Myrrh

Myrrh resin is the ultimate scent of the Element of Water. Myrrh was used by the Ancient Egyptians in their embalming process and for ritual fumigations in many different ancient cultures. The resin is obtained by allowing the sap to drip out of the bush, so it is not endangered as the bush is maintained.  It is usually sold in rough, dry chunks and will need to be sieved after it is ground down in a mortar and pestle if you want to use it as a powder incense.  

Usually during the Dark Moon, I like to burn Myrrh resin on top of a heated charcoal disc while saying the following:

"I make this offering honoring the power of spirit. I make this offering honoring the power of the physical. I acknowledge that I am a being not only of my body and of this world, but I am a creature of energy and of all the worlds."

Attributes:

Aroma: deep, rich, warm, earthy, bitter, balsamic, slightly sweet and spicy, herbaceous

Emotional Attributes: strengthening, relaxing, meditative, sensuous, helps sleep, cleansing/purifying

Element: Water

Astrological: Cancer, Scorpio, Aquarius, Virgo, Taurus

Planetary: Moon

Seasonal: Summer & Winter

Magical correspondences: Calming, quieting, and relaxing.

Good for meditative state, a very powerful, sleepy presence; an out of body meditation aspect.

Separation of body and mind, like a floating sensation.

A calming of the emotions in the sense of detachment. Go to a quiet place and separate from everything but your thoughts.

An aid for scrying, or root work divination.

A powerful addition of protective strength. This comes from awareness and knowing, of the focusing of the Will; protection in the way of thought and change into a new direction.

Realizing we are creatures not only of the body, but also of the spirit; the duality that humans have of both body and spirit. Myrrh allows us to realize both and separate from the physical to experience just the spiritual for a time.