Spiritual Meanings of Incense in Wicca Traditions

The use of incense is a tradition which dates back to ancient times in the Middle East and Asia. Incense has evolved quite a lot since then and it’s use is now seen in other cultures and practices as well.

Today we are going to discuss the spiritual meanings of incense in Wicca traditions. Some of these meanings of incense are traditional and some are more modern, as the traditions evolved over the years.

In Wicca traditions, different fragrances each have their own attributes and spiritual meanings.

The meanings of incense are quite diverse.

Meanings of Incense Ingredients

• Acacia – Acacia is usually burned with sandalwood and is thought to stimulate psychic powers.
• African Violet – African violet is often burned for protection and to promote spirituality within one’s household.
• Allspice – Allspice is burned to aid in the attraction of both luck and financial strength.
• Aloe – Aloe is said to bring good fortune, love, and strength.
• Althea – Similar to Acacia, Althea is burned to enhance psychic powers.
• Amber – Amber represents love and happiness. It is also thought to induce a healing process.
• Ambergris – Ambergris co-aligns with your dreams, creating an environment more vivid and tranquil then usual.
• Angelica – Angelica is burned for protection, but it has other attributes as well, including insight and meditation.
• Anise Seeds – Anise seeds are thought to provide emotional balance.
• Apple Blossom – Apple blossom inspires happiness and friendship.
• Basil – Basil is a wonderful aid for concentration.
• Bay – Bay is said to awaken prophetic visions within the dreams of the practitioner.
• Bayberry – Bayberry aids in protection and prosperity.
• Benzoin – Benzoin co-aligns with astral projection.
• Bergamot – Most people know bergamot due to it’s use as a flavoring in the popular earl grey tea. It is also thought to provide motivation and assertiveness.
• Bistort – Bistort is sometimes burned with frankincense to aid in divination practices.
• Blue Berry – Blue berry is thought to symbolize youth, optimism, and confidence.
• Bracken – Bracken, when burned in an outdoor fire, is thought to help induce rain fall in a similar way as a rain-stick.
• Cardamom – Cardamom provides mental clarity.
• Carnation – Carnation relates mostly to healing, with attribute such as strength, healing, and love.
• Cedar – Cedar is associated with grounding, balance, and clarity. It is also used to keep moths at bay.
• Cedarwood – Cedarwood is burned for similar reasons as Cedar is.
• Chamomile – Chamomile is thought to bring about harmony and inner peace.
• Cherry – Cherry is thought to attract love.
• Cinnamon – Cinnamon brings about alertness and is also considered conducive to prosperity and wealth.
• Citron – Citron is burned in rituals to enhance the practitioner’s psychic powers.
• Citronella – Citronella is used mostly for warding.
• Clove – Clove provides intellectual stimulation and is associated with divination and protection from nightmares..
• Coconut – Coconut is burned for protection and purification purposes.
• Copal – Copal is burned for it’s uplifting aroma. It has had spiritual significance in many cultures throughout time. It is said to provide spiritual insight.
• Cypress – Cypress induces strength and will-power.
• Damiana – Damiana is used to induce visions.
• Dittany of Crete – Dittany of Crete is relatively uncommon but it is used for astral projection and divination.
• Dragons Blood – Dragon’s blood is burned for protection purposes. It dispels negative energies.
• Elecampane – Elecampane is burned for it’s aid in clairvoyance.
• Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus is thought to provide healing and purification energies.
• Fern – Fern is burned outside to produce rain, in a similar way as rainsticks.
• Frankincense – Frankincense is well-known due to it’s inclusion within the Holy Bible. It also provides spiritual insight and has been important to many cultures in the East.
• Frangipani – Frangipani has a delightful scent which is thought to bring about love and friendship.
• Fumitory – Fumitory is burned to help expel demons and other evil entities.
• Galangal – Galangal is an important spice in Indian cuisine but it is also sometimes burned as an addition in incense to help break powerful curses.
