What Can the Smoke and Ashes of Incense Tell Us?

Burning incense is a that has been around for centuries and serves many purposes for magic and spiritual practitioners of all faiths and religions. The burning of incense helps cleanse a space, set the right atmosphere for a ritual, and lifts up prayers and workings to higher powers. Whether burning powder, sticks, cones, or resins, incense smoke, and ashes can give help more than you know.

Incense Can Read The Energy Of The Room

Some practitioners swear by using the shape of smoke to tell when a space needs to be cleansed. To do this, hold a lit stick, cone, or coil in a draft-free room. The smoke will form a thin stream towards the ceiling if the energy in the room needs clearing. If the energy is positive and fresh, the smoke will form billows and clouds.

Incense Can Answer Yes Or No Questions

Libanomancy (also known as livanomancy and knissomancy) is the practice of using incense for divination. One of the easiest ways to get started with divination is with simple "yes" or "no" questions.

Incense blends that contain seeds will produce a small popping sound as the seeds heat up and burst. Decide on a good number of pops for "yes" or "no," light the mixture, and ask your question. If you don't hear anything, the answer is unclear right now.

You can also read the smoke, by saying a few words and watching to see if it moves toward you or away from you. A simple spell for this might be:

If my answer is yes, Rise toward me.
If my answer is no, Rise away.

Incense Can Show Whether You'll Succeed

Sometimes, a simple "yes" or "no" is not a good enough answer. In the past, smoke and ashes were used to predict everything from monetary gain to the outcome of a battle. Some ways to read the smoke of incense are:

• If the smoke only goes to its right: You will prevail over your adversary.
• If the smoke only goes to its left: Your adversary will prevail over you.
• If the smoke clusters: Success! You will enjoy profit wherever you go.
• If the top of the smoke is cut off: You will experience hard times.
• If the top of the smoke gathers like a date palm and is thin (down) at its base: Hardship is coming soon.
• If the smoke, after a while, pushes through and gets out: You will pull through hard times.

One of the easiest ways to divine using smoke is to look at the smoke as a sign of good things to come. If it moves toward the diviner, it is a sign of success, triumph, and luck. If it moves away, it is a sign of loss. The same can be done by seeing if it goes to the right or left -- if it's to the right ("dexter" in Latin), all will be well. If it goes to the left ("sinister" in Latin), there will be trouble.

Interpreting The Direction of Incense Smoke

While there's no universally accepted set of interpretations for the behavior of incense smoke, here are some interpretations based on various cultural and spiritual traditions:

• The direction of the smoke: Some believe that the direction in which incense smoke flows can carry significance. If the smoke flows towards the right, it could be seen as a sign that the outcome of a situation will be positive or that one's prayers are being accepted. If it flows to the left, it might suggest challenges or obstacles ahead.
• Rising smoke: Smoke that rises straight up is often seen as a sign that prayers or intentions are being heard and answered. It can also represent the element of air and is associated with communication and the mind.
• Dense smoke: If the incense smoke is thicker than usual, it might be interpreted as a sign that one's thoughts or prayers are heavily concentrated. It may also indicate that more energy is needed to achieve one's goals.
• Spiraling or dancing smoke: Spiraling smoke might be seen as a sign of the presence of spirit beings, divine energy, or a powerful force at work. Some people believe that it may also symbolize a time of change or transformation.
• Smoke moving towards you or following you: If the smoke moves towards you or appears to follow you, some spiritual traditions interpret this as a sign that your prayers are being acknowledged or that you're receiving a spiritual blessing.
• Smoke curling downward: If incense smoke curls down, it may suggest the presence of negative energy or predict unfavorable outcomes. It could also symbolize potential physical or spiritual obstacles in one's path, indicating forthcoming challenges. Additionally, if the smoke descends after setting a prayer or intention, this might be seen as a sign of these intentions or prayers not being acknowledged or accepted.
• Smoke spreading out: If the smoke seems to spread out or fill the room, it might suggest an overflowing of energy or a need to reach out more in one's life.

Incense Can Predict Love

One of the most popular uses for divination with ashes was for romance. This practice, popular among young, unmarried individuals, involves drawing lines in ashes. This might have been done in a communal setting, such as around a fire or a place where people gathered. The drawn lines had a particular significance, believed to indicate the direction toward a future lover or spouse.

Let's imagine a scenario: a young woman draws lines in the ashes at a social gathering. Later in the evening, a young man unknowingly sits where the lines point. According to this practice, he is likely to be her future husband.

This form of ash divination is part of a long tradition of similar practices. The use of everyday substances or objects to predict the future or reveal hidden truths is common across many diverse cultures. This could include anything from tea leaves (tasseography) to animal bones (scapulimancy), and yes, even the ashes from a fire.

In some regions of England, this practice took on a special significance during St. Valentine's Day. The tradition of love and courtship associated with this day made it an ideal time for such rituals. It was believed that the divination on this day would reveal who the individual should court or pursue romantically in the upcoming year.

Incense Can Warn of Good Or Bad Omens

Ashes can also be read by looking at the shapes they make when they fall. In this practice, a question is either written out or verbalized—typically a question about the future or seeking guidance on a specific situation. Then, incense (which could be a blend of powder and resins) is lit and allowed to burn. The ashes resulting from this process are the focus of the divination.

These ashes are carefully observed for any patterns they may form naturally or in response to external influences like a breeze. Diviners look for recognizable shapes or symbols, such as letters or numbers, which are interpreted as messages or answers to the posed questions.

Alternatively, the diviner may spread the ashes out and inscribe their questions directly into them using a stick or finger. The ashes are then left undisturbed, often overnight, exposed to natural elements like wind. The next day, the diviner would return to see what shapes or symbols remain. These patterns are then interpreted, serving as omens or signs that can provide guidance or predict future events.

The interpretations of these signs can be positive or negative, depending on the symbols identified and the specific beliefs or traditions of the diviner. For example, certain symbols might be seen as a warning of challenges or difficulties ahead, while others might be seen as indicators of good fortune or positive change.

It's important to have a clear question and open mind when using libanomancy. Reading smoke and ashes is often like seeing shapes in clouds -- signs and symbols aren't as clear as words printed in a book. With practice and a willingness to see, you can use incense smoke or ashes to answer any question you can think of.

When Incense Ash Curls or Hangs

Normally, when an incense stick burns, the ash will break off and fall. So, what does it mean when your incense ash doesn't fall off but curls or hangs? When incense ash curls or hangs, various interpretations arise depending on the cultural or spiritual context:

• Incense Ash Curling Upward: If the incense ash curls upward, it is seen as a sign of blessings and impending good news.
• Incense Ash Curling Downward: Should the incense ash curl downward, it implies the presence of negative energy in one's surroundings
• Incense Curling In No Specific Direction: If the ash is curled, it may suggest that the individual is experiencing challenging periods. This could be a result of personal life problems, stress, or other adverse events.
• Incense Stick Curling: A curled incense, particularly the stick taking on a curled shape while burning, indicates luck.
• Incense Ash Hanging: Observing hanging incense ash might indicate a need for spiritual purification in the nearby person or space. Various factors like unwanted energies, spirits, or unfavorable vibes could be the cause.

In the intricate world of cultural and spiritual beliefs, the manner in which incense ash behaves can convey deep meanings. Whether it curls upward, downward, remains without a specific direction, or hangs, each manifestation can be a symbolic message about the prevailing energy and ambiance. However, it's also essential to acknowledge that the hanging or curling of incense ash could be attributed to natural factors, and not necessarily spiritual reasons. Interpretations can vary widely based on individual beliefs and contexts.