine.

[Sylvan]

I love getting a balsam wreath at Yule time. I saved a bunch of balsam needles from off a wreath one year, and mixed them with some rose petals. Umm.. I don't know what all else I put in there, actually. Just what was on hand. Maybe a bit of bittersweet, a few drops of rose or patchouli oil, maybe? But the main ingredients were rose petals and balsam needles. It turned out really good, actually...

[Cobalt Cobra]

Here's one that I found in one of my Yule texts I've got, but have never tried personally. It sure sounds nice though. :)

2 tsp frankincense resin
1/2 tsp myrrh resin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
dried, ground rind of an unwaxed orange, a hearty pinch.

It goes on to say for a more outdoorsy, cleansing scent/vibe, to add a drop or two of pine oil. Hmm I might have to try this one this year!

[AuroraSilvermist]

Thanks so much for the ideas! Just went to my local herby store today and I'm ready to start testing some recipes. They all sound great. I'm glad I'm over my sinus infection! :lol: