Mama Yasmini's Place

Candles are simple to make, require few special tools or materials, and are powerful focal points for visualization and personal power. You can certainly run to the store to purchase candles for rituals, but those you've made yourself will personalize your magic to an even greater extent.

Decide what kind of candle you'll be making. Purchase either paraffin or candle wax colour chips, oils, herbs. Assemble all your materials before you start melting the wax, i.e: wax, containers, wicking, wax coloring, herbs, oils, wooden spoon, sauce pan (to be used ONLY for melting wax), coffee can or a can large enough to fit in saucepot and leave space enough for water, molds,etc.

Fill your pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Break the wax into small pieces and when water boils place your wax in the can and the can into the water in the pot. Turn heat down to medium and watch closely to make sure the wax doesn't get too hot. You should probably have a thermometer for this part. Different types of wax have different melt points and they also have flash points (temps where the wax can actually flame up. Turn heat down if necessary. Once wax melts turn heat down to low.

Depending on what type of candle you are going to make, add your color to the wax, add oils or herbs and blend well. If you use herbs, you can either strain the wax or leave the herbs to burn Warning - burning herbs don't smell the way you think they should, but they are great for magickal purposes. You can also use powdered herbs instead of cut.

There are many additives that you can add to candles to make them harder, or hold the colour better and probably a bunch of other reasons, too. However, when making candles for magick, the simpler the ingredients are kept the better. In the old days, candles were made from tallow. Today, the wax used is a chemical, and even though adding further chemicals to it might increase the sale value of the candle, it will also decrease the magickal effectiveness. If you stick to fewer chemical additives and go with plain candles, with magickal colours and herbs, you should find that your rituals will have more natural power in them.

Prime your wick by saturating it with melted wax and letting the wax harden before using. Cut the wick to the size you want plus 1-2 inches.

If you are going to make taper candles pour wax into a dipping can (one that's as long as you want your candles to be). Begin dipping. Hold a length of wicking between your thumb and forefinger. Dunk it into the wax. After dipping, hold it in the air for a moment or two until the wax has set. Dip again, and again until the candle has reached the width you want. When done, hang the candle in a spot where it won't be touched for several minutes. A cabinet is a good spot, stick the top of the wick under the bottom of the cabinet door allowing the candle to hang freely. Test the candle after 20 minutes or so. The wax should have set but still be warm. Lay a piece of waxed paper on the counter and roll the candle back and forth GENTLY!. This straightens the taper and reduces irregularities on its surface. When the candle is fairly straight, cut off the inverted cone at the bottom of the candle with a sharp knife. Dip the taper two more times and hang to dry until hard.

I have used ground cinnamon added to the melted wax just before pouring. You have to stir very well and it still tends to settle in the bottom of your mold. The effect is nice in a rustic style candle. You can also try other aromatic spices!

Most herbs can be used as they are but succulent ones are better if dried.

Cut herbs into small pieces and decide how you would like to arrange them on your candle. It is easier when dipping if you keep your arrangement low on the candle.

Apply a small amount of glue to the candle and press your arranged herbs into place.

For decorating one large candle you need at least 10 household candles. Put chopped up pieces into a heat proof bowl and place in a saucepan of simmering water. Keep water simmering at low temperature until melted. Or you might like to melt in microwave on low setting. When wax has melted quickly dip in candle and turn covering herbs. Tilting the bowl on its side makes it easier to dip the candle. Be very careful as hot candle wax can burn rather badly. This can also be used for some flowers.

Make a paraffin pillar candle and wait until it is totally dry. Set it inside a mold that is a little bigger around than the candle. Sprinkle dried herbs and flowers around the candle and fill around the sides with more wax. The outside wax should be a harder (higher melt point) wax than the inside candle so the outer floral/herbal shell doesn't melt.

If you want to take an herb, be it dried or fresh, and use a very light color wax and somehow put the herb in the mold so that when you pour the wax on it, you can still see the herb/flower, follow this procedure: