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Soap
Nov 25, 2013 11:37:31 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Nov 25, 2013 11:37:31 GMT -8
So, anyone make soap as a devotional activity?
I've recently taken up soap-making (mixing lye and oils to create soap through a chemical reaction, as distinguished from soap crafting). I find the process lends itself to transformative type of work (mix a dangerous, caustic substance and the grease of daily living and create a powerful cleanser).
So far I've made magical soap (with appropriate energy work) and medicinal soap (based on the power of herbs and spices). Devotional soap is on my list (for example, a Brigid soap made with cows milk and beeswax). I'd want to call on the Deity to bless the soap as I make it. I feel like you could wash with the soap both as a devotional activity and in preparation for ritual with that deity.
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Soap
Nov 26, 2013 6:55:15 GMT -8
Post by moonwolf23 on Nov 26, 2013 6:55:15 GMT -8
Are there any recipes or how to's that you can share? Maybe also share the stuff that went right and the stuff that went wrong?
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Soap
Nov 26, 2013 11:29:32 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Nov 26, 2013 11:29:32 GMT -8
So for the actual process of soap making, I'd just Google "Cold Process Soap Making" and you'll get a ton of videos, tutorials, etc. on the basics of making soap "from scratch." Those will help more than anything I could write here. I also recommend finding a class if possible. I'd wanted to do this a couple of years ago, but nervousness around the lye (along with some time constraints) stopped me. Being in a group, watching an expert, put my fear into context.
For the magical / medicinal / religious aspects, I feel like I'm way too new to comment. My first batch is still curing and won't be ready for use until around the first of next year. Perhaps I can report back then.
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Soap
Dec 10, 2013 23:29:52 GMT -8
Post by nymphaea on Dec 10, 2013 23:29:52 GMT -8
I used to do a bit of soap crafting (well, I was younger and given some of the clear glycerin blocks to melt into molds) but I'd really like to craft my own soaps at some point. I actually can't stand regular white bar soap (the smell makes me want to vomit, for a few different reasons) and have been using handmade soaps for a long time. Making my own seems to be the next logical step! Although, I'm not sure if the types of soaps I currently use and enjoy were made with lye or not (I know there is lots of beeswax though, I'll have to look up the company, as usually my mother just orders me a box of random ones for the holidays).
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Soap
Dec 11, 2013 13:25:20 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Dec 11, 2013 13:25:20 GMT -8
All soap is made with lye. Even the glycerin bars you had. When you combine lye dissolved in water with fats/oils, the resulting chemical reaction (called saponification) is what makes soap happen. The end product doesn't have lye (it all gets used up in the reaction -- or it should, recipes are important!) but the process sure does. I don't know if artificial detergents are made with lye, but you probably don't want to be washing with dishwashing liquid anyway. I make some of my soaps with animal fats*, because they take to the magic better (I understand that flying ointment and magical salves are the same), but you can have all vegetable based soaps.
* Local, ethically raised, humanely slaughtered, and personally rendered animals fats -- just for the record.
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Lomaz
New Member
Posts: 22
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Soap
Dec 11, 2013 15:47:02 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by Lomaz on Dec 11, 2013 15:47:02 GMT -8
I have made a great deal of soap using the hot process. I know it has a reputation for being dangerous, but in small batches my experience is that it is quite safe. In my opinion the hot process yields a finer product. I like to do a 100% conversion with a blend of oils (coconut, olive and canola the ratios of which I hold secret) then add about an ounce of shea oil after the conversion. This process ensures that a) any unconverted lye is dealt with and b) the only residual oil is oil of shea. The addition of desireable oil after soponification is one of the benefits of the hot process.
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Soap
Dec 11, 2013 16:10:39 GMT -8
Post by nymphaea on Dec 11, 2013 16:10:39 GMT -8
Oh wow! Thanks for that info Admin! Clearly I haven't done much with soap...yet  |
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Soap
Dec 11, 2013 19:41:30 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Dec 11, 2013 19:41:30 GMT -8
As lomaz pointed out, it's not massively dangerous. I think the key is to treat it with respect and keep distractions to a minimum. I think the chemical transformation is fascinating.
Lomaz, I'm interested in why you think hot process makes for a better product (apart from custom superfatting). I know how to do both, but have only ever done cold process so far. The curing is the hard part, because you have to wait. For a devotional soap or magical soap, the waiting can be part of the working I suppose.
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Lomaz
New Member
Posts: 22
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Soap
Dec 15, 2013 12:17:22 GMT -8
Post by Lomaz on Dec 15, 2013 12:17:22 GMT -8
The ability to selectively superfat is the main reason I prefer the hot process. I also like that the curing time is much shorter. Really though I think there is some ineffable quality produced in the hot process that is lacking in the cold process. Furthermore,from a magical perspective, the ability to chant runes over a bubbling cauldron can't be beat.
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Soap
Jan 7, 2014 14:17:27 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Jan 7, 2014 14:17:27 GMT -8
I am looking for a couple of volunteers to try a some samples of the soaps I've been making. I could pay US postage and would expect some detailed feedback. This is somewhat outside the scope of PWB, so please email me directly at Ivy Vine. |
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