Ivory and Gold Apollo, Ritual Altar Candle, Queer Love/Healing Beeswax Spell Candle, Hyacinthus/Antinuous, Reclaiming Divine Queer Identity

The world is changed because you are made of ivory and gold. The curves of your lips rewrite history.

-Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Ivory and Gold is dedicated to deities who embrace queer identity. Though at different times, throughout the world, normative sexual identities and experiences have changed; the myths, stories, and history of what we now call "queer" deities have survived to modern times. Ivory and Gold is dedicated to queer deities, especially Apollo, Hyacinthus (Hyakinthos), and Antinuous. It is intended to reclaim the divine nature of the queer experience, as well as bring healing and releasing from both personal and collective heartbreak and trauma, and reclaim the joy of queer love.

SIZES

Tealights - set of 2

Votive - standard fit into clear glass

Chimes - about 4" tall, available in as a pair

Tapers - about 5 1/2" tall, available as a pair

If you require an alteration, customization or a size out of stock please get in touch and we'll work something out.

All candles are made from USDA certified organic beeswax, some to ensure even burning dependent of size and style is mixed with USDA certified organic coconut oil. All candles are scented with hyacinth and coated in dried hyacinth and hibiscus flowers.

DESCRIPTION

Apollo is one of the most well known and most reduced gods of Europe. Coming into Hellenic culture rather late in history from the "Near East", Apollo first was a god of plague and pestilence, who later shifted to be known as a god of healing - with the power to bring illness he could also remove them. As his cult developed he would come to expand his domain to divination, oracular work, reason, truth, philosophy, archery, calisthenics, music, and sunlight. Of the Hellenic gods he has the most recorded stories of love shared with other men, and as a god of the Hellenic ideal of individual excellence, helps queer practitioners be the most themselves in a world that may attempt to restrict them based on sexual identity.

Hyacinthus (Hyakinthos) is an ancient god whose cult became engulfed into Apollo's mythos in later Hellenism. Their short-lived time together was emphasized by joy in both romantic love and overtones of a teacher and student relationship spent mastering physical arts. Both gods are seen not only as those who love other men, but also as gods who embody a drive towards personal excellence and perfection.

Antinuous, the great love of Emperor Hadrian, sacrificed himself to relieve the long drought in Egypt which threatened to crumble the Roman Empire. Upon his death, Egypt's harvest produced ten years worth of bumper crop and Antinuous was deified, his cult honored and beloved throughout the ancient world. His kind, gentle smile can still be seen throughout museums across the globe as thousands of carved images were commissioned by the grieving Hadrian. Antinuous is still beloved as a gentle and kind god, especially to those in pain and grief.

Hyacinth was believed to have come from the blood of the god Hyakinthos. Upon Hyakinthos’ death, Apollo refused Hades and had him reborn as the flowering bulb. Hyacinth is a Spring plant that only buds after weeks in cold, with a powerful, distinct fragrance, and short-lived bloom. It is a joyous plant that drives off melancholy, as well as de-hexing and replacing the space with positive energy. As such it is an ideal plant to work with to gently move from pain into healing and joy.

Toxicity Alert: Hyacinth does have a high toxicity level, though most potent in the bulb. While a single blossom is unlikely to cause significant damage please be mindful should the item be in reach of small, undiscerning creatures such as puppies.

SAFETY:

Never leave a lit candle unattended, and place a flameproof object under candle for precaution and to collect wax. As an irregular shaped candle melting wax has a tendency to drip unpredictably.