SCENT CRAFT
Botanical incense is exactly that:
whole flowers, herbs from my garden, foraged moss and fragrant barks, opulent tree resins, or a handful of crushed spices. These each begin in their raw form and are dried, ground, and hand-formed into new iterations.
Intended to be learned, burned and returned to the Earth.
Traditional Practice
Ancestor is made how incense has always been made, by hand and with the materials found in our natural world. I harvest and craft in slow, small batches, in harmony with the seasons -- both external and within.
I use a mix of foraged and cultivated aromatics, often from the land around me or sourced from ethical suppliers around the globe, taking great care to move with respect to the sacred wisdom contained inside each one.
Many have been used for millinia in incense and perfumery, and a kinship must be made. The history, indigenous folkways, and present life of my materials is just as important as the physical product.
There is no ceremony without understanding.
Ancient Alchemy
Materials are air dried until ready to be processed, ground into fine powders, and mixed into fragrant blends.
Creating a balanced scent profile is a rewarding science. Blends are formulated through experimentation, finding the unique scent chemistry of each ingredient through trial and error.
Earthen fragrances are sometimes rich, sometimes subtle, my blends are intended to highlight the personality and unique notes of each ingredient as they burn.
Light with Intent
In an age of mass comsumption, I create something meant to be destroyed. ,
Natural incense is a slow process, taking weeks to months to get from harvest to hand.
Each piece of incense exists in its own natural cycle - it grows, it transforms, it returns to the Earth. Each moment is important and an experiment with patience.
Ancestor's offering is found in the temporaral.
Offering small moments of stillness and reflection. Allowing us to understand the past, deeply experience the present, and envision our place in a fruitful future.