This is a question that's come up periodically, so I wanted to address it here on the blog rather than via email. A reader asks, "Considering the major role that incense plays in rituals, Circles, cleansing and so on; what would be your suggestions for people trying to perform such activities that have asthma? There is not much that is more distracting then trying to concentrate on the task at hand and having it interrupted because you suddenly can't breathe and are coughing trying to get oxygen."
My understanding - and I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm in error - is that asthma is exacerbated by the smoke, rather than the smell of the incense itself. That gives you a couple of different options, because there are a number of smoke free alternatives to using incense.
My pal RainbowSkittles, who not only has asthma but also has two kids who suffer from breathing issues, says, "What I use instead of commercial incense sticks is the loose grain incense. I can mix it with water, put it in a small bowl, and heat it up over a tealight burner. This produces the scent, without the smoke."
MyLittleHomie has a radiator in her apartment, and places frankincense crystals in a pie tin, adds a bit of water, and then places the tin on the radiator. "You can smell it all over the apartment, and there's no burning charcoal or smoke to cause my asthma to flare up."
Finally, if you're just using the incense as something representative of the element of Air, you can always substitute something else - a fan, feathers, or whatnot. If you're using incense as a method of cleansing a sacred space, you might want to try one of these other techniques instead: How to Cleanse a Sacred Space
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My understanding - and I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm in error - is that asthma is exacerbated by the smoke, rather than the smell of the incense itself. That gives you a couple of different options, because there are a number of smoke free alternatives to using incense.
My pal RainbowSkittles, who not only has asthma but also has two kids who suffer from breathing issues, says, "What I use instead of commercial incense sticks is the loose grain incense. I can mix it with water, put it in a small bowl, and heat it up over a tealight burner. This produces the scent, without the smoke."
MyLittleHomie has a radiator in her apartment, and places frankincense crystals in a pie tin, adds a bit of water, and then places the tin on the radiator. "You can smell it all over the apartment, and there's no burning charcoal or smoke to cause my asthma to flare up."
Finally, if you're just using the incense as something representative of the element of Air, you can always substitute something else - a fan, feathers, or whatnot. If you're using incense as a method of cleansing a sacred space, you might want to try one of these other techniques instead: How to Cleanse a Sacred Space
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
thank you for the reply
it was most helpful
thanks for the reply was most helpful