A Simple Guide for Beginners 

Lighting incense is a quick and easy process but knowing the right technique can enhance your experience and ensure safe use. Whether you’re using incense for spiritual practice, meditation, or simply to enjoy its fragrance, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to light incense properly. 

Choose Your Incense 

The way you light incense will depend on the type you are using. The most common forms are: 

• Stick Incense: Thin wooden or bamboo sticks coated in fragrant material. 

• Cone Incense: Small cones that release a more concentrated aroma. 

• Loose Incense: A mixture of herbs, resins, and woods that requires charcoal to burn. 

Prepare Your Burner 

Make sure to place your incense in a holder or on a heat-resistant surface. For stick incense, you’ll need an incense holder with a hole to secure the stick. Cone and loose incense require a heat-safe dish or burner. Always ensure the area is clear of flammable materials and in a well-ventilated space. 

Light the Incense 

• For stick incense, hold the stick at a slight angle, light the coated end with a lighter or match, and let the flame burn for 5-10 seconds. Gently blow out the flame, and the incense should begin to smoulder and produce smoke from the glowing tip. 

• For cone incense, light the pointed tip of the cone until it catches fire. After allowing the flame to burn for a few seconds, blow it out gently. The cone should start smouldering, releasing aromatic smoke. 

• For loose incense, you will first need to light a charcoal disc. Hold the charcoal with tongs, light the edge until it sparks, and place it in your burner. After it heats up, carefully sprinkle a small amount of loose incense on top. 

Let the Incense Smoulder 

Once lit, the incense should smoulder on its own without a flame. The glowing tip or base will slowly release fragrant smoke into the air. If the flame doesn’t go out on its own, blow it out gently to allow for a steady burn. 

Practice Fire Safety 

Always handle lit incense with care and never leave it unattended. Place your incense holder on a stable, heat-resistant surface and keep it away from anything flammable. Ensure the incense has fully burned out before disposing of it. 

Lighting incense can bring calm, focus, and peace to your space. Whether you're lighting it for meditation, energy cleansing, or relaxation, these simple steps will help you get the most out of your experience. 

Author: Coralee Roberts

Coralee is a passionate health and wellness advocate with a deep understanding of holistic living. Driven by a desire to empower herself and others to achieve optimal health and well-being, she has been practicing smudging and energy cleansing for several years. In 2024, Coralee decided to formalize her knowledge and completed a certificate in smudging, deepening her understanding of this transformative practice. Through her writing and teachings, Coralee aims to inspire and support others on their own paths towards wellness and resilience.