Wax:
If you are fortunate enough to live near an Arts or Craft Store
and thus have access to the easy method of getting the wax for your candles, then
it is easiest to find and buy it this way. Some grocery stores, if they
have a food canning section, may have canning wax you can buy.
For those who are further out in the country with access to bees.. Take the comb, honey filled or not, place in a pan with water. Then boil slowly until the wax & honey separate. Let cool. Next carefuly carve the cold -solid- wax from the pan and place in a different pan. (Repeat until you have enough wax to make your candles)
Wicks:
The next step is deciding what you want to use for a wick.The simple method is to buy wicking material at a store.
The next trick is to use a thin cord -Soaked in Hot wax-. (Simply take the thin cord and dump it into hot moten wax until the cord is saturated.)
Scents:
Lots of folks like scent in thier candles.The easy trick is to use an oil or herb that you like the scent of and dump it into the melted wax. Warning: Too much oil/perfume/herbs and the candle wax will not cool properly! (A little goes a long way!) So have fun and experiment to see what consistancies you enjoy.
Colour:
Some folks like colour in thier candles.Food coloring, inks, dyes. All of these will change the color of the wax, just remember, A little goes a long way.
What type of candles do you want, Taper Candles, or Pot Candles?
Taper candles:
Tie the wick (in the length you need + 4 inches.) To a pencil or rod.
Tie the dangly end to a washer. (Keeps the wick straight when dipping)
Next warm the wax until melted.
Dip the wick (with the washer on the end, Not the stick end) into the
wax, then remove, and let cool.
Repeat this process until the candle is as thick as you need or want.
Note: You can remove the washer once the candle has enough form (ie,
when it won't flop around.)
(They do make candle forms as well, check out your local arts and crafts stores to see the selections available.)
Pot Candles:
(ok pot is a misnomer, jar, cup, chalice etc)
Measure the depth of the object you are using to hold the melted wax
with the wick. Then add three or more inches so you can tie the wick to
a pair of sticks/pencils (etc) . Make an 'X' of the sticks and tie the
wick around it.
Tie the loose end to a washer and set them aside.
Next melt the wax, scent it and 'Carefully' pour the HOT melted wax
into the cup/chalice/pot (ect).
Now take the wick and lower the end with the washer into the bottom of
the jar, resting the 'X' in the center of the mouth of the jar.
Let Cool.
Alright, you have learned about 90% of what most books teach on candle making.
Making magic candles, involves the usual Hard Thought, Inspiration and Need.
Yes there are 'generic' or 'in the book spells', however, since you are making the candle, why not put the 'energy' of 'Making the Spell' into it as well?
Some books on this subject:
Raymond Buckland, "Practical Candleburning Rituals", Llewellyn Publications.Raymond Buckland, "Practical Color Magick", Llewellyn Publications.
Gerina Dunwich, "The Magick of Candle Burning", Citadel Press.
Kala & Ketz Pajeon, "The Candle Magick Workbook", Citadel Press.
There are several craft-oriented books with examples of oils and incense for both burning and adding to candles. Do a little research and you can find real gems out there.
Pressed Herb and Flower Candles
Materials needed:
3" or 6" pillar candle-white or off white (3" diameter)
Pressed herbs and flowers: Leaves of geranium, rue, ferns, roses, any flat pressed flowers
Votive candle - white or off-white
Paint brush
Old pan to heat wax in
Heat votive candle in the old pan until melted. Use a votive that is the same color as the pillar candle that is used. Arrange herbs on table to a suitable design for your candle unless you will be placing them on the candle randomly.
Take your small paint brush and dab a little melted wax onto candle where you plan on placing first herb or flower. Quickly place herb or flower on top of dap of wax. Do this with you whole design, making sure you get just a THIN layer of wax on the top of the herb. When finished with design, brush a THIN layer of melted wax over whole design.
Allow the candle to cool either at room temperature or in a refrigerator. If you wish to give the candle as a gift, place it in a small wreath of dried flowers.
Hand Dipped Tapers
You need to obtain the following supplies:Candle wick (available at most hobby and craft stores)
Oils and herbs (for scent)
Candle dye OR crayons
Wax paper
A wooden spoon
A double boiler
Begin by melting the wax in a double boiler. If you don't have one, you can use a large pot filled half full of water and a large coffee tin with the wax in it, sitting inside the pot. Heat the water to boiling first and cut up your wax so it will melt quickly. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down and place the tin of wax inside of it. Keep the water hot enough to keep the wax melted but not so hot that the paraffin catches fire (which it has been known to do over high heat).
While the wax to melting, stir with a wooden spoon (never use metal) & make sure it all is completely melted.
Also, while the wax is melting, mix the herbs (if more than one) in a small bowl. After the wax is completely melted and been checked, break the crayons up and put them into the wax. Keep stirring until all of the crayons have melted and the color is even and smooth, with no streaks. Keep in mind that the candle will be a shade or so lighter when dry. The more crayons - the deeper and richer the color, so experiment.
Next, add the herbs to the wax. Empower with your energy and m0agickal intention while mixing the wax. Stir with the wooden spoon until it is thoroughly mixed. Next add 10-20 drops of essential oil (please, no synthetics when making candles) to the wax until it smells strongly of the fragrance intended. Now your wax is ready.
Start with a long piece of wick - twice the size of your desired candle length plus 3 inches (you will be making 2 candles at once). Bend the wick in the middle and hold it by the bend. Dip the wick into the wax and then lift back out. Getting started is the hardest because the wick will float on top of the wax until it has enough wax on it to weigh it down. Allow it to get completely cold between dippings when you first start.
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The tapers in this picture are just like the ones made right in my kitchen own using the method you just read...I use crayons for my colors though. *sl*
After your candle has started to take shape you can speed up the process a little. I keep a pan of cool water nearby and dip the candles in the water after each dipping in the wax. While this sp0eeds up the process a little, candle making is a s0low process but very well worth the time and energy you put into it.
Keep dipping the candles and allowing them to cool & then dip again. When you have achieved the proper size, hang them to dry until the wax has set but the candles aren't too hard. Then roll them on the wax paper to smooth out the shape. Once the candle shape is to your liking, dip 1 or 2 more times to make sure your candle is smooth. Trim off any excess wax to make a bottom with a sharp knife. Hang your candles to dry and when dried, cut the wick. You are done!
