10 ml
Frankincense is synonymous with incense. The aromatic smoke of incense (from the Latin incendere, ‘to burn’) spiraling and reaching to the heavens provides a bridge between worlds. ‘Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.’ (Psalm 141). Frankincense acted as a herald for King Solomon on his wedding day. ‘Who is this coming up from the wilderness, like a column of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense, from all the spices of the merchant? Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage.’ (Song of Solomon 3:6). One of the three gifts of the Magi, presented to baby Jesus, emblematic of his divinity. This heavenly scent was key in awaking Tummuz, Ishtar’s consort, from his winter slumber, so the earth could be regenerated each spring. The fabled Phoenix creates her nest from frankincense and myrrh, to be born from scented ashes and lifted towards the firmaments.
The Egyptians used frankincense as an antidote to hemlock poisoning, Queen Hatshepsut ground charred frankincense into kohl eyeliner, enhancing beauty, protecting the eyes from the sun and the evil eye. Jezebel did not enjoy these benefits and fell from grace for lining her eyes with kohl. "When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; she painted her eyes with kohl, and adorned her head, and looked out of the window." (2 Kings 9:30)
In mythology Sol (the sun) having an all seeing eye, told Vulcan that his wife Venus was having an affair with Mars. Venus not happy with the turn of events and having the power to make any mortal or god fall in love, Venus made Sol fall in love with the fair mortal Leucothoe. Since this was intended as a punishment, Venus made sure Clytie (Sols’ wife) finds out and she immediately tells Leucothoes’ father, who promptly buries her alive and she dies. “Unable to awaken his beloved with light, Sol swore to revive the girl and make her rise to the sky. He covered her in the nectar of the Gods. The body of Leucothoe melted away and filled the soil with its fragrance, and out of the earth arose the frankincense tree.” (Ovid Met. 4.167) Apollonius wanting to win favor of the sun, ‘took up a handful of frankincense and said: "O thou Sun, send me as far over the earth as is my pleasure and thine, and may I make the acquaintance of good men, but never hear anything of bad ones, nor they of me.” And with these words he threw the frankincense into the fire.
Frankincense is sublime for enhancing meditation or prayer work, stimulating the Sixth and Seventh Chakra, brightens the mind, removes heaviness from the heart, motivates one to altruism, uplifts ones spirit and deepens your connection to the divine.
Folk Wisdom: Beneficial for skin abrasions, sores, fevers, coughs, colds, bronchitis, general nervous conditions, easing mental stress and anti-inflammatory. Nourishes dry skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, scars, and stretch marks.
…….
PART USED ~ Resin (Gum)
EXTRACTION METHOD ~ Hydro-Distilled Essential Oil
ORIGIN ~ Oman
NOTE CLASSIFICATION ~ Base Note, Excellent Fixative
You might also like
