The magic of candles part 1:, A history lesson

The Magic of Candlelight

Part One

A History Lesson 

Candle magic endures because of its simplicity and beauty. It connects ancient fire rituals with modern intention-setting—a dance between the physical flame and the spiritual spark within you. Every candle you light becomes a small act of creation: a wish given life through fire.

The history of candle making stretches back thousands of years and reflects humanity’s need for light, ritual, and symbolism. From ancient tallow lamps to the refined beeswax candles of the Middle Ages and the scented soy candles of today, the craft has evolved alongside culture, technology, and spirituality.

Ancient Origins of candles

Candle making can be traced to ancient civilizations across the world. The earliest known candles were made by the ancient Egyptians around 3000 BCE, who created rushlights—torches made by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. Though not true candles with wicks, they served a similar purpose for illumination.

The Romans are credited with developing the first true wick candles around 500 BCE. They rolled papyrus and repeatedly dipped it into tallow (animal fat) or beeswax to create a solid, slow-burning light source. These candles were used in homes, temples, and for night travel, as well as in religious ceremonies and festivals such as Saturnalia.

In other parts of the world, similar developments occurred independently:

• In China, early candles were made using rolled rice paper wicks and wax derived from insects and seeds.

• In Japan, wax was extracted from tree nuts to produce candles.

• In India, people used boiled cinnamon fruit to create fragrant temple candles.

• In the Americas, Indigenous peoples made candles from boiled oily fish (eulachon) or sap from trees.

The Medieval Era: the only source of artificial light that allowed scribes to write about history and develop the worlds’ cultures to new heights 

During the Middle Ages, candle making became a recognised craft in Europe. Beeswax emerged as a cleaner and more pleasant-smelling alternative to tallow, producing a bright, steady flame without the sooty smoke. However, beeswax was expensive, so it was reserved mainly for churches, monasteries, and the wealthy.

Tallow candles, made from rendered animal fat (usually from cows or sheep), remained common for everyday people. Their unpleasant smell and smoky burn made them less desirable, but they were affordable and easy to produce. By the 13th century, candle making had become an organised trade in England and France, with candlemakers (chandlers) forming guilds. These craftsmen often sold their wares from small shops or went door-to-door making candles from the household’s own tallow stores.

The Renaissance and Early Modern Period. The romance of candlelight 

As trade and exploration expanded in the 16th and 17th centuries, new materials became available. One major advancement came with the discovery of spermaceti, a waxy substance derived from sperm whales. Spermaceti candles, popular in the 18th century, burned brighter and cleaner than tallow or beeswax, and didn’t soften in summer heat.

Candle making became increasingly refined, and moulds replaced the older dipping methods, allowing for smoother, more uniform candles. Candles were not only practical but also decorative, used in chandeliers and candelabras to illuminate grand gatherings.

The Industrial Revolution: even the new mechanical world still needs candles

The 19th century transformed candle making into a large-scale industry. In the 1820s, the French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul discovered stearic acid, a component of animal fat that could be separated and purified to create hard, durable, clean-burning candles. This invention revolutionised the trade, making candles more reliable and affordable.

Later, in the mid-1800s, the rise of paraffin wax—a byproduct of petroleum refining—made candle production even cheaper and more efficient. Paraffin burned without smoke or odor and could be mass-produced, marking the golden age of candles as household necessities.

However, by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, gas lighting and electric bulbs largely replaced candles as primary light sources.

The present day: Modern Candle Making can now be done by anyone 

Although no longer essential for light, candles experienced a revival in the 20th century as objects of decoration, relaxation, and spirituality. The 1990s saw a boom in scented candles, made using essential oils and synthetic fragrances to create calming atmospheres and aromatherapy effects.

Modern candle makers use a wide range of waxes, including soy, coconut, palm, and rapeseed, as eco-friendly alternatives to paraffin. Handmade candles have also become part of modern craft and wellness culture, often associated with mindfulness, ritual, and personal expression.

Scented candles have become big business for the likes of Yankee Candles 

The art of candle making has illuminated human life for over five millennia. From ancient animal fats to modern eco-waxes, candles have evolved from a practical necessity to a symbol of peace, spirituality, and beauty. Even in an age of electricity, the gentle flame of a candle continues to captivate the human soul—offering warmth, reflection, and a timeless connection to our ancestors.

Read part two of this series to learn how to use candles in Magick and divination