Seraphim Embracing Love

 

I recently got an email from Benyamin Shoham owner of Seraphim Incense in Israel asking if I'd be willing to review his incense. Gosh, there's a conflict. Yes, of course I'd be interested in reviewing incense from the land which has some of our oldest references to the use of incense. I'd long been interested in exploring incense from the Holy Land - a land sacred to three of the biggest Western religions: Jews, Christians, and Muslims.  But I'm not a supporter of the Zionist State of Israel - I think it was a political and humanist error of profound proportions for the British Government to support the Balfour Declaration in 1917. You cannot displace people who have lived together peacefully for over a thousand years because a religious racist cult claims that land. People and basic decency come before religious beliefs. The way that Israel has behaved toward the Palestinians over the years - especially those on the Gaza Strip, and the disturbing illegal and immoral Gaza war, has appalled all decent people around the world, so I am somewhat suspicious regarding anyone who lives in Israel. However, I am aware that there are people living in Israel who do not support the war. I donate to Standing Together (which I encourage others to do) which consists of citizens of Israel who protest against the war and the appalling treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli government. 

So, before I could answer Benyamin Shoham, I responded with "Because you are based in Israel I'm not quite sure we share the same values. To find out, let me know what your views are on this news report. Sky News: Gaza's Orphans Have Lost Everything." I was reassured by Benyamin's response in which he made it clear he condemned the actions of his government, that he was against all forms of aggression, and that we should first and foremost see each other as human beings and what we have in common rather than what sets us apart. Which absolutely aligns with my philosophy, so I agreed that he could send me incense.  

This is the first of four incenses that Benyamin sent me. The sticks are hand-rolled paste onto plain bamboo splints. The paste is slightly gritty with some powder than comes off on the fingers after being rubbed, but doesn't have the fluffy powder that an Indian masala incense typically has. But this does appear to be a traditional masala style incense in which ground down fragrant ingredients are folded into the paste which has been rolled onto the stick. There is little scent on the stick, which suggests that oils haven't been used. The scent is released when the stick is burned - which is how traditional masala incense behaves. 

There is much about this which reminds me of Pondicherry incense - it is rather dry and earnest. But I am more disposed toward this than I am most of Pondicherry incense - perhaps because of the choice or maybe the quality of the ingredients. Whatever. This works for me. I would prefer it to be a little sweeter and softer. And I would like a more modern and thoughtful approach to scent construction. However, in general, I like this. Yes, a little smoky, so best placed at a distance, but overall attractive and reasonably interesting. Woody, resinous (frankincense), a bit musky and sultry with echoes of cannabis, some herbs - sage and lavender. There's a sense of home-made incense about this - certain ingredients have been selected and blended, and this works to a certain extent - slightly crude, but attractive in the way that home-made stuff can be. Warm, honest, direct, earthy. There's little in the way of sophistication about it. But that straight-ahead simple honesty is a big draw. The lack of modern scent construction means it is a bit limited (for me), but I like it. That it comes from the Holy Land is a bonus for me, which urges me to add extra points, but the limited range of the scent (it remains a little dry and harsh with no balance to give relief) and the simple crudeness (which has its charm, but that can only go so far), holds me back from placing it in my top groupings. 

Available from Israel at $17 for 10 sticks up to $140 for 100 sticks.  Description: "Ignite passion and deepen emotional connection with Embracing Love. This hand-rolled incense blends rose, lavender, cinnamon, frankincense, and sandalwood, opening the heart chakra for love, intimacy, and self-care. Perfect for tantric rituals, romantic evenings, and spiritual healing." 

Date: May 2025   Score: 34 

***

Incense by Country