Candles have been a light source for over 5,000 years. From ancient Rome to early worship practices, candles have been a medium of not only light but of celebration and ritual. Candles have been used religiously as a visible sign of joy, sacred humanity, sacrifice.
It has been said that some of the first candles were used to celebrate the birth of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon and the hunt, because the flame was thought to represent the supernatural glow of moonlight while the smoke carried prayers up to the goddess.
Candles have been made from tallow wax, which was derived from the fat and grease of cows and sheep, a roll of papyrus, and an unwound strand of twine. As candle making changed, candles were made from spermaceti from sperm whales. Chemists in 1850's separated paraffin from petroleum to the refined paraffin wax. Today we have candles made from toxin free wax and soy.
Consider all the ways we utilize candles today. To celebrate a birthday. To set a mood for the evening. To light our homes in times of emergency. To eliminate odors.
The next time you find a candle, consider how it has transformed. Consider the sacred events we create with this wonderful creation.
