Candle magick is probably one of the simplest forms of magick to get started with. You need nothing but the candle and fire to light it with. Candle magick can also be seen to be complete within itself, as the body of the candle is made up from the elements of Earth, Air and Water. To complete you need fire and spirit. Fire is easy, and Spirit can be represented by the wick of the candle, as the wick is where the potential of the candle lies and will be unfolded with. With the candle lit, the flame of your intent will burn.
CANDLE MAGIC have been used for centuries for magick and ritual. We light candles at holidays, a practice that takes place in many different religions, cultures and traditions. Candles invoke the divine, they create a sense of ceremony and they are facinating to look at. Candles can be purchased anywhere, by anyone without anyone blinking an eye or suspecting magick and witchcraft!
Through their ability to help you to focus on your wishes they make your heart's desire come true. Try it next time you want to make something happen in your life! Below is a few simple guidelines for using candles in magick!
Unwittingly you probably performed your first act of Candle Magick when you where very young on your birthday, blowing out the candles on your cake and making a wish!
This tradition is based on the three principals of magick; being concentration, will power and visualization. You have to concentrate to blow the candles out, wish and see your dream coming true - absolute magick!
Important pointers on choosing a candle:
1. Choose a plain candle, of uniform shape. Having unusual or large candles can be distracting and is therefore not suitable for magickal use.
2. Candles used for magick should always be Virgin (unused) at the start of the ritual. Using secondhand candles or other materials in magick can have disastrous effects as they might have picked up vibrations from previous use, even if it was just on a dinner table!
3. It is a very good idea to make your own candles if they are for magickal use. It will increase the magickal potency of the candle many times.
4. It is very easy to make your own candles, simply heat the wax until liquid and pour it into a mould which is treaded with a wick. The wax should now be left to cool, after which the mould can be removed. Oils and colours can be added to the Wax for extra effects.
5. Charge your candle before using it in ritual. This can be done by annointing it with oils associated with the ritual or magick you intend on performing, or by simply touching it and charging it with your own energy.
6. Whilst charging the candle, visualixe the North and South Poles - rub the oil into the candle starting at either the North or South end and always brush in the same direction.
7. The oils used in the annointing of your candle should where possible always be natural fragrances.
8. Try to colour the candles according the the colour associations below.
There are many factors that play into the art of candle magic. As we know any type of magic that is performed will return to you three fold, whether it be positive or negative. Always keep The wiccan Rede “An harm to none do what thou wilt” in mind when considering your work. Always keep in mind that magic effect’s the entire world around you. Be very careful what you ask for, for it may well come true. The wording in any type of magic must not be taken lightly, be very careful, concise , and precise, make sure you have covered all possible bases.
Keep in mind that some Candle Magic has to be repeated over a period of days. Therefore, you will want to place them in an area that will not be disturbed. Do not choose a place where there is a tv, radio noise or disturbances of any kind. Keep in mind to not put candles near curtains and such, as you would not want to burn your house down. Candle magic should always be performed in a low traffic area. That is why a bedroom is really nice for such work.
Your Altar:
You may use anything that has a flat top.. I use an old trunk with a piece of plywood on it. Be creative.. As for a cover I use white because of it’s kind of a multipurpose color. Although some magic specifies a color then what ever color is specified should be used. Again, be creative... Keep in mind that candle magic is usually done in condensed areas so keep things as simplistic as you can, especially your candlesticks and censors.
Incense:
There are some who believe that incense is unimportant in candle magic. I cannot imagine performing candle magick without the incense. The type that you use may be specified in a specific spell, if that is the case by all means use that. Generally, I use three kings incense as well as vervain. Vervain gives the spell working a little umph. But then again nothing is set in stone.. Be creative.
Incense symbolizes Air... as the smoke rises our thoughts are carried up into the universe.
Preparing of the Practitioner:
Prior to your spell working prepare yourself a nice relaxing bath. Add a hand full of sea salt to get your charges set where they need to be. Light a few candles, turn off the light and relax. Clear your mind of the junk you have picked up through out the day. Visualize the water washing all the negativity away from you. It is very important that your mind be at ease and clear prior to any spell working.
Types of candles:
Any type of candle can be used for candle magic as long as it has been cleansed and consecrated prior to use. Although beeswax candles are higher in price than store bought candles, they are more powerful because they are produced from nature. As with any other tool, the candle made by the practitioner for a specific purpose captures the energy of the practitioner. Many experienced Witches will use only candles they have crafted themselves because of this.
Cleansing & Consecrating:
This is a very important step and should not be omitted. Cleansing removes all the negative energies that the candle has picked up along the way. As with all supplies you want your candles to to be as free of psychic debris as possible. Submerge the candle in sea salt and the ask The Lord and lady to bless it. I could give you the phrasing but I think it is better when it comes from your own heart.
Dressing Candles:
Dressing the candle with oil is as important as any other step. Use whatever oil you prefer or what a specific spell asks you to use. Personally, I use lotus a lot... but again that is my preference. what is important is the direction you dress the candle. To bring something to you, rub oil on the candle in a downward motion from the top to the middle and then from the bottom to the middle.
To send something away from you...you rub the oil from the middle of the candle out to the ends. Never make a back and forth motion as this defeats the purpose. Dab the remaining oil from your fingers onto your third eye and on your breast bone. Then say the following:
“I cleanse and consecrate this candle in the name of the Lord and the Lady. May it burn with strength in the service of the light.”
Then state your intent or the purpose of the candle.
Astrological Associations for Candle Magick
* Aries -Red
* Taurus- Green
* Gemini -Yellow
* Cancer- Silver
* Leo -Orange
* Virgo -Yellow
* Libra -Pink
* Scorpio- Red
* Sagitarius -Purple
* Capricorn -Black
* Aquarius- Any Colour
* Pisces -Mauve
An absent coven member can be represented by a candle representing their sunsign, or if you are doing a spell for someone you can represent that person with a candle representing their sunsign.
Candle Colors
White
* The Goddess
* Higher Self
* Purity
* Peace
* Virginity
* (substitutes any other color)
Black
* Binding
* Shapeshifting
* Protection
* Repels Negativity
Brown
* Special Favors
* To Influence Friendships
Silver
* The Goddess
* Astral energy
* Female energy
* Telepathy
* Clairvoyance
* Intuition
* Dreams
Purple
* Third Eye
* Psychic Ability
* Hidden Knowledge
* To Influence People in High Places
* Spiritual Power
Blue
* Element of Water
* Wisdom
* Protection
* Calm
* Good Fortune
* Opening Blocked Communication
* Spiritual Inspiration
Green
* The Element of Earth
* Physical Healing
* Monetary success
* Mother Earth
* Tree and Plant Magic
* Growth
* Personal Goals
Pink
* Affection
* Romance
* Affection
* Caring
* Nurturing
* Planetary Good Will
Red
* Element of Fire
* Passion
* Strength
* Fast action
* Career Goals
* Lust
* Driving Force
* Survival
* Blood of the Moon
Orange
* General Success
* Property Deals
* Legal matters
* Justice
* Selling
Copper
* Professional Growth
* Business Fertility
* Career Maneuvers
* Passion
* Money Goals
Gold
* The God
* Promote Winning
* Power of the Male
* Happiness
Yellow
* The Element of Air
* Intelligence
* The Sun
* Memory
* Logical Imagination
* To Accelerate Learning
* To Break Mental Blocks
Recommended books (Free download):
Kenneth Grant - Magical Revival
Julian Wilde - Grimoire Of Chaos Magick
Aleister Crowley - Intro Magick
Aristotle - Metaphysics
Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love
