Labdanum
Cistus
ladanifer
This resin comes from an
evergreen shrub that grows in Spain and is harvested with a leather
rake. Labdanum is much waxier than most resins, so it never
completely solidifies but instead remains a very sticky, tarry
substance (which is why I have put it up in little brown jars).
Also called Incense of the Black Sun, labdanum corresponds to
onycha in
various recipes. It makes a good fixative for perfumes with a
woodsy or "masculine" scent and is considered an excellent replacement
for animal-obtained musk, especially when combined with oakmoss and
patchouli, and is a regular component in vegetable substitutes for
ambergris. Labdanum's soothing scent is warm but not hot, flowery but
not too sweet, sedating and uplifting mood at the same time. A little
goes a long way, and it keeps its scent a long time, too. It is
associated with Sun,
Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Scorpio,
Cancer, and The Chariot, but to my mind, the best fit is Sun. This is
truly a glorious smell! Top
You can make working with
this resin easier by pouring some onto a piece of waxed paper and
putting it in the freezer. It will harden up so you can remove it
easily from the waxed paper and quickly roll it into a ball. Or you can
make it 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. Top
|
Labdanum
resin
20 g jar $16.50
Uses
in Magic & Witchcraft:
Money Spells
Protection Spells
Honoring Sun-Associated Deities
Sun Incense
©
2004, 2018 Harold A. Roth; No reproduction without permission
|