Over the past few months I've been collecting some incense samples here and there from Mermade Magickal Arts, and I keep meaning to review a few. Now, you'll notice that the site is very pagan-oriented, but you don't need to have pagan leanings to enjoy the incense - it's all top notch quality, equally enjoyable with or without any spiritual applications.

I'm going to review three scents from the Nature Spirits line, which are all self-combusting (that is, you just light them up and go, as with stick incense, rather than using charcoal or a heater to heat them). However, here is my disclaimer - these are pretty smokey scents, and as I've mentioned before, I have an intensely sensitive nose and can't handle a lot of smoke, so I break off pieces of them and heat them on my heater. I have in fact tried them all the way they were intended, and the scents are similar between the heater and burning, but with more of a smokey edge (obviously) from the latter; also, on the heater the oils come out a little more quickly, making the scent change a bit throughout heating it, while burning produces a more even and woody scent.

Pan's Earth (Aloeswood, Patchouli, Vetivert, Vanilla, Labdanum, Hougary Frankincense, and Himalayan Juniper wood): This is a "does what it says on the label" incense in that you open it up and smell dirt. Very strong vetiver and patchouli are the most apparent notes in this. I was surprised by it, however - I usually take issue with most of the "earth element" type scents I come across for going a bit overboard with the concept, resulting in a somewhat unbalanced scent, but this one neatly sidesteps that issue with a really nice balance of sweet and woody notes. The mellowness of the aloeswood and labdanum give it a really luxurious feel, and while you don't notice the juniper so much at first, when you pay attention you realize it really lifts the whole overall scent up and brightens it. I almost think I detect a hint of rose in this, too; maybe it's my imagination, but it seems to give it a softness that's really pleasing.

This one is a must-have for lovers of "earthy" scents; and if you think you're one of those people that hate things like vetiver, you might consider giving this one a try, as it's beautifully balanced and smooth.

Spirit Temple (Eastern Aromatics, Aloeswood and Sandalwood and Hougary Frankincense, Borneol Camphor from Japan): Now, my sample packet is labeled "Spirit" rather than "Spirit Temple", but I'm going to assume it's just a name change, especially since it smells... pretty much like the ingredients listed. This one is definitely reminiscent of a Japanese joss stick, although it has much more of a resinous component than you'll usually find in any Japanese scent. It has a very soft, almost powdery wood base, with more of a sandalwood scent than aloeswood. The generous dose of frankincense and camphor gives it a sweet, luminous effect. (Mermade is known for the amazing frankincense in its blends, and for good reason.) There's a subtle touch of spices that I can't really identify, although I think I'm detecting some star anise and possibly a hint of cinnamon.

This one is very soft, soothing and lovely, although it scorches unusually easily on my heater; on the other hand, this is the only one of the self-combusting samples I've tried that I think I could actually burn the way it was intended to be burned - when I tried lighting it the smoke was unusually gentle to my nose for the amount produced. (Probably the camphor - opens up the nose a bit.)

Sacred Grove (Hougary and Oman Frankincense, Turkish Storax or Liquidambar Orientalis, Labdanum, Canadian Spruce Essential Oil, Western Red Cedar Wood, Powdered Grand Fir Tips, Himalayan Juniper Wood, Pinon Pine Resin, Copal Elemi Resin): This is my favorite Mermade scent that I've tried so far. (Probably at least in part due to the rather whopping dose of labdanum - I do adore labdanum.) It gives off a glowing emerald green effect, very wet and resinous and full of clean evergreen scents that just can't fail to lift your mood. To tell the truth, it's really impressive how resin-heavy Katlyn can make a self-combusting incense smell.

It's actually surprising that I like this so much, because I'm usually not so into very "forest-y" scents; I may find them pleasant enough, and occasionally a nice change of pace, but they just don't really grab me. I think in this case it may well be that the storax and labdanum are giving it that really rich, exotic and luxurious edge that always appeals to me. If you're fond of woodsy, forest-type scents, you're sure to like this one, and if you're not, you might like it anyway, because it's a bit different than the norm.