Winter is the time to burn candles: it’s cold, dark, you want warmth and comfort. In addition, observing living fire is one of the basic types of meditation. Let's figure out what is better - candles or diffusers, why paraffin is dangerous, what wax to choose, how to burn it correctly and how to store it.
Anastasia Dezortseva
Candlesbox
If you choose between a candle and a diffuser, then it all depends on taste and free time. The candle is lit for at least an hour and a half - during this time the wax has time to warm up and releases the aroma well. If you just want your home to smell delicious, it’s better to install a diffuser. The strength of the aroma can be varied by decreasing or increasing the number of sticks, and the oil diffuser will easily last for several months. That is, the diffuser is a “set it and forget it” story; it sets the atmosphere. And candles are a whole ceremony.
Paraffin or wax?
Paraffin is a product of petroleum distillation; when it is heated, toxic toluene and benzene are released. In the production of candles, paraffin is most often used because it is cheap - and that's where its benefits end.
An alternative to paraffin is candles made with vegetable wax: coconut, soy, apricot, and also beeswax. These waxes are safe, melt evenly when burning (that is, the candle lasts a long time), and they also hold the aroma well and do not change it when heated. Vegetable waxes work approximately the same, but there are still slight differences.
Coconut and apricot waxes are very soft and melt at room temperature. If you leave such a candle in the sun, it will become liquid within a day.
Soy wax is harder and lasts well even with temperature changes. For example, KOBO Candles grows its own soybeans in New York State, making its wax eco-friendly and non-GMO. And PaddyWax processes soybeans by hand.
A distinctive feature of beeswax is its delicate honey aroma. True, it is better not to buy candles made from it if you are prone to allergies to bee products.
The easiest way to recognize a coconut wax candle is that if you rub it, the wax will immediately begin to melt slightly, leaving something like oil on your finger. It is more difficult to identify paraffin by eye, but if the candle can be bent or cut, then it is definitely not pure paraffin: with such manipulations it crumbles. Candles that can be found from mass market brands will most likely be made from paraffin, so before purchasing it is better to check the composition with the seller or ask for a certificate.
Candle fire can help with various diseases
Wax contains more than three hundred compounds and minerals. It is used for inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Beeswax is effective as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of rheumatic and muscle pain.
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Chewing wax with honey is recommended for sinusitis and sore throat. Once in the stomach, the wax is not digested, but acts as a cleanser, absorbent, attracts toxins and removes harmful waste substances from the body. Wax with honey can be used for inhalation.
Which wick is better?
Cotton wicks are the most popular among candle makers using both vegetable wax and paraffin wax. It ignites easily and burns evenly along with the wax. The larger the candle, the thicker its wick must be to ensure the same even combustion. The weave of the wick also plays an important role: during heating, the wax changes its density, and if the weave is too tight, the soy or coconut wax may burn unevenly. By the way, manufacturers of very cheap candles weave lead wire into the wick, which helps the wick hold on.
The wooden wick crackles pleasantly when burning and smells good. From experience working with candles, I can say that soy wax candles work best with a wooden wick, since both the wax and the wick burn evenly.
Wax is a unique natural material
It has been proven that the fire of a wax candle strengthens, restores, and harmonizes the human biofield.
Wax is a unique natural material. It, like water, easily absorbs and records information. This property allows you to create candles with targeted effects. Therefore, it is important to light wax candles on family holidays so that all wishes are accumulated and come true.
Very often children put colored paraffin candles in their birthday cake. Of course, they are beautiful, their appearance causes joy and delight. But such candles cannot be called useful. The child leans on them and inhales the fumes. It's bad for your health. It’s better to make candles for a festive dessert with your own hands.
Many parents note that a lit wax candle can calm children just as well as a rattle or gadget. The fire is mesmerizing.
What determines the burning time?
How long a candle will burn depends, firstly, on its size, and secondly, on its composition. Candles made with coconut or soy wax burn about the same, but with paraffin it’s a completely different story: the wick of such candles burns out, and the mass around the edges does not have time to warm up - as a result, a crater is formed, and the burning time is seriously reduced. I recently conducted an experiment: I lit a paraffin candle and a coconut wax candle at the same time. Two hours later, the first one went out - the wick began to behave strangely when in contact with paraffin, but the coconut one continued to burn evenly. At high temperatures, coconut wax becomes completely liquid, and it appears as if the wick is burning in water.
Don't forget the wick
When you light a candle, the wax melts, which means the “body” decreases. But the wick does not decrease at the same rate. Therefore, trim the wick so that only three millimeters remain.
If you are leaving the candle burning for more than three hours, then you should take some time. The candle must be removed and the wick trimmed before lighting it. Otherwise, the flame may affect the cotton part of the wick. This will produce black smoke, which will cause the container in which the candle is placed to turn black.
