Myrrh resin Commiphora myrrha

If this is the first time you are burning myrrh, you should prepare the place for incense properly. You will need a heat-resistant ceramic incense burner, if this is your first encounter with scented substances and you want to get to know them through the ritual of incense burning, you can also use a larger flat stone (brought from the seaside e.g.), or a large sink filled with sand.

If you have one, put all the components needed for incense in a tray:

• a sandpit (e.g. flat stone),
• resin (myrrh, frankincense)
• a natural charcoal for incense,
• tweezers or tongs for safely spreading the resin on the charcoal, or for tilting the incense stick.

Natural charcoal is easiest to light from a gas stove, but if you don't have one at home, you'll need to light it with a candle or a torch, which will take longer. If you have a fireplace and use harder woods, you can also try burning charcoal from a fireplace or fire pit. Put the finest possible pellets of resin (myrrh, frankincense) on the charcoal of your choice, so that the aroma of the resin lasts longer, spreads more easily and beautifully, and the white smoke is less thick. If the resin you have is in coarse pieces, you can crush it with your fingers, or just use a hammer or a heavier object to roll it in paper.

Incense is a more mindful process, to be present here and now, both in preparation for the incense and after the incense has been lit. Be careful with hot charcoal, do not pick it up with your fingers, use tweezers, do not leave it unattended when tanning, and do not leave it unattended while incense is being burnt, and incense in well-ventilated areas.