Devotional Scents and Stewarding Well

How to create a devotional atmosphere, without harming ourselves or our animals...

There is something grounding about scent. A familiar fragrance can signal to our minds and bodies that it is time to slow down, to pray, to listen, to be still. Many of us associate certain scents with worship, reflection, or sacred space.

Those of us who share our homes with animals carry another responsibility. We want beauty and reverence; we should also want safety. Not all scents or modalities are pet safe.

This post is for those who enjoy incorporating scent into devotional time but also have cats and dogs to be mindful of. This is not a "prescription", nor is it a requirement. Scripture never commands us to burn incense in our homes. This is simply guidance for those who find scent meaningful and want to use it wisely and safely; to help us transition into a focused state ... just like lighting a lamp, sitting at a desk or in a specific chair or putting on instrumental worship music would do. We are embodied creatures, God made us that way.

Lets start with the fragrances that many of us love...

Frankincense:

Frankincense is a resin from the Boswellia tree. It has a bright, citrus-wood aroma and has been used in worship for thousands of years.

It appears in both the Old and New Testaments:

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense…’” — Exodus 30:34

“And going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts; gold and frankincense and myrrh.” — Matthew 2:11

Myrrh:

Myrrh is a darker, earthier resin from the Commiphora tree. It was used in temple incense and also associated with burial preparations.

“Nicodemus also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.” — John 19:39

Now lets talk about smoke first and why it could be a concern...

The concern with incense is not primarily the plant material; the concern is combustion.

When anything is burned, it produces:

• Fine particulate matter

• Irritant gases

• Volatile compounds

• Carbon monoxide in small amounts

Even natural incense creates airborne particles that can irritate lungs.

Dogs and cats have smaller airways than we do. Cats in particular metabolize certain aromatic compounds differently and are more sensitive to inhaled irritants. Repeated exposure to smoke can lead to coughing, watery eyes, wheezing, or long-term respiratory irritation. If you are using charcoal discs and producing visible smoke, you are creating combustion byproducts. Even if the material is pure resin, smoke is still smoke.

Heating versus burning...

There is a difference between burning resin on charcoal and gently warming it.

When resin is warmed on an electric resin warmer:

• There is no active combustion

• There is significantly less particulate matter

• The aroma is released more gently

This is generally considered a safer option for homes with pets, especially when combined with ventilation and limited duration.

Raw resin placed in a bowl without heat is the lowest risk option of all. It releases very little into the air unless warmed.

If you are choosing to incorporate frankincense and myrrh into devotional time, warming is far preferable to burning.

Biblical aromatics and pet safety notes...

Scripture distinguishes between two sacred formulations in Exodus 30; the incense and the anointing oil. It is important not to blend them.

The incense described in Exodus 30:34 included:

“Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense…”

Stacte is widely believed to have been a refined or naturally exuding form of myrrh resin. Galbanum remains available today in resin form. Onycha is traditionally identified as the aromatic operculum of a Red Sea sea snail rather than a plant resin, which is why it is not commonly reproduced in modern devotional incense.

Earlier in the same chapter, the holy anointing oil is described:

“Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon… and cassia…” — Exodus 30:23–25

Cinnamon and cassia therefore belonged to the anointing oil, not the incense.

Aloes (not aloe vera), referenced elsewhere in Scripture, likely refers to agarwood, a fragrant resinous wood:

“All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.” — Psalm 45:8

“Nicodemus also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes…” — John 19:39

What follows are notes on the botanical forms that are available today and how they relate to pet safety. Several of these are still available today in resin or botanical form. Here is what we know about each in the context of pets.

Galbanum; available as a resin:

Resin form is not widely documented as toxic to dogs or cats. The main concern is smoke if burned. Warming is preferable to charcoal combustion. Essential oil diffusion should be avoided around cats.

Frankincense; resin:

Resin form is generally considered low toxicity for pets. Smoke can irritate lungs. Essential oil diffusion remains more controversial around cats. Gentle warming in a ventilated space is the lower risk option.

Myrrh (stacte); resin:

Resin form is low toxicity. Burning produces irritants like any smoke. Prolonged inhalation of smoke is not recommended. Concentrated essential oils are more concerning than raw resin.

Aloes or agarwood; available in wood chips and resin forms:

Wood and resin forms are generally low toxicity. Traditional burning increases respiratory irritation. Warming rather than burning is safer. Avoid synthetic fragrance blends marketed as “oud.”

Cassia and cinnamon; bark, oil, or powdered forms:

Whole bark form is low risk when not burned. Smoke can irritate lungs. Essential oils are more problematic, especially for cats due to their sensitivity to concentrated aromatic compounds.

