Beeswax Candles for Candlemas

Page 62 in "Marian Devotions in the Domestic Church"

Catherine Fournier and Peter Fournier

In these times of computers, Internet, holograms, and other technological marvels, what else is as humble yet as compelling as a simple candle? With its steadily burning flame, gently glowing light, and aromatic scent—a lighted candle fascinates and inspires us. 

Blessed candles are lit at Mass and other Church services. They are used during the celebration of most sacraments and during other liturgical ceremonies. Every Catholic family should have at least two blessed candles in the home and should use blessed candles when the sacraments are administered to the sick and at times of any special danger, blessing, or family devotion. 

Beeswax candles are simple and inexpensive to make by all but the very youngest of children. In addition to their use in your Advent wreath, at your family altar, and for special feasts, homemade beeswax candles make wonderful gifts for friends and relatives. 

• Sheets of beeswax (approximately 16 x 8 inches), available from craft stores or Internet stores. 
• Wick—usually available where you can buy beeswax. (String will not work.)
• Hair dryer 
• Cookie cutters 
• Waxed paper 
• Ruler 
• Sharp knife or good scissors 
• Empty soup or tomato can 
• Candle mold(s): can be a purchased mold, or simply an empty cardboard milk container, frozen-juice cylinder, etc.  
• Ceramic plate, or glass pie dish 
• Pencil, or chopstick, or skewer 

Beeswax is easier to handle when warm; work in a warm room if you can. The most important thing to remember is that a loosely rolled candle will burn quickly because more air is available to the flame, so form your candles as tightly as possible. 

If the beeswax was rolled when you bought it, gently unroll it. If it is stiff, or if it cracks while unrolling, soften it by gently warming it with a hair dryer set on low. 

Lay a length of wick along a shorter edge, and firmly fold the wax over it. Squeeze it together firmly. The wax is slightly sticky, so this step is easier than it sounds. Begin rolling the candle, making sure that it is rolled as tightly and evenly as possible.

When you have finished rolling up the sheet of wax, run the hair dryer over it to mold the edges together, and to soften the bottom so that you can give it a flat, smooth surface. 

The procedure just described will give you a straight, thick candle. If you prefer a tapered candle, cut the sheet of beeswax according to the patterns given. To make sure your cut is straight, use a ruler as a guide. 

Because you cut the sheet in half, you will end up with a pair of matched candles. If you wish, you can lay two sheets of different colors, one on top of the other, before you start rolling. This will give you a layered and striped candle. 

This method is especially good for younger children, who might find rolling the wax sheet difficult. There are many variations of shapes and colors possible with this method of candle making. 

Begin by unrolling the sheet of beeswax. Select a cookie cutter—such as a star, a circle, or an angel—and cut out an even number of shapes from the sheet of wax. Twelve to sixteen pieces is enough. 

Divide your pile of shapes in half. Working on a sheet of waxed paper, put one piece on top of another, and press them together, making sure that they are firmly stuck together. (Children enjoy this part.) 

When you have "sandwiched" half of your shapes, lay a piece of wick across the top with one end sticking out a little, and continue to press the other wax pieces onto your sandwich, trapping the wick between the two thick layers of wax pieces. If necessary, occasionally heat it with the hair dryer, to help the wax stick together. 

When you have finished, peel the candle off the wax paper, trim the wick, and set your candle upright. 

Here is a way to use the left-over pieces of beeswax. Collect the scraps, and melt them in a can set in simmering water. Use a small soup or tomato can rather than a pot, so that you can simply throw the can away when you are finished. 

CAUTION: Always melt wax in a can placed in simmering water, not directly over the heat! Hot wax can start a fire if it gets too hot or spills into a flame!

While the wax is melting, prepare a mold for the candle. You could purchase a candle mold when you buy the beeswax, but a mold can also be made of almost any container taller than it is wide. A waxed-cardboard milk container, or a frozen-juice concentrate can, makes a good candle mold. 

Tie a knot in a length of wick a little longer than the height of your mold. Poke a very small hole through the bottom of the improvised mold, and thread the wick through it, with the' knot on the outside. Tie the other end to a pencil, chopstick, or skewer laid across the top of the mold so that it is held taut. Set your mold on a ceramic plate or glass pie dish. When you pour the wax, pour a small amount in first and let it harden to seal the wick hole. 

Pour most of the rest of the melted wax into the mold (reserve some). Let it sit undisturbed until the wax is hardened. Wax shrinks slightly as it cools, and you will need to pour more wax into your mold after about 45 minutes. Poke a skewer or thin knife into the candle along the wick to open up the shrinkage "well". Gently pour more wax into the well. Allow the candle to cool for several hours or overnight. 

After the wax is fully set, slip the candle out of the mold, or tear the mold off. Turn the candle over, and untie the knot. This is now the top of your candle. Smooth the bottom if necessary to help it stand straight and steady.