There are many beautiful traditions that harken back to early days. One of those is celebrating the halfway point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The sun's rays linger a little longer and we are reminded that spring always returns.
February 2nd is traditionally celebrated as "Candlemas" or "Brigid's Day", a day to honour the Goddess of Spring. Some know it as Groundhog Day. For any family, this time can be an opportunity to bring warmth and story telling into the home by making simple candles, preparing a delicious feast, and gathering to eat by candle light together.
An easy candle to prepare is the beeswax walnut floating candle. There are so many wonderful ways to make this craft, and it is also a great way to use up left over candle wax.
Supplies
Walnut, Beeswax, Cotton Wick, Tongs, Egg Carton
Directions
Gather your wax. Grab a clean soup can. Melt your wax in the soup can. You can put a pan down on a burner and put your tin in the pan, or you can get a pot and add a bit of water and slowly warm the tin in the water, being careful it doesn’t tip. Wax will melt quickly, so do not leave it unattended, especially if little children are around.
Dip your wicks in wax. Put aside to dry.
Put an egg carton down on a sheet of wax paper. Arrange your half walnut hulls in the egg carton so they don’t spin away when you go to pour the wax in.
Pour the wax in. Place your wick.
Prepare a beautiful vessel for your walnuts to float in by adding water.
Et voila, Spring Equinox Magic.
In these darker days, let us remember the warmth that family can bring.
Happy Spring Equinox!
Kate Heming Panchal for Warmth and Weather