Ketoret [Qetoret]* Incense
After much
research and work in locating both a historically accurate formula
and working out the correct ingredients, I have compounded ketoret incense
as it was used
in the Tabernacle and subsequently in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The formula is longer than the one mentioned in the Hebrew Bible
and is considered to be complete. It comes from the Talmud, the oral tradition that
began while the Temple still stood and that was committed
to writing during the Dark Ages, centuries later. The ingredients consist of balsam
(sometimes referred to as stacte in these descriptions), onycha,
galbanum, frankincense, myrrh, cassia, spikenard, saffron, costus
root, "aromatic bark" (I used cedar, given its historical
connection to the Temple), and cinnamon. Wine and other items are
used in treating some of the ingredients, which are combined in
specified proportions. The saffron and the galbanum make this a
very expensive incense today. In the Temple, ketoret was considered
a completely acceptable substitute for blood sacrifice. The incense
sacrifice was made twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon,
and as you can see, most of the ingredients are solar and/or of Fire,
so cosider it for all sorts of Sun or Fire magic. It is also very
fine as an aid to meditation, prayer, or various sorts of Western
"white" magic. The one prohobition the Hebrew Bible mentions
is that it not be burned just for pleasure (although it does have
a rich balsamic scent with notes of myrrh). This incense is very
sticky and will become more so over time. It needs charcoal to burn.
You will see
fibers in this incense; these are bits of saffron and cedar after it is pounded
in my granite mortar and pestle. I want to thank everyone who repeatedly
asked me about this incense over the years. *Neither "ketoret"
nor "qetoret" is more correct. They represent different
transliteration systems. The spelling with the "k" is
more modern. The "q" spelling tends to be Victorian. Same
with Kabbalah and Qabalah.
Ketoret
/ Qetoret Incense
1 oz.
in jar $25.00
Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:
Mage Work
Meditation
Prayer
Substitute
for Blood Sacrifice
© 2010 Harold A. Roth; No reproduction without permission