Focus on your need or desire, before, as, and after you light the candle; and visualize (imagine) it as if it had already been fulfilled, or had already manifested. Have faith, in other words. You can use a candle of a color corresponding to your desire, or simply use a white candle. Call upon deities, and/or spirits, or Spirit, if you like, and if you remember to thank them. Dance, listen to music, focus, chant, etc., to raise more energy. After a few minutes, do something like raise up your arms and say "So mote (must) it be!" and visualize the energy released to the universe. Let go of all attachments to the outcome. Let it do its work. Have confidence.

Magick is spiritual energy; it's also the causing of change in conformity with will, and it's also the inner workings of the universe, in many ways. Nothing is accidental.

You can use the same candles again, if they're used for about the same purposes each time. If it was a particular work of magick, wait 'til your desire has manifested (you receive your answer), and then you can discard excess magickal or spell materials (or bury candle ends off your property if you used magick to send away, or on your property if it was to attract, or simply throw them away -- Or wouldn't it add up to a lot of wax in your yard?).

Magickal Ethics, and Philosophy

You won't always receive what you ask for, as the same with prayer, and Spirit will always work out the balance for the good. Be careful what you wish for. Magick always follows the path of least resistance. In other words, you could have blocked your own magick with your fears, or by not really wanting what you asked for, if it doesn't manifest. Some magick needs to be done more than once, or also, for nine days in a row, for example. They say that what you send out comes back to you. You cannot close a floodgate -- it has to run its course! You also need to do your mundane ("non-magickal") part, with setting some things rolling in the physical world, too. Magick can be a lot like throwing gasoline on a fire, but the fire had, and/or has, to be lit, too. Choose wisely what you start. Also, focus and intention (and the mental influence of positive thoughts) are huge deals in magickal practice. But the most important things in magick, are: KNOW YOUR SELF, and HARM NONE.

Also, rather than doing a binding spell on someone else, it's better to do a protection spell around yourself, such as (from a S. Cunningham book:), visualize three purple circles of light around you, and change, three times: "Thrice around the circle's bound; evil sink into the ground." or "I am protected by your might, O Gracious Goddess, day and night."
I don't think you should send someone's negativity back to them -- harm begets harm, and insult begets insult, etc. You reap what you sew, even though you may not see it, right away. What you do has a ripple effect down the centuries (look at families were anger and abuse carried through many generations, for instance; or one positive thought that you plant in someone else's mind can change generations of people; you're much more important than you probably think, and we must not forget the power and responsibility of being on Earth to influence others; though, you are NOT responsible for fixing their every problem; you can only plant the seed, in most cases; one can only choose to change one's self, in that way). You're much more mature to stay calm, and still be nice to the person, no matter what; and then, you'll always look good (and won't be perpetuating the negativity). You can visualize "negative energy" from someone bouncing off of you, and out into the universe. You can visualize it transmuted (changed) into positive energy (you can ask angels to help you with that). Or, you can mentally see mirrors all around you, and so, you visualize or sense someone else's negativity being reflect out into the universe where it can't do any harm (but NOT reflected or sent back to them! They need love, Not harm.). The more you choose to actively stay calm, the easier it is -- and therefore, the more you replace old negative habits, with better choices, you'll have good habits, and your life will be good. It's all about positive thinking, in your spirit, so to speak. Good things result in good things, regardless of the other person's reaction to you at the time. You should expect no less of your self! We need to get control on our reactions. You already are in total control -- of all the choices you constantly make (one way, or the other, good or bane [bad]). A major issue in magick is to gain self-control. And the biggest detriment (harm) to any person is insecurity (and as a side note: the biggest harm to children is inconsistency -- in affection, and in structure, which are the two big things with children [and no, I don't have any kids, so what]). Well, I'm telling you how to be secure and strong in your self, which is what everyone needs. :-) Then, you'll help the world, in your own ways, and with your own talents. Each day is an opportunity. And all positive solutions must be practiced daily, to change your life. Most of life is subtle improvements, on a daily basis, not major events, because life is lived on a daily basis, one day at a time, and the present the only time you have. Note: There's a wonderful poem by John Seamon, that you should keep hung on your wall, called "Today;" it's posted on the "Poetry" page of this web site.
Knowledge is power.
An important thing to remember is that as long you're not dead, then, everything else in this life can usually be fixed. You've dealt with things in some way, all your life, and you'll continue to deal with them, in some way, hopefully positive.

You should also visualize a large, protecting sphere (a globe or bubble), or a circle, of white light-energy, around you, every day (perhaps, a few times a day, for the first few months), and this protection will become very strong, over time, then.

* Note: to cleanse any object (like, before you use it, if it's brand new), hold it in the hand with which you write (your projective hand), and visualize and send white light energy into it until you mentally see it as cleansed.

Some Color Correspondances

White -- can be used as a substitute for any other color; also, purity, protection, Spirit, spirituality, the Goddess, light, cleansing, psychic powers, and so forth

Red -- energy, sex, drive, stamina, assertiveness, love affairs, the element of fire, power, money through influence, the South

Orange -- success, legal matters, energy, sunset

Yellow -- confidence, happiness, lifting mood, business, cheer, teaching, exams, learning, intellect, travel, the God, the element of air, the East

Green -- abundance, Mother Earth, physical healing, wealth, prosperity, fertility, money, plant life, flowers, motherhood, babies, the North

Blue -- tranquility, creativity, imagination, peace, calm, protection, dreams, astral travel, cleansing, meditation, communication, writing, healing emotions, travel by water, the element of water, the West

Purple -- influence, major healing, protection, influencing people in important places, deep meditation, advancement, importance, magickal powers

Black -- binding negativity, warding off, repelling, hiding, secrets, mysteries, the night, the void, karma, the past, concealing

Brown -- healing animals, attracting friendship, the earth element

Pink -- peace, good will, happiness, harmony, planetary good will, femininity, love, mature relationships, marriage, lasting partnerships (romantic, and non-romantic), commitment, children, gentle healing, calming

Gold -- wealth, healing, the God, fun, affairs, business, recreation, family outings, children, improve mood, ease depression, bring light, strength, power, leadership, protection

Silver -- lunar/moon magick, the Goddess, clairvoyance, psychic abilities, divination, protection, magick, tranquility

Grey -- canceling, neutralizing, blending in with your surroundings

Days of the Week

These are generally the best days to do magick for the following matters (however, you don't absolutely need to wait):

Monday -- ruled by the Moon -- best magick: spirituality, new starts, dreams, cleansing, order

Tuesday -- ruled by the planet Mars -- energy, activity, fights, harvest

Wednesday -- ruled by Mercury -- communication, learning, legal matters

Thursday -- Jupiter -- abundance, gain, freedom, philosophy, business, travel

Friday -- Venus -- relationships, love, healing, fertility, patience, peace, recreation, comfort

Saturday -- karma, binding, deep meditation, reflecting, the Mysteries

Sunday -- wealth, fun, family, success, politics, time off