With candle making you can go several routes. This issue we will focus on bee�s wax and paraffin waxes. You can find some of the supplies at a local craft store, honey supply store, herb shop, or metaphysical store.
As I get into the usage's of candles I would like to share my personal understanding and feelings and symbology of what a candle stands for. I use candles as a daily ceremony to my personal empowerment. Transformation, relaxation, focus, desire, intuition and for reminders
Candle Light has a dramatic effect on ones environment. Essentially it symbolizes love and light to me. In addition, each color representative in the candles themselves brings more of a specific meaning and focus to my intent, desire and need.
Candles have been used since the beginning of technology in the primitive sense. The Early Primitives found that using the fats stored in the meats would harden and ignite from flame. Oil lamps were also used. As primitive technology progressed, the art form of candles evolved. Waxes and oils were derived from animal fats, oils, fruits, vegetables, trees and petroleum. Making Candles is a ritual of its own. Candle crafting is a great family activity; it can enrich a person�s life. Possible results and options are endless when crafting candles.
Candle making takes as long as 7 to 24 hours. After you understand how to make them it usually gets easier with every time you construct them. You may even find short cuts in the process. This issue will give you a recyclable way of creating them on top of a modern way of making them.
Methods of Candle making: There are several Methods of creating candles. From Shaved wax in a container, Dipping Wicks into the Wax, Pouring wax into molds several ways and again several options.
I strongly suggest if you use any scented Oils for your candles use Non Synthetic Oils, Synthetics may seem they have a more fragrant and appealing aroma. There is nothing more precious than the most natural scent of a specific plant, herb or sap influencing your magic.
Basic Candle Recipe #1
Ingredients:
Pan of Boiling water
Paraffin Wax
Empty Toilet Paper of Napkin Roll/rolls
Crayons (Specific Colors for each roll
Old Coffee Tins, Tin Cans More than 12-ounce capacity
Candlewicks and Center Pins
(Center Pin is a Metal Piece that helps center the wick on the bottom of your candle)
Workspace: make sure when working with Melted Wax You have Newspaper spread around the area you are working in so cleanup isn't such a task when you are done.
Traditional conventional oven method:
Put Chopped Wax Pieces into the tin can. Place the tin can gently into the Boiling water. Make sure you don't get water into the tin container because that will form a bubble in the candle.
Melt the wax. Use a stick, chopstick, or wooden spoon if you would like to stir your intent into the wax. Alternatively, just watch it melt. The wax mixture changes as it transforms from solid to its liquid state. Each tin can of wax will be its own color.
In the Meantime, have your toilet paper roll or paper towel roll ready. Wrap one end of the toilet paper roll with aluminum foil. Then tape the foiled side to a piece of cardboard so it can stand. The wick is placed in the center of the cardboard piece it goes through the aluminum and the center of the tube and is held in the center of the top of the TP roll with a clothespin. (IT WILL BE MESSY)
You can use cardboard frozen concentrated orange juice containers as well. You can also use brandy snifters, crystal glasses, & votive holders. If you want a square candle, you can use milk cartons.
First use a vegetable oil such as sunflower or canola and spread it in the inside of the tube so the candle wax wont melt into the tube itself causing the outside of the candle to be more rough or papery.
Place a piece of crayon into your wax mixture. If you prefer the mixture to be a specific color, take the stick or chopstick and dip it in to the colored melted wax to see if you need to add more crayons to the mix. Keep adding crayon until that desired color has been accomplished then you are ready to pour.
Use an oven mitt so you don�t get hurt or burned in the process.
People are sensitive in their own ways to heat. Use your best judgment concerning your personal safety. (Children should not do this process alone) Adult supervision is definitely required. I�ve done candle making with quite a few children. It can be done, efficiently and safe. Know specific warnings and guidelines concerning burns and safety.
Adding scents: place a few drops of the desired fragrance into the melted wax. When you take it off the burner, smell its fragrance and visualize its purpose being combined with the wax. You are ready to Candle Craft now.
Pour the wax into the mold. Focus on the intent and what�s going on with the wax. Add mental images in the process, its life, its focus, its color and its perfume. Save some of the wax because you will have to refill the candle after it hardens. The center of the wick will sink during the hardening process. (About seven hours for a candle to harden completely) Pinpricks can help the wax settle and fill the container more even. The candle will still need to be topped off later.
Now time, will make this happen. Have a bowl of ice handy if you want a quickie way to harden the waxed mixture or just wait. Let the natural flow of time help in creating this lovely candle creation.
Blessings on Your Candle Crafting.
Enjoy�
This article has been edited 10/2/2005
