❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Everything folks tend to wonder about The Mir, gathered in one tidy place. If your question isn't here, please write to us — a real human reads every message, and your question might earn a spot on this very page.
✉️ About the Weekly Email
Is the weekly email really free?
Yes — really, truly, always. It costs nothing, it will never cost anything, and there is no "premium tier" hiding around the corner. The weekly email is the heart of The Mir, and hearts shouldn't have price tags.
When does it arrive?
Every Sunday evening, like a friend calling to wish you a good week. It's short by design — most readers finish it with their tea still warm.
Will you spam me or fill my inbox?
No. You get one email a week — that's the whole arrangement. No "special offers," no surprise daily blasts, no renting your address out to strangers. One little light, once a week, period.
How do I unsubscribe?
There's a one-click unsubscribe link at the bottom of every single issue. Click it and you're out, instantly, no guilt trip and no "are you SURE?" maze. We'd rather you leave happy than stay annoyed.
Can I read past issues before I sign up?
Of course — that's what the Issue Archive is for. Six complete issues are posted there, free to read, so you know exactly what you're signing up for. We think you'll like it.
🛍 About the Candle Shoppe
How does ordering work?
The old-fashioned way, on purpose! Each product page has an order request form. Fill it out, and within 1–2 days a real person writes back to confirm your order and arrange payment (PayPal or check — your choice) and shipping details. No carts, no checkout timers, no "only 2 left!!" pressure. Just correspondence, like the good old days.
How much is shipping?
A flat $5 anywhere in the United States, and shipping is FREE on orders over $40. We're a small shoppe, so we keep it simple.
How fast do orders ship?
Once your order is confirmed, it leaves our hands within 2–4 days. Every order is packed personally — which is part of why it's not 2–4 hours.
Do you gift wrap?
Every order — every single one — is wrapped by hand, free of charge, with an inspirational quote card tucked inside. Sending it as a gift? Tell us in your order note and we'll include a handwritten gift note, also free. Wrapping presents is honestly one of our favorite parts of the job.
What if something arrives broken, or I just don't love it?
If it arrives broken, we replace it — no photos-in-triplicate, no interrogation, just tell us. And if it arrives perfect but you simply don't love it, write to us and we'll make it right. We're too small to have a "returns department"; we just have a conscience.
What are your candles made of?
All our candles are made with soy wax and cotton wicks. They burn clean and slow, and the scents are chosen to fill a room warmly without shouting.
🕯 About The Mir
Who runs this website?
A very small team of humans and several candles. The humans do the writing, wrapping, and replying; the candles supervise. We're not a corporation — when you email us, the person who answers is the same person who packed the last order and wrote last Sunday's issue.
Why does the website look so... old-fashioned?
Because we like it this way! It loads fast, it works on any computer, there are no pop-up videos chasing you around, and it feels like a letter instead of a billboard. The internet used to feel like a neighborhood, and we've decided our little corner still does.
Can I share your quotes, stories, and practices?
Please do — that's what light is for. All we ask is credit and a link back to theemir.com. (The quotes themselves belong to their original authors, of course — see our Terms for the fine print, of which there is mercifully little.)
I still have a question!
Wonderful — we love mail. Head over to the Contact page and write to us at hello@theemir.com. You'll hear back from a real human within a day or two.
Thanks for reading all the way down here. You're thorough. We like that about you. 🕯