Incense: Rituals, Mystery, Lore

by Hyams, Gina; Cushner, Susie

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Chronicle Books Llc. Used - Like New. Condition: Near new: unread (may have publisher's mark or minor shelfwear).; bkcs

Book summary

To have ever felt a comforting sense of stillness, nostalgia, even sensual excitement, upon inhaling a particular scent is to have felt the power of incense. Gina Hyams and photographer Susie Cushner seek to capture just this feeling of peaceful awe in their book, which examines the soothing, meditative properties of incense and its presence in global culture throughout history. The photographs elicit a feeling of warmth and peace, and Hyam's writing does the same, while conjuring up a new appreciation for the subject in the mind of any willing reader. Everything from the ancient scents of Egypt, the incense ceremonies and games of Asia, Catholic rituals in Mexico, and other times and places are explored. It's established that incense has been an important feature of man's communion with inner states of relaxation since the dawn of time, so to dismiss it as the accessory of adolescent hippies is to miss out on a readily available ingredient in restoring one's well being. Also included are recipes for making one's own incense, and a list of the effects of each type, from jasmine to joss stick, from aloeswood to sandalwood.