THRESHOLD SMOKE INCENSE #1
This Incense is said to help create conditions in which Otherworld Portals can appear.


1 Part Belladonna

1 Part Datura

1 Part Cannabis


Ruled by Saturn, Belladonna is connected to the Underworld.  As an Incense, it induces Visions.  It is also extremely poisonous and can cause Death.  Datura, like Belladonna, is ruled by Saturn.  As an Incense, it is said to induce Visions, Sleep and Break Hexes.  Physically, It can also cause Nausea.  Cannabis, also ruled by Saturn, induces Visions.


This is the formula provided by Douglas Monroe in The 21 Lessons of Merlyn.  Due both to its dangers and the rarity of its ingredients, I've only used the above formula once (the first time I performed the Threshold Rite) and do not recommend it.  Instead, I suggest composing an incense based on substitutions.  The way this is done is to look up the herbs ruled by the same Planet (in this case, Saturn) and their attributes.  Find herbs that are reputed to have the same effect and uses as those mentioned above.  A formula I've used, derived from information contained in Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham is:


THRESHOLD SMOKE INCENSE #2

This incense is based on the original formula, given above.  It was created through substitution, using information found in Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs.


1 Part Buckthorn

1 Part Scullcap

1 Part Hellebore


All of these, according to the book, are ruled by Saturn.  I've since found different attributes in other sources, but these were not available to me at the time I made this formula.  I include it here as an example of how substitutions can be made for difficult ingredients.  I recommend doing your own research, rather than using this formula, for reasons that will be made apparent below.


Buckthorn is said to be good for Protection, Exorcism, Wishes and Legal Matters.  Looking at it today, this seems more appropriate for Jupiter, and I've found some sources that list it as such.  (This fact makes it an improper substitution, look for a different one).  But, these sources were not available to me at the time I created this formula.  Scullcap is said to bring Love, Fidelity and Peace.  Hellebore is said to be good for Exorcism, Invisibility and Astral Projection.