Soy Candles and more...

Relaxation

There’s no denying candles are great for relaxation – whether they’re burning in the treatment room at a massage or adorning the edges of your bubble bath, they’re the go-to little self-care tool. The light they provide is a warm and natural glow, not like the harsh artificial light of shops and office spaces that we’re used to. The gentle flickering movement is soothing and mesmerising. They’re often infused with calming essential oils. And when you close your eyes, the little sporadic crackles can transport you to a soft rug by a grand fireside, or to stargazing in the forest at night beside a blazing campfire. 

With these simple sensory pleasures, candles can help create an atmosphere of calm and well-being that can help to reduce anxiety, alleviate stress and encourage a good night’s sleep.

Meditation

So you’re nice and relaxed and in the mood to take things one step further. Many people use candles in visualisation, gratitude rituals and meditation. In fact, there’s a whole purification method in certain forms of yoga called Trataka, where staring at the candle flame helps you to quiet the mind, achieve a meditative state, visualise your thoughts – and supposedly bring energy to the third eye to promote physic ability.

Emotional comfort/familiarity

Whilst I was doing a little reading around the subject, I came across a lovely piece that linked our love for candles with their traditional, historic and religious associations. Light is the symbol for goodness, purity, life, where darkness has typically been a symbol of fear and death, and so the candle became established as a positive symbol in rituals and traditions in just about every culture across the world. 

We burn them to represent life and joy at birthdays and celebrations; we burn them during prayer and worship to represent our faith, our souls, our chosen God; we burn them to remember our lost loved ones through light instead of sorrow; we burn them in vigils to guide lost souls home. 

So now, even if we’re not actively burning a candle for one of these reasons, we may still feel the comfort and love that’s associated with these things and subconsciously rooted within us.  

Health

Candles are used in a variety of ways to promote health. Have you tried a Hopi ear candle treatment? A traditional, natural therapy designed to remove toxins and wax from the ear, it’s alleged to help reduce stress and tension headaches, as well as aid with conditions such a tinnitus, sinusitis and hayfever.

You can use candles to help realign specific chakras. And of course, all the things I’ve mentioned above – relaxation, meditation, comfort – are great for your mental health and overall well-being.

But that brings me to the type of candles you’re using, because if  you’re burning traditional paraffin wax candles, they’re going to undo  all your good work – they might be cheap but they’re pretty toxic and  won’t do your lungs (or your paint/wallpaper, whilst we’re at it), any  good. Beeswax (which is rather expensive!) and soy candles are where  it’s at if you want all the benefits, without the nasties.