The Real Witches’ Kitchen: Spells, recipes, oils, lotions and potions from the Witches’ Hearth. Kate West

Mould seal is used to make an airtight seal at the top of the mould, which will be the bottom when you add the molten wax. You can also use chewing gum or plasticine. Do not use Blu-tac, as it will melt!

      To these raw ingredients you can add colour, scent and anything you want to include in the candle. Colour is sold as dye discs, or you can use wax crayons. Whilst a huge range of colours are available you can pretty much make any colour you like using red, yellow and blue, varying shades by adding more or less colour. However, black is a useful addition to this, as it is not really possible to blend black without using a huge amount of colouring agent. To perfume your candle you can use perfume oil or essential oil if you are intending a Magical purpose. Other additions can include a pinch of herbs (not too much or you risk having a bonfire when you light the candle), a gemstone or even an attractive pebble. Do not add quantities of anything that will burn when the flame reaches it. There has been a series of candles on the market with plastic flowers buried in the wax – I shudder to think what happens if they catch light!

      

      When making candles, clear a work surface close to your cooker, as you do not want to be walking around with a lot of molten wax. Also, make sure that no small children or animals are present. Whilst the wax should not be allowed to reach a temperature where it will seriously burn, wax spills do hurt and you do not want to take any chances.