I've become fascinated with the different textures and 'essence' of these different resins. I posted a pic of my favorite new ones. The amber I've had for over a year, it is so fragrant that I have to keep it in a sealed box. When I lift the lid, the scent is noticable immediately and through the whole room, if I keep it open an hour or so. I set up my altar for Mabon yesterday, and burned the new stuff I got. I was amazed at the difference in scent and texture. Even though it all burned into a nasty black tarry mess on the charcoal, the dragons blood is crumbly, brittle and sharp. I could break it with my fingers. The amber is almost gooey, very waxy and I didn't like the burnt smell of it as much as raw. It's scent is like perfume and lingers on my fingers through several washings if I handle it bare handed. The benzoin was the hardest, I may have to get a mortar and pestle to break some of the big chunks, it's like a rock, and much too big to put a whole chunk on the charcoal. I was very surprised at the mellow, exotic sweet scent of the benzoin! Not at all 'smoky' smelling although it smoked like crazy as it burned. I was afraid the smoke alarm would go off, even though all windows and doors were open. It went all through my house, and still lingers in the clothes I was wearing yesterday!
Anyway - I just wanted to ramble, I really enjoyed my experiment, and I feel that it really cleared out my house energy for the new season approaching. I hope it cleansed out the germs from my cold, too, although I'm getting out the disinfectant for surfaces to ensure that result. :-) hmmmm.. maybe if I melt some amber into the lysol bottle.....
Blessed Mabon all...