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Old Candles
When candles in glass jars get about halfway down, often they start to have large quantities of wax at the sides and a pit in the middle. This is annoying because you can burn the wick all the way down and have extra wax leftover. Here's how to fix that:
- Heat water on the stove in a pot large enough to submerse the candle almost to the top (remember to add less than it looks like, because the candle will cause the water level to rise).
- When the water nears boiling, use tongs or other hand protection to place the half-used candle into the water.
- Keep the water from boiling, and heat the candle until the wax begins to liquify.
- Turn off the heat and let the candle sit. Remove when cool.
The hot water will cause the wax to reshape itself around the remaining wick, extending the life of both wick and candle. N.B.: the wax may cover the wick, so that you must insert a match or other wicking material into the soft wax so that you have a wick protruding enough to light. When the wax is still liquid, you can also add scent to the candle using essential oils, perfume, or even spray air fresheners.
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Dirty Chalice
When you put wine or other liquids into a chalice, sometimes the chalice will become stained. Often people don't want to use harsh modern chemicals on their ritual gear, so here are two natural methods of cleaning your chalice. Caution: these methods may damage fine silver or other metals.Method One: Hot lemon juice. Heat lemon juice (natural strength) and wipe it across the surface of the chalice to remove grease and similar stains. If necessary, let the stains soak in lemon juice before wiping. Always rinse well and, if you wish, apply a protective polish.
Method Two: Baking soda. It sounds odd, but baking soda in water can be a natural detergent. Add about 1 tsp baking soda to 1cups water, or make stronger if you desire. Scrub the chalice in this mixture until the stains come clean.
These are not surefire methods but they are natural alternatives to harsh detergents. Methods work best when the stains are fresh.
These methods also work for other ritual items, including most altar items. Caution: athames may be damaged by the lemon juice.
Organic Herbs
When using herbs in potions, it is often important to be sure they are organic. After all, the last thing you want mixed in with your spell-components is a bunch of deadly chemicals! The best way to insure herbs are truly organic is to grow them yourself. But how do you get rid of those nasty bugs that invade and threaten to take over? Well, the most obvious way is to squish them. But if the bugs are very small, this may not be realistic. Enter the every day, commonplace glue trap.That's right, I said glue trap. The flat, cheap pest control method consisting of a flat surface--usually plastic or cardboard--with sticky, gummy glue on one side. (You didn't think the glue captures only mice, now did you? Hell, I catch myself at least three times trying to lay the things out!) Lay these traps around (or, if possible, directly on/over) the besieged plants. Et voila! The flies, gnats, etc. get trapped in the glue, and you can dispose of the whole contraption. This happens to work well for cats and other "curious" Familiars. (Cats can't stand to get their paws sticky.)
"That's great... but I caught my brother's toddler."
Not to worry. A bath of cooking oil (olive, canola, vegetable, whatever) will harmlessly dissolve the glue, freeing the unwanted quarry.
If you have a household tip, please write to Kyriel@dreaminggates.com. Thanks!
