The Best Candles for Meditation + 7 Best Scented Candles To Enhance Your Practice
Many of us associate scented candles with beautiful home accents or simply delightful fragrances, but their role in meditation practices goes back thousands of years.
A meditation candle can help establish a serene, stress-free environment for both yoga and meditation. You’ll find the best candles reviews discussing this in more detail.
Top 7 Best Candles for Meditation
- Best for calming scent: Chesapeake Bay, Serenity + Calm (Lavender Thyme)
- Best for grounding scent: Craft and Kin – Wood Scent Candle
- Best for morning meditation: Invigorating Eucalyptus & Spearmint Candle
- Best for comfort and warmth: Annye Vanilla Scented Candle
- Best for concentration and focus: 1OAK Soy Wax Scented
- Best for soothing: HEAVEN OF JOY Lavender & Chamomile Scented Candle
- Best for eco-friendliness: WoodWick Fireside Medium Hourglass Candle
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Candle meditation is a popular technique, that can soothe your mind and elevate your meditation experience and you can find out more about candle meditation later in this post.
Focusing on an object like a candle flame can facilitate a deeper meditative state. And there is scientific evidence supporting the benefits of aromatherapy from essential oils and candles in enhancing exercise performance and boosting positive moods.
There are also those that use spell candles to manifest their wishes.
Whether you’re looking to create the perfect atmosphere for a yoga session or delve deeper into your meditation practice, it’s essential to remember that not all meditation candles are made alike.
Benefits of Using Candles for Meditation
Scented candles for meditation come in a vast array of aromas, each with its unique benefits. The candle smells can help set the tone for your meditation practice, creating a distinct meditation environment that promotes relaxation and focus.
Plus, they’re an easy way to add a touch of luxury to your meditation space.
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils or scented candles to promote physical and emotional well-being.
Many scented candles contain natural essential oils, offering numerous aromatherapy benefits. For example, lavender essential oil is known for its soothing effects and can help with relaxation and sleep.
On the other hand, eucalyptus oils can provide an invigorating aroma, perfect for clearing the mind during meditation.
Soy Wax vs. Paraffin Wax: The Healthier Choice
When it comes to scented candles, not all waxes are created equal.
You might come across candle wax like soy wax or paraffin wax candles. Soy wax is a natural, eco-friendly alternative to paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum; full of toxins, and bad for the environment.
A recent trend in the industry is coconut wax, which is another natural alternative that is gaining popularity for its clean-burning properties.
Additionally, a soy wax candle burns much cleaner and produces less soot than paraffin wax, reducing the risk of toxic chemicals being released into your meditation space.
Lead-Free Cotton Wick: A Safer Option
Candle wicks are another essential factor to consider when choosing the best candles for meditation.
Opt for lead-free cotton wicks, as they are a safer and more environmentally friendly option than traditional lead-based wicks.
7 Best Scented Candles for Meditation: Enhance Your Practice with These Top Picks
1. Chesapeake Bay Candle Scented Candle, Serenity + Calm (Lavender Thyme)
Best for: Those who appreciate a classic, calming scent for meditation
Why I like this candle: The Chesapeake Bay Candle in Serenity + Calm (Lavender Thyme) combines the timeless, soothing scent of lavender with a subtle hint of thyme, creating a serene atmosphere for meditation.
Materials and size: This candle is made with a natural soy wax blend, lavender, and thyme fragrance oils, and weighs 12 ounces.
Pros
Cons
2. Craft and Kin – Wood Scent Candle
Best for: Those who enjoy earthy, grounding scents for meditation
Why I like this candle: The Craft & Kin Wood Scent Candle offers a delightful blend of earthy and woody scents, creating a grounding atmosphere that’s perfect for meditation.
Materials and size: This candle is made with eco-friendly soy wax and features a blend of woodsy fragrance oils. It weighs 8 ounces and comes in a charming amber glass jar with a metal lid.
Pros
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3. Invigorating Eucalyptus & Spearmint Candle
Best for: Early morning meditation sessions or when you need an energy boost
Why I like this candle: The refreshing combination of eucalyptus and spearmint oils helps clear the mind and increase focus. And when the candles burn, the aroma is strong and invigorating.
Materials and size: This candle is made with a natural soy wax blend, eucalyptus, and spearmint essential oils, weighing 9 ounces in a stylish glass jar.
Pros
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4. Annye Vanilla Scented Candle
Best for: Those who find comfort and warmth in sweet scents during meditation
Why I like this candle: The Annye Vanilla Scented Candle offers a delightful and warm vanilla aroma, perfect for creating a cozy, comforting ambiance during meditation sessions.
Materials and size: This candle is made with natural soy wax and high-quality vanilla fragrance oil. It weighs 8.1 ounces and comes in a sleek glass jar with a wooden lid.
Pros
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5. 1OAK Soy Wax Scented Candles (Cinnamon)
Best for: Those seeking a more invigorating meditation experience
Why I like this candle: The warm, spicy scent of cinnamon helps improve concentration and focus.
Materials and size: This candle is crafted with eco-friendly soy wax, a wood wick, and cinnamon essential oil. It weighs 7 ounces and comes in a sleek metal tin.
