Onca Ritual Offerings has created this Solstice Candle for the celebration of the dark winter hours. Made of Soy Wax, topped with Crystals, Fir Needles, Juniper Berries, scented with Amber and Juniper Tar Oil, the candle was poured in glass jar with tight lid, wrapped in colorful crepe paper and placed in canvas bag.

INGREDIENTS

• Organic Soy Wax
• Dried German Sage
• Fir Needles from Polish sea coast
• Juniper Berries
• Mountain Crystals
• Amber Fragrance Oil
• Juniper Tar Fragrance Oil

and few drops of secret essential oils were added to bring out the festive notes in the air.

HERBS

Juniperus communis (Juniper Berries)

Juniper is native to the northern hemisphere and is common in Canada, Scandinavia, and Siberia. It is usually found on heaths and moors but can also be found as undergrowth in mixed forests. Juniper is an erect evergreen coniferous shrub or a small tree which can grow up to ten meters tall.

The needle like leaves, consisting of whorls of three, are light green below and dark green above. The plant bears female globose cones and small male cones on separate plants. These cones are usually referred to as the juniper berries. The green fruits appear on the female plant and take around three years to ripen, eventually turning dark blue or black in color.

Juniper has feminine and masculine energies. The ripe cones or “berries” flavor gin, Chartreuse, pates, and game. Native Americans boiled the “berries” to treat colds and burned the needles as incense. Juniper was widely used as incense in Summer, Babylon and Egypt for spiritual purposes and to honor both Goddesses and Gods. It is sacred specifically to Inanna who was later called Ishtar. Centuries later in Europe, branches of Juniper were smoldered and carried around fields and farms to release their protective energies, guarding both livestock and crops. It was also considered to be a guardian of the veil between the worlds.

Juniper has a distinctive aroma that is woody, sweet, fresh and crisp. Juniper makes a fine purifying and sanctifying incense allied with various planets. Juniper berries contain the planetary metal for Jupiter (tin), and their color and warming action suits that planet as well. The spicy warmth of Juniper berries purifies the aura, clarifies thought, and protects from negativity.

Salvia officinalis (Sage)

Sage was the “Sacred Herb” of the Greeks, who considered it a panacea, a cure for all ills. “Cur moriatur homo cui Salvia crescit in horto? (Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden?) The corresponding English proverb states: “He that would live for aye, Must east Sage in May.”

As might be expected, Sage has been recommended at various times as a cure for almost any problem conceivable. But certain uses of the plant have stood the test of time. A solution of sage (dissolved in water) is an effective cure for various mouth and throat conditions. Internally, it has been shown to be effective in reducing sweating and perspiration (caused by fever, etc). And because of its “estrogen-like” activity, it has been used to normalize menstrual problems, induce menstrual flow, dry up breast milk flow when time to wean, and alleviate other female disorders.

During the Middle Ages in Europe, it was noticed that the appearance of certain plants, either by their shape or color, resembled the human body, or a certain part of the body. In those days, there was a good measure of mysticism involved in the field of herbal medicine, and it was thought that this resemblance, or “signature” dictated the therapeutic use of the herb in question. This is the doctrine of “signatures.” Probably the best known example of this is Ginseng. Because the root is shaped like a man’s body, it was deemed useful in treating numerous “general” afflictions. Surprisingly, even though this sounds simplistic, it turns out that many of the conclusions drawn by these early herbalists have been shown to indeed result in effective remedies.

Sage was the sacred plant of the Greeks, who considered it to be a panacea. Modern chemists have defined its composition, and pharmacologists have confirmed many of the properties attributed to it by popular medicine. A table can be drawn up as follows (1): -An essential oil (1 to 2%) containing thujone, responsible for its anti-perspirant action (which has been studied by several researchers (2) and for its emmenagogic properties. Although Sage contains thujone, it has not been reported to be toxic.

Numerous polyphenois and flavonoids, most likely responsible for the choleretic (3), anti-spasmodic (4) and hormonal action. The hormonal action is of the oestrogenic type (someone has recently (5) described Sage as a typical ‘Plant oestrogen’).

Tannin, which give Sage – when used externally – astringent and healing properties (6). -A bitter principle: picrosalvin, to which Sage owes its anti-microbial action.

FIERY AMBER

Amber is a powerful stone with a long history of use in magic. Made of fossilized tree resin, it has the unique ability to generate a small electric charge when rubbed with a cloth. For millennia, people have worn, carried, and even made incense or oil from the resin in order to enjoy its magic properties.

All herbs and stones are associated with certain elements and planetary energies, and amber is no exception. It is regarded as a fire stone, and associated with the sun. According to ancient Roman legend, amber droplets were formed when the sisters of Phaeton, children of the sun god, cried for their brother when he crashed his father’s fiery chariot. As solar, fiery stones, the Romans carried them for everything from protection, to healing, to love. Its healing properties are strongly tied to the emotions — it is excellent for clearing out the mind, releasing pent-up negative energies, and making room for joy and uplifting feelings.

In Scandinavia, amber frequently washes up on shorelines. Traditionally, it was carried to ensure safety while traveling. People about to embark on a long journey are often given small buttons made of amber to sew onto their coats, to help keep them protected on their travels (especially if they will be sailing).

Some people sew a bit of amber into a baby’s clothing in order to protect them from evil influences. Still others string amber beads on a red thread to protect against witches. Interestingly, many witches (Wiccans in particular) wear necklaces of amber and jet for their healing and protective properties. In the Gardnerian tradition, an amber and jet necklace signifies someone who has attained their third degree initiation.

MOUNTAIN ROCKS

The mountain crystal provides light and has a clarifying effect on all chakras. Through its harmonizing vibrations, the stone provides a positive effect on all chakras and clears our aura. It is advisable to use the mountain crystal with other healing stones because of its relaxing effect. The mountain crystal functions as a filter and helps us to receive the beams of other healing stones. It has a special effect on the apex-chakra and the mountain crystal is the central stone of the seven chakras.

SOY-WAX

100% soy wax to provide a non-toxic, clean burning scented candle was hand poured in glass jar. The candle weights about 315 gr, with size around 5 ø and height of 11 cm. Each candle burns unique amount of hours, depending on many factors. Lit candle is recommended to be burned until the whole wax liquefies before extinguishing it, otherwise the wax will creates “rings”. If rings were created, it is easy to scrub them off the pot walls helping them melt down. It is not desirable to leave the candle untended.

Please note: As soy wax cools, it can pull away from the pot and create an effect known as “frosting” which looks like air bubbles. This is completely normal and to be expected. In fact, it’s a easy way to tell if your candle is 100% soy, as some companies will add a small amount of paraffin or other additives to eliminate this effect.

Candle Care:
– Burning candles should always be in a safe place and never left unattended or with children/pets.
– Do not burn candle completely, and dispose of it when it reaches its base and/or holder.
– Crystals can charged by Full Moonlight/Sunlight, and cleansed with warm sea salt water and/or sage.

((DISCLAIMER!!! The dried herbs and flowers will catch fire when the candle is at the end.))

++++++++++++++++++ LEGAL STUFF ++++++++++++++++++

Although they may smell edible, our products are NOT for human consumption. FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. No liability will be assumed by OnçaRitualOfferings for any claims arising out of the misuse or otherwise of these items or any other product sold or made by OnçaRitualOfferings.

OnçaRitualOfferings products and statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way.

Safety precautions : All products are for external use only. Keep away from eye area.