Snow Candles on Candlemas

I'm bringing this post forward from last year as our acknowledgment of Candlemas Day this year is going to be limited. I do know, however, that we are not close to 1/2 way through our wood, we're 1/2 way through our oil, and 100% through our frozen blueberries, applesauce, strawberries, and squash :(. We need twice as much put away!




A farmer should on Candlemas Day have half his corn and half his hay.











Old New England farmers also say that you should have used about half your wood...and half your candles. We've gone through about half our wood and about 60% of our oil.

In honor of being half-way through winter, we made snow candles yesterday. First we melted paraffin in a can in our "candle pot." We wanted bright candles so used paraffin and old crayons rather than beeswax.

While the wax was melting, we tied wicking to an old paintbrush.


We dipped the wick in the wax to stiffen it and then dug some little holes in the snow. Make sure the hole isn't too deep--Lous' blue candle failed because her wick didn't reach the bottom.

Then we quickly poured the wax into the hole.


Every candle will be different. Some, due to their shape, will need to be "floating candles." It was pretty cold out yesterday, so we didn't get a lot of crystally blobs on the exterior, but on a warmish day they will look different.


Here's a little more weather-lore--

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear
there'll be two winters in the year.

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, Winter won't come again.


When the cat lies in the sun in February
She will creep behind the stove in March.

Of all the months of the year
Curse a fair February.

If it thunders in February, it will frost in April.

If February give much snow,
A fine summer it doth foreshow.

We are due for a huge snowstorm, so perhaps a fine summer in in the works!

Tammy  – (February 2, 2009 at 10:23 AM)  

What an awesome idea! You are so creative! :) I like the idea of using some of the candles as floating candles.

sarah  – (February 2, 2009 at 2:34 PM)  

I love that craft idea. How lucky you are to live in the north so you can celebrate these special days at the right time and in the right way. :-)

Anonymous –   – (February 2, 2009 at 3:27 PM)  

I am so envious! We usually make sand candles (same concept, but pouring wax into sand instead of snow) for candlemas, but it is TOO HOT for melting wax, even our beeswax sheets are too melty for rolling candles!... Aaah I'm melting...

Crescent Moon  – (February 2, 2009 at 4:08 PM)  

We've made sand candles before, but I've never seen snow candles before. What a great project! We don't get snow where we live, but my mom does, so maybe I can suggest it as a grandma and grandchild project.

dawn klinge  – (February 2, 2009 at 4:48 PM)  

It's sunny here...so I guess we have some more winter in front of us. The snow candles look like a lot of fun to make. You have such great ideas. :)

denise  – (February 2, 2009 at 6:15 PM)  

What a great candle idea! Nice color.

Anonymous –   – (February 3, 2009 at 1:50 PM)  

Wow, I never realized you could make candles in the snow. Sounds like a great homeschool project to do before our snow melts. Thanks for the photos showing how to do it.

Lisa Anne  – (February 3, 2009 at 10:09 PM)  

Winter is only half way over!? sigh...I am looking forward to warmer days, but we may be moving to Vermont (shh!) so I need to resign myself to a future of very long winters.

Sarah  – (February 4, 2009 at 8:54 AM)  

Lisa Anne-- winter in Vermont is FUN! It's late March/April that I could do without :)

Anonymous –   – (February 5, 2009 at 8:46 AM)  

I've never heard of snow candles - how fun! And all the Candlemas lore is really interesting - thanks!

Cadi  – (February 7, 2009 at 11:02 PM)  

Oh how lovely to see winter pictures. No snow here in Richmond, VA. :-) ~~~ Snow candles! How awesome. You have the greatest ideas!

Angie  – (February 2, 2010 at 1:56 PM)  

Great Pics. Lovely thoughts as well.

julie  – (February 3, 2010 at 9:28 AM)  

what a great idea, snow candles sound like lots of fun. My daughter and I have decorated candles with beeswax but we are doing our real celebration of Candlemas this weekend as the Papa and brother have been out and about at various activities before now. It did rain all day yesterday though, so I am hopeful that we've had the last of the winter weather here.

denise  – (February 3, 2010 at 9:04 PM)  

I love those! We have wanted to do snowball pyramids w/candles inside, but that seems nicer. We just need some new snow! Too warm past few weeks & everything melted into gray sludge. ;)

We did not make candles for candlemas this year, but did paint candlesticks to hold skinny tapers we have.

Interesting to hear about storage/wood, etc. :) I still have way too many beans and a lot of apples, squash, strawberries and dried herbs. Oh, and pickled beets. Out of tomatoes due to the blight from this year. Next year...less beans!!!!

Heather  – (February 5, 2010 at 8:03 PM)  

I love snow candles, and perfect for Candlemas. Looks like a wonderful way to celebrate

Susan  – (February 5, 2010 at 9:57 PM)  

What a beautiful and inspiring post! Thank you for sharing the instructions for how to make snow candles, and for the lovely Candlemas verses.

Viagra Online  – (September 15, 2010 at 12:32 PM)  

That's amazing I've never seen something similar but I don't understand how they made to created the candle the snow made that it got its shape?.Generic Viagra Buy Viagra

Kristin Nicholas  – (February 3, 2011 at 10:19 PM)  

Very cool project! Happy snow!
Kristin

Kimara  – (January 7, 2012 at 9:59 AM)  

If we can get snow here in Michigan this year, we are going to make these for Canglemas. I'll be linking on Wee Folk Art's Facebook page. Thanks :)

Marjorie Constant –   – (January 7, 2012 at 7:40 PM)  

Born and brought up in Vermount, I love this.
I now live in Michigan, and we will get the snow to make these! Thank you for sharing this!

Unknown  – (March 1, 2014 at 1:07 AM)  

I remember making these years ago. Thanks for sharing :) I have shared them here too http://siayla.blogspot.ca/2014/02/got-winter-try-these-snow-and-ice.html

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