About the making
Bishop’s Remedy is an independent family run candle workshop based in Northland, New Zealand where we turn locally sourced pure beeswax into traditional hand-dipped candles.
Bishop’s Remedy pulls inspiration from the ancient alchemists who saw a beeswax candle as far more than just a light source – it was a tool, a timekeeper, and a symbol of captured sunlight. In alchemical philosophy, fire represents one of the four classical elements and is associated with transformation, purification, and divine illumination.
HAND-DIPPING
Each candle is crafted using a very meditative process of hand-dipping the wick into molten wax until layer-by-layer the candle is formed.
Locally harvested
Beeswax is truly natural, renewable and regenerative and its high melting point means it burns slower and more steadily than soy or paraffin wax. So you get more hours of actual light and atmosphere out of every candle. At the end of the honey season our northland beekeepers collect the wax cappings from their hives, release the honey and gently melt and filter the wax through water and cloth. There are no chemicals used in this process and the wax is kept fresh and full of honey scent.
A HONEY DREAM
Made by honeybees and infused with the aroma of honey straight from the hive. Our candles are scented only by what's naturally present in the wax (no synthetic fragrance, no phthalates or VOCs, the additives commonly used to make other candles smell stronger for longer). The scent is delicious and light enough to sit on the table through dinner without competing with the food.
The characteristic honey colour varies between hives, largely depending on which flowers the bees have been foraging. Our wax is a light golden hue and comes mostly from Mānuka and Pōhutukawa honey hives.
GOLDEN LIGHT
Fire is one of the oldest forms of nervous system regulation. Research on firelight has found that watching flames can measurably lower blood pressure, slow heart rate, and activate the parasympathetic system, the body's rest-and-recover mode.
The warm glow from a beeswax candle sits closer to the light spectrum of sunrise and sunset than bulbs or LEDs reducing the blue light that can keep your mind alert after dark.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does my candle have a powdery, whitish coating on it?
That's called "bloom”, a natural characteristic of pure beeswax caused by temperature changes. It's a sign of quality, not a flaw, and wipes away easily with a soft cloth.
Do your candles contain fragrance oil?
No. Every candle is scented naturally by the beeswax itself, which carries a soft, honeyed scent as it burns. We don't add any fragrance to our candles.
Do beeswax candles drip more than other candles?
Beeswax candles are known to drip less than paraffin wax candles. They will however still drip a little, especially if there is a draft wafting through – try to burn your candle somewhere still. Because each one is hand-dipped rather than moulded, no two candles are perfectly identical, and dripping will vary.
I don’t have any candle holders... what do I do?
Our Altar Columns, Chimes and Celebration Candles can be set up on any fireproof surface by melting a little wax at the bottom to fix them on. A saucer is a great option or any other ceramic dish you have. Table Tapers and Daily Tapers do need a holder, these are fun to find at op shops or the like.
How do I get the wax off my holder?
If there's only a little wax, use boiling water to melt and wash it away – do not let this go down a drain! If there is a little puddle of it, put your holder into the freezer and the wax will pop right off with a butter knife.
