Category Archives: Incense

Frankincense: Universal Magical Resin

Posted on December 22, 2021 by David Taliesin

The LORD said to Moses: Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (an equal part of each), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy; and you … Continue reading →

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Holiday Survival Kit

Posted on November 13, 2017 by David Taliesin

HOLIDAY SURVIVAL KIT Simple but effective uses of herbs/essential oils to beat the winter blues. DEPRESSION/ANXIETY Frankincense—Johns Hopkins University did a study in 2016 that proved burning frankincense helps to alleviate anxiety and depression. The essential oil can also be … Continue reading →

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Frankincense: Good For Your Soul!

Posted on February 18, 2016 by David Taliesin

Many years ago, on a trip to Egypt, I had the opportunity to tour a factory that manufactures essential oils and sample what they had to offer.  I must have sniffed 20-25 different scents that day, but the one that … Continue reading →

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Myrrh: From Birth to Death and Everything In-Between

Posted on January 1, 2016 by David Taliesin

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [Matthew 2:11, NRSV] When most people … Continue reading →

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Juniper Berries: Protection and Healing

Posted on December 3, 2015 by David Taliesin

Maybe it’s because of my Germanic heritage but I’ve always loved juniper berries. The best sauerkraut recipes use them as a flavor enhancer and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Juniper berries are also used to flavor gin which … Continue reading →

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Juniper Berries: My Final Fall Harvest of the Year

Posted on November 10, 2015 by David Taliesin

We finally had a sunny day in my hometown after weeks of rain.  This afternoon I made a beeline to a stand of juniper trees whose berries were ripe and ready for harvest. I love to use these berries in … Continue reading →

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Casting the Circle: A Christian Magician’s Perspective

Posted on July 13, 2015 by David Taliesin

According to Scott Cunningham in his book Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, the magic circle can be thought of as “a well-defined though non-physical temple.”  The practice of casting protective circles is very ancient and has been used … Continue reading →

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Copal: Central American Frankincense

Posted on July 9, 2015 by David Taliesin

If the Wise Men (The original Greek word is magos which means “magician”) had lived in North America instead of the Middle East, they would have probably offered a gift of Copal to baby Jesus instead of Frankincense.  Copal is … Continue reading →

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