Rose of Thracians

It's been a time of delays. Since June, it's felt like a hurry-up and wait situation. So many things are lining up and just waiting in the wings until the fates decide the time is right (I'm guessing it's the fates because it sure as heck isn't us!) Dot the i's, cross the t's, make this deadline, and then, uh-oh, this new issue has been found and it needs correcting, so dot the i's, cross the t's again, and aim for another deadline, wash, rinse, repeat. It isn't just one situation developing like this, it's no fewer than three big, major, important situations that continue to confound. I have been encouraged to shut up about the details because putting the horse before the cart has bitten us/me in the arse in the past. I suppose it is the Universe teaching me (and my cohorts) about the joys of patience; thoughtful contemplation and coming to terms with situations entirely out of our control. 

Sales have slowed to a peaceful pace, I am able to breathe and take time to put together the usual packages with plenty of wee samples to play with. When I'm rushed with loads of orders, I tend to be more frugal with the samples, or I forget them entirely. 

Work has begun on the little formulary ebooks. The first one is a grouping of incense created in the shop from roughly 2013 to the present. Incense like Thracian Rose, and the formula for blue lotus Kyphi, along with some simpler formulas that, with age, turned into something entirely new and unrecognizable. My plan was to have this first little book done in time for holiday orders, but I've decided to take my time with it and not slap on a deadline, I'm dealing with enough of those right now, thank you. 

Early on in my incense self-education, I discovered that warming incense on a heater was far, far better at dispersing scent and transforming mood than was combustible smoky incense. A preference has turned into a tenet and now I create nothing combustible, everything incense here is low, slow warming with huge expanding bubbles of invisible scent. With that in mind, I create incense in the same way I create perfume, with high and low notes, notes that disperse quickly and others that linger, notes representative of time and place, embellished and elevated. It has become ritual here that if a warming incense moves us, we will stand near the warmer and allow the scent to penetrate our clothes, or hang our clothes close to saturate them with scent. The molecules cling to clothing and are carried with us throughout our day, subtly perfuming us without being offensive. My son does this often with wee bits of agarwood and it is amazing how this perfuming ritual has become an effective antidepressant against the world. I am invincible with the scent of TheRam clinging to my hair and clothes. 

Thracian Rose / Sept. 2014

60 grams bee propolis

60 grams dark honey

24 grams frankincense (Boswellia serrata), powdered

20 grams Bulgarian rose floral wax, chopped

In a small pot specific to incense making, on low heat, slowly melt the bee propolis, honey, and powdered frankincense. Add the chopped Bulgarian floral wax when the resins in the honey have melted, and remove from the heat. The heat of the propolis/honey/frankincense will finish the work of melting the wax within minutes. Stir thoroughly and set aside.

In a large bowl specific to incense making, blend together the following:

100 grams myrrh resin (Commiphora myrrha), powdered

25 grams Siam benzoin

20 grams finely powdered sandalwood (any type)

Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly, and then slowly pour the melted resins/honey/wax into the bowl with them. With gloved hands, knead this mixture until it is smooth. This could take a while. If the mixture feels too crumbly, warm a few tablespoons of honey and then add it in; if the mixture is too sticky and soft, add another few grams of sandalwood powder. 

Next, add 2 or 3 grams of rose absolute, or 35 to 40 drops of pure Turkish rose otto, and mix into the resin incense thoroughly. The texture of the resin incense should be malleable and smooth. Spread the mixture onto a parchment-covered cookie sheet with a thin dusting of powdered myrrh and sandalwood covering it. Allow the mixture to cool. It will still be somewhat sticky. Knead the resin incense daily for a week or more, until it holds its shape. Begin the process of shaping the incense, either in rounds or pellets, and roll each piece in a combination of powdered rose and sandalwood. Set on parchment to dry for a few weeks and then store the incense in glass or stoneware for a few months before using. 

Make adjustments as necessary.

I wish you luck ~ ha!