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Many Wiccans, Witches and Pagans use incense as part of a sacred ceremony. In fact, recently many scientists got on board the incense bandwagon and agreed that there are indeed physiological benefits to using it. For thousands of years, we've been burning dried plants and berries in our homes or outside, as part of our ritual ceremonies. When Imbolc rolls around, we've usually been cooped up in the house for a couple of months, and although we know spring is just around the corner, it's really not quite close enough for us to get out and enjoy the weather just yet. You can make up a batch of this Imbolc incense that combines the scents of the season with the anticipation of the warmer weather to come.

Before you begin making your incense, first determine what form of incense you’d like to make. You can make your incense with sticks and in cones, but the easiest kind of incense to make, uses loose ingredients, which are then burned on top of a charcoal disc or tossed into a fire. This recipe is for loose incense, but you can always adapt it for stick or cone recipes. If you haven't yet read our Incense 101, now's the perfect time for you to do so.

As you mix and blend your incense, focus on the intent of your Magickal work. This particular incense recipe is one which evokes the scents of a chilly winter night, with a hint of spring florals. Use it during a ritual, if you like, or as a smudging incense to purify your sacred space. You can also toss some of it into your fire just to make the house smell like the Imbolc season.