SAND CANDLES                                                            



This might be a good season to make candles for your Lammas and Fall Equinox 
Altars. In some ancient cultures this may have been done with great ceremony at  
the beach, with rites and rituals honoring the Gods of the Sea and their 
numerous offspring.
 
Here in the center of the continent, far from the vast oceans, we can find some  
clean, washed sand for this use. In the country, along a dry stream bed or even 
at the hardware store where it is found in paper bags, ready for use. Then take 
a handy plastic box, line it with a garbage can liner and fill with the sand.
 
When ready to use the sand, simply spray with a little water, just enough to 
dampen the sand. Scoop out a round hole, similar to a bowl. With a finger, make 
three deeper holes equidistant around the lower sides of the bowl shaped 
depression. These when filled with wax will be legs that support the finished 
candle.
 
You might want to line the bowl with some momentous of a trip to the sea, a few 
sea shell or even some washed and tumbled pebbles gathered on a trek to a 
mountain or plains stream or fishing hole.
 
Then, with an appropriate ceremony, with some friends gathered around, light 
your barbecue grill and make those barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs. When the 
fire has died down, and everyone is in a mellow mood, place a pan of water over 
the still glowing coals, Into this pan, place an empty coffee can or other 
suitable container and partially fill with wax. Sit around and tell tales of the 
ancient Gods and Goddesses you wish to honor while the wax melts.
 
Take a bit of wick, tie it to a small stone for weight and suspend it over the 
depression in the sand. When the wax is ready, and while invoking the desired 
Deity(ies) pour the candle(s).
 
When cool, lift the finished the candle from the sand brushing off the excess 
and you have a charged handmade candle for your Lammas rites.
 
If it does not sit level, trim a little from one leg, not too much, and save the 
wax, adding it to the candle to be consumed while burning.