STILL AIR XI

MOON GARDEN

Observation • Silence • Presence

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Supports quiet awareness, non-reactive presence, and spacious observation.

INGREDIENTS

(Small batch - approx. 20 hand-rolled sticks)

Primary Materials
• Clean white wood ash (very fine) - 1½ tsp
• Makko powder - 2 tsp

Supporting Materials
• Orris root powder (very finely milled) - ¼ tsp
• Powdered dried leaf (very small amount) - ¼ tsp

Orris is used sparingly - it should whisper, not speak.
No essential oils. No florals.

TOOLS REQUIRED

• Stone mortar and pestle
• Fine mesh sieve
• Ceramic or glass mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Distilled water
• Wooden board or tray
• Baking paper or unbleached cloth
• Damp cloth
• Airtight storage container

PREPARATION

Refining the Powders
Place ash, orris root powder, and dried leaf powder into the mortar.
Grind slowly and patiently until extremely fine and uniform.

Sift through a fine mesh sieve.
Return any coarse particles to the mortar and repeat.

Moon Garden relies on smoothness -
any roughness disrupts the stillness.

DRY BLENDING

Combine in a bowl:
• Ash
• Orris root powder
• Dried leaf powder
• Makko powder

Mix thoroughly until colour and texture are completely even.

The blend should appear pale, cool grey-beige.

ADDING WATER

Add distilled water drop by drop, mixing gently.

The dough should become:
• Soft
• Cohesive
• Cool to the touch
• Flexible but never sticky

This incense should feel calm even while being shaped.

RESTING THE DOUGH

Cover with a damp cloth.
Rest for approx. 15 minutes.

This allows the ash-heavy blend to stabilise.

HAND-ROLLING

Pinch a small amount of dough.
Roll gently into slender ropes:

• Approx. 2 mm thick
• 7-9 cm long

Pressure should be minimal.

Moon Garden should appear light, quiet, and almost fragile.

If surface cracks appear, lightly dampen fingertips and smooth once.
Do not over-handle - stillness comes from restraint.

DRYING

Lay sticks on baking paper or cloth.

Dry in a shaded, quiet space:

• No sunlight
• No artificial heat

Drying time: 5-7 days.
Turn once daily.

CURING

Once fully dry, store in an airtight container for 4-6 weeks.

This allows mineral and botanical notes to integrate fully.

HOW TO BURN

• Burn on a mica plate or ash bed
• Use short pieces
• Best burned at night, in silence, or under moonlight

This incense does not guide thought -
it removes it.

WHY THIS BELONGS IN STILL AIR

Observation without commentary
Presence without effort
Nature without symbolism
Silence, intact

CaravanSerai Gypsy