Bdellium / Guggul Gum
Commiphora wightii
This undistinguished shrubby tree gives us a resin (pronounced "delm") that was once an adulterant of myrrh, which it resembles in color and shape but not smell.  In sacred rites, it was steeped in wine to increase its fragrance. Agrippa associates bdellium with attack magick and with Mars (probably on account of the thorns on the tree that produces it, as its scent is not hot but typically resinous). The name comes from Hebrew, bedolach, for something that is stuck together, like rice, and it is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible together with onyx, which to me gives it a strong Pluto aspect (or the dark, non-physical side of Mars).  The gum makes a good fixative of scent in perfumes but adds dark notes of its own.

In Buddhist magic, an area of study that is finally getting some traction by Western scholars, bdellium appears as a ritual incense ingredient in numerous ancient esoteric texts, including The Noble Sovereign Ritual of Amoghapāśa* (sixth century CE) and the Dunhuang spellbook (tenth century CE). Usually referred to as guggul, it is burned for purification, protection, healing, to deepen awareness, and more. It is a primary ingredient in our Incense for Mahakala.

*Amoghapāśa is an emanation of Avalokiteśvara, or the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who is known by many other forms and names, including Chenrezig, Kuan Yin, and–in modern Western circles–the Trans-Bodhisattva (because this particular bodhisattva transcends the male/female binary). Check out Cathryn Bailey's article "Embracing the Icon: The Feminist Potential of the Trans Bodhisattva, Kuan Yin" for a great read on this topic. (You can find it on JSTOR.)

Bdellium
1 oz. $9.25

 

Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:

Incense of Mars & Pluto
Attack Magic
Buddhist Magic
Protection
Purification

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