This recipe is an excerpt from the article “Pokeberry Dyed Mullein Candles” by Jessie Lehson featured in the Autumn Vol 1 | Issue 2 | 2022 edition of Botanical Anthology. To learn more about the magical and poisonous pokeberries, read the rest of Jessie’s article in the Botanical Anthology. Our herbal magazine, featuring remedies, recipes and projects with plants for the autumn season, can be purchased as a digital version here and as a printed version here.
Candles made from dried stalks of mullein dipped in tallow or wax, known as witch’s candles, were such a common historical use for this plant that it’s reflected in many of the common names for the plant, such as candlewick plant, hag’s taper and torches. Mullein has deep, deep roots that die back with the plant after its second year enriching the soil around it.
Marigolds are a traditional fall flower and feature prominently in Dia de los Muertos celebrations. They represent the sun and remembrance of the deceased in traditional folklore. Rosemary also symbolizes remembrance– another fitting herbal association this time of year. This technique of dyeing wax with ripe pokeberries is fairly unorthodox, usually you wouldn’t want to introduce any water into wax, but it works beautifully. The candles will hold their color for nearly a year, but eventually start to fade.
Materials
- Dried mullein stalk(s)
- Beeswax pellets
- Ripe pokeberries
- Dried marigold petals
- Dried rosemary
- A tall skinny glass vessel for melting the wax
- A wax melting pot
- Small, shallow bowl or plate
Instructions:
Bring your pot with a few inches of water to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
Fill your glass container with wax. The amount of wax you need will depend entirely on the number and size of the stalks you’d like to cover. You want enough melted wax that you can dip the whole stalk in at once, and it melts down quite a bit as it heats, so use more than you think you’ll need. Add the pokeberries somewhere in the middle of the wax. You will need approximately 4-5 ripe pokeberries for each 6 oz of wax. (You want to add the least amount of water possible for the most color)
Place your glass container in the simmering water and allow the wax to melt completely. Stir occasionally, allowing the pokeberries to burst and mix with the melted wax.
Mix marigold petals and rosemary in a small shallow bowl. Set aside.
Once all of the wax is melted, stir well to make sure the color is even and then dip your mullein stalks and place on a piece of foil to set. You can dip them as many times as you like to get the desired thickness of wax. After the last dip, roll the hot candle into the marigold petals and rosemary.
Let the whole thing cool and set up.
Place in a candle holder and light the top. Mullein candles will burn somewhat messily so keep a plate under the burning candle or do it outside. Always practice responsible fire safety and never leave a flame unattended.
Jessie Lehson is the Executive Director and Founder of Watershed Public Charter School. Ms. Lehson was a professor of sculpture for 12 years and is a practicing environmental artist. Lehson previously served as the Executive Director of Friends of Great Kids Farm. Lehson is an avid chicken keeper, master gardener and permaculture designer. Lehson’ work appears in Lark Books, Taproot Magazine, The Children and Nature Network and the Simple Living Collection. Follow her on Instagram @wineberryadventurescounts and visit her website https://www.wineberrywoodpress.com