Caring for a candle means that sometimes you will have to change the position of the wick. You need to take out the candle and check whether it decreases evenly in size. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully inspect it before each use. To change the position of the wick you will need a match or something similar. Put out the candle and, while the wax is still soft, change its position.
How to burn correctly?
Candles should never be blown out. If you do this, then next time the aroma of the candle will be mixed with the smell of a smoldering wick - and you won’t get a pure aroma. A candle can, for example, be covered with a lid, and it will go out on its own in a few seconds without access to oxygen. If you have nothing to cover the candle with, it is better to use a special flame arrester that resembles a cap or bell. The lid will also protect the surface of the wax from dust, and the candle will be like new for a long time.
The wick must be trimmed before each use to remove the burnt edge. Otherwise, smoldering particles of the wick will fall into the melted wax, and the smell will be not of the aroma composition, but of smoke. You can trim the wick with regular nail scissors.
The candle should be kept lit for at least 10–15 minutes, until at least a small amount of the top layer has melted. This is due, again, to the uniform burning of the wax and wick.
You should not burn a candle for more than three hours: this will cause the wax to overheat and the aromatic oils to stop giving off their aroma. If you want to use the candle for a long time, then extinguish it every couple of hours for 5-10 minutes - this time is enough for the wax to cool a little and harden.
Don't put out the candle too quickly
If we are talking not about household candles, but about decorative candles, then it is advisable not to extinguish the flame before the top layer of paraffin or wax has melted. Depending on the diameter of the candle, this may take more than one hour. But if you want to keep the candle looking beautiful, then either wait or don’t light the wick at all.
The fact is that if the top layer does not have time to melt by the time you put out the candle, then an ugly hole will certainly form around the wick. In some cases, it is almost the diameter of the entire candle and, to be honest, it looks so-so. And each time the hole will only get deeper.
What aromatic oils are suitable for winter?
The scent of a candle is a very deep topic. Making a unique composition is, of course, difficult. If a manufacturer produces a candle with a leather and vanilla scent, it means they mixed several aromatic oils (which ones are a mystery) to achieve a scent similar to leather. It’s an art to try to convey the smell of something that cannot be used to make oil.
For the cold season, aromas that will fill the house with peace and comfort are suitable: tangerine, orange, cypress, spruce, pine, juniper, fir, cinnamon, clove - that is, spicy, citrus, fruity or coniferous. In addition, these oils can be used as a means to prevent colds: they improve immunity and improve mood.
Reuse your candle jar
To revive a candle holder when your candle has completely burned out, simply pour hot water into a glass jar (make sure you use heat resistant oven mitts as the glass can get very hot), swirl it gently, drain the water in the sink, and dry the container with a paper towel. Repeat the entire process a couple more times until the glass is completely clean.
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Which brands should I pay attention to?
PaddyWax
paddywax
The founder of this American brand became interested in making candles and turned her hobby into a whole company. All candles are made by hand and consist only of natural ingredients, based on soy wax. Another feature of the brand is design. The “Apothecary Collection,” which sells out instantly, features modest but stylish packaging and scents dedicated to medicinal herbs. In the “Library” collection, each candle is dedicated to a specific author: Leo Tolstoy, for example, according to the creators’ idea, should smell like prunes, oak and moss. Calestial is a collection whose scents and packaging are dedicated to space. The largest collection is dedicated to US national parks: candles here use wicks made from fallen trees found in the park of the same name.
KOBO Candles
KOBOCANDLES
Each candle from another American brand is the result of the author’s inspiration from cities, countries, people and some small details, such as wallpaper. Since all this is inseparable from nature, the manufacturer pays great attention to the safety and environmental friendliness of the product: in one of the collections, candles are sold in biodegradable packaging, and in another, after the candle burns out, the glass jar can be used as a pot for growing a flower (the seeds go in complete).
Broad Street
broadstbrand
A brand that produces soy wax candles dedicated to the scents of the street of the same name. Broad Street has everything from offices to street markets and upscale restaurants. And the authors decided to recreate this atmosphere in their candles: among the aromas are flowers, fruits, absinthe, sea salt, tobacco and much more.
Tradition of blowing out candles
The candle lighting ceremony is traditional for several age celebrations:
- Thirteen candles are lit by a Jewish child during his Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
- Fifteen candles are lit as a Mexican girl celebrates her fifteenth birthday.
- Sixteen candles are lit at a sixteenth birthday party.
The tradition of lighting and blowing out candles is an integral part of many holidays.
Most of us have performed our first act of candle magic by the time we are two years old. Blowing out the candles on our first birthday cake and making a wish was pure magic. This children's custom is based on the three magical principles of concentration, willpower and visualization. In simple terms, a child who wants his wish to come true must concentrate (blow out the candles), visualize the end result (make a wish) and hope that it will come true (willpower).
