There are candles, and candle holders, throughout our home. We bought some at IKEA when we moved in. Others were given to us by friends. I adore candles. They pair perfectly with all the other things I love, like getting cozy, and having tea, and dim lighting, and darkness, and ambiance.
I barely ever light them.
Lately, I’ve been making an effort, though. We recently bought a fairly endless supply of matches, so we’re no longer rationing matchbooks from restaurants. When we have friends over for dinner, candle lighting is usually the final touch before they arrive. When I’ve made a meal I’m proud of, I’ll sometimes remember to put lemon in the water and hold flame to wick. And often, when I meditate, I’ll light a tea light in a glassybaby. It brings intention to the moment, because I remember to do it, I decide I’m worth the care of a moment to light a candle, and then I actually do it.
If you’d like to care for yourself with candles in an extra special way, you can light a beeswax candle. Unlike paraffin candles, they don’t pollute the air in your home. They also burn longer. (I’m totally requesting some beeswax tea lights for Christmas.) But if you don’t have beeswax candles, that’s fine, too. The ones I’m using up now are paraffin. After all, I live in New York City. I’m sure worse things happen to my lungs all the time.
In the northern hemisphere, we’re heading into prime candle-lighting season. The nights are longer, and we’re craving the crackling warmth of a flame. Candles bring life and softness to a season that begins to look harsh and icy as the last leaves drop. It’s one of many ways we can intentionally bring warmth to our lives.
What do you do to bring bits of intention to your days? How do you warm your soul when the world gets cold?
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A quick note: There are changes afoot at Effervescence! The new year is going to bring a new blog design, new services, and more blog posting (hurray!). I’d love your input on what I should offer, so I created a (very short) survey here. Many thanks, in advance, for your help.
I love the new website look. So simple and elegant, yet cozy. Can’t wait to see where you take it. I’m all in agreement about candles. I’m particular to the ones that smell really great. I burn them while I work at my lap top and every time I notice the amazing smell, I stop and remind myself that “I am so worth the fancy-pants candles.”
I recently got myself an all-natural aromatherapy soy wax candle and ohmigosh I love it so much! I also never used to light candles — I thought they were messy, cheesy and a fire hazard
But this candle? It burns so slow, the scent it emits is so subtle and authentic and it is just such a joy.
I, too, am a convert!
Adriana: Thank you, my dear! Good point that fancy stuff can actually be a reminder that we deserve…whatever we want to deserve.
Simone: Oh goodness; that sounds so very wonderful. I actually didn’t know that different candles burned at different speeds. Must now go on a search for aromatherapy soy wax candle goodness.
“Soy wax burns at a much cooler temperature than paraffin candles. This allows for a longer burn time. Cooler burn = longer burn time.”
http://www.bellecandles.com/soy_wax_vs_parrafin_wax
The more you know!
I, too, have many unlit candles. Thank you for the link to glassbaby! I’m inspired! Also glad to know about the benefits of beeswax candles. (Thank you, too, Simone, for the info about soy candles.)
Simone: So cool!
Sue: Oh my goodness; I really love glassybaby. I got one last year as a gift from a friend, and it always makes me think of her (and where I’m from — the Northwest) each time I light it. Now that I think of it, I think the candles Havi lights at the Playground are beeswax. They look like it. Just another reason for all the magic there.♥