Legend has it that on Christmas Eve or on New Year's Eve, a bayberry candle was burned to bring prosperity and good fortune to the household in the new year. It was important that it was timed correctly so that the candle would not burn out before midnight. It must be lit in one year and burn into the new one.
I start to burn mine Christmas night at 7 pm Est so that it burns to New Years Day! This candle can also be burned March 19 until March 20th the TRUE New Year!
Bayberry candles burned to the socket brings food, larder and gold to the pocket.” Other tradition says that if you burn a bayberry candle all the way down on New Year's Eve, you will have good fortune throughout the coming year.
You usually light the candle when the 1st star appears. Most importantly, you must time the lighting of the candle so it will stay lit until after midnight. Again, legend has it that will bring a year of prosperity and good fortune to the house.
