A candle is a relatively simple thing, wouldn’t you agree? It begun as a way for humans to control and direct the strength and light of fire, and as such has been one of the most important mainstays in human culture since the Stone Age. What is it, though, aside from the romantic, elegant, and dramatic shadows that it throws, that makes this modern, technologically advanced, electronically inclined world embrace the simple candle even now, when it is not a necessity at all?
It can warm a small space, if given the time, but we don’t think about that so much. The rise in candlestyle.com”title=”" >scented candle popularity has begun to take on many shapes and forms, becoming a marketing monster all on its own, but are we really just buying scented candles to mask unpleasant odors and cover up the stench of neglected areas? Are we falling for the “ancient Zen tradition” that they’re selling at the posh spas across the globe? Or is there something much deeper, more reflective of the human spirit, that keeps us from putting out that small flame for good?
I contend that fire is an undeniable force within the human spirit, and that the flame of a single candle can remind us of who we are, what we are connected to, and why we are here, if we just give it the time of night. There is a hypnosis present in flame that is unlike any other force on earth, and the human spirit is riveted by this power as a cleansing and soothing mechanism within us. It is so much more than the scent of lavender or the creamy aroma of chamomile. It is life, ours and the millions before, reflected back at us. The candle is generous and giving, so receive!