Incense
Handcrafted Blessing Sticks made primarily from local PNW Cedar, Lavender and other herbs and botanicals, plus some purchased materials, like eucalyptus, which are not locally sourced.
2nd Day of Lent, Thursday 2/23/23
“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:22 NRSV
One of the first things that new people notice when they enter Urban Sanctuary, is the smell of incense. I think it is important to prepare your space for visitors; it shows you care about them. We have prepared an incredibly serene and tranquil space, right in a bustling Historic downtown area. Passersby may peek in the window, turn around out of curiosity and enter to learn “what do you do here"? There’s no short answer, because our ministry is so multi-faceted, but once they cross the threshold, there is most often an inhalation and an exhalation. “WOW” . . . this is beautiful1” - a very common response to the visual, while almost simultaneously uttering: “It smells soooo good in here!” I know I’ve done my job! They have been drawn in.
We have a draped ceiling, Edison lighting around the ceiling, candles lit around the room, and incense burning or just extinquished, but the fragrance unmistakably lingering. There are lots of angels - from framed cards, to actual frescos from Florence, Italy. There are bookshelves with hundreds of books for perusing, complete with a rocking chair. There are cabinets of homemade spa products for relaxation at home or gift-giving. There are supplies for creative expression - a wonderful way to let your creative spirit speak when words don’t come easily. (Some call this Art Therapy - I call it mindless-mindfulness or meditative-creative activities). Once invited to come in, they quietly an slowly wander around, trying to take it all in. They ask (maybe again), “What do you do here?” My answers vary, but one of my favorites is that I like to think of our space as a ‘spiritual gym’. We equip you with the tools needed to develop, grow and enrich our spiritual life. It starts with prayer, and all things to help us pray. One of our favorite activities includes teaching others to make incense in a variety of forms. Our most popular class is creating “Blessing Sticks”.
Some might call these ‘smudge sticks’ or ‘sage sticks’, as they look similar. Smudge sticks are primarily used by Native/Indigenous People and are used in specific rituals and practices, often made of sage. We respect their sacred traditions. We use Cedar from my backyard, lavender from my front yard, and various pines and firs around the property, all carefully and sustainably curated and blessed. When Spring & Summer yield a wide variety of herbs, we harvest those as well. It seems fitting to merge the earthly with the heavenly as we pray, especially when praying to our Creator! I find it both a lovely image for reflection and a very comforting ritual to light the blessing stick and watch the smoke rise as I inhale the fragrance and offer prayers to heaven.
The Book of Revelation, 5:8 also refers to incense in the heavenly realm, as John recounts his vison: “. . .each (of the elders) held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones (saints)’. I also find it comforting that we can pray in a similar manner with our Brothers and Sisters of most Wisdom Traditions, as well as the saints and angels, in solidarity, in hopes of peace and with compassion.
Perhaps this day’s meditation might include imagining different people, all praying with incense, and seeing the heavens fill with holy smoke. I have a vivid imagination and wonder what it might look like from heaven looking down? Do you think God, or the angels can tell whose smoke is who’s? Some might argue that smoke is not necessary to transmit prayers to heaven or God, and they would be correct, but it can enhance the experience. By adding the element of incense, we also engage our senses of sight and smell. There is also a tactile aspect of lighting and holding the stick, perhaps carrying it around the room with a bowl to catch the ashes. It can become so much more than “a thing we should do”, it can become a habit we lovingly develop.
Many places frown upon, if not forbid, (my father included!) lighting/fire/burning indoors, (falling embers) so we also offer a loose option that is more like a potpourri, but of the same scents as our blessing sticks. In fact, they are the remnants from making the sticks. We show you a how to burn it, as well. We have been playing around making some resin options, but they are much trickier than first anticipated. Varying conditions like temperature and humidity, as well as the consistency of your ingredients, make results quite variable. We are, however, enjoying the learning process. Please feel free to reach out to us if you’d like to learn more.
May you continue to be blessed upon your journey.