These are a few of the staples in the life of many Mexicans: menudo, pan dulce, tortillas de maize, La Virgen de Guadalupe and veladoras (candles) - not necessarily in that order.
Of these, I love candles best (tortillas are a close second). I love the tender memories they call up. Candles reserved for La Virgen were especially sacred in my home. The time around lighting one, and the care in keeping it lit (whether for La Virgen, or one of the other saints my mom often prayed to) was sacred. I loved watching my mom pray as she touched the flame to the candle, then pause and recited a prayer known only to her. Then I'd watch her silently do the sign of the cross. Her prayers were always just under her breath. I knew the pattern, where she would pause and take a breath, the length of each recitation, but I could never make out what she recited. Then of course, the glow from the candle - which made my mom all the more stunning - like the beauties in the Mexican calendars.
The memories candles hold for me, needless to say, are of the comforting sort. They've been as constant in my life as breathing and remembering (though remembering menudo is, hands down, my least favorite memory, if you get my drift).
So, imagine my elation when I find a high quality candle, with a perfect scent balance of essential oil, with La Virgen already on it. In my book, that's a pretty big deal. In other circles, that would be called a trifecta. On the other hand, I'm lucky that doesn't happen too often because I pay the price for it - sometimes, more than any veladora lovin' Mexicana should have to bare. Reverence and comfort do not come cheaply.
With all the candles I burn, I've known for a while that it would be wise for me to learn to make my own. I always said it's something I should learn, but I never did anything about it. Mostly because I thought it would be a complicated process - like making your own butter, furniture or dirt.
As much as I enjoy my candles, I admit there were times when I'd stare at the dancing flame and think "dear god, what is that doing to my lungs," when I'd catch a wisp of black soot gently floating, ascending into the air I would later be breathing, binding itself to my space - and my lungs. But like any good addict, I kept on keeping on.
Then there's the ridiculous price on a quality candle these days (I stopped with the votive candles for ninety-nine cents at Food For Less or Michi's Liquor Store a long, long time ago). With the price of fuel sucking the life out of the economy (and me), it's almost embarrassing to buy any one of my favorite Archipelago candles -for the price of one Archipelago candle, I can buy two or three gallons of gas, depending on the boutique. I couldn't hardly rationalize the expense anymore. Still, I yearned for their exquisite essential oil scent, even though they aren't 100% soy. (My Kingdom for one Havana, Demeter or Luna Archipelago - literally.)
So I decided it was time I learned to make my own, but I didn't really know where to start, I mean, who makes their own candles anymore. Then several weeks ago I met this fabulous woman, Kathleen, who in addition to selling her candles, teaches her passion for making candles - using 100% soy instead of that uncool, unhealthy, un-green burning wax and paraffin - or any blends.
Kathleen is a fabulous, kind and patient woman. You can usually find her selling her candles at the Long Beach Arts and Craft fair - immediately adjacent to the Sunday Farmer's Market in the Marina (at 2nd near PCH). I say usually because she'll be on hiatus for the next year. But you can find out more about her and her 'joy of soy' candles at www.sealightsoy.com. And as the saying goes, Good Things Come To Those Who Light Candles: last night I was finally able to make it to one of her candle-making classes.
What a night it was. I was prepared for difficult, I was prepared for a confusion, I was prepared for anything buy how easy it was to have fun with this. I was especially not prepared for the bonding effect of candle-making. It's nice to know that there are activities that parents and children can do together, involve each other have fun: a single mom with her two boys, were part of the evening. I don't know if it was the 'science' of blending scent and color just right, or the act melting the soy over fire (electric heating element), reminiscent of grilling, but these boys seemed to be enjoying it more than anyone else. At the end of the evening, they proudly showed off their several creations - each echoing their personalities, which was fun to see develop.
It was good for me to get out among people too; this working from home is really isolating (more on that some other day). No matter what else came, or needed my attention, it wasn't going to keep me - I was going to make it to this class. I'm so glad I did. At the end of two hours, I had one large decorative candle, one votive and three tea light candles of my own blood, sweat and tears - of course, without the blood, sweat and tears.
I think I'll always buy Archipelago -they're great candles with excellent grade essential oils- but not anywhere near as often. I think I'll probably be making most of my own from now on. They burn so much longer, and cleaner, than any other candle out there. Knowing the care and ingredients that go into each one, I can't think of a better way to pay my respect to La Virgen than with one of my own candles - and a prayer. Now all I need is my my very own graphic artist for my labels and Virgen artwork. Maybe I should light one of my very own candles and ask for a graphic artist to come my way.
With all the money I'll be saving, maybe now I can take that extended trip to Mexico I've been wanting to take, leaving soy candles in my wake for other candle ritual practitioners. Me, a soy veladora missionary - I mean, who knows, it couldn't hurt.
Now, all I need is my cafe con leche y pan dulce to get started.
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