Traditions of lighting candles
- Who can forget September 11, 2001? The following Friday, thousands of New Yorkers joined people from around the world to mourn and hold candlelight vigils for peace.
- Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) held an online candlelight vigil during the 2004 holiday season. People could light a "virtual candle" and send a message in honor of a loved one or friend affected by drunk driving.
- In 1992, the International Society for Animal Rights (ISAR) began and celebrated National Stray Animal Day and candlelight vigils to highlight the importance of the overpopulation issue. The annual vigil calls attention to the tragic killing of healthy dogs and cats due to pet overpopulation and proposes a solution to end the killing: spaying and neutering.
- The annual World AIDS Day includes candlelight vigils to raise awareness of AIDS, educate people about how to prevent its transmission, and show support for those suffering from it.
- The first week of October is designated Mental Illness Awareness Week across the country. In 1996, numerous mental health and mental illness advocacy organizations came together to kick off Mental Illness Awareness Week with a candlelight vigil in Liberty Park, Kansas City, Missouri.
Candles at Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday. During this celebration, seven candles are lit, which are symbols relating to Nguzu Saba, a set of core values that Africans are encouraged to live by in order to save and rebuild their lives in their own image and according to their needs. Three red candles on the right, three green candles on the left and one black candle in the center of the kinara. The colors symbolize black nationalism. The color red represents the blood of the African people. Green symbolizes hope for a new life and for the Motherland, Africa. Black represents the face of the African people.
We recommend reading: Candles for Hanukkah
Rite of purification
There are some rules for performing traditional rituals. Every action carries energy and a certain meaning. This should not be neglected. It is recommended to sometimes light candles at home. This helps cleanse it of negative energy and protects residents from problems and quarrels. Candles can be bought at any store; you don’t need any special ones. The main thing is faith and positive thoughts during the ceremony.
How to choose candles by color for your home
Nowadays there are many candles of various shades. A candle of one color will perform better in a certain situation than another.
- White. A universal candle, suitable for many occasions. Brings comfort, warmth, harmony and tranquility to the home.
- Red. Rarely used in rituals, but suitable for attracting money and maintaining success.
- Pink. Used for romantic rituals. Helps in love relationships.
- Orange or yellow candle. They are good for finding harmony and relaxation. They will also help remove all negativity from your home.
- Purple. Can create magical protection for a home. But you should be careful with it; it is best used by professionals.
- Brown. With its help, you can make your home cozy, organize your household, and also get rid of various diseases.
- Black. It can almost instantly remove all the negative energy in the house. But it is better to entrust this matter to specialists.
Candles in religion
Speaking from a religious point of view, a candle is an important attribute of a church service. Therefore, you need to treat him with respect.
Previously, they were used to illuminate rooms. Light is a symbol of faith. Candles began to be used in churches a very long time ago, not only for lighting, but as a religious object. According to the scriptures, such rituals were performed as early as the 8th century. Theologians have always paid great attention to church rituals, including candles. The latter was compared with the bright thought that should be in every person. The fire in a burning candle is none other than the Holy Spirit. The flame symbolizes our respect and love for God. Lighted candles in front of the icons reflect the love of the devotees for the Lord. This creates a pleasant, calm atmosphere in the temple.
Home rituals and rituals of candle magic
Cleansing and protection
Candle magic is suitable for cleansing and protecting both a house or apartment, and a person. Choose white, black candles, or natural yellow wax candles for these purposes.
We will describe the basic principles on the basis of which you can create your own, individual ritual to cleanse and protect your home. This ritual consists of two parts. First you need to burn out all the negativity, and then harmonize the space, “heal” it.
Take two candles. For example, black to destroy negativity and white for the second part of the ritual. Start walking around the apartment from the threshold counterclockwise, holding a lit black candle. Pay special attention to the corners, as more negativity always accumulates there, as well as mirrors and windows. Starting from the threshold, thoroughly clean the front door first, then, completing the circle, pay attention to it again.
Tips and interesting facts
If a candle is broken, it is better not to light it. It is better to melt it into a new one and then use it. A broken wedding candle can mean severe damage. If a candlestick bursts, you can lose a loved one. This will only happen if it burst for unexplained reasons and not from overheating.
As mentioned earlier, a candle for the repose may not burn for a long time, but there is no need to experiment and light it for the health of the deceased. This may end badly, and the person who lit the candle will die. For people who are not well versed in church rituals, it is better to talk with ministers or a priest to know where and what kind of candles to put.
Wedding candles also have their own history. They should be kept at home and lit when one of the spouses or their children is sick. Also, if a woman cannot give birth to a child, she needs to light such a candle. During a wedding, candles are lit throughout the ceremony. Then they are carefully examined - whose one is smaller will die first.
Candles lit on Easter during the blessing of Easter cakes have power. In the future, they may help with childbirth and the treatment of illnesses.