Again, none of this is required for prayer. These were part of temple worship under specific covenant instructions. For Christians, Christ Himself fulfills what incense symbolized.

“Let my prayer be set before You as incense.” — Psalm 141:2

The fragrance is only symbolic, prayer is the substance.

Additional pet-friendly scent options not found in scripture

These are not biblical incense ingredients but may be considered for devotional atmosphere with lower respiratory impact when used passively rather than burned.

Sandalwood:

Sandalwood is not specifically named in Scripture in the same way frankincense and myrrh are, but aromatic woods were used in sacred settings and temple craftsmanship. Pure sandalwood wood or resin form is generally low toxicity. Smoke from sticks or charcoal combustion can irritate airways. Synthetic sandalwood blends are harder on respiratory systems. Warming is preferable to burning.

Dried Rose Petals:

Non-toxic to dogs and cats in dried form. Best used in bowls or sachets rather than burned. Minimal airborne impact when not heated.

Chamomile (Dried flower form):

Generally considered low toxicity in dried botanical form. Avoid essential oil diffusion. Best used as a passive scent rather than combusted.

As always, individual animals vary. If a pet shows sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, or lethargy, discontinue use and ventilate the space.

What About Candles?

Candles can feel like a simpler option. They still involve flame and combustion, though typically with less particulate release than resin on charcoal.

If you choose candles:

• Prefer beeswax or high quality soy over paraffin

• Avoid heavily synthetic fragrances

• Keep rooms ventilated

• Limit burn time

Even with candles, the same principle applies. Moderation and airflow matter.

Are candles safer than resin?

It depends...

There are three different scenarios:

1) Resin on charcoal (visible smoke)

This produces the most particulate matter. In terms of lung impact, this is generally more irritating than a single clean-burning candle.

2) Resin gently warmed on an electric warmer

No combustion. No smoke. Just volatilized aromatic compounds.

This is typically less irritating than burning resin and often comparable to or gentler than a candle, depending on ventilation and duration.

3) A clean beeswax or soy candle

There is still combustion. You are still creating particulate matter. It is usually lower than charcoal resin, but it is not zero. Paraffin candles are worse because they release petroleum byproducts.

So the rough order from most irritating to lungs, to least:

1. Resin burned on charcoal (visible smoke, high particulate release)

2. Incense sticks (continuous smoke, combustible binders & fragrace oils)

3. Paraffin candle (petroleum-based, soot if wick is poor) or Heavily fragranced synthetic candles

4. Beeswax or clean soy candle (trimmed wick, good ventilation)

5. Electric-warmed resin (no combustion, just volatilization)

6. Reed diffusers (no combustion, slow volatile fragrance release)

7. Raw resin sitting in a bowl (minimal airborne release)

The safest option for lungs in a home with pets is no combustion at all. That means warming rather than burning.

That said, occasional short candle use in a ventilated room is unlikely to cause harm in otherwise healthy animals. Chronic daily smoke exposure is the issue. I did also add reeds and incense to this list for reference, even though I didn't go into detail for either in this blog post. Let me know in the comments if you want me to elaborate on either.

Fire safety in homes with pets...

Open flame requires serious attention.

Basic safety:

• Never leave burning incense or candles unattended

• Keep them on stable, nonflammable surfaces

• Keep them away from curtains, papers, dried botanicals, and shelves

• Extinguish completely before leaving the room

Cats present unique risk. Cats can access higher surfaces than dogs. They jump onto tables, shelves, mantels, and counters. A tail brushing a flame can ignite fur. A curious paw can knock over a charcoal burner. A startled leap can send embers flying.

Dogs are typically floor-level, but a wagging tail can still knock over low candles. It is so important to remain mindful of all of these things.

If you have cats especially:

• Avoid placing flames on elevated narrow shelves

• Use sturdy, wide bases

• Consider enclosed candle lanterns

• Keep animals out of the room while flame is active (best option)

It only takes one moment of distraction for a preventable and tragic accident to occur. Like my husband always says, "If it's predictable, it's preventable.".

Sacred scent can be beautiful. It can help mark a transition from noise to stillness and remind us of ancient worship and continuity with believers who prayed before us. It is never a necessity though.

The Lord does not require aroma to hear you. He is near because of Christ, not because of fragrance. If you choose to incorporate frankincense, myrrh or other aromatics into your devotional life, choose the safest method available. Warm rather than burn, ventilate, limit exposure, protect your animals (and yourself).

Our worship should reflect care; care for the God we approach and care for the creatures He has entrusted to us.