Samhain Candles
This year I'm making candles for my ancestors as part of my Saimhain celebration! This was my first time making "taper" candles but it was pretty easy + fun, as long as you dont mind getting your hands a little dirty!
What you'll need~
Beeswax
Candle wicks
Saimhain herbs + anything that feels right to you
Charcoal
Tinfoil
Some sort of mixing utensil (plastic butter knife/pallet knife)
Double boiler
You'll want to gather your herbs, and enchant them if that tickles your fancy. I used, mullein, anise seed, lavender, rose petals, baby's breath, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, pine needles, and cardamom. I stirred clockwise 3x to bring in connection to my ancestors and the spirits of my home, and stirred counterclockwise 3x to banish negative + evil energies and spirits.
To melt your wax, use a double boiler on the stove. I added charcoal once it was almost completely liquid so my candles could be a spooky black color + have protective qualities.
I put tinfoil down on my workspace, and used a plastic butter knife to mix my herbs with the melted wax.
Put your herbs in the center of your foil workstation and create a little well in the middle. Then SLOWLY add the melted beeswax and be careful, it will be VERY HOT. Mix your herbs with the wax and pour a bit more wax if you need/want to. The more you mix, the faster the wax will cool and once its at room temp, it will be malleable, but still pretty warm to the touch so be careful as you do this part.
Once you can touch the wax, roll it out a bit and then add your wick and try to push it into the center of the wax. This part is kindof trial and error, but just try to keep the bottom of the wick at the bottom of your roll. Then just shape the candle as you wish! Remember to keep the bottom flat as youre shaping it. When its cooled enough to pick up and keep its shape, you can stand it up and try tapping the bottom on your table/flat surface to get a nice and flat bottom.
You can also roll your shaped wax in herbs instead of mixing them in before it cools. IF YOU DO THIS, YOU NEED TO SEAL THE CANDLE or else things will start becoming a serious fire hazard. You can also seal your candle if you followed the steps above and just want that extra bit of fire safety, like a smoother look, or want to have a different color outside than the inside.
Seal your candle by dipping it in fully melted wax. You can do one or a few layers, just make sure it cools before redipping it.
Then you should be all set!
Have a wonderful Saimhain, and don't forget to take time to remember and honor your lost loved ones and ancestors!
