Instructions for Hand-Dipped Candles
You need to obtain the following supplies:
2-4 pounds of Paraffin Wax (the kind used in canning) or beeswax (which is usually expensive).
Candle wick (available at most hobby and craft stores)
oils and herbs (for scent and magickal goals)
candle dye (also expensive) or crayons (for color)
wax paper
a wooden spoon
a double broiler
Begin by melting the wax in a double broiler.
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 magickal 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 for magickal or ritual use) 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.
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 speeds up the process a little, candle making is
a slow 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 too 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. Cut the wick and hang your candles to dry.
You are done!
- From Lady Morgan Crystal Moonstone's Book Of Shadows
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