Lighting a candle.

This weekend, I have been quite the homebody. I have spent time reading, writing, playing with the dogs, talking with my husband. These are precious moments for me, and as I have enjoyed these hours of peace - I have lit candles.

Why are candles in my home meaningful? I guess they provide several things. This is a type of light that promotes quiet appreciation I think. Appreciation of my good fortune and the love that I feel for people that are in my life now and for those who have been a part of my life in the past.

"A candle loses nothing by lighting another."
-Dr.Jim Sellner

Candles are used to represent happiness, especially on birthdays - to mark yet another year of life. Candles are also used to mark the passing of a life - lighting a candle in memory of a dear departed one. Candles are used in wedding ceremonies to symbolize the unity of two individuals becoming a new family - and to symbolize the bringing together of two families to become one. I guess by lighting candles in my own home, I feel all of these emotions as I pass through the rooms and see the candles' glowing, twinkling light. One thing it always does for me is bring on a sense of peace and calm that is difficult to explain, but I feel it nonetheless. Candles invoke a feeling of well-being that is very human. It is like a gentle reminder to me that God is around, and that everything is going to be ok no matter what life throws at me.

It gives me peace.

As a teacher, some of the best gifts I have ever received have been candles. I especially loved this poem that was attached to a gift from a student.

Teachers paint our minds

and guide our thoughts

Share our achievements

and advise our faults

They inspire a Love

of knowledge and truth

As they light the path

Which leads all youth

Our future brightens

with each lesson you teach

Each smile you lengthen

Each goal you help reach

For the dawn of each poet

each philosopher and king

Begins with a Teacher

And the care that they bring.

There have not been many occasions that I have been as touched as I was when that young lady gave me that candle and that poem. I knew that she was sincere and appreciative, and it touched my heart. A simple candle with words attached. Lovely.

Have you spent any time buying candles lately? Give it a try. Go somewhere and smell the candles and choose some that give your home a pleasant aroma... I like to use different scents in each room, it is actually very pleasant to have the scent of fresh linen in the bedroom and maybe some sandalwood in the study, with cinnamon in the kitchen and gardenia in the bathroom. Change it up, there are really a lot of very nicely scented candles available everywhere... aromatherapy is quite effective if you want to relieve stress and promote relaxation. The benefits of burning aromatherapy candles may be experienced when essential oils are inhaled. Essential oils act on the olfactory nerves which lead from the nose to the brain.

Some of the most frequently used scents in aromatherapy are:

Eucalyptus

Considered as a powerful antiviral, antibacterial and decongestant. Helpful in alleviating colds and is a great air purifier.

Geranium
Considered relaxing but at the same time it is mentally stimulating. Helps relieve nervous tension, post natal depression, and stress related ailments.

Lavender
The wonderful fragrance of this essential oil is considered soothing and relaxing and is said to help relieve stress, depression, anxiety.

Orange
It is stimulating and rejuvenating. Helpful in creating clean-smelling atmospheric well-being. Known to counter depression, hysteria, shock and nervous tension. A touch of clove adds a light spicy note.

Rosewood
The pleasant fragrance of rosewood is helpful in creating a soothing atmosphere and general well-being. A touch of citrus oil is often added as an air freshener.

My home smells wonderful and the candles give my soul a little boost. The comfort and well-being that a simple candle can provide in your personal atmosphere is well worth the small investment you will make. Always watch the candles and replace them when they get to the end of their safe burning life. A few tips for safe candle burning.

Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.


Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Place candles away from drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.

Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Don’t place lighted candles where they might be knocked over by children or pets.

Trim candlewicks to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks cause uneven burning and dripping.

Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use.

The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain drips or melted wax.

Be sure the candleholder is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.

This will also help prevent possible heat damage to underlying surfaces and prevent glass containers from cracking or breaking.

Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.

Always read and follow the manufacturer's use and safety instructions carefully.

Don”t burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.

Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans and air currents.

This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning, and avoid flame flare-ups and sooting.

Drafts can also blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire.

Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room.

Don't burn too many candles in a small room or in a "tight" home where air exchange is limited.

Don't burn a candle all the way down.

Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains or ½ inch if in a container.

Never touch or move a burning candle when the wax is liquid.

Never use a knife or sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass holder. It might scratch, weaken, or cause the glass to break upon subsequent use.

Place burning candles at least three inches apart.

This ensures they won't melt one another, or create drafts that can cause the candles to flare.

Use a snuffer to extinguish a candle. It's the safest way to prevent hot wax splatters.

Never extinguish candles with water.

The water can cause the hot wax to splatter and might cause a glass container to break.

Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light during a power failure.

Make sure a candle is completely extinguished and the wick is no longer glowing before leaving the room.

Extinguish a candle if it flickers repeatedly, smokes, or the flame becomes too high. The candle isn't burning properly. Let it cool, trim the wick, check for drafts and then re-light.

Never use a candle as a night light.