Agrippa's Planetary Incense Blends from Alchemy

Agrippa Set (labradorite not included) Three Books of Occult Philosophy Incense

Designed through years "messing around" with the various incense formulae outlined in Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy, these incenses follow Agrippa's formulae without including ingredients like blood or animal parts. At Alchemy Works we are all for authenticity, but we reject cruelty. Furthermore, it is our opinion that compounding these incenses using animal parts would stink. One of Alchemy Works' founding principles was the belief that magical tools that are aesthetically pleasing work better than those that aren't. Fortunately, Agrippa does offer an out, which most people don't notice, absorbed in the rather sensational ingredients: "Besides, to Saturne are appropriated for fumes all odoriferous roots, as Pepper-wort root, &c. and the Frankincense tree: to Jupiter odoriferous fruits, as Nutmegs, Cloves: to Mars all odoriferous wood, as Sanders, Cypress, Lignum-balsaim, and Lignum-aloes: to the Sun all Gums, Frankincense, Mastick, Benjamin, Storax, Laudanum, Amber-gryse, and Musk; to Venus Flowers, as Roses, Violets, Saffron, and such like: to Mercury all Pils of Wood and fruit, as Cinnamon, Lignum Cassia, Mace, Citron pill, and Bayberries, and whatsoever seeds are odoriferous; to the Moon the leaves of all Vegetables, as the leaf Indum, the leaves of the Myrtle, and Bay-tree" (Book One, Ch. 44).

Cornelius Agrippa

Although unusual, Agrippa's groupings make sense and show that traditional European magic was nowhere near as hide-bound (pun intended) as some folks nowadays like to insist. This is leaving aside whether the named animal bits are really meant to be animal bits at all. That question is answered in the negative by such sage sources as the Greek Magical Papyrus (PGM XII:401-44), which gives a list of animal parts that it asserts are actually plant parts. Be that as it may, here are the combinations we have created based on Agrippa's descriptions. We hope they serve you well.

Agrippa mentions that positive works should smell nice and negative works should stink, but in his case, "stink" is a relative term, since clearly frankincense, which is of Saturn, the "negative" planet, does not stink.

Each loose incense blend is ritually handcrafted using natural botanical ingredients. Alchemy Works incense does not contain dyes, chemical extenders, fragrance oils, accelerants, fillers, or synthetic materials of any kind. However, this type of incense does require a source of heat, like a charcoal tablet, to release its scent. Click here for tips about working with loose incense. Top

Alchemy Works products are offered for use in spiritual, ritual, meditative, and magical practices, not for medicinal or cosmetic purposes. The information on this website is provided for its folkloric, historic, and magical value. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Agrippa's Planetary Incense
One ounce each of all Seven Holy Planets - 10% off $107.10

Roots of Saturn Incense
1 oz.in tin $17.00
For various types of restriction, revenge, and chthonic workings ("black magic incense"). Bdellium, frankincense (he specfically names this as Saturnian), costus, calamus, spikenard, galangal, ginger, vetiver, and zedoary. Top

Fruits of Jupiter Incense
1 oz. in tin $17.00
For justice and mercy (protection in court). Clove, allspice, start anise, juniper berries, vanilla, peppercorn, fir cone, nutmeg, and more. Top

Woods of Mars Incense
1 oz. in tin $17.00
For protection spells and war. Cedar, sandalwood, juniper wood, cypress, rosewood, ho wood, and more. Top

Flowers of Venus Incense
1 oz. in tin $17.00
For love spells and money magic. Safflower petals, jasmine flowers, larkspur flowers, rose petals, ylang ylang, and more. Does not smell like a synthetic scented floral incense. It is composed primarily of flowers, which burn hot because of their thinness.Top

Seeds of Mercury Incense
1 oz. in tin $17.00
For knowledge, the acquisition of magical skills, and trickery/disguise. Cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, musk seeds, anise, blood orange, bergamot, grapefruit, and more. Top

Resins of the Sun Incense
1 oz. in tin $17.00
For strength, courage, and the masculine. Oliibanum, benzoin, storax, labdanum, our faux ambergris blend, galbanum, elemi, and more. Top

Leaves of Moon Incense
1 oz. in tin $17.00
For divination, waxing and waning, and the feminine. Myrtle leaf, wormwood, eucalyptus, rosemary, clary sage, davana, geranium, and more. Top