|









|
|
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. |
|
|
|
SEE NOT YOUR FATE IN OTHERS FACES |
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
A
JOY NOT SHARED WITHERS SOON |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
SMOOTH SEA MADE NOT THE HERO CAPTAIN |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
SMALL EFFORT IS REQUIRED FOR GREAT DISHONOR |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
SEEK GOOD FOR IT MAY THEN FIND YOU |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
JUDGE NOT YOUR FELLOW LEST YOU BE JUDGED |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
THE HEART OF FAITH FEARS NOT OF MAN |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
ANY PATH WILL LEAD WITH NOT DIRECTION |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
OUR TRIFLE WANTS DO SOON ENSLAVE US |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|