FAQ
The wood
Is a tree cut down to make these?
No. Palo santo is gathered from trees and branches that have fallen and died on their own, which is also where the most fragrant wood comes from. Peru's regulations permit nothing else to be collected. No tree is cut for any of our products. Ours was gathered in Peru between 1989 and 1995, and it has been aging in Taiwan ever since.
Why does ours smell stronger?
No oil has been taken out of it. A great deal of the palo santo on the market is what is left after the oil has been distilled out of it for perfume. The wood gets sold on afterwards, which is why so much of it smells faint and feels empty.
The color varies inside my pack. Is something wrong?
No. The color runs from pale yellow to deep amber depending on where in the log the piece came from.
Is this hand-carved?
No, and that is deliberate. The pieces are carved on computer-guided machines and marked with a laser. It is the reason the rings on a pendulum are exact, an amulet is the same thickness front and back, and every Karnak is the same Karnak. Thirty years of aging, and one chance to get it right.
Why does the incense box say Palo Santo Eastern Co.?
The incense is made by Palo Santo Eastern Co., the trade side of the same workshop in Taipei, from the same wood.
Care
Can it get wet?
Briefly, yes. Take it off before a shower, a pool, or the sea, and dry it rather than leaving it wet.
Will it crack?
The wood has been kept for more than thirty years, so it is stable in a way fresh wood is not. Direct sun and dry heat are still worth avoiding.
Does it need oil or wax?
No. The oil is inside the wood, not on the surface. Nothing needs to be added.
Will the scent fade?
The surface softens with handling. The resin runs through the whole piece rather than sitting on it as a coating, so the scent comes back.
How do I refresh the scent?
Rest the piece among raw palo santo chips in a closed container for a few days. This works for amulets, malas, pendulums and even the wand.
What else are the chips for?
Four things.
- Burn them on a charcoal disc or an electric incense heater
- Leave them in an open bowl to scent a room without lighting anything
- Put a few in a drawer, a closet, or a car
- Refresh an amulet, a mala, a pendulum or a wand, as above
Do not put wood chips in a water or ultrasonic diffuser. They will clog it.
Burning
How long does it burn?
| Size | Burn time | |
|---|---|---|
| Incense stick | 150 × 2.5 mm (5.9 × 0.1 in) | 30 minutes |
| Incense cone | 40 × 10 mm (1.6 × 0.4 in) | 30 to 50 minutes |
| Raw wood stick | 100 × 12 × 12 mm (3.9 × 0.5 × 0.5 in) | Re-light it as many times as you need |
Do I need a holder?
Yes, something that catches the ash. The incense box has a built-in holder. The cones, chips and wood sticks need a fire-proof base or container.
How do I burn it safely?
Never leave anything burning unattended. Use a holder that collects the ash, in a ventilated room, well away from curtains, paper, or anything else that can catch fire. Do not touch a stick while it is alight. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Sticks, cones, or raw wood. Which do I want?
Sticks for a long even burn with nothing to prop up. Cones for a denser one, and they are a favorite for outdoor yoga classes. Raw wood sticks for the most control, because you decide how much to light and you can put it out. Chips for scent without a flame.
Choosing
Steadiness, Presence, Becoming. How do I choose?
The three names describe three states rather than three promises. Each one carries its own mark, and the three marks stacked make the triangle on every box. The Mark explains it.
Which pendulum?
Most people come to one either because the name means something, or because the shape does.
Will the mala fit me?
The strand is 930 mm (36.6 in) with an 80 mm (3.1 in) adjustment. There is a sliding knot above the last small bead: tighten it and the beads sit close, loosen it and they run freely under the thumb. The larger bead itself does not move. Wear it around the neck, or wrap it around the wrist. How to wear your mala covers the ways to tie it.
What is engraved on my amulet?
A Tibetan inscription which depicts a mantra.
Shipping
Where does it ship from?
Taipei, Taiwan.
What does shipping cost, and how long does it take?
Standard shipping is free on all orders over $50. Under $50 there is a flat fee by region. The fees, and the transit times for both services, are in the table below.
| Standard, under $50 | Standard, delivery | DHL Express | DHL Express, delivery | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | Free | 3 to 5 business days | not available | not available |
| Asia | $4 | 5 to 8 business days | $25 | 1 to 2 business days |
| Oceania | $7 | 5 to 8 business days | $30 | 3 to 5 business days |
| Europe | $6 | 5 to 8 business days | $40 | 3 to 5 business days |
| Germany | not available | not available | $40 | 3 to 5 business days |
| USA | $8 | 5 to 8 business days | $40 | 3 to 5 business days |
| Rest of World | $9 | 5 to 8 business days | $55 | 3 to 5 business days |
Why can't I choose standard shipping to Germany?
German postal rules require import duty to be prepaid on all commercial mail, and Taiwan Post has no mechanism for that yet. DHL Express is the only way we can reach Germany at the moment.
Do I pay import duty or tax?
Duties and import taxes are the responsibility of the customer. They are collected on delivery, not at checkout, and what you are charged depends on your country.
Which countries do you ship to?
The list at checkout is current. If your country is not there, write to us.
Returns
Can I return something?
Within 30 days, unused and in its packaging. Return shipping is paid by the customer. Refund or exchange, whichever you prefer.
Everything else
Is a tree really planted for my order?
Yes, through One Tree Planted. One percent of revenue goes to environmental nonprofits, across this brand and the wholesale side both. 1% for the Planet has the detail.
Do you sell wholesale, or private label?
Yes. Wholesale.
Can't find your question?
Write to us at hello@lightofki.com.