• Gardenia – Gardenia is said to bring about peace and healing.
• Ginger – Ginger is a spicy herb which is associated with wealth and lust.
• Ginseng Root – Ginseng is considered a protection aid.
• Gotu Kola – Gotu kola can be burned to aid in meditative practices.
• Heather – Heather is another plant which can be used to induce rain. It is also used to conjure primarily ‘good’ spirits.
• Hibiscus – Hibiscus is associated with divination and the attraction of love.
• Honeysuckle – Honeysuckle is associated with money and wealth.
• Hyacinth – Hyacinth is said to provide happiness and protection..
• Jasmine – Jasmine is considered a ‘lucky’ plant and is also used for wisdom and astral projection.
• Juniper – Juniper aids in breaking curses and provides a calming sensation.
• Lavender – Lavender is associated with cleansing and is said to help induce sleep. An excellent herb to burn when suffering from insomnia.
• Lemon – Lemon has an uplifting scent which is thought to bring about healing.
• Lemongrass – Lemongrass is said to produce mental clarity.
• Lilac – Lilac is thought to attract harmony and tranquility into one’s life.
• Lotus – Lotus has had a spiritual connection with Eastern religions since ancient times. It is used for meditative practices and to induce inner harmony.
• Mace – Mace is a potent spice, said to increase one’s psychic powers.
• Mastic – Mastic is sometimes burned to conjure ‘good’ spirits. It can also be used to increase the strength of other ingredients.
• Mesquite – Mesquite is another herb which is used to increase the potency of other ingredients.
• Mint – Mint is associated with both sexual desire, as well as money.
• Musk – Musk is associated with prosperity and sensuality.
• Myrrh – Myrrh has been used for protection since ancient times and is one of the gifts given to Baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men in the Holy Bible.
• Nutmeg – Nutmeg is burned to aid in meditation.
• Oakmoss – Oakmoss is used to attract money.
• Orange – Orange has an uplifting scent which in aromatherapy is thought to help with fatigue. It is also associated with love, luck, and money.
• Patchouli – Patchouli is associated with sensuality, money, love, and growth.
• Passionflower – Passionflower brings about a calm state of mind and is thought to aid with insomnia.
• Peppermint – Peppermint is a classic scent which is mentally stimulating. It is thought to induce energy and passion.
• Pine – Pine is considered grounding and cleansing.
• Poppy Seeds – Poppy seeds are associated with female fertility.
• Rose – Rose is traditionally considered the western flower of love.
• Rose Geranium – Rose geranium is thought to inspire confidence and courage.
• Rosemary – The spiritual meaning of rosemary is remembrance and youthfulness.
• Rue – Rue is burned to help restore one’s spiritual health.
• Sage – Sage is used primarily for protection and purification. It is a common tool used to purify one’s ritual chambers.
• Sagebrush – Sagebrush is burned to aid in healing and protection. It is said that burning sagebrush can protect one from supernatural entities and evil spirits.
• Sandalwood – Sandalwood is a classic scent which has traditionally been associated with meditation and spiritual insight.
• Solomons Seal – Solomons seal is primarily used as an aromatic offering to pagan deities.
• Star Anise – Star anise is thought to enhance one’s psychic powers.
• Strawberry – Strawberry is said to bring about luck and friendship.
• Sweet Grass – In contrast to some other herbs, sweetgrass is usually used to conjure specifically ‘good’ spirits.
• Sweet Pea – Sweetpea encourages friendship and growth.
• Thyme – Thyme is used to purify the practitioner’s surrounding atmosphere and provide a better environment for rituals.
• Tangerine – Tangerine is said to attract prosperity.
• Vanilla – Vanilla is used for mental clarity and stimulation.
• Vervain – Vervain is sometimes used in exorcism rituals.
• Vetiver – Vetiver is said to correlate with money and love.
• Violet – Violet provides one with wisdom, protection, and healing.
• Wisteria – Wisteria is burned to aid in protection against evil.
• Wormwood – Wormwood is burned to enhance one’s psychic powers. It is also used in some conjuring spells.
• Yarrow – Yarrow inspires confidence and is earthing in nature.
• Ylang Ylang – Ylang ylang is thought to induce harmony and provide euphoric bliss.