Pros
Cons
6. HEAVEN OF JOY Lavender & Chamomile Scented Candle
Best for: Those looking for a soothing and calming scent for meditation
Why I like this candle: The HEAVEN OF JOY Lavender & Chamomile Scented Candle combines the relaxing scents of lavender and chamomile, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere for meditation.
Materials and size: This candle is made with natural soy wax and high-quality lavender and chamomile fragrance oils. It weighs 8 ounces and comes in a stylish glass jar with a wooden lid.
Pros
Cons
7. WoodWick Fireside Medium Hourglass Candle
Best for: Those seeking an eco-friendly, non-toxic option
Why I like this candle: The WoodWick Fireside Medium Hourglass Candle features a unique wooden wick that crackles as it burns, creating a soothing fireplace ambiance that’s perfect for meditation.
Materials and size: This candle is made with a natural soy wax blend and high-quality fragrance oils. It weighs 9.7 ounces and comes in a beautifully designed hourglass-shaped glass jar.
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Top Scents for Meditation: Enhance Your Practice with Aromatic Bliss
Now that we know what to look for in a scented candle let’s dive into the best candle scents for meditation.
These soothing, calming, and invigorating scents can help elevate your practice and create a stress-free ambiance for yoga practice.
1. Lavender: The Classic Relaxation Scent
Lavender-scented candles are a popular choice for promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
The soothing scent of lavender essential oil has been shown to have calming effects on the mind and body, making it a perfect addition to any meditation practice.
2. Sandalwood: A Grounding, Earthy Scent
Sandalwood candles are known for their grounding, earthy scent, which can help promote focus and clarity during meditation.
This woody scent is often used in a sandalwood candle or incense and is believed to help clear negative energy from your meditation space.
3. Eucalyptus and Spearmint: A Fresh, Invigorating Aroma
For a more invigorating meditation experience, try a scented candle infused with spearmint and eucalyptus oils.
This refreshing combination can help clear your mind and increase focus, perfect for an early morning meditation session.
4. Vanilla: A Warm, Comforting Scent
If you’re looking for a comforting and soothing scent, a vanilla-scented candle may be a perfect choice.
This warm aroma can help create a cozy atmosphere, promoting relaxation and a sense of calm.
5. Cinnamon: A Spicy, Uplifting Fragrance
Cinnamon-scented candles can bring an uplifting and energizing aroma to your meditation space.
The warm, spicy scent is known to help improve concentration and focus, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a more invigorating meditation experience.
Candle Meditation: Enhance Your Focus with a Flickering Flame
Candle gazing meditation, also known as Trataka, is a practice that involves focusing on a candle flame to improve concentration and calm the mind.
This technique can be especially helpful when the candles burn, providing a serene and calming effect.
To practice candle gazing meditation, place your candle in a safe, stable candle holder and sit comfortably in front of it.
Ensure the flame is at eye level and about 2-3 feet away from you. Gaze at the flame, allowing your focus to rest on the flickering light.
As thoughts arise, acknowledge them and gently bring your focus back to the candle flame.
You can incorporate scented candles into this practice to further enhance the experience and create a calming atmosphere.
Candle Safety: Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Meditation Experience
While candles can significantly enhance your meditation practice, it’s essential to prioritize safety when using them. Here are some tips to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience:
Keep candles away from flammable objects
Make sure to place your candle on a heat-resistant surface and away from curtains, papers, or any other flammable materials.
Use a stable candle holder
Invest in sturdy candle holders that can securely hold your candle and catch any dripping wax.
Trim the wick
Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch to promote even burning and prevent the formation of a large, unstable flame.
Never leave a burning candle unattended
Always stay in the same room as your lit candle, and extinguish it if you need to step away or if you start to feel drowsy.
Keep candles out of reach of children and pets
Ensure that your candles are placed in a safe location where children and pets cannot access them.
Avoid drafts
Position your candle away from open windows, fans, or air vents to prevent rapid, uneven burning or the possibility of the flame being blown into nearby flammable objects.
Extinguish candles properly
To put out a candle, use a candle snuffer or gently dip the wick into the melted wax using a non-flammable tool, such as a metal spoon. Avoid blowing out the flame, as this can cause the hot wax to splatter.
By following these candle safety tips, you can create a secure, relaxing environment for your meditation practice while enjoying the benefits of your favorite scented candles.
The Takeaway
Finding the best candles for meditation is a personal journey, as individual preferences for scents and ambiance can vary.
Whether you’re drawn to the calming aroma of lavender, the grounding scent of sandalwood, or the invigorating fragrance of eucalyptus and spearmint, the key is to find a candle that helps you create a relaxing, stress-free environment for your practice.
Remember to consider factors like the type of wax, candle wick used, and essential oils used in the candle.
Opt for natural soy wax, lead-free cotton wicks, and candles infused with pure essential oils to ensure you’re creating a safe and healthy meditation space.
With the perfect scented candle in hand, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your meditation practice, promoting relaxation, focus, and overall well-being.
So, go ahead and light that candle, close your eyes, and let the soothing scents guide you on your journey to inner peace.
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