Sanctuary Essentials: The Candle
In previous blog posts, I’ve shared some of the tools we can use to cultivate sanctuary in our homes and workspaces. My own home (my Sanctuary Lab, as I like to call it) is where I constantly experiment with these elements, refining and redefining what brings peace and nurturing into my space.
What is one of my favorite sanctuary tools?
It’s so simple it might surprise you: a candle.
When we think of candles, many imagine the ones from Williams Sonoma or Anthropologie, infused with rich, floral, or warm scents. Some might even think of Yankee Candles- though, personally, their overwhelming fragrance gives me a terrible headache. I used to avoid walking past that store in my local mall! Because of this, I often opt for unscented candles when lighting many all at once, since it’s really the light I’m after. There’s also a subtle, natural sweetness to melting wax- especially beeswax- that adds to the ambiance without overpowering the senses.
While fragrance, in the right scent and the right amount (I’m looking at you, Yankee), can be a powerful tool for relaxation, my love for candles in sanctuary design extends far beyond their scent.
For me, it’s about the glow- the soft, flickering light that instantly creates a sense of calm and introspection. It’s almost sacred. There’s a reason for this: Trataka, an ancient Indian meditation practice, uses candlelight as a focal point to enhance concentration, promote relaxation, and cultivate mental clarity. I find that when I pause and allow my gaze to rest on a candle’s flame, my thoughts quiet, and I naturally shift into a more centered state.
But beyond personal reflection, candlelight carries a deeper, almost primal significance. For millennia, fire has been at the heart of human connection: warming, sustaining, and gathering us together. The gentle, golden glow of a candle echoes this ancestral warmth, evoking a sense of belonging, safety, and shared stories. It transforms a space, making it feel intimate, alive, and deeply personal.
That’s why candles have become an essential part of my sanctuary practice. I place them on side tables, bookshelves, and quiet corners, letting their light bring a radiant luminosity to my evenings. Even the ritual of lighting them as I return home signals a transition, an invitation to slow down, release the weight of the day, and embrace stillness. As the sun sets, the candle's glow gradually expands, until it is eventually the only source of light around. And when I blow them out at the end of my night, it marks a quiet closing: a purification of the space, making room for sleep, renewal, and the promise of a new day.
A candle may be small, but its presence is powerful. It reminds me that even the simplest elements can transform our environment, offering light in the darkness and sanctuary in our everyday life.
Some of my favorite candles
Small, Unscented Glass Votive Candle
These small glass votive candles are a staple in my house since they are small enough to fit on almost every surface, and they’re unscented which means no overwhelming scents. When I get home and start lighting all of the little candles I have around, these are them.
Large, 3-wick, Unscented Wax Pillar Candle
This large candle is perfect for the center of a table or an empty shelf where you have a bit more space. I love these large three-wick candles because as they burn, the wax melts in such a beautiful and calming way, pooling at the base of the candle.
Le Labo’s Palo Santo Candle
Le Labo’s Palo Santo candle blends the cleansing energy of palo santo with warm cedarwood, labdanum, and patchouli, creating an inviting and grounding ambiance. Hand-poured in the USA, it’s a beautiful way to infuse your space with a sense of sanctuary- plus it’s one of the few scents I actually really love!
Le Labo’s Santal 26 Candle
Le Labo’s Santal 26 exudes a refined, smoky warmth with hints of leather, creating a rich and inviting atmosphere. Perfect for adding depth and personality to your sanctuary.
More Sanctuary Essentials to come
I want to tell you about all of the sanctuary tools that I put to use at home, at work, and in the spaces I design, so I am going to continue this series of Sanctuary Essentials posts, where I will share both the tool itself and how to put it to use.
So tell me- what are your favorite candles? I’d love to hear.
With love and gratitude,
Lisa