Tending the inner flame

Fire is essential for fueling everything from our digestion to our dreams.  A well-tended inner fire sustains our vitality and our passion, to give our dreams flight.  However modern life often takes all the fuel we have to just get through the day, so there is just not enough left for the bigger things; like dreams- in some cases the flame feels like it has even gone out.  Our language even reflects this lack of fire – Burn out.  This particularly affects those who are in caring relationships for others, and I include yoga teachers, and mothers in this.

Today is the winter solstice.  This is the time when we have the least amount of sun- our major cosmic source of fuel in our lives- it grows the plants that we eat and gives us warmth and beauty.  At this time of year, the darkness can seem overwhelming, cold and ongoing.  By honouring the natural cycles of the Earth we are reminded that everything changes.  That we need darkness and light, and that the light will return.  We can use the Winter Solstice as a reminder of these cycles, to connect with the Earth, to connect with the sun and to refuel our inner flame.

Candle making is a form of meditation for me, and I love making my own for use in my yoga classes and to give to friends. Candles can also be used to remind us of our intentions.  Try this meditation before making your own candle, and then continue the meditation while making the candle and every time you light your candle you will be instantly reconnected to your inner flame..

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Inner Flame Meditation

Come to stand or sit in a comfortable position for the body.  

Notice what holds you up, what supports you.  Feel connected to the Earth underneath you.  Allow the spine to be in neutral with the head connected to the spine, collar bones and belly open at the front of the body. 

Feel the breath come in through the nostrils.  Allow each inhale to travel all the way down to your solar plexus, above the navel.  As you exhale gently notice the belly drawing in and feel the warmth of the exhale as it leaves through the nostrils. Notice how your inner fire warms the breath.

After a few rounds of breath awareness, let your attention gently settle at the solar plexus.  Connect to what fuels you, what nourishes you, what supports you.  

Then consider what is it that you would like to invite to burn more brightly in your life over the next cycle of the earth around the sun?  Perhaps there is an image, smell, word or feeling.  It can be specific or vague.  Perhaps you can allow it to settle in the body as an intention, a sankalpa.  Remember these are affirmations always expressed in positive language and acknowledging that you already have all that you need to burn brightly- it’s a remembering, a refuelling if you like.  

Come out of this meditation, by gently returning your awareness to your body and the earth and allowing the eyes to blink open.  As you do-keep this awareness of your intention, and as you create your candle, allow the intention to pour into the candle, so that any time you need to re-remember, your candle will light the way.

my handmade winter solstice candle

How to make soy candles

Chose your container.  I like to use wine glasses or even old jam jars. (great up-cycling use of excess glasses) Decorate it if you want with glass paint.

Chose an appropriate wick size for your container.  Place wick in bottom and adhere with glue or blue tak. You can get wicks that are already attached to a holder, or you can thread your own wick through a matching size holder and keep it upright with pegs.  

Melt soy wax in microwave or double boiler.  It's best if you use an old jug for this, then it's really easy to pour once melted.  You need approximately double the amount of unmelted wax to your container size.  If you want to colour the wax, grate colour pigment, or an old crayon before melting;

Once melted add scent and stir.  I prefer essential oils and find that lemon grass works well. 

Pour wax carefully into container, keeping wick centred.  Use this step as a meditation in itself.  Be aware of your own posture as you pour, and also be aware of pouring your intention from your inner flame meditation into the candle.

Leave in dark place for 2 weeks.  This will increase scent and to allow the wax to properly set before use.  

Trim wick before use and enjoy.  If there are any bubbles or cracks on the top, you can smooth them out with a hair dryer.  Burn your candle for long enough for the wax to melt completely to the sides of the glass.

I use Nature Wax C-3 1000% soy wax.  This is the information provided for this product:  "It is formulated to have better glass adhesion than other soy waxes and superior colour vibrancy. Soy Wax Candles burn cleaner, cooler, up to 50% longer and produce less soot than other Waxes. Soy Wax is Vegetable based making them Vegan friendly. Candles made from Soy Wax produce a natural fragrance and are 100% non-toxic." http://www.amcsupplies.com.au

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“my mission in life is to not merely to survive, but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour and some style” 
Maya Angelou