Gifting Divinity – Appeasing Enchanteur
September 12, 2006Copal resin has been used ritually by Mesoamericans for centuries. Crystallized copal resin chunks are placed on burning charcoal which produces a thick, sweet smoke. Copal resin is traditionally burned in protection, cleansing and purification ceremonies. Large amounts of Copal Incense were burned on top of the Aztec and Mayan pyramids.
This is a non-combustible resin incense, which means heat must be applied to release its fragrance (usually with a self-lighting charcoal tablet). To use incense, ignite a charcoal tablet and place in a heat-proof container. Grind the incense to a fine powder and sprinkle on the glowing tablet.
When the world was young the women burned precious incense to nourish the gods of creation. “Food for the gods”, a bitter sweet resin called copal was served to the divinity of the mine.
Swing the censers,
May the sweet, pine perfume of the copal
satisfy the gods
May they let us mine safely.
posted by Heather Blakey
Ahh l’Enchanteur may I walk behind you as you swing your incense? What a splendid thing to do. This is like reclaiming something vital that the clerics ahve claimed as their own special province.
As High Priestess I would expect you to be by my side and not behind me Edith. This is a very important reclaimation, especially since ores were believed to be like a foetus, tucked within the womb of mother earth.
I love these things. Loved everything about this post.
This is wonderful. I actually have one of these charcoal tablet censors but I’m afraid of I’ll set off my very sensitive smoke-detector in my apartment. I’ll have to find someplace outside to do this.
I’ve got one and it didn’t set mine off. Not even sure why not. I was scared to use it, but it was okay and made everything lovely.