Releasing Kyphi

The people of ancient Kemet (Egypt) believed burning Kyphi was a sacred act. Clear your area of distractions. If using high-quality, odorless charcoal, open a window slightly so the smoke may speak freely. The ancient Egyptians burned frankincense in the morning, myrrh in the afternoon and Kyphi in the evening. 

Electric Incense Burners
For the full aromatic bloom of Kyphi’s layered scent, we recommend using an electric incense burner, which allows the perfume to unfold gradually without flame.  Place Kapet pearl in a foil cup and place the cup on the electric incense burner. Cover with lid. The foil cup helps keep the incense burner clean, as burned Kyphi is sticky. We recommend setting the electric burner at a temperature range between 170-180 degrees Fahrenheit.  Do not use the electric burner on high heat—this will ruin the complex aromatic profile.  Try a small pinch to find the right heat level before placing the entire pearl. Kyphi is precious! 

Place one Kyphi pearl, or two or three, depending on size of room, in a foil cup and place foil cup in the electric burner.  Do not place kyphi directly on the electric burner—it will melt and burn, creating unpleasant smoke. Don't forget to set the timer for desired duration, otherwise electric burners will usually automatically shut off after 30 minutes. When using an electric burner,  the same Kyphi pearls can be used multiple times, about 4-5 hours each night over several evenings, usually for about three days. 

Self-lighting charcoal
For cleansing ritual smoke, or quick fumigation, use self-lighting charcoal. When using self-lighting charcoal, allow the outside of the coal disk to turn gray with a soft orange center glow before introducing the Kyphi. It typically takes at least 20 minutes for charcoal disk to turn gray.  Kyphi loves patience. Do not rush!

Place only one Kyphi pearl atop the grayed and glowing orange charcoal disk. You may add a pinch of salt as a heat buffer, as it lowers the surface temperature of the charcoal.   This prevents the Kyphi from burning too quickly or scorching, allowing it to smolder gently, which is ideal for this complex compound. 

At first, it will hiss softly — the wine awakening, the honey remembering the sun. Then the resins begin their ascent, releasing waves of scent in phases: fruit, spice, flower. Let it smolder, not flame. Once the smoke dies down, use tongs to flip the pearl over to restart the smoke from the other side of the pearl. Kyphi pearls ignited over self-lighting charcoal are not reusable. However, expect Kyphi released through charcoal to remain in the air for at least 24 hours.

Sit. Breathe. Pray. Mediate. Watch the smoke rise. When you are patient, you will discover Kyphi will speak in layers. Do not search for the scent, be patient and let it find you.