Most of us have performed our first act of candle magic by the we are two years old. Blowing out the tiny candles on our first birthday cake and making a wish is pure magic. This childhood custom is based on the three magical principals of concentration, will power and visualization. In simple terms, the child who wants his wish to come true has to concentrate {blow out the candles}, visualize the end result {make a wish} and hope that it will come true {will power}.
The size and shape of the candles you use is unimportant, although highly decorative, extra large, or unusually shaped candles will not be suitable as these may create distractions when the magician wants to concentrate on the important work in hand. Most magicians prefer to use candles of standard or uniform size if possible. Those which are sold in different colors for domestic use are ideal.
The candles you use for any type of magical use should be virgin, that is unused. Under no circumstances use a candle which has already adorned a dinner table or been used as a bedroom candle or night-light. There is a very good occult reason for not using anything but virgin materials in magic. Vibrations picked up by secondhand materials or equipment my disturb your workings and negate their effectiveness.
Some magicians who are artistically inclined prefer to make their own candles for ritual and magical use. This is a very practical exercise because not only does it impregnate the candle with your own personal vibrations, but the mere act of making your own candle is magically potent. Specialist shops sell candle was and moulds together with wicks, perfumes, and other equipment.
The hot wax is heated until liquid and then poured into the mold through which a suitably sized wick has already been threaded. The wax is then left to cool and once is this has occurred the mold is removed, leaving a perfectly formed candle. Special oil-soluble dyes and perfumes can be added to the wax before the cooling process is complete to provide suitable colors and scents for a particular magical ritual. Craft shops which sell candle making supplies can also provide do-it-yourself books explaining the technicalities of the art to the beginner.
Once you have purchased or made your ritual candle it has to be oiled or 'dressed' before burning. The purpose of dressing the candle is to establish a psychic link between it and the magician through a primal sensory experience. By physically touching the candle during the dressing procedure, you are charging it with our own personal vibrations and also concentrating the desire of your magical act into the wax. The candle is becoming an extension of the magician's mental power and life energy.
When you dress a candle for magical use, imagine that it is a psychic magnet with a North and a South pole. Rub the oil into the candle beginning at the top or North end and work downwards to the half-way point. Always brush the same direction downwards. This process is then repeated by beginning at the bottom or south end and working up to the middle.
The best type of oils to use for dressing a candles are natural ones which can be obtained quite easily. Some occult suppliers will provide candle magic oils with exotic names. If the magician does not want to use these, he can select soluble perfumes sold by craft shops for inclusion in candles can be recommended.
The candles you use can be colored in accordance with the following magical uses: white-spirituality and peace red-health, energy, strength, courage, sexual potency. pink-love affection and romance. yellow-intellectualism, imagination, memory and creativity green-fertility, abundance, good luck and harmony blue-inspiration, occult wisdom, protection and devotion purple-material wealth, higher psychic ability, spiritual power and idealism silver-clairvoyance, inspiration, astral energy and intuition orange-ambition, career matters and the law.
If you wanted to use candle magic for healing, you would select a red candle to burn. To pass an exam, burn a yellow candle, to gain esoteric knowledge burn a blue candle or for material gain, burn a purple one. Its is obvious these colors relate to the signs of the zodiac and the planetary forces.
The simplest form of candle magic is to write down the objective of your ritual on a virgin piece of paper. You can use color paper which matches the candle. Write your petition on the paper using a magical alphabet, such as Theban, enochian, malachain, etc. As you write down what you want to accomplish through candle magic--a new job, healing for a friend , a change of residence, a new love affair, etc.--visualize your dream coming true. Visualize the circumstances under which you employer telling you that your salary has been increased or conjure up a vision of your perfect love partner.
When you have completed writing down your petition, carefully fold up the paper in a deliberately show fashion. Place the end of the folded paper in the candle flame and set light to it. As you do this concentrate once more on what you want from life.
When you have completed your ritual, allow the candle to have completely burned away. you do not need to stay with the candle after the ritual, but make sure that it is safe and that red-hot was will not cause damage or fire. Never re-use a candle which has been lit in any magical ritual. It should be only be used in that ritual and then allowed to burn away or be disposed of afterwards.
If you are conducting a magical ritual which involves two people {e.g. an absent healing for a person some distance away} then the second person can be symbolically represented during the ritual by another candle. All you need to do is find out the subject's birth date and burn the appropriate candle for that zodiacal sign.
This is a quick, uncomplicated ritual designed to be used for all positive purposes. You'll need one candle of the appropriate color, one holder, and matches.
When you're ready to begin, hold the candle between the palms of your hands.
Breathe deeply. Visualize your goal. Push personal, programmed power into the candle between your hands.
Feel the energy streaming into it. Say appropriate words if you wish simply stating what you need to occur.
Place the candle in its holder.
Strike a match above the candle and draw down the flame toward the candle.
Light the wick.
Put the still-flaming match into a heat-proof container (or extinguish its flame with a quick flip of the wrist).
Hold your hands around the candle's flame. Feel the energy. Visualize strongly.
Leave the area. Let the candle do its work.
Select a candle of an appropriate color.
The candle should be new and never used for any other purpose.
Anoint the candle to impress your thoughts on it and to consecrate it to your purpose.
Before starting get clear on what you wish, then write your wish on new paper.
Put this paper under the candle holder.
Lower or turn off other lights.
Rub the anointing oil on your fingers and gently rub it onto the candle. Light the candle and sit in quiet concentration upon your wish.
Above all visualize the thing you want.
Use the burning candle as a focus of concentration.
When you feel that you have concentrated for long enough take the paper and burn it in the flame of the candle, with the thought that you are now projecting your wish into the beyond to find fulfillment.
Snuff out the candle if its not consumed.
(Never use your breath to put out a candle flame)
Wrap it up in clean paper to use again on the same wish only!
Invocation:
Candle shining in the night
With your flame enchanted,
By the powers of magic might
May my wish be granted.
When the candle sheds its gleam
At the mystic hour, Let fulfillment of my dream
Gather secret power.
Flame of magic, brightly burn, Spirit of the fire.
Let the wheel of fortune turn, Grant me my desire.
One, two, three - so mote it be!
Tools:
One yellow candle, and one white candle.
(Remember always cast a circle)
The ritual:
''Air and fire protect my house,
(light yellow candle)
Lightening power I hear by douse.
Water and Earth, I call thy name
(light white candle)
to put an end to lightening flame.
Air and Fire,
(drip yellow wax upon hand)
Water and Earth,
(drip white wax atop yellow wax on hand)
Protection for me, now give birth.
I chant this spell,
This charm I see,
As my word
So mote it be.''
Red
Energy, Strength, Passion, Fertility Rites, Courage, Element of Fire, Career Goals, Fast Action, Lust, Aphrodisiacs, Sexual Passion, Health, Physical Strength, Blood of the Moon (menstrual cycle), Vibrancy, Driving Force, Love, Survival, Revenge, Anger, Willpower, Magnetism.
Orange
Business Goals, Property Deals, Ambition, Career Goals, General Success, Justice, Legal Matters, Selling, Action, Stimulate Energy.
Copper
Passion, Money Goals, Professional Growth, Fertility in Business, Career Maneuvers.
Gold
Wealth, The God, Promote Winning, Safety and Power of the Male, Happiness, Playful Humor, to Attract the Power of Cosmic Influences, to Honor Solar Deities.
Yellow
The Sun, Intelligence, Accelerated Learning, Memory, Logical Imagination, Breaking Mental Blocks, Selling Yourself, Confidence, Attraction, Charm, Persuasion.
Pink
Romantic Love, Love Spells, Friendships, Femininity, Planetary Good Will, Healing of Emotions, Peace, Affection, Romance, Partnerships of Emotional Maturity, Caring, Nurturing.
Green
Earth Mother, Physical Healing, Monetary Success, Money, Rituals to Counteract Greed and Jealousy, Abundance, Fertility, Success, Good Luck, Prosperity, Rejuvenation, Ambition, Tree and Plant Magick, Growth, Element of Earth, Personal Goals.
Blue
Good Fortune, Opening Blocked Communication, Truth, Wisdom, Protection, Spiritual Inