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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)
· candle dye (also expensive) or crayons (for colour)
· wax paper
· a wooden spoon
· 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 is 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 colour 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 colour, 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!