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| Candlemaking |
| Candlemaking is a fun and easy activity. For the magickal home candles are used often and can run up a huge bill, making your own candles can greatly reduce that bill. Also, for the magickal practioner making one's own candles has special advantages, you can make a candle specifically for a special purpose be it celebrating Beltane, a prosperity spell, or for relaxation. There are two basic methods of making candles, hand dipping or using a mold. Hand dipping can be messy and is very time consuming, however yeild a slender candle and gives you the option of decorating the candle with flowers just under the last few layers of wax and more time to infuse your energy into them. Molds are nifty and fast but produce bulkier candles and don't allow much artistic expression. Also today you can buy prepared wax and wick at most craft stores. If you want to add scent add a few drops of essential oil or about a handful of dry herbs to the liquid before you dip or mold them. Classic Candles Dissolve 2 pounds of alum in water and 10 pounds of tallow. Melt the tallow in water with frequent stirring. Use loosely spun cotton or hemp for wick, adding your bayberry after the tallow is incorporated. Take your wick, dip it in until covered and let cool. Dip again. Reapt this process until candles are of a nice thickness. Store in a cool room. |