Finally got some time to sit down and compile everything, so as promised, the guide to make the candle. For what it does and its properties, see my last post.
A general rule of thumb in candle making is not to directly mix plants with the wax and use them only as decor, so we need to make an infusion oil of all the ingredients first and add it into the wax when making the candle, and the oil is actually where the bulk of the work is.
The picture is not a very accurate representation, however. The crystals are mainly here for the correspondences and do not go into the oil, but you can set them next to it when you brew it. I tested multiple times to get the right balance for a pleasant scent profile, and here's what I recommend for a 150 ml infusion oil:
For frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, dragon's blood: one teaspoon each, ideally crush and grind them right before you throw them in.
For dried figs: 6 to 9 pieces.
For mandarin orange: use the peel of 1 to 2 mandarin oranges.
For dried pomegranate seeds: 1 to 2 teaspoons.
For dried roses: as much as possible, I would recommend damascus roses for best scent but you can use whichever kind you want.
Carrier oil: I used sweet almond oil but you can switch it up.
Candle wax and all the essential candle making supplies: I used coconut wax because it's low-heat (so safer for glass holders) and has a good hot throw (so the candle smells better when it's burning), but again you can use whatever is available.
For this infusion oil and a candle like Rubedo, I recommend making them at:
1. Tuesday, at an hour of Mars, ideally the one closest to sunrise.
2. Thursday, at an hour of Jupiter, ideally the one closest to sunrise.
3. Sunday, at an hour of the sun, ideally the one closest to sunrise.
These three timings I feel are the most aligned with what this concoction does, so choose whichever works for you. There are online calculators that could show you planetary hours for each day if you need reference:
III The Oil Infusion Process
Step 1: Find whichever airtight container that can be at least gently heated that you have, clean and dry it, then add in: frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, figs, roses. Leave the rest out for now.
Step 2: Pour the carrier oil into the container, stir clockwise to mix everything well, seal it and heat it for an hour. I highly recommend water bath heating, or at least a gentle, slow heating for this one.
Step 3: Stop the heating, let it cool down a little if it's a bit too hot. When it's warm (as in warm to the touch but not going to burn your skin), add in mandarin orange peels, stir clockwise to mix it well and seal it.
Step 4: When it's lukewarm, add dragon's blood resin and pomegranate seeds, stir clockwise to mix it well and seal it, and let it sit for at least a week.
The end result looks like this:
I'm adding the ingredients and heating them at different temperatures to mainly give the oil a layered scent profile: roses, figs, frankincense, myrrh, benzoin are the most prominent, then with a light citrus smell from mandarin peels, then a little bit of heady dragon's blood. I especially caution against heating dragon's blood resin and pomegranate seeds because they have really strong pungent smells that would overpower everything else.
That said, this is my preference, and since these are natural materials, I cannot guarantee the ones you get will smell the same as mine. So feel free to try it and make changes accordingly e.g. adjust the scent by adding essential oil.
I use this infusion oil for anointment, charging my crystals, energy sprays, etc..
(Yes, I know it needs solvents but I hate their smells. So I will simply shake very well before spraying them :))
IV Making The Candle (Yes, finally)
Making the candle itself is actually not all that different from the usual. There are already lots of tutorials on candle making so I shall not repeat them and recommend following the due process :)
Since it is named Rubedo, I do think colouring it red is the best, and I also add some red and golden mica powder in there. It makes a beautiful cellular pattern when you are heating the wax, and glitters when the candle is burning.
Then wait until the wax reaches its ideal temperature to add fragrance, and add in 6 teaspoons of the infusion oil. Extra essential oils if you want stronger scent. Embed the crystals in there and garnish it a little when it's almost cooled down and solid--voila :3
Intention is the key in all rituals or spells, which is why I don't want to stress you guys out on when and how you should do it. Making the infusion oil and the candle can already be a lot to keep track of, not to mention the potential safety risks.
So I think there's no need to force yourself to calm down and focus to meditate and envision when it's already overwhelming. Do it when you can free up your mind: when you are stirring, when the oil/wax is cooling down, when you first burn the candle, etc..
That's all. Congratulations on reaching the end. I think you already have a better attention span than most people out there :)))
