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If you want to create atmosphere, then light a natural candle. Natural candles made from beeswax were the earliest dependable source of light and can be traced back to Mesolithic times more than 9,000 years ago.

Beeswax is formed from a liquid extruded from the wax glands of a honeybee. The liquid solidifies once in contact with the air and its unique colour and aroma are developed from the pollen the bees bring into the hive. Beeswax is very sticky to the touch and has a high melting point. On the other hand, commercial candles are often made from paraffin (a byproduct from the oil-refining process) and steric acid, a white powder or granule that today comes from vegetable fat.

In preparation of candle making, gather all your ingredients and supplies together (see sidebar). Moulds can be purchased in many shapes and materials. The purpose of a mould is to hold hot wax and allow for the removal of hardened wax. Environmentally friendly homemade moulds can be made from recycled milk cartons, cardboard tubes or yogurt containers. All items must be leak-proof, and cardboard containers can only be used once.

The natural wick is made of braided cotton or hemp. In some commercial candles, chemicals have been added improve the wick’s burning properties. However, this is not necessary if you size your wick properly. Candles with diametres under five centimetres use a small wick. Candles with diametres of five to 10 centimetres use a medium wick, and candles with diametres of 10 to 15 centimetres use large wicks. If your candle smokes while burning, then the wick is too big and the wick is melting the wax faster than it can be absorbed by the flame. By contrast, when a wick is too small for the candle, the flame will not absorb the wax quickly enough and the melted wax will smother the flame or run down the side of the candle.

To make a candle, you’ll need to know the volume of your container. Fill the mould with water and then measure the water as you pour it out. Ninety millilitres of wax is needed for every 100 millilitres of water. Using a double boiler on the stove, heat the wax to 170° F. Prime the wick by dipping it in the hot wax and hold for 30 seconds until the bubbles stop rising. Let it cool and then do a second coat. Smooth and straighten the wick to eliminate any air pockets. Increase the wax’s temperature to 180 F (84° C), and at this time, you can add your choice of essential oils. For 500 grams of wax, use 10 drops of oil alone or in combination.

Cindy Mortimer is a kinesiologist living a holistic, vegetarian life in Toronto, ON.

Source: alive #232, February 2002