The uses of incense

There are different uses in magic for incense. The more common uses include clearing and banishing, and mood setting. Of these the fragrance is considered.

Incenses are also used in magical evocation, and, aside from fragrance, the density of the smoke is what needs to be considered; as a rule, the denser the smoke the more easily the evoked entity is seen. An alternative to using smoke is to use a magic mirror. Entities range from angels, planetary spirits, demons, elementals, and spirits of the dead. Angels and demons respond well to smoke of resins such as frankincense and dragon's blood, respectively. Frankincense has a euphoric quality aside from its scent and density. An incense made of equal parts of frankincense, storax and cedar or lignam aloes works extremely well in magical evocation. Church incense, or a combination of frankincense and myrrh works well too, especially with angels. Sandalwood works well with elementals. Faery are readily seen in smoke from lavender. Spirits of the dead are easily seen in smoke from wormwood. Evocational magic is a special technique that depends on far more than smoke. And while it is not at all recommended for the untrained, it does effect real changes in life.

Magical dreaming

This is a method for getting a yes or no answer to a question through a dream. It works. The method was taught by the magician Clifford Bias, the teacher Alex Murray, of one of my teachers.

What you need is a small piece of paper and a pen, a sachet (aka a mojo bag) and some Wormwood.

The dream must be done on a waxing Moon. Write on a small piece of white paper the following: "white is yes. Black is no."

Then in the center of the paper draw the astrological symbols of the Moon, Mercury, and Uranus.

Then under the symbols write your question. It must be worded so that the answer that comes is either a yes or a no.

Before going to sleep read the question out loud three times making sure you have it firmly in your mind. Put the paper in a sachet filled part way with Wormwood, and put the sachet under your pillow.

This may be done three nights in a row. In the dream you will see something distinctively white or black. The content of the dream need not have anything to do with your question.

For more information about Raphael's work visit www.raphaelsimons.com