We are Brethren.

Brethren values

I created Brethren Candle Co. after I started having adverse reactions to a lot of the shop-bought scented candles I was using at home. I wanted to create a collection of scented candles that reflect my love of nature; promoting serenity and aiding meditation without polluting the home with parabens and pthalates commonly found in parrafin-based products.

Brethren Candle Co. is all about keeping things small, local and sustainable. Craftsmanship and attention to detail are paramount. Brethren candles are made in very small batches using eco-friendly materials and essential oils wherever possible. All my candle vessels are reusable and/or recyclable - even the labels are biodegradable.

I believe that good quality shouldn't cost the earth, neither to the planet nor your wallet: that's why every Brethren product costs less than £1 for every hour of luxurious beautiful scent and I also offer a recycling service - return your used candle vessels in a reusable condition and get 15% off your next order.

- Alice Turner, creator of Brethren Candle Co.

The Sator Square

The Brethren logo is a Sator Square (sometimes called a Rotas Square or a Templar's Square). It is an ancient Roman acrostic, the origins of which are shrouded in mystery, but it was adopted by persecuted early Christians as a secret sigil to safely recognise one another (their brethren). Over the centuries it developed into a protective symbol to guard a household against disaster and evil supernatural influences. The Sator was a fairly common symbol found in homes across Europe for centuries (often hidden in corners and chimneys to protect the building and those in it), but it fell into relative obscurity from the Enlightenment period onwards.

Today Brethren is reviving the Sator Square as a positive symbol of protection and solidarity. So every time you light a Brethren candle, not only will you fill your room with beautiful soothing fragrance, you'll join all your fellow brethren doing just the same, and enjoy knowing you have a little slice of history in your home (and maybe even a little extra helping hand when you most need it...?)

The Brethren Tenets

Thou shalt never leave any lit candle unattended.

Hopefully the reasons for this one should be self-explanatory.

Thou shalt always keep candles away from the reach of children and pets.

Scented candles are safe to use if you have animals and/or small humans in your home, but naked flames and hot wax should be kept well out of their way and should not be burned during playtimes/zoomies.

Thou shalt burn thy candles for at least 30 minutes.

More of a guideline than a rule, but burning for 30 mins will allow a full melt pool to form. This improves the efficacy of your candle, extends its life and mitigates against "tunnelling" (when the wick burns a tunnel down the core of the candle, leaving unmelted wax clinging to the sides).

Thou shalt not burn thy candles for more than 4 hours at a time.

This is a good general rule for all container candles. Brethren container candles are rigorously tested and can safely be burned for longer, but 4 hours is more than enough time to fill your home with heavenly scent, plus extended burning can cause a buildup of soot and can potentially weaken the candle container.

Thou shalt not burn thy candles all the way to the bottom.

It's good to be frugal, but while it may be tempting to burn your container candles all the way down, this is not advised as the wicks are anchored on metal sustainers and overheating this part can be both unpleasant and unsafe. Generally, leaving ~1cm of wax at the bottom of your container is optimal.

Thou shalt evermore recycle thy packaging.

Not only does recycling our packaging help the planet; Brethren vessels can be repurposed as useful containers around your home. they can also be returned for recycling in exchange for a tasty discount off your next order. It's a win-win!

Wholesale & trade

If you would like to stock Brethren products for retail, please do get in touch to let me know your requirements.

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