Censer PBP

My second C is for Censer's.


A censer is a vessel used for holding and burning incense. The size of  censers varies greatly as does the materials they are made from.
The spiritual or religious connotation may be depicted by the decoration on, or engraved around the bowl.
Some censers are made with chains an may be hung or carried to spread the incense smoke during a ceremony. Many censers are bowls that are open to receive the charcoal & incense or they may have a screened or grated covering. Others are simple plates.As long as the censer is prepared with a little sand or salt before the charcoal is lit and placed, the censer will be easy to clean. 


Funny story.. I bought a garage full of STUFF from a collector. I re-purpose and sell STUFF from time to time. This was some time ago before I had any knowledge of where my path was leading me. In the wack of bottles, jars, frames and   crates, I found a beautiful container with a screened top, it looked to be silver plated brass and it had lovely decoration engraved around it. I wasn't sure but I decided it had to be a floral frog, as that, in my limited knowledge was the only thing I could see using it for. I did wonder why a lovely piece would be hidden as you do with frogs, so I decided to keep it  for myself and use it for scented pot-pourri beads.
Soon after my studies  of wicca began, I realised I was presented with a special piece to use on my alter and the pretty engraving of flowers and vines spoke to me. Use me with your own bounty.


I have wonderful dried herbs that would make the sweet or pungent loose natural incense I could burn during rituals, or just as a thank you for blessings received. That was the start of incense making for me and now I am learning to make hand rolled cones.
You do not have to use charcoal and loose incense in your censer, but if you do it is worth it because the fragrance and smoke has no extra chemicals typically found in retail stores. You also control how
It took a bit of searching locally to find good charcoal to use in my censer because I didn't typically go to head shops or cigar shops because I don't smoke. I found it  at a spiritual store first and then later on line. 


The censer represents the elements of Air and is normally placed on the eastern side of the altar.