I've written about making candles for use with my shrine and such before, I even laid out how I make them in a post. Yesterday I decided to make some after doing a bit of housework, going to a local park for a walk with a friend and coming home. I felt...unsettled, distracted. Normally when I'm working on candles and such I take the time to light some charcoal in my bitty iron cauldron and burn some copal or pine resin, clear my head and focus on what I'm about to do. I don't 'empower' the work or pray but I do take a moment to consider what I am making and why.
Yesterday, I didn't do that. I should have, I knew better but I didn't. I've also almost always made items after dark. Yesterday it was a bright neon blue summer day.
As I went about melting the wax and chopping wax I nicked a knuckle, had to spend time hunting for the knife sharpener, spilled wax, burned myself, poured too much wax into one mold, got a clothespin stuck to one candle, inadvertently pulled the wick out of another and so on.
In the end I had five finished candles but it had taken twice as long and I'm not sure how well they'll burn. I think part of my edginess was due to the weather but also because Monday the 4th is the fifth anniversary of my Mom's death.
Suffice to say, in future, when I plan to do any work I'll certainly light the charcoal, burn the resin and clear my head. One round of keystone candlemaker was plenty for me.
Yesterday, I didn't do that. I should have, I knew better but I didn't. I've also almost always made items after dark. Yesterday it was a bright neon blue summer day.
As I went about melting the wax and chopping wax I nicked a knuckle, had to spend time hunting for the knife sharpener, spilled wax, burned myself, poured too much wax into one mold, got a clothespin stuck to one candle, inadvertently pulled the wick out of another and so on.
In the end I had five finished candles but it had taken twice as long and I'm not sure how well they'll burn. I think part of my edginess was due to the weather but also because Monday the 4th is the fifth anniversary of my Mom's death.
Suffice to say, in future, when I plan to do any work I'll certainly light the charcoal, burn the resin and clear my head. One round of keystone candlemaker was plenty for me.
