Spirit Soothing Massage Candles

Making massage candles is very similar to making any other type of potted candle. I recommend using soy wax as it is super gentle on the skin. Soy wax is also nice and soft so it melts easily and stays together in a puddle after melting, and can be reused for us thrifty crafters. If you have a soy allergy, you can use the ever-so-popular beeswax instead (for example, it is in nearly every single Burt’s Bees product). Essential oils or cosmetic-grade fragrance oils are also added to create a soothing atmosphere. All soap-making fragrances that are also soy candle-safe are perfect choices for scenting your massage candles. Try the basic directions below to make your first candle. For every three ounces of wax, you'll add one ounce of liquid oil and one-quarter ounce of fragrance. I suggest making two candles in four-ounce metal tins while you master this craft.

Gather together:

• 2 ounces sweet almond carrier oil or vitamin E oil
• 6 ounces high quality soy wax
• Half an ounce essential oil
• 2 4-ounce metal tins
• 2  6-inch candle wicks
• Double boiler pan with water

Directions:

1. Melt the soy wax and oil in a double boiler over simmering water.

2. Add the essential oils and stir gently to avoid bubbling or spilling,

3. Once the wax has cooled somewhat but is still melted enough to pour, place the wicks in your containers and pour the wax.

4. Allow several hours for the candles to set and harden

5. Trim the wicks to one-quarter of an inch above the top of the candle, and they're ready to use. 

Waters of Wellness

For thousands of years, we humans have been “taking the waters” as a way to restore, and also heal illness. A ritual bath that will simultaneously relax and stimulate you, is a rare and wonderful thing.

Gather together

    * 4 cups (720g) of Epsom salts

    * a large glass bowl

    * ½ cup (120ml) of almond carrier (or base) oil

    * 6 drops comfrey essential oil

    * 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil

    * 4 drop rosemary essential oil;

    * 6 drops bergamot essential oil

Pour the salts into the bowl and fold in the carrier (or base) oil. Now add in the essential oils, stirring after each is added. Continue to blend the mixture until it is moistened thoroughly. You can add more almond oil if necessary.

When your bath tub is one-quarter full, add one-quarter of the salt mixture under the faucet. Breathe in deeply ten times, inhaling and exhaling fully before you recite this:

    Healing spirits I offer myself to you.

    Remove from me any impurities

    Of the spirit and mind, I open myself to you,

    Body, heart, and soul.

    With harm to none and healing to me, so mote it be.

When the tub is full, step inside and exercise your breath ten more times. Repeat the prayer while you use the rest of the salts to scrub your body, carefully avoiding your eye area. Rest and rejuvenate as long as you like while visualizing your renewed health and vigor.

Comfort in Company: A Group Ritual to Prepare for Surgery

Call your friends together before the surgery. The ritual can be at your home or any place that feels safe and secure. I highly recommend raising healing energy at the home of the person who is to undergo the surgery, as it will create an aura of restoration. Ask each person to bring something to comfort, reassure, and cure the celebrant: soup, fixings, a soothing eye pillow, sleep balm, a hand-knitted scarf for warmth, body lotion, herbal teas, books, or lavender-infused slippers are all wonderful gifts. Form a circle of care around the celebrant and light candles. Unscented soy candles are probably best for health reasons (and if a gift is scented, it is wise to check with the healing recipient whether that’s okay in advance of the gathering). As you go around the circle, ask each person to give his or her gift of caring to the celebrant and say what it represents. As examples:

    I give you this herbal tea mix so you can sip tea and draw from it

    healing and heat.

    I give you all my love and healing energy, and I know you will come

    back from the hospital healthier than ever before.

The ritual continues until everyone has had a turn to speak and healing gifts and loving energy surround the celebrant. I suggest giving the celebrant hankies beforehand. It is completely up to the celebrant to say or do whatever he or she feels during the ritual. In many cases, they may say nothing due to the intensity of this event.

Setting Daily Intentions for Health and Wellness

To embark upon lifelong well-being, you will need to bring this awareness to every day of your life. Regular health rituals will go a long way toward this becoming a daily intention. Adorn your altar with fresh flowers and candles in colors that represent healing: yellow, red, and green. Every morning for seven days, light the candles and contemplate your future self in an optimal state of health, speaking this spell:

    Today I arise on this glorious day

    Under this rising sun, hear me say:

    I will walk in wellness in every way

    For body, mind, and soul, I pray.

    Blessed be, and may it be so.