Candle Making

IRC log started Sun Mar 31 21:05

Ilana- So I am going to do this in two parts. The first part is how to make a candle. The second part will be how to make it magical.

Candle making is actually quite simple these days. It involves a trip to a craft store, and maybe just a grocery.
To make candles you need wax, I tend to use parafin, a wick and a mold. That is your basic white candle. You can use dyes and scents to make the candle more interesting. For candle dyes, you can use either 'candle dye' or crayons. I use crayons :) For scents, use essential oils, or candle scent.

Ok, I know some people like beeswax candles, but I don't make them, so I can't talk about them.. sorry...
As tools, you will need a large pot, and a smaller can to fit inside the pot. You will also need a wooden spoon or stick to stir the melted wax.
This first step is the same for all types of parafin candles. Melt the wax. This is done by filling the large pot about 1/3 of the way with water, and placing the can inside the pot. Heat the water on low heat.

Low heat is important because if it gets too hot, the parafin will catch fire. Always keep a pot lid nearby to cover the can if this occurs, or use baking soda. Never use water on burning wax, it will just cause the hot wax to splash out all over.

When you buy the wax, it usually comes in one pound boxes, in four 1/4lb pieces. Break the 1/4 peices up so you have small chunks and melt it in the can. Add a bit at a time, so you can make sure the temperature is ok. If it is too cool, the melted part around the top will start to thicken. A coffee can will easily hold a pound of wax, and it takes around 20-30 minutes for a pound of wax to melt.
After it is melted, you can add your candle colour, then the candle scents. As well, some people add a hardening and opaqueing agent such as stearine.
For the color, one crayon works for a pound of wax. for the scent, add the essential oil until you get a scent from the can. I find 10-15 drops works well in most cases.

Ok, so now you have the melted scented coloured wax, what next? Well it depends on the candle you are making.

The first type is the taper, for that you need wicks, available at most craft stores, or a shoelace will work as well. To make a taper, you ust dip the wick in the can of wax. Dip the wick, and let it cool for a moment, then dip again, until it is at the width you desire.
Let them hang until they are firm to the touch. I let mine hang out from under a cabinet door. When they are firm, but still slightly malleable, take them down, and cut off the pointed bottom. You can toss it back into the wax can, or save it for the next melt down. Next, find a flat, smooth surface, and gently roll the candles to get out any lumps or bumps that may have occured, then hang them to cool the rest of the way.

Ilana-ok.. on to the next tipe of candle.

Pillars
A pillar candle needs a mold. A mold can be anything from the $12 acrylic mold at the craft store, to the empty cardboard milk carton.
Depending how big the pillar is, you may need different wicks. The wider the candle, the larger the wick, if it is a really wide pillar, you may need multiple wicks.
For these candles, you will also need a 'wick set' This is just something you put on the end of the wick to keep it down. They sell metal ones at craft stores, or you can tape it to a penny.
The main trick with a pillar is to leave it alone once you pour it. A pillar can take several hours to harden.
Pillars are also fun to play with. Try putting some ice-cubes in with the wax, and enjoy the interesting holes when the candle is done.

To remove a pilar from a mold is simple. If it is an acrylic mold, just pull firmly on the wick(s). To remove it from a carton, just cut off the carton. One warning about cartons, though. If you use one, the seams on the carton will be evident on the candle.
Also, for large pillars, using stearine to harden the candle is a good idea. You can get it cheaply in craft stores, and you only need around four tablespoons per pound of wax. If you don't use the stearine, the sides tend to bellow out, and melt unevenly.

The next type is the ever popular votive For these you need molds. The only place I have found these are at craft places. However, you can also pour votives into candle holders, and then burn them directly, if it is for personal use.
For votives, you need a thin wired wick. Make sure there is a wire. The wire keeps the wick upright, and stops it from drowning as the votive burns. You need a wick set for these as well. Then you just pour and let it cool.
You can also get molds for those flower shaped floating candles, they are made the same way.

One last note about wicks. The proper length to cut a wick is approximately 1/4 inch taller than your mold.

Now for the magic bits. :)

Ok, the first part of creating a magical candle is deciding what you want to do. For demonstrations sake, I will describe crafting a Prosperity candle.

First, you need to find what scents and colors are related to prosperity.
I have, on my web page, a color chart, that tell which colors are associated with which properties.
For prosperity, I would use green, because what I really want is money. However, if I wanted prosperity as in success, I would use orange.
So after you choose the colour, you choose the scent you want to add, or even actual herbs you might want to add. A common oil associated with money is patchouli. So we'll use that.
To find out herbal associations, I recommend buying a book, because there are lots of herbs :)
Another thing I tend to add to my candles, is a personal associative, that is, what I feel symbolizes, in this case, money. So I would add some gold pulver.(a powdered gold/bronze). So now I know what I want to add to my candle. Here is how you add it.

We are at the melted wax stage, but haven't added the stearine yet, if we are using it.
First you add the color. As you add it, say a prayer, and visualize money coming into your life. The prayer should be something meaningful to you, invoking whatever deities, or powers you believe in.
Next add the scent, with another prayer, once again visualizing money coming into your life, and then again, when you add anything else to it.

Always visualize, that is the key to candles, you need to imbue your vision in the candle itself, so that when the candle burns, the vision is freed to the universe, and may then occur.

Once the candle is hardened, but before you burn it, say one last prayer. Have it be in your words, not mine, but remind the candle of the wish it holds, ask the deity you invoked earlier to guide the wish to fruition. Then thank the universe for listening.