Candle Wick Shoppe Blog

If you in anyway follow my blog, you know my obsession with versatility in spiritual tools. Todays topic revolves something that can be both spiritual and non-spiritual. You can simply use them to create an AMAZING smelling environment. I am speaking about essential oils/oil blends, and oil burners. 

In my time working for the Candle Wick Shoppe, I have encountered many customers who were interested in oils and burners for various reasons. Not all of those customers knew how to use an oil burner or even the oils. 

Let's start with essential oils. There are so many uses for essential oils, that this humble blog post may have to turn into a series just to do them an ounce of justice. I always recommend research before using any product. When it comes to oils, I recommend researching if a chosen oil is skin safe, artificial, blended, etc., so you will know what type of use can be applied. I like to make sure my oils are skin safe. Why, you ask? Because I like to wear my oils as well as use them in an oil burner. They can be used for anointing during rituals, or used in place of perfume or cologne.I have my favorite oil blend which has it's own intended purpose.

When it comes to oil burners, you want a sturdy, stable base that is heat/ flame proof and safe to burn a tea light candle under. NEVER leave a flame UNATTENDED!!!! That is extremely important. When it comes to the bowl that holds the oils, I prefer one that is detachable to help with easy clean up, but that is simply a personal preference. When heating oils, I always recommend placing a small amount of water in the bowl as well as a few drops of oil. This does a few things. One, it insures a customizable level of fragrance. Two, it prevents the oil from scorching and leaving a horrid burnt oil smell. Three, EASY CLEAN UP!!

Here at Candle Wick, we have a great variety of oils, and more than a few burners. Why not stop by and peruse our selection.

A Tibetan Ritual Tool also referred to as a magic dart. Its used for destroying and slaying negative vibrations and evil forces. In present day, Phurpas are also used as a silent instrument in Feng Shui for protection. Little tidbit of pop culture did-ja-know, the Phurpa is actually featured in a popular movie from the 80's.

Forty points if you can name that movie. Extra points for quotes and the name of that Phurpa.

I'll be honest, carry one around like my name is Linus. I normally blog on the items I find to have a vast amount of versatility, however, this lovely dagger has had such an impact on my own positive vibrations that I felt I needed to share. We have a few left in the store, and I am positively in LOVE with them.

What's that you said? You want to be able to practice your craft, but hate that your altar won't fit into your back pocket? Well, here's a nifty idea for you. Why not make a travel altar. As always with anything I write about, these little gems are very easy to customize to your individual needs. 

This is just an example of what you can do to make yourself a travel altar. Grab a small box , decorate as you wish or buy one ready made (this lovely box and it's contents are available at the Candle Wick Shoppe, everything is sold separately) and add whatever you would like to have in your travel altar. Try some oil, a tiny altar tile, incense, a gem, a small feather and sage,whatever is small enough to fit in the box you have chosen. The possibilities are only limited to what you can't think of or fit in your box.
It's incredibly convenient for those times when you have the urge to practice and you are away from your traditional sized altar. I've even seen travel altars made out of breath mint tins that were decorated! It's all up to the person creating it and what they want. So have fun with it. The sky is the limit.

Altar Bells are used in a variety of different rituals and religions. They can be used to signify transition, clear the air of negativity and even as a part of the ritual. They come in a variety of sizes and tones. I recommend using a bell which has a tone that sounds best to you. Each bell's tone resonates differently for each user. Once again one of those items I find to be versatile and useful. I have my favorite from our line we offer, but I'll let you come on in and see what calls to you.

Altar tiles hold a variety of uses depending on the user and the user's intent. They can be used or anything from a coaster to hold libation, to a focusing object to be used during rituals. The come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, materials, and even spiritual/religious reference. Altar tiles can be symbolic of deities, or even used to consecrate tools, herbs, or candles for the user's personal altar and beliefs.

The uses for altar tiles are endless. They are so easily adapted to what the user wants and needs. This is just one of the reason I love them. 

Here at Candle Wick, we've recently added a few to our line that we offer. We have a variety of sizes, material, and designs. I've already acquired one of these beauties for myself. 

No clock too big, no clock too small, come to Candle Wick we have them all!

We recently brought some lovely vintage clocks into the shop and they are too gorgeous not to share with all of you. Each clock varies in size and styles; some look like something out of the Baroque period whilst others look more Victorian. All of them are battery operated, and range from $15.95 to $24.95 in price and are selling fast. They make a great addition to your home and match well with just about any decor. I'm buying one for myself, so you better come on down before the one you want is gone! 

The beginning of a new year is a perfect time for change and getting to work on those things that, during the last year, you "didn't have time to do" or "could wait until the next year to do." I couldn't pick just one candle, so I have a couple that could come in handy with preparing for January 1st. 

1. The Transition Blessing Kit from Coventry Creations is appropriate for making an easy transition into 2014 and contains three votives: Needed Changes, Inspiration and Prosperity Blessed Herbal votives. Use these three candles to inspire positive changes in the upcoming year. 
   
   I welcome this time of transition. I open the door to positive change in my life, freeing me from my past limitations. I am inspired to travel in a new direction of abundance.
   
   
2. The first New Moon of 2014 lands on the first day of the year, making it the perfect time to use the New Moon candle from Coventry Creations' Drawing Down the Moon line. Light this candle on the first day of January (the New Moon starts at 6:15 in the morning, eastern time) to promote change, for the dawning of a New Moon is the ideal time to start your resolutions, for it is a time for new beginnings and change. 
   

When I began learning about herbs and their metaphysical properties my favorite way to use them was in Mojo Bags and pouches. Creating Mojo Bags is one of the most fun and simplest ways to use herbs for whatever it is that you need. Depending on what you're trying to accomplish, where you have your Mojo Bag is very important. Carry a Money Draw bag in your purse to help you attract prosperity and money-making opportunities, and keep a Protection bag in the glove compartment of your car when you drive (I find this gives me a bit of peace of mind). Or if you're trying to attract that special someone carry a Love bag in your pocket the next time you go out for a night on the town. 

We have great Make-Your-Own Mojo Bag Kits available here and they come with up to five herbs, a stone, and a small pouch with step-by-step instructions on how to create your Mojo Bag and cards on each individual herb and the stone and what they do within the mixture. 

The term "Evil Eye" is used for both a look of jealousy or envy one gives another, and the charms used to protect one from such a look. In this case, I would be referring to the latter. Here at Candle Wick we love our Evil Eyes and we have quite a few, and we even have an Evil Eye protection candle from Coventry Creations. Many cultures in the Middle East and Eastern Europe have ways of protecting themselves from the aforementioned Evil Eye look that include the charms we have in our shop. They are often put on the front door or in a window, and people often put them on the door of a newborn child's room to keep them safe. I have Evil Eyes at home and in my car, just for general protection from outside forces. They bring great peace of mind, and have also been known to bring in good energy and luck.

Aaaaaaaaaaaand we have them in six different sizes, depending on where you wish to hang your Evil Eye.

Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth was the first book of Dorothy Morrison's that I had ever read, and after having read it numerous times it is still one of my absolute favorites; it is an incredibly informative novel on the Holiday season and the different traditions from both the past and the present and from various cultures around the world. With the holidays once again sneaking up on us, this is a must have for those of you who are new to Wicca and Paganism, as well as an important book for experienced practitioners. 

Yule covers everything from the history of Yule, the necessary preparations for the season and delightful quick and easy gift ideas, to a daily event calendar for the entire month of December. Prepare yourself for 198 pages of fascinating information that is sure to get you more than ready for the Yuletide season.

Here are some of the interesting facts you'll find throughout the book; these are from the chapter on Yuletide Trivia and Fun Facts:

• Donder (not Donner), which means thunder, was the original name of the reindeer who helped pull Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. He was paired with Blitzen, whose name means lightning.
• The custom of Santa eating cookies on Christmas Eve originated in Germany where trees were decorated with fruit, flowers, and sweet confections. After leaving gifts for good children, he'd simply help himself to the goodies on the tree!
• St. Nick doesn't get a vacation after the winter holidays. Since he's also the patron saint responsible for Greece, Russia, sailors, merchants, pawnbrokers, bakers, prisoners, children, and wolves, he's a very busy spirit year 'round. 

I love all of the Buddha-related things we have at the shop, but I believe the beeswax Burn-the-Buddha's are my absolute favorite. When you burn a Buddha figure candle it means that you are letting go of something, mainly letting go of material thoughts and possessions. Buddha teaches us to not get attached to material things, and I think it's very important that, from time to time, we take a look at the things we have and give some of it away. I personally light a Burn-the-Buddha whenever I decide it's about time to clean house and take some things to Good Will, and since the upcoming season is one of giving, I thought this would be the perfect time to tell everyone about these candles.

So, come on! Light the wick and clean out your closet. You'll be glad you did.

The Happy Home Blessed Herbal Candle from Coventry Creations is one that I am very fond of and use quite frequently. It can be used for a number of different reasons around the house; anything from calming down tension between family members to promoting good vibes in the house, and is also part of the votive trio for the Pet Blessing and Happy Marriage Blessing Kits. Happy Home combines the scents of orange blossom, rose, and myrrh to create a welcoming aroma that is also quite cheerful. 

These earrings are made from some of your favorite sterling silver charms and semi precious stones. No two pairs are the same, from Green-man or Daggers to Rose Quartz or Moonstone come check them all out.

Coventry Magic is an essential book for both beginners and experienced magic practitioners. It gives you both the physical and  spiritual tools that one may need  in matters of love, luck, money, and much more. 

http://www.candlewickshoppe.com/shopping/product/772-coventry-magic-with-candles-herbs-and-oils-by-jacki-smith.html

Oh just seeing how this thing works. test test