There are so many different types of waxes available for candles, and I had a thought earlier about their correspondences. Does it matter to your spell what the candle is made from? Is that adding too many layers and getting too picky about ingredients?
There is paraffin, soy, beeswax, gel wax, coconut wax, and I’m sure so many more. I don’t think I have ever put too much thought into what my candles are made from. I use standard paraffin wax tealights. I will use beeswax if I have it handy. I will buy soy wax when I can.
Different Types of Wax
Not everyone is familiar with the different types of wax, so I wanted to give a brief overview of the different waxes and where they come from. This information and the following picture comes from CozYours.com.
Paraffin Wax - Paraffin wax is the most common and known type of candle wax. 
It is the most readily available and one of the more cost-effective options when it comes to making candles. It comes from petroleum, refined crude oil, and is an odorless, pale white wax.
Beeswax - This type of wax comes from bees, of course! 
Beeswax is a natural byproduct of beehives and the work that bees do. It is sturdy with a fairly high melting point. It is naturally yellow with a slight honey scent.
Soy Wax - Soy wax is made from plants, specifically soybeans. It is a processed form of soybean oil. This makes it a natural alternative to paraffin wax, especially since the prices are about the same. Soy wax has a low melting point and can spoil without preservatives.
Gel Wax - This type of wax reminds me of those weird gel candles that were popular when I was a kid, and for good reason! 
Gel wax is not a natural wax - it isn’t even a wax at all, technically. It is made from mineral oil and poly resin. This means that it is also created from crude oil. It is transparent in nature with a low melting point.
Coconut Wax - Lastly, coconut 
wax! Again, this wax is like soy wax in that it comes from plants. However, it comes from coconut oil rather than the soybean. If you have ever worked with coconut oil, you will know that it melts very easily! The same is true of its wax. It is often mixed with other waxes and may melt on its own in hot weather.
For me personally…
Like I said, I haven’t ever put much thought behind what my candles are made from in regard to spellwork. I am fairly certain that all the chime candles I have ever used are made from either paraffin because of the high melting point. Other waxes may be too soft to use, unless you are using beeswax.
I think if I had to put correspondences to the types of waxes, I would say this:
– paraffin wax: foundations, stability, and transformation
– beeswax: determination, hard work, and consistency
– soy wax: transformation, earth energy, and compassion
– gel wax: to see clearly, pliability, and truth
– coconut wax: sweetness, delicate situations, and passion
In thinking about it, I would only be able to explain a few of these correspondences to anyone that asked. Some of them just feel like they belong, you know? I may have to put more thought behind the type of wax I work with now – well, when I have the option, of course! Only when I want it to matter.
I wanted to put together this discussion because I can’t be the only person that has thought about these things!
- Paraffin Wax
- Soy Wax
- Beeswax
- Coconut Wax
- Gel Wax
- Something Else (comment below!)
0 voters
that wouldn’t go very well, I imagine!
Thank you, 
That’s so interesting! I’ll admit that I don’t burn enough beeswax candles because I don’t tend to buy them. 
They are, as you’ve mentioned, fairly pricey!
That sounds like a great witchy craft to do with my kiddo!
to them and scented 
