Storax
This aromatic resin shows a
somewhat
Mercurial
aspect by working well as a menstruum (solvent)
for other scents, but it is heavy and dark
compared to menstrua like alcohol and has a strong
Earth aspect. Some claim it is the same thing as
benzoin, but they are two completely different
resins. Perhaps because of its watery
nature, it is connected to the
Moon, as in this
recipe for
Moon
incense. It is also mentioned quite a bit in
Agrippa's
Images of the Mansions of the Moon, and it is
the perfume associated with Hod in the Kabbalistic
Tree of Life. Top
Medicinally, this resin was once used as an expectorant in tiny amounts, and it was combined with fat to rub on skin diseases. It was often used to mask the bitter taste of alkaloids in pills. The scent is considered mind-clearing and helps stop pain. In traditional Chinese medicine it is combined with musk, cloves, and benzoin to help bring someone back from coma. It also has the reputation of being an aphrodisiac. Top
This resin combines well with bay leaf, cardamom, carnation, cinnamon, clove, geranium, ginger, helichrysum, jasmine, lavender, lemon, nutmeg, orange, rose, and ylang ylang. Use only a tiny bit and dilute it well. I have refined "Honduran" storax and ground storax. It is also known as styrax and sweet oriental gum. Top
Refined Honduran Storax from El Salvador--a thick, brown liquid with a very strong scent. It has a spiciness as well as a Moon-like coldness to it when it is raw, but when it burns, it changes character completely, becoming sweet and almost rose-like, something like palmarosa. I can see why some people think styrax and benzoin are the same thing--their scents are similar. You can make this resin runnier and thus easier to mix with other ingredients by warming it slightly (but remember, this stuff is flammable). You can get it off your hands with Orange Goop or Lava. You can remove it from glass with oil or orange solvent. Claims that storax can cause sensitization are generally referring to Turkish or Asiatic storax, which comes from a different species. Top
Storax Bark Powder - not much of a scent, but good for using as an incense base
Uses in Witchcraft & Magick:
Elemental Magick (Earth)
Incense of Mercury & Moon
Kabbalah
© 2004, 2005 Alchemy Works; No reproduction without permission
Storax, Poppy Seed, Aloeswood, Benzoin, Coriander Seed, Thyme, White Lily Petals, White Rose Petals, and Cinnamon.