Eva Sawada
The Fascinating World of Incense
Incense as a source of energy, inspiration and wellbeing
96 pages, full colour, many photographs
The true meaning of incense is 'sacred' or 'holy' smoke and the burning of incense plays an important role in the rituals of practically all religions and spiritual movements. It is considered an appropriate sacrifice to goddesses and gods.
The burning of incense has a long tradition. Apart from a sacrifice or as a medium that carries prayers to the world of deities, incense is also used because of its cleansing and purifying characteristics and the stimulating qualities of its aroma that influences our body, mind and soul. Incense can be used in order to 'cleanse' a specific room from negative influences, energies or spirits. It can be a tool to create a certain peace of mind or a certain level of consciousness. The scent of burning incense can also be of help to dispel bodily discomfort.
The Fascinating World of Incense is richly illustrated describes all these aspects of the burning of incense and introduces the reader into the enchanting world of aroma and smoke. It carries us through heady perfume of myrrh to the story of the Bible in which incense is used as a present for the child of Bethlehem and to the North American medicine men who are using burning bundles of sage, copal and lavender for disinfecting.
The Fascinating World of Incense contains information about incense and its many uses that have never been published before. It clears the way for 'working with incense' in a responsible way.