What are the different uses of incense?

Incense has a large number of uses. It is used as an offering to the gods; as a focus point; to clear an area of "bad" vibrations; to attune your mind to the purpose of your working; to enhance or create a mood; and sometimes just because it smells good. Purchased incense often has a "purpose" attached to it, but those of us who do a lot of this sort of thing, often create our own incense for the specific use we have in mind.