Frankincense

1 oz bag., pea-sized.

Other Names: Boswellia species; Incense, Olibans, Olibanum, Olibanus, Luban.
Deities: Ra, Baal
Element: Fire
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Powers: Protection, Exorcism, Spirituality
Used in incenses or sachets

Frankincense is one of the most ancient of mystical and spiritual incenses still used.  Frankincense is the hardened sap (resin) from a small, shrubby tree of the Boswellia family that is native to desert climates.  The whitish/yellowish resin is known as luban in Arabic and olibanum is Latin.  The Chinese called it fanhunxiang.  Moses was commanded to use frankincense as an ingredient in the Ketoret or temple incense, and it has been used by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans in antiquity.  Today, frankincense is the preferred resin used in Catholic ceremony although this varies by parish; benzoin, copal, myrrh, or styrax are also popular.

Magical Uses: the smoke and scent of frankincense resonates with the powerful and good and will drive out evil and negativity from a space.  Because of its power, frankincense can be used in incenses for protection, purification, exorcism, consecration, and any form of ceremonial or ritual magic.  The smoke and scent can also produce a calm atmosphere for meditation, visioning, and travel, and can be added to protection, luck, or growth pouches.

Frankincense may be substituted with rosemary when needed.