This Ostara, how about a craft project to make “Fire of Aries” candles? Our coven is working some sabbat magick this weekend to “germinate” our seeds of potential that we planted back at Imbolc. As we cross into the zodiac sign of Aries, we will tap into the cardinal fire energies that mark the beginning of the Spring season.

At Ostara, I like working with the traditional “easter-time” symbol of the egg that is so prevalent in our culture. Plus, we all get the fun of dying and decorating eggs with the kids. This magickal crafting idea combines the fun of dying eggs, with our need for special candles for each celebrant at our group sabbat. We like it when there is a “take away” object from our group rites. As the season progresses, everyone has a physical something they can continue to work with in their private workings.

The Spring Equinox rite can charge and begin the work, then throughout the season we can relight our candles and personalize the magick further.

Fire of Aries Ostara Candles

Materials:

1 dozen eggs

1 pound beeswax pellets

Red food dye

1/2 cup white vinegar

Essential oils of ginger (Venus, fire), cinnamon (fire) and rosemary (fire)

1 teaspoon each of powdered dragons blood resin (Aries, and for magickal oomph), cinnamon powder (fire), ginger (Venus, fire) powder

Garnet stone chips (Aries, Fire, Root chakra to get those seeds a crackin’ and sprouting!)

Water

12 short prepared candle wicks with metal bases (found at craft stores that sell candle making supplies.

Hot glue sticks and glue gun.

Double Boiler pot for the stove, or you can use a crock pot.

**For help with Zodiac correspondences with herbs and stones, etc, check out Witchipedia.com

Step One: With the edge of a spoon, carefully crack the eggs and remove the top third of the shell. Pour out the liquid egg into a separate container and save to make an egg dish for your sabbat feast. ( I made quiches for our Sabbat feast!)

Step Two: Bring about 5 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Turn off heat, and add a LOT of red food coloring and 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Carefully submerge the egg shells and let soak for at least 10-15 minutes, stirring a bit so they stay submerged and evenly dye. When they are dark enough for your liking, remove them with some tongs and arrange upside down on a paper towel, or in the egg carton, to dry.

Step Three: When the shells are dry, arrange them in the carton upright and hot glue the base of the wick into the bottom of the egg shell. In the double boiler on the stove, bring the water to boil. In the top pan (or in a crock pot), add the beeswax pellets, and allow to melt over medium-low heat. When melted add 9 drops each of ginger and rosemary essential oil, and 18 drops of cinnamon oil. Stir.

Step Four: Carefully pour the wax into the shells until almost full, but leave 1/4 inch from the top or so. I laid toothpicks across the top of the shell to brace the wicks into the center of the candle while they set up.

Step Five: In a mortar and pestle, blend and empower the dragon’s blood resin, cinnamon and ginger powder. After the wax is mostly solid, sprinkle a few pinches of herbs on top the top of the wax. Add one or two garnet chips to the top. After the wax is completely solid, trim the wicks to 1/4 inch.

Step six: I made a paint with the white (albumen) of one of the eggs, blending in a bit of the powdered herb mixture and some red ink. We painted onto the outside of the eggshell the zodiac symbol of Aries on one side, and the alchemical symbol for fire on the other.

Use the plastic caps from water bottles to set the eggs in so they don’t fall over while burning. charge these candles to our purpose during our Ostara Rites.

Blessèd Ostara!

~Heron