Sustainable candles alive with nature

Scented only with luxury essential oils and using sustainable and ethically sourced Rapeseed & Coconut wax, Wizard & Grace are a very different construct from the myriad of perfumed or artificially fragranced soy or paraffin wax candles available.  Both soy and paraffin wax are problematic – paraffin is a byproduct of the petroleum industry and soy, while plant-based is an unsustainable crop to grow and creating sustainability and humanitarian issues in origin countries through intensive farming methods and deforestation. 

“I created Wizard & Grace candles simply because I could not find what I was looking for in the candle market – something genuinely natural, sustainable, vegan and using only essential oils – that was safe to burn in my home,” explains Paula McGovern, founder of Wizard & Grace, which is named after her doodle dog – retired guide dog Wizard and the second name of her daughter. 

Paula, formerly the Communications Manager with Irish Guide Dogs, and having worked in charity communications and journalism for more than 20 years has made the move into entrepreneurship in a bid to both follow her passions – she is a trained yoga teacher – and also create more balance in her life.

“I am so well aware of the stresses and strains women and mothers feel trying to combine work, family, home life and trying to carve out some time for themselves. We all know we should be doing ‘self-care’ but we don’t have time to do it or know what to do so it just feels like pressure upon pressure. Our own needs are often left to last. I wanted to create something could that help busy women connect or reconnect with both themselves and our beautiful nature – even if that’s for the briefest moment.” 

After two years of research, learning, testing and a kitchen full of wax-splotched furniture Wizard & Grace recently launched with a range of ‘Intention candles’, all hand crafted by Paula in Kinsale and inspired by the colour and vibrancy of Irish landscape and language.

“I wanted to create something vibrant – using colour and design inspired by our beautiful landscape and seascapes in Ireland, with each bespoke essential oil blend candle created to suit a mood, to uplift and bring joy.”

The intention range includes: Bandia (Goddess) candle – a fresh and zesty lemongrass and sage blend; Draiocht (magic) to evoke joy and enchantment with Frankincense and Lime; Misneach (courage) candle to celebrate your inner warrior with Rosemary, Juniperberry and Cypress; and Kinsale dreams – an invigorating peppermint and eucalyptus blend to refresh and awaken your senses, like a walk by the ocean.

Individual candles are available to purchase and you can also purchase ‘gift boxes of light’. Wizard & Grace also provides bespoke corporate gifting services to companies. 

Find out more: www.wizardandgrace.com or follow: www.instagram.com/wizardandgrace