The Candles of The Oculatum are born of the very same discovery used to create the Book of Choices. They are made entirely by hand in accord with the intent and spirit of the original text and great care is taken to insure this integrity is not sullied. We trust they will fully meet your satisfaction.

Based on Medieval apothecary formulae the elements of The Candles of The Oculatum have been transcribed to be the very finest available today yet remain reminiscent of their genus. Only the purest virgin wax is used to which we add no colorant or chemical enhancement whatsoever. Any hue variation is created by the inherent pigmentation properties of the aromatic oil blendings that is both unique and original. Braided pure cotton wicking only is used and this is set and centered by hand. The Candles of The Oculatum are small batch hand poured in groups of six. The heavy sham fine optic glass is finished and grosgrain ribbon dressed by hand. Each candle is hand twist vellum wrapped and contained within its own ribbon locked bag.

The fragrant intensity and potency of The Candles of The Oculatum will not falter over the time of lighting but tend to develop in complexity and structure. The balance of the purest wax, blended aromatic oils and natural wicking is such that The Candles of Candles of the Oculatum will enhance each environment for many hours. Prior to each and every lighting it is highly recommended the information of the care page be reviewed.

Candles of the early medieval period were much similar to those common to the Roman and Egyptian civilizations several thousand years prior. The fat of an animal or oily fish was rendered, into which a taper of twisted reed or grass or cloth was inserted in readiness for lighting. Though perhaps crude by present standards this method to the ancient world was sufficient to provide illumination enough to bring light into darkness. The demise of these civilizations was followed by a time when the known world would slip slowly into an era of upheaval and uncertainty. The Dark Ages were aptly named and the turmoil and trial would not even begin to abate until the dawning of the next millenium.

The new epoch would offer but some slight stability, yet confidence enough for great growth in population and thus in city size and in commerce. Through the trade triangle of Venice, Lisbon and London would arrive treasures and trinkets from the exotic and unknown lands of Arabia and India, China and beyond. This was a great age of discovery and exploration. Very soon the first information revolution would occur with the invention of printing by Gutenburg in 1475.

The chandlers’ art of candle making was again in high demand. Though at first the province of the privileged or the powerful the impact of illumination would be seen by all. Used in celebration or veneration or simply to extend the hours of the day the candle maker was held in great esteem. Such was its import that in 1306 The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers was formed to protect and promote the noble craft.

The candles of this time were not additionally scented, as is the norm today. The primary purpose was to provide illumination and the making method was most simple. (Indeed, the technique for aromatic infusion would not be mastered for some three hundred years). Cords were imbedded in containers of heated tallow and left to cool, or were dipped repeatedly in the oily liquid until a sufficient deposit would engulf the wicking to create a usable candle. It was dangerous and unpleasant work and the chandlers set up their encampments away from the general population. There they were joined by complementing craftsmen, the cordwainers and potters, charcoal burners and glassmakers to produce their final product.

To counter the odors of daily life and indeed of the candles themselves sweet smelling fumigants were created. Mixtures of herbs, spices, flowers, roots and resins were combined to provide more pleasing aromas. Formed into burning bundles or simmered in water these aromatic combinations were the creation of the apothecary or the alchemist. The recipes had been handed down from a time before and now coalesced with the influx of exotic new items that became available as trade developed. The medieval ingredient melange may seem rare and unusual by the blandness of today but the resulting bouquet is both beguiling and breathtaking.

The Candles of The Oculatum combine these two elements, the purest candlelight and ancient aromatic blendings, into one harmonious accord. Each candle has a unique sensory signature created from a combination of six constituents and although the complete formulation is held secret three of the primary ingredients are declared below. Being derived from research of The Oculatum 636 Book of Choices each candle contains a random phrase from the original text. In keeping with the essence of the book this phrase may come to view or not, as the case may be. It is perhaps of greater import that it is known to be there.

The Candles of The Oculatum are available in three collections, The Hours, The Vestments and The Vessels, each containing three individual candles. In each collection one candle is floral based, one fruited and one based of exotica. The collections are named for the canonical times of the day, the robes of service and the accouterments of veneration all of great regard in the Medieval period. The individual label colors were selected from Flemish tapestry of the period. Each candle is available from selected merchant or by separate secure server through the shop page.