Incense blends for the Gods (part 2)
Link to my post about incense in ancient greece
Haven't done this in a whiiiile but I'm running low on my incense stocks so I'm starting to think about those blends again.
Once again, this is partly historical and partly UPG, so use this as an inspiration if you want and get creative !
In the months to come I will probably put some of these to the test and review how they feel and smell, because ultimately what matters is that the scent is pleasant to the gods and that you took time and effort to craft something special !
Dragon blood - she is often associated with snakes and dragons, one of her epithets is drakaina, so naturally my mind wantered to this resin. So yeah, a poetic association. Plus I love the scent.
Saffron - this one is more historical as this spice and its color is associated to the goddess
Cypress (leaves or wood) - a tree associated with death which I picked due to Her psychopomp role
Yew - historically put around the neck of bulls ready to be sacrificed to Her, also burnt on funeral pyres
Labdanum - a thick and resinous product with a very instense and intoxicating scent
Pine resin - his thyrsos has a pine cone at the top so pine resin seems really fitting. Of course would be better to use a mediterranean pine but I think you can broaden a bit
Frankincense/Olibanum - as per the orphic hymn
Bay Leaves - connected to the meanads
Oak (leaves of wood) - sacred to Zeus
Sage - it is said that he was raised under a sage bush
Storax/benzoin - as per the orphic hymn (see my other post)
Frankincense - as per the orphic hymn
Violets (dried or scented incense) - she was plucking violets when she was captured by Hades
Lilies - same reason -> could work with roses as well
Patchouli - a rather odd combination you make think but to me it has a really earthy and nostalgic/sad scent to me and one that goes well with flowers
Benzoin/Storax - a ceremonial scent that would fit her role as Queen of the Underworld