A Brief History of the Candle
No one can say for certain when the first candle was invented. It is known that ancient Egyptians used torches that were similar to a candle (without the wick.)
Rather, it is the Romans who are credited with lighting the night with wicked candles.
It was not until the middle ages that beeswax candles were first introduced, which were a welcomed alternative to the rancid-smelling candles made by the Romans. The only problem? The beeswax candles were expensive to produce, thus leaving the populace seeking yet a cheaper effective alternative.
Fast forward to the industrial revolution.
In 1834, Joseph Morgan introduced an automated piece of equipment that created pillar candles. The machine "ejected" the candles as they solidified.
In the 1850's, paraffin wax was invented. A by-product from petroleum, paraffin wax, combined with mass production, finally made candles affordable and cleaner burning.
With the invention of the light bulb, the demand for candles decreased (as a utility product,) however, a resurgence in its popularity has gained strength through-out the 20th century, as the candle has become a symbol of celebration and for creating moods, as well as for adding fragrance to the home.
The Soy Wax Candle.
Soy wax is a fairly new type of candle wax. It was invented in 1991 by Michael Richards, who was looking for a cheaper alternative to beeswax. There was demand for natural wax products, but bees wax was an incredibly expensive alternative. By 1996, as he experimented with different types of vegetable waxes, he finally discovered a method of using soy beans to produce an affordable, natural wax product.
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Scented candles are great for aromatherapy.
While beautiful globe candles and vase candles can indeed be objets d'art, you're doing yourself a disservice if you simply admire them and never burn them. Candles - whether they're jar candles, tin candles, or taper candles - can help you to get in touch with your innermost feelings, create a soft glow that you can share with those you love, and lift your spirits.
The Power of the Flame
There's something about the process of lighting a candle that puts us in touch with our primal feelings. While fire is a meaningful and powerful aspect of human evolution, we are rarely exposed to the power of the flame. After all, today's fireplaces are either fueled by gas or the fire is contained behind a screen. A candle flame is exposed and powerful, reminiscent of the ages when having fire meant warmth and survival. For some people, lighting candles is almost ritualistic, but almost everyone who burns candles feels at least a twinge of awareness about the power that fire holds.
The Power of the Scent
Beyond the symbolism of the flame, though, candles can exert other powerful influences. Today's aromatherapy candles can help calm us down, re-energize us, and help us achieve inner harmony. That's because aromatherapy candles incorporate what are called essential oils - oils that have been extracted from herbs, flowers, trees, and plants that have healing properties.
Here are some of the essential oils used in aromatherapy candles, and the properties they are thought to have:
Cedar - Used to build many old church doorways, the scent of the wood from the cedar is thought to open the mind and increase longevity.
Orange - Both bright and soothing, the scent of orange is thought to lift the mood.
Cinnamon - The warm spiciness of cinnamon is thought to be revitalizing and refreshing.
Ginger - The sharpness of ginger is thought to be energizing and stimulating.
Lemon - The astringency of the lemon's scent is thought to be stimulating and purifying.
Vanilla - For many people, the scent of vanilla triggers warm childhood memories and conveys calming properties.
Lavender - Lavender is thought to be a powerful healing scent for both the body and the mind.
There are many other essential oils used in aromatherapy candles, each conveying special properties. Best of all, these candles are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, such as pillar candles, tealight candles, travel candles, votive candles, and ball candles. Beautiful colors combine with subtle yet powerful scents that can positively impact your mood and your life.
Given the emotional power of candlelight, when you purchase and display decorative or aromatherapy candles, don't forget to light them!
To learn more about subjects like candles please visit the web site at: http://www.joyouscandle.com
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