Elbenzauber – Lugnasad-Blüten
This pack is one of 4 Elbenzauber varieties that I bought second-hand at the end of last year. The regular price is €4.50 for a 15g pack.
For more information about the brand, you can read my main article here.
The official description reads as follows:
“This ceremonial blend dedicated to the Celtic god Lug contains the balsamic-sweet and at the same time bitter resin of the guggul tree, a pinch of dragon’s blood resin, and some vetiver. The strong scent of the rising smoke is particularly suitable as a protection and blessing incense and for cleansing the aura.”
Lugnasad-Blüten has one of the most atmospheric scents I’ve ever encountered in incense sticks. It is dark, deep, and earthy; mystical and powerful. It speaks to me of velvety matte and warm shades of brown, interspersed with saturated Bordeaux-red and shining gold. This is how an autumn forest in the Tolkien universe must smell like, where elves celebrate a sacred festival.
Usually, I am not a fan of dragon’s blood resin (I believe it’s Daemonorops draco here), but in this case, just enough is added to occasionally make itself known; it contributes a tart, deep, slightly fruity note.
The guggul is also clearly recognizable and another not-so-easy ingredient. It can quickly smell bitter and like burning rubber, due to the high gum content. In this composition, it provides its sweet, balsamic-soft, yet tart scent. Perhaps due to the combination with the fruity dragon’s blood resin, a reminiscence with dried fruits is created for me.
The vetiver, as so often, I smell as a piercingly spicy note with an earthy undertone. It gives the otherwise soft scent a robust texture.
Lugnasad-Blüten is one of the rare examples of a composition that is more than the sum of its parts. But definitely not a scent for every day.
I find it very grounding, and it radiates a powerful calmness. Another Elbenzauber gem.
2024-01-24 Update
I had sent my blogger colleague Steve a sample of these sticks, which he has now reviewed. His enthusiasm is limited (Score: 32). Steve describes the scent as dry and mineral, sharp and prickling. He also finds that it is not a friendly, inviting scent. It is too dry and sombre for him, but nonetheless, he can acknowledge its quality.
I missed mentioning in my review that it took me quite a while to warm up to Lugnasad-Blüten. I think I initially didn’t find it very inviting either. I strongly agree with Steve on the scent being “sombre” but that is what attracts me. It is part of what makes it so atmospheric and moody for me.