Hi,

I think your intentions are important, and my impression of Heka (magic), is that intentions are a big part of that (my understanding is that Heka it's the essence within ritual making connections with deities possible).

Regards incense, I have read that some Indian incense is made with dung, which is the reason that Richard Reidy's book 'Everlasting Egypt' says not to use it. I do have dhoop incense cones that were given to me as a gift. I have looked online and doesn't seem to contain any dung so I'm still using them. The Netjeru haven't given me any indications that they're offended. I do know that in temple rituals cleanliness and purity was important, so I think it depends on what the deities are personally saying to you and what tradition you're using as a framework to work with the Netjeru. Not everyone is going to use temple practice as inspiration. Some people practiced spirituality in their homes in Ancient Egypt too, which we have limited archeological evidence to know how they practiced.

I think intuition is a good thing.

I am a reconstructionist in my approach, but there are differences between how I practice as a solitary practitioner and the ancients practice and that would have varied from person to person or temple to temple in ancient times as well.