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!