Divinely Inspired Hand Poured Soy Candles
Earlier this year, I had a vision of making hand poured soy candles that would inspire and encourage you. I took some time and designed a soy candle that would look good, create sacred time and space, and smell wonderful.
The Messages
While working as a chaplain, I was blessed to visit with wonderful people from all walks of life. I was able to share in their joys and walk along side them during their darkest moments. However, there was times when a person simply needed to unburden themselves and I was able to help them carry the things they may not have been able to say in the past.
Each candle has its own message of encouragement and inspiration that is designed to be a reminder of the promises and presence of God.
The Vessel
By your words I can see where I’m going;
they throw a beam of light on my dark path. – Psalm 119:105 (MSG)
When I first saw this jar, this scripture instantly popped into my mind. The curves, the shape, the neck, it really did fit this scripture perfectly. Holding it in my hand, it felt as if I was holding a lamp and light to light my path. I was so excited, I literally became a ball of giggles. The vision was beginning to manifest.
The Wax
Before I poured my first candle, I knew I wanted to use soy wax. All the research that I conducted in the planning phase said that paraffin wax was not a wax I wanted to use. It is filled with toxins and carcinogen compounds (cancer-causing) which, when burned, makes its way into your air. While burning, it leaves a black rim around the top of your jar and soot on your walls. Not a good look when you’re creating sacred space.
Soy wax gives you a cleaner burn when you’re enjoying your candle. The cleaner burn means cleaner air when you’re inhaling the wonderful scent of your candle. Soy wax is also considered a natural wax, made from soybeans and offers a longer burn. That gives you more time to enjoy the scent and the relaxing atmosphere.
The Wick
If I was going to use a clean burning wax for these hand poured soy candles, of course I would pick a wick that would compliment it. All of the In Your Secret Place hand poured soy candles are made using a cotton wick. The wick is flat braided with a paper filament woven around it. Choosing this wick means the wick will trim itself and will give a consistent burn.
The Scent
I spent quite some time smelling a variety of scents and selected specific scents to accompany the message of the candle. As much as I wanted to use essential oils to make an authentic aromatherapy candle, I decided to go with fragrance oils because of the volatile nature of essential oils. The cost of pure oils are also more costly and would increase the cost of your candle. So, no essential oils…yet.
Overloading the candles with scent was not an option because doing this has been known to cause headaches when too intense. The amount of scent used is enough to invite you in, permeate the space it’s in, without the headaches.
The Invitation
Other than being a source of encouragement with the inspirational messages, the purpose of the candles is to give you an invitation to exhale, relax and listen. To help make this happen, each candle comes with an invitation to spend time reconnecting with you and reflecting on how God is present in your life. It gives you the perfect reason to slow down and be still.
More than a candle
When you purchase an In Your Secret Place hand poured soy candle, you are getting more than a candle. You are giving yourself the gift of sacred time with yourself and God. you are giving your permission to hit the pause button long enough to light your candle and shift your atmosphere. What a beautiful gift to give yourself, or someone who is in need of an uplifting moment.
