Faith Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 (edited) Happy Solstice :smile: As we approach Christmas, I'm reminded of one tradition my grandmother passed on to my aunts and mother; that is of burning bayberry candles on Christmas Eve (we always did Christmas Eve, although I read December 31 is common, too) with the intention of bringing health and wealth. The saying goes, "Bayberry candles burned to the socket bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket." As a kid, I remember the candles burned all night long (kept in the sink) to the sockets. In reading a bit about the history of this tradition, it seems to have started in coloniel America. Does anyone here practice this or know of different roots to this tradition? I've always really loved it. Edited December 22, 2013 by Faith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belwenda Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Yes, and real bayberry candles here are hard to find-only at Christmas time do the stores in my area stock them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 Yes, and real bayberry candles here are hard to find-only at Christmas time do the stores in my area stock themYes! Thank you for mentioning this; it was always a struggle here too - substitutes were never allowed, they had to be real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelticGypsy Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 HaHaHa... I thought it was only " me ". I stock up on real bayberry candles this time of year as they are available too. Love them burning, yet I've only burned them on the 31st. I don't have the answer for that either ! But you know Faith and Belwenda, why not usher in that health and wealth on the Solstice ? Not a bad idea, me thinks :smile: Regards,Gypsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oceanasmoon Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 I've done this for years, I believe it started in Colonial America as the Bayberry is mainly found in the northeastern area. It grows near the coast and likes the rocky area of the seawater, but I couldn't tell you anymore on it as I haven't researched it much. I always burn mine on the 31st for the new year. I dress the candle just as any other work and a use special incense as well... I love burning this every year! I usually have good luck finding them on ebay or amazon... haven't had much trouble getting real ones yet :smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jevne Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 This is interesting. I do not utilize bayberry candles for any magical purposes, but I am curious as to the thought process behind using them for the coming of the New Year. My New Year starts on November 1, so I would not have made the connection. Interested in reading other comments on this subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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