FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterii)
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Associated Deities: Ra, Baal
Part Used: Resin
Basic Powers: Protection, Purification, Consecration, Exorcism
Specific Uses: Burn to raise vibrations, to purify, consecrate, protect and exorcise. Frequently used in charm bags and sachets. Induces visions and aids meditation.. Mix with cumin and burn as powerful protective incense useful for general working.

Frankincense trees grow in rocky, desert like soil. They are hardly ever more than 6 m tall and some have bizarre shapes. Each tree has its own personality. Everything about them is a testimony to the unforgiving sun of' this land. They develop in a location where the mountains provide protection from the wind, and mountain dew is the only moisture they receive. Average rainfall must be below 4 in. (100 mm) in order for thorn to thrive.
Frankincense trees are also particular about the condition of the soil. They grow only where the soil contain very specific combinations of minerals. The trees prefer the rocky slopes along the edge of the canyon like wadis, or dry river beds. The resin we use is produced from a sticky milky white liquid which flows out when the bark of the tree is injured and solidifies serving to heal the tree's wound.
To harvest frankincense, the owners cut the tree bark in several places. The milky liquid hardens when exposed to the sun. They then remove the resin with a spatula like scraper. Usually, the owners don't collect the first and second resins, which appear after a month It is the third resin that is superior in quality. It is possible total harvest 10 kg of' resin from each tree. After a three or four month period, the trees produce a particularly pure liquid. The frankincense resin obtained from this late harvest is the best because of its delicate quality though it is infrequently available today.

The quality of the frankincense is considerably influenced by the way the resin is harvested dried, and stored. The scent is light and clear, while other resin smells some what musty and dull. The lower quality is often due to a quick harvest, during which the resin was not allowed to mature properly. Today, frankincense generally comes from Oman and Somalia.

The frankincense tree loves warmth and dry air, and the same is true of the resin The finest fragrance develops during incense burning in a comfortably heated room or outside on a warm oil hot summers day. Cold temperatures and humidity do not allow the delicate, mild fragrance to develop.
We derive from many benefits and pleasures Burning frankincense and we should make and effort to use more of it on many diverse occasions