A CANDLE-LIT LIFE

I simply can’t imagine my life without candles. One of my daily rituals involves lighting a candle or two once the light in the house begins to change as the sun sets. It immediately changes the mood and slows me down. For me, it symbolises a winding down; it comforts me and reminds me to approach the remainder of the day at a different pace.

I also never bath without a candle. This is partly why I took the time to develop a travelling candle – so I could be sure to enjoy a candle-lit bath wherever I go. Sometimes I will also light a scented candle to add fragrance to my immediate surroundings wherever I happen to be working during the day. I think the thing I enjoy most about candles is that the basic idea thereof is so simple. It is one of the few household items that is still in use today that also formed part of everyday life in centuries BC and in all that time the basic design hasn’t changed much at all. It’s still just a cotton wick dipped in wax. I find this enduring simplicity very comforting.

And then, of course, there’s the matter of ambience. I believe candles play a very important role in setting the mood, even more so than music. I will never set a dinner table without candles; whether it be plain, long tapers or tea lights in votive holders that add a hint of sparkle. Maybe the reason I prefer hosting dinners to lunches is because a table set without candles never feels quite right to me. I am not a major fan of flowers on a food table; a table set only with a row of candles down the middle is my idea of perfection.

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My love of candlelight also makes me one of very few South Africans who have fond memories of the load-shedding blackouts that plagued the country a few years ago. In fact, I normally kept the candles burning even after the electricity came back on, just because the light was so gentle and calming. I think this period inadvertently helped me to rediscover the joy of candles.

Worldwide, the popularity of candles also seems to remain steadfast. In my own business, I sell an enormous number of candles, and during my travels to trade shows I have noticed that the variety of candles and candle-related products have increased so much that many events have a separate exhibition spaces dedicated especially to this market segment.

Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years that have added to my enjoyment of candles:

Refrain from using scented candles at the dinner table – it can interfere with the flavour and aroma of the food. Rather choose drip-free, fragrance-free candles for mealtimes.
It is important to take care of your candles. Always cut the wick shorter before re-lighting the candle to prevent black smoke and allow the candle to burn well.
I use a special tool to dip the wick in the melted wax to terminate the flame rather than blowing out the candle or use a candle snuffer… this prevents a lingering smoke smell.
If you purchase scented candles, choose a brand that uses high quality wax and fragrances.

DID YOU KNOW? The word ‘candle’ comes from the Latin term ‘candere’, which means to shine. Candles are symbolic of romance, spirituality, healing, comfort and celebration.

As with any other passion, a love of candles will naturally make you fussy about the quality of the tapers you purchase. There are many different kinds of candles available on the market, and the quality varies greatly. If you can find out where the candles were produced and what it was made of, you’ll be able to determine whether it will fall in your taste. Masquerade stocks a range that I developed using imported fragrances from Grasse, France. The high quality of the constituent components means these candles last much longer and impart a gentle scent that lingers, but doesn’t overpower.

Light a candle today and be reminded of a less hurried time. Enjoy the gentle light and take a moment to simply be. You’d be amazed at how this simple act can make you more mindful.

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