Tag: Candle wick

How to Make Candle Wicks and Candles

WARNING: This is not something a child should help with because it is easy to accidently spill the hot wax and it can cause major burns. When making candles make sure the walkway is clear of all obstacles, children, and pets when carrying hot wax from heat source to molds. If you have a throw rug down pick it up instead of walking over it. Make sure your mold are on an even, sturdy surface before starting to pour them. Candle wax, when melted for making candles, can reach 200 degrees F.

You may have seen a candle-making demonstration where participants are invited to dip strings into hot wax and then cool them in cold water. The finished product often looks more like a bent pepper than a candle. Should you decide to make usable candles, you’ll first want to know how to fashion wicks.

A WICK’S PURPOSE
Wicks aren’t just pieces of string in the center of a candle. The flame of a candle is not made by the wick. Rather, the heated wax creates a vapor which ignites as the flame is carried to the candle’s body by the wick. The flame you see is the vapor being consumed.

To produce a brightly burning, reliable candle, you will require a well-made wick. Use 100% cotton yarn or thread without any dye or bleach. Any thin cotton string, found in some craft or garden supply stores, will suffice.

Wire-core wicks are available commercially and are rigid, but these can contain lead and other metallic toxins that release vapors into the air when a candle is burned. I strongly advise against using these. It is better to have a wick stiffened by proper priming.

SOAK YOUR COTTON
Section at least three pieces of cotton yarn or string. If you are dipping candles, you will want the length of your twine to equal twice the height of your finished candle plus another twelve inches. The reason for this is that a single wick will have a candle formed at each end. If you prefer to make a single candle, cut the wick to equal the height of your candle plus another six inches.

Let the cotton soak in one these solutions all night:

1st Solution
One Tbs salt, two Tbs boric acid (makes the flame deep red), and 1 c. warm water

2nd Solution
2 Tbs salt, 4 Tbs Borax (makes the flame yellowish green) & 1 ½ cups warm water

3rd Solution
Two and a half tablespoons of salt with five and a half tablespoons of Borax in two cups warm water.

OPTIONAL CHEMICALS
Choose one of the following for a different color flame:

  • A tsp of calcium burns reddish orange.
  • A tsp of table salt brings a yellow flame.
  • A tsp of Borax has a yellowish-green appearance.
  • Add a teaspoon of potassium sulfate or saltpeter (potassium nitrate) for a purple flame.
  • A tsp of Epsom salts burns white.
  • A tsp of alum burns green.

The next morning, take the string from the solution and hang until dried completely – for as long as five days.

Braid the dried strands together as tightly as possible.

BRAIDS USED FOR WICKS
Use a flat braid for candles that are tapered. This flattened braid will have a slight curl when it burns. If the wick is matched properly to the size of the candle, the natural curl of the flat braid will reduce the carbon buildup and make the wick self trimming. The ply of a wick refers to the number of strands used to create it. A wick’s ply will tell you if the candle should be a larger or smaller size.

Block candles (without a tapered end) require a square braided wick. Block candles are formed by pouring wax into molds that can be round or square. The square braid is braided in the round and is not flat.

Whichever braid you select, it should be bound tightly. A candle will burn longer and brighter with a quality wick. A loose, poorly constructed wick will shorten the life of your candle.

HOW TO PRIME A WICK
Priming a wick helps to insure that your candles will light more easily. Your primed wick will burn more consistently. Additionally, the wax makes your wick water-resistant. Cotton wicks would easily absorb water otherwise.

Dipping your wick into hot wax until it is thoroughly saturated will prime your wick. When you see bubbles, you will know the wax is saturating your wick. To protect your fingers, you should use a small clip to hold the braid as you dip it. Take the wick out of the wax, tug it taught, lower it into water and then lay it onto waxed paper. Use a paper towel to dab off any excess water. Allow as least 30 seconds for each wick to dry. To encourage stiffness, repeat this process several times. When you are finished, primed wicks can be stored in rolled newspapers.

GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY
If wax boils, it is flammable. Baking soda or a fire extinguisher should be used to stop a fire involving wax. Water will just cause the wax (and the fire) to spread; don’t use it.

Use a double boiler to heat wax; it shouldn’t be placed directly on the heat source. Make your own by placing water at a 3-inch or so depth in a large pot. Put something (i.e. old tuna can or metal cookie cutter) onto the bottom of this pot to act as a barrier between it and the wax container. Bring the water to a boil. Place the wax into a can and lower this onto the barrier in the pot of boiling water.

It is best to work with hot wax while children and pets are away.

Hot wax should never be discarded down a drain. When the wax hardens, it will clog your pipes.

FEATURED VIDEO

http://learnandlivewell.blogspot.com/2009/08/you-may-have-seen-candle-making.html

Posted by Kay

Here is a link to a site that has different type of candle instructions.: http://www.candlescience.com/learn-candle-making

Or you can find one yourself from this general search: https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=easy%20candle%20making%20recipe

Many witches and pagans like to make their own candle for rituals, spell casting or just to burn around the house. The reason for this is they know exactly what type of energy when into the candle when it is formed. There are many way of making candles, pillars, tapers, volitive, tea, ice, sand, the list is almost endless.

Instructions for Hand-Dipped Candles

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)
and candle dye (also expensive) or crayons (for color), wax paper, a wooden
spoon and 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!

SAND CANDLES

Another way to make candles which is easier and quicker is “Hippie Candles” as
they were called in the 60’s. You need to first obtain the sand – either the
beach, sandbox or you can make a box and fill it with sand just for this
purpose. Size, of course will depend on how large your candle is and how many.
First, moisten the sand enough to where you can make holes in it without the
sand falling back down into the hole. Then Dig your hole in the sand the shape
you want it. The easiest to start with are tapers but pyramids and cauldron
aren’t much harder. If you want legs on your candle – take a pencil
(unsharpened) and poke hole for the legs in the sand.

When the shape is finished – hold a piece of wick over the approximate center
and gently pour the wax into the hole, making sure the legs (if any) are filled.

Allow the wax to set, which can take a while. After testing wax to make sure it
is ready, slip fingers into the sand under the candle and gently lift it out.
Brush off any excess sand. If the legs are uneven, you can even them by sitting
the  candle in a hot frying pan. You are done!

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Seven Day Desire Spell

Seven Day Desire Spell

You need:

Black seven day candle
Water
Saucer
Paper

Fill your saucer slightly with some water. On a piece of paper write the things you most desire, (like love, money, a job). Fold that up and put it on the saucer (yes, in the water) Now put your seven day candle on top of the paper and light it.

Each night before you go to sleep visualize your desires being obtained.

On the seventh day, snuff out the candle and dispose of it by getting it away from your property.

This spell can be customized by using different colored candles, pink or red for love, purple for spirituality, and so on. The black candle is used for “breaking through” those obstacles that are preventing you from your desires.

The Witches Magick for Sept. 30 – Candle Blessing Ritual

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Candle Blessing Ritual

Using your bare hands, rub an anointing oil into the wax starting at the middle of the candle and working your way up to the top as you say:

I CONSECRATE THEE AS A TOOL OF MAGICK BLESSED BE!

Start again at the middle and this time; work your way down to the bottom of the candle and say:

I CHARGE THEE WITH POWER

IN THE NAME OF THE GODDESS

SO MOTE IT BE!

 

Things To Do Today: Make A Lucky amulet

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Things To Do Today: Make A Lucky amulet

Items You Need:

A found penny

Allspice

Nutmeg

Orange rind

Berries

A candle wick that has been burnt

Gather a personally lucky number of these things together and bless them by saying

“Luck be agile, luck be quick, luck burn bright like this candle wick.

Each component here I bind, that good fortune will be mine”

Wrap these securely in rainbow colored cloth or paper so you can carry it in your purse or wallet.

Spell To Bring a Lover Back

Spell To Bring a Lover Back

 

What You’ll Need:

a white candle

a red candle

a new candle holder with a new wick

 

On Friday night during the time the moon is in its waxing phase, do an aura cleansing and then cast your circle as you normally would.  Inscribe your name onto the white candle and your lovers name onto the red candle. Everyday until your lover returns light the white candle and say:

“Truth in all things, love me _____”

Place three drops of the white candle wax into your candle hold with the new wick. Then light the red candle with the fire from the white candle and say:

“You love me you can’t deny return to me ______”

Place 3 drops of red wax into your new candle.While you are doing this visualize the person with great detail.

Eventually you will have need of a new candle. If your lover hasn’t returned to you by the the time the new candle is made then you are probably not meant to be. If this is the case and you are ready to move on, light the newly form candle and say;

“I release you from this spell, in releasing you I release myself, I am open to new love.”

Let the candle burn down and burn out.

If you lover returns keep making your candle but change the chants to bind them to you and make your love grow.

Spell To Upset The Plans of A Foe

SPELL TO UPSET THE PLANS OF A FOE

To upset the plans of a foe, buy a thick white candle and carve it into the rough shape of a human being. Write the name of your enemy on a strip of paper using red ink, and wrap the paper around the chest of the wax image. Hold it in place by thrusting a steel pin through the chest of the figure. Think hard of your enemy as you insert the pin. Tie a length of red thread around the feet of the image, and suspend it upside down, saying:

 

“As this image of [enemy’s name] is overturned,
so are the plans of [enemy’s name] overthrown.”
 

Leave the image suspended. From time to time bat it with your hand to make it twist and swing, and repeat the charm.

by: Donald Tyson

HAND-DIPPED CANDLES

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 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.

Summon the Spirit of a Loved One

Summon the Spirit of a Loved One

This will summon the Spirit of a Loved one in the Otherworld

Items You Will Need:

  • 4 Dark Blue Candles
  • 1 Tea Light Candle
  • Skull Candle
  • Picture of Loved One

The Spell:

  • Place 4 Dark Blue Candles at Elemental Points on your alter.
  •   Place Tea Light Candle Above the Earth Point.
  •   Place Skull Candle and Picture of Loved one in the Middle of the Altar
  •   Mediate on the person you wish to summon.
  •   Light the Dark Blue Candle in the East Chanting: *I call the Elemental of Air, Come from the east and offer your Protection*
  •   Light the Dark Blue Candle in the South and Chant: * I call the Elemental of Fire, Come from the South and Offer your protection*
  •   Light the Dark Blue Candle in the West and Chant: *I call the Elemental of Water, Come from the West and Offer your protection*
  •   Light Dark Blue Candle in the North and Chant: *I call the Elemental of Earth, Come forth from the North and Offer your Protection.
  •   Light the Skull candle in the Middle and Chant: *I call the Spirit within us all, Leap forward as your Element, Offer your Protection.
  •   Take the white Candle and Chant: *I call my Beloved Spirit (Name), Come to me and Commune with me. Come forth from the Otherworld Sweet Spirit and Show yourself Forth, I call upon your family blessings this day.*
  •   Place the wick of the tea candle over the flame of the Skull Candle.
  •   Pick up picture and visualize the Spirit coming over the Hedge from the Otherworld. Now you can telepathically speak to the person.

Protect Yourself from Rumors

Protect Yourself from Rumors

In complete darkness and privacy, light a pink candle and hold it in your hands. Take a deep breath and stand as tall as you can. Facing east, raise the candle high above your head for a moment. Bring the candle down to eye level and hold it there while you slowly turn in a clockwise direction 3 times, concentrating on the blue part of the flame. Raising the candle high again, invoke the powers of nature by whispering:

“I bind myself this day,
The swiftness of the wind,
The power of the sea,
The strength of the fire,
The endurance of the earth.”

As you stand still for a moment, imagine a white light surrounding your body like a cocoon. Then take another deep breath and blow out the candle. This spell erects a barrier around you so no ill will affect your well-being. Never again will you feel hurt or depressed by people spreading gossip about you.

Making Cauldron Candles

Cauldron Candles

Cauldron candles are simple to make, a lot of fun and they look great! It’s a wonderful way to recycle left over wax.
What you will need:

Clean Sand

A Box or Container

Heat Source

Cooking Pan

Oven Mitts

Small Cauldron or mayonnaise jar

Wax

Candle Wicking

Scissors

Coffee Can or Heat Proof Jar

 

For wax, you can use paraffin (found in the canning section of the grocery store), beeswax (can usually be obtained cheaply from people who sell their own honey), or even left over candles.
If you don’t have candle wicking, you can buy them at craft stores or do what I do – use small twine or get the wicks out of broken candles.

Directions

Prepare the mold:  If you are using a box, line it with a plastic bag to keep the moisture from destroying the shape. Moisten the sand with water so that it will keep its shape when pressed. If you have a small cauldron, press it tightly into the wet sand until it comes to the top. You don’t want the sand over the edge, just flush. Make sure that you have at least one inch of packed sand around the top so that it will hold its shape once the wax is poured in. Carefully remove the cauldron, trying to avoid loose sand particles from falling in.  If it doesn’t hold its shape, or you are not happy with the results, redo it! Depending on the size of the container, you can make as many candle molds as you have room. If you don’t have a small cauldron, use a small mayonnaise jar or other container that will give you the basic shape. You can even use your fist for a unique looking cauldron. Kids especially love to do this. You will however need to make legs for the cauldron. Simply use your little finger or a chopsticks and press into the bottom of the mold three times. Try to keep them at the same depth, and spaced evenly around the bottom, otherwise you end up with a lopsided cauldron!
Prepare the wax:  Put the wax into the coffee can or the heatproof container into a pan of water; bring to a boil on the stove. Caution – NEVER leave melting wax unattended and if there are children involved in candle making, always supervise them! Hot wax is highly flammable and can burn skin – so be extremely careful.
If you wish to make black cauldrons, add left over black candles or wax to can. If you don’t have any, you can add black crayon pieces until you are happy with the color. Of course, if you want a different color, use the appropriate wax or crayon.
Prepare the wick:  While the wax is melting, add the wicks to the molds. Press the wicking directly into the sand at the center of the mold. You will need to drape the top of the wick over a pencil or meat skewer that is placed over the top of the mold – preferably resting on the top of the box, to keep the wick from falling into to wax once it is poured.
Pouring the wax: When the wax is completely melted, put your oven mitts on, lift the can from the water and slowly pour the wax into the molds. You don’t want the wax to cool too slowly or it may crack, so don’t put them outside or in the refrigerator to speed the process.
Finishing the candles:  Once the wax has hardened, you can just scoop the candles out of the sand.  Trim off any wick that is sticking out of the bottom with scissors and brush off any excess sand.

History of Candles

History of Candles

Candles have been used as sources of light for thousands of years. The ways in which these candles have been made has differed greatly over time. There has also been a wide variety of different ways in which candles have been fuelled and also a wide variety of different uses for candles. The humble candle has become a multi use item with thousands of benefits that go well beyond the initial use – to produce light.

The candle’s other primary function has been to provide heat and many versions of candles have been developed to maximise the heat output. Candles have been around for a long time and in this time they have been used in religious ceremonies and also for timekeeping as well as for decoration, for air freshening and also for adorning a birthday cake.

The products used to create candles are different all over the world and throughout time candles have been made out of different substances. Candles that were made in the early parts of the 19th century were made from beef fat rendering known as tallow. The modern candles are more commonly made from wax. There are many different types of wax including gel, soy and beeswax but the most predominant type of wax is paraffin.

Candles are typically made with a wick that is lit. This wick is covered in wax which melts and vaporises. This vaporised wax provides fuel to the fire and keeps the flame burning. This encourages the candle to burn slowly and last for a long time. The process is also beneficial as it is self sustaining and does not require the person to monitor the candle or relight it.

As the flame warms the wax into vapour it works slowly down the candle and slowly uses up the wax. This is an efficient method that makes candles last longer. The science behind the burning of a candle helps us understand the processes that go on when a candle burns. In the area of the candle that burns blue a reaction is taking place in which the hydrogen is being separated from the wax and is burning. This process results in water vapour. The yellowy section of the flame occurs as a result of the oxidisation process that sees carbon dioxide being created from the carbon.

The position of the wick as these processes take place is very important to the time in which the wax is fuelled. One way to slow the rate at which the wax is used up is to reduce the length of the wick. The shorter the length of the wick that is exposed the longer the candle will last. Many people often decide to cut their candle wicks short manually with scissors to lengthen the life span of their candles. There are even special instruments called wick trimmers that are designed to make this task easier.

There is evidence of candles that were in use in Roman times. At this period of time many candles were made from the animal fat residues and the long pith found in a rush. Beeswax was used as a fuel by the Egyptians and many of their candles date back over 3000 years. By the 18th century was much more common for the fuel to be extracted from the oil taken from sperm whales.

Pagan Magic