By billowing incense unfolding upwards, tenebrous tendrils grasping and gyring, souls of the departed and attendant spirits of the boneyard can cohere. Here they may find sustenance, become strengthened, and - crucially - can be compacted to fulfil the necromancer's wishes. Allured by gladdening scent and charismatic breath, these wraithly deceased are called by smoke and by speech.

This course will explore the specifics of fumigations in operative necromancy: their forms and functions, techniques and technologies, and the options available to one seeking to the dead by such smoking ministrations.

We will speak of kindling the coals, and deal with various exorcisms, blessings, and benedictions of spices, perfumes, roots, and other incensing preparations. Formulary follows function, and we will thus examine a number of recipes for their differing virtues and effects. Fumes for alluring, fumes for departing; smokes of cleansing and smokes of empowerment.

Perfuming hallowed ground and potters' fields alike, we will consider tools and techniques of fumigation in more depth. A variety of dirt sorceries may house the burning embers from which alluring smokes arise to tempt post-mortal shades to move and show themselves. Pacts with plant allies of poison paths and healings ways alike may stir and charge the dead who ride upon the wings of the winds.

In scenting the sepulchre, we will discuss a range of airy spirits who may aid us in our operations of suffumigation, teaching us various secrets, lessons, and mysteries. Assessment of accounts of both the foulest black magic and the highest of pious ceremony will be analysed for their respective utilities to the enterprising necromancer.

The four sessions of this course series break down as follows:

Session 1: Of Smoke and Speech
In which we cover the fundamentals of nigromantic incensing, fumigation, and smoke. We assess the foundations of the occult philosophy of Air and ‘the Airs’, taking in the various subtle mechanics and mysteries of humours, vapours, & spirits. We consider the pre-modern medical as well as magical applications of suffumigation, and consider various actions and protocols for fuming. Particular attentions are paid both to instructions from the Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy as well as the cunning advice of Saint Cyprian of Antioch, as we consider the ritual interplay between conjuring breath and conjured airs operationalised in such nigromancies of smoke and speech. 

Session 2: Denigrated Fumigations
In which we consider the phenomenology of scent in pre-modern magical worldviews, assessing both fair and foul incense deployment in nigromantic spiritwork: from Old Testament healing and exorcism by smoke, to medieval conceptions of purity, all the way to an early modern ritual calendar of Smoke-Nights and other fumigation festivals. We consider Paracelsian fuming controversies of sympathy and antipathy, as well as various Protestant denigrations of odiferous affectivity (especially Lutheran concerns), and even touch on the foreign and familiar manners that tobacco’s medicines and poisons were articulated and employed. 

Session 3: Scented Grounds                                
In which we discuss the operative functions of incensing formulary. We consider the nigromantic utility of new blood and bones, as well as assess some Biblical recipes for suitable fumigations, with particular attention paid to the myriad uses of those magian gifts of frankincense and myrrh. This class focuses on a range of popular nigromantic fumigation practices, circulated in pulp grimoiric pamphlets and working-books: presenting options for circle consecration and conjuration, planetary incensings, and the deployment of both gladdening scents and fuming maledictions, to both beckon and banish shades of the airs… 

Session 4: ’Cense and Scentsibilities
In which we summarise our assessments of tools, techniques, ideas, and implementations with grounded practical consideration of incensing equipment and protocols. We consider prayers and fabrics, thuribles and earthenware pots, the importance of smoke directed to the four cardinal angles, and consider best practices around planetary timing. The cunning of smoke is analysed for application in dream-work, unwitching, and exorcism. In the course of such assessment, we consider braziers and how we might (further) enchant them, as well as the employment of parchment pentacles and other preparations, before conclusions concerning this course series as a whole are drawn and shared.

By purchasing this class, you agree that you understand that no part of the material dictated or provided throughout the duration of the course may be reproduced, distributed, or used in any other form (neither electronic nor mechanic, including photocopies and recordings), without the direct and written consent of the instructor, Dr Alexander Cummins.