This pink box with a patterned border is bigger than the slim single-scent packs. Dark grey incense bricks stand tightly inside in three rows, next to a terracotta holder. Its net weight is 0.26 kg, about five times that of a 15-brick single-scent pack. The lid shows the name “Happy Planets” and a mandala with a six-pointed star. Made in India.
A box for the nine celestial bodies
Hindu tradition honours nine celestial bodies together, known as the navagrahas. They are the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, plus Rahu and Ketu, the two “shadow planets”: the two points where the Moon’s path in the sky crosses the Sun’s.
Printed on the side of the box are the mantras of all nine, in Latin and Devanagari script. On the front, an inscription in Hindi calls for honouring the nine celestial bodies.
Dark bricks, one holder
Like the one in the smaller packs, the holder is fired clay with a hole in the centre. Stand a brick in it, light the top and blow out the flame after a few seconds. According to the maker, the bricks burn slowly and evenly.
No scent notes are given by the maker, so we suggest this box for the ritual rather than for a particular scent.
Burning and storing
Always burn it on a heat-resistant surface, away from anything flammable, in a well-ventilated room. Do not leave it unattended while it smoulders, do not breathe in the smoke directly and keep it away from children and pets. Keep the rest under the lid, somewhere dry.