There's a moment in sealing a letter that feels like a small ritual. The wax softens and drips. You wait a breath. You press the seal down, hold it, lift it. And there it is: a little round of color with your initial in it, closing a letter that someone will open far away.
For centuries, before gummed envelopes became common in the nineteenth century, letters were folded and sealed with wax. The seal proved who sent the letter and showed whether anyone had opened it on the way. Today it's purely a pleasure, and a lovely one.
What you need
- A seal: a small stamp with a wooden or metal handle and an engraved head. An initial is a classic choice. - Sealing wax: sticks to melt over a flame, or beads to melt in a small spoon. Choose a color you love; deep red, forest green and navy are timeless. - A candle or a small wax-melting spoon. - A few test sheets of paper.
How to do it
1. Prepare your envelope and place it on a flat, heat-safe surface. 2. Melt the wax. Hold the stick over the flame, turning it slowly, until it drips. Let a small pool form on the envelope flap, about the size of a coin. 3. Wait two or three seconds. Too hot, and the wax will stick to the seal; too cold, and it won't take the shape. 4. Press the seal straight down. Hold it still for a few seconds. Breathe. 5. Lift it gently. If it sticks, chill the seal on an ice cube between uses, or touch it to a little oil.
A few tips
Practice on scrap paper first. Keep wax seals small and flat so letters travel well; for long journeys, some postal services handle wax better if the envelope goes inside another one. And never leave the candle unattended.
Why it feels so good
Sealing a letter slows you down at exactly the right moment, just before you let it go. It turns sending into a small ceremony.
A gift worth sealing
The Letter & Magazine bundle brings together a season's letters and an issue of "(meditating) On Art", each letter carrying a meditation and a story about art. A gift that deserves a little wax, a little ribbon, and someone you love.
Remember to take as much time as you need, and meet me at the next one.
Love, Evi