The days are shortening, as too are the visits from the honey bees. As I peg out the washing, noting the morning sun has lost some of its fervour, I spy them. Here and there they dance amongst the basil flowers. I’ve left these plants to seed on purpose to provide one last nectar feast for the bees before they retire to their hives for the winter. Nectar guzzling and pollen sweeping will be replaced by queen protecting and hive warming – a constant roundabout of wing flutters and body shivers.
Along with the golden elixir of honey, bees produce beeswax. Using their own body fat they secrete a colourless wax that is used in the construction of honeycomb; an engineering wonder of strength, stability yet delicateness created for infant rearing and a larder of sorts for pollen and honey. The mind boggles at the magnitude of their skill.
In homage to all this industry and the vital roll bees play in pollinating, we will roll beeswax candles. We will use thin pieces of beeswax scented with leatherwood, apple blossom and lingering days. And with strips of wicking and flat hands we’ll roll with a gentle but tight touch. Come mealtimes we will light them and give thanks to the honey bees.
2 Comments
I would love to make these with my children, do you have somewhere reputable that you purchase the wax from that you care to share?
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Hello lovely Leah! They really are a beautiful thing to make. We purchase our beeswax from a local Steiner store in Hobart (Lyrebird) and she is happy to do orders over the phone. We have also purchased a little set from Dragonfly Toys (online) in the past. Wishing you a beautiful end to your week and much joy on your candle making adventures. Thanks for walking a while here. xx