Brigid Amor
Basic Candle Creation
Pour Style Candle Wax (colored or uncolored, your choice) (NOT beeswax)
Candle Dye
Candle Wicking
Pyrex Measuring Container, Jar, Tin can or Heat Proof plastic bag
Containers or Molds
Essential or Fragrant Oils
The simplest way to create a candle is simply to begin by either buying bulk candle making wax from your local craft store or using left over (unscented) candles. To begin, cut your chosen wax into small chunks and place in your heat proof container. If you’re using a glass container, you may want to microwave your wax on high, stirring often, for about 5 minutes or until melted. However, if you are using a tin can or heat proof plastic bag, the best method to melt your wax is to fill a pot with water, bring it to a boil and place your container (with the open mouth facing upwards) into the pot and simmer until the wax is melted. Once your wax is melted, you may color your wax with a little bit of candle dye (it usually comes in small beeswax cubes which are highly colored.) You may also choose to scent your candles with a little bit of essential oil- usually a few drops will do. Once your wax is colored and/or scented , prepare your wicking by cutting it to the correct length for your mold or container and tape it to a pencil or stick that you can place over the mouth of your mold or container to hold it in place. Once your wicking is prepared, simply pour your wax into your mold or container and set aside to harden for several hours. Please be aware that if you plan on putting your candle in some sort of container that is neither non-stick or bendable (it’s possible to bend a mold to wiggle the candle out), your candle will be stuck in the container permanently. If need be, you can place your candle in the freezer for an hour initially or in the fridge for a few hours so it hardens faster. For a little more challenge, you may choose to make layered candles in which you pour one color of wax into the mold, leaving room, let it harden and follow up with another layer of color. This process can be repeated as many times as you like and for as much room as you have.
Elaborating on Basic Wax Candles
Optional:
Herbs
Metallic Glitter
Plant Material
Charms, Stones or Crystals
Once you’ve mastered the creation of your basic candle, you may choose to elaborate upon them. You may choose to place herbs or glitter into the wax of your candle or even line the mold with herbs. One of the other ways to integrate herbs and plant material into your candles is to make the basic candle, then dip it in a bath of wax and press herbs and plants into the sides of it. An interesting idea is to place symbolic charms, stones or crystals into your candle, either in layers or near the bottom (make sure neither is flammable.) The most important part of embellishing your candles is that no plant material comes anywhere near the wick of your candle and that there is no paper material in it at all as each becomes a strong fire hazard.
Creating Beeswax Candles
Beeswax Sheets
Candle Wicking
Hair dryer
Metallic Glitter (optional)
Begin by laying out your beeswax on a scratchproof surface and cutting it into a shape with an utility knife (if you have children, make sure you do this part.) Remember that your candle is going to be rolled, therefore it needs to be cut into a fashion that can be rolled and will still have a flat bottom. Try cutting it diagonally, cutting the sheet in half horizontally (makes a shorter candle) or cutting a wave in the top of the sheet. If you want to make a double colored candle, cut complimentary colors of wax with one sheet slightly bigger than the other (will create a band of one color showing above the other.) Once your wax is cut, cut your wicking to the length of the longest side of your beeswax plus about 1 inch or so. Beginning on the longest side, place your wicking about a half inch in, heat the bees wax lightly with a hair dryer on a low setting and roll it over the wicking, covering it. Continue rolling the bees wax over and over, continually heating (but not melting) it until you meet the end of the candle. If you wish, you may choose to heat the whole candle with the hair dryer and roll it lightly in glitter. Please note that it is generally impossible to scent this kind of candle unless you buy scented wax or rub the oil on the side of your bees wax that is going to end up on the inside.
Wheel of the Year Candle
This takes a whole year to make. You have to save some of the wax from the candles you used on each Sabbat and keep them in a special place for the whole year. As each Sabbat passes, add the next piece of wax. Since you used them for the Sabbat rituals, they have more power. Once the wheel of the year has made a complete cycle, melt the wax from the eight Sabbats together. Pour the melted wax into a candle mold, or cut a plastic cup in half; add a wick to the bottom of the cup and pour in the wax. Place it in the freezer to harden quickly. Keep it in your sacred space to bring a wonderful coming year. You could also do this with wax from the 13 Full Moons in a year.
For an alternative “wheel of the year candle”, you can melt 8 different colors of wax (one for each sabbat) and pour them on top of each other in a metal (or plastic) mold or tall glass candle holder (make sure you’re okay with filling it with wax) so that you have differentiated bands of color throughout the candle. Make sure however, that you do not pour all the hot wax in at once so it mixes. Instead, pour one layer, let it cool and proceed to the next. Once you’re done you have a candle that you can burn on each sabbat.
Fruit and Vegetable Candles
Mini Pumpkin or Gourd
Apple
Lemon or Lime
Pour Style Candle Wax
Candle Wicking
Essential or Fragrant Oil
Begin by cutting the bottom off your chosen piece of fruit or vegetable so that it sits level. If you are using a lemon or lime, cut the top off and remove the inside fruit until you meet the white pith. If you are using an apple, cut the top off, core it (do NOT punch a hole in the bottom) and scoop out most of the fruit until you have a relatively thick outer wall that will still stand up. Make sure you rub the exposed flesh on top with a lemon wedge so the apple doesn’t oxidize and brown. If you are using a pumpkin or gourd, remove the stem and remove the seeds and innards until you have a clean shell. Once you have your vegetable or pumpkin/gourd, melt your wax as described above (color or scent it in the process) and pour it into the shell you have prepared. Place the wick in the center of the wax and proceed as described above for a basic wax candle. These candles are a lovely seasonal accent on a dinner table, placed in a grouping in your home or on your altar.
For a lemon or lime candle: Try and use lemon, lime or grapefruit essential oil and green, yellow or pink wax.
For a gourd or pumpkin candle: Use cinnamon, pumpkin or another warm fall scent essential oil and orange, red or yellow wax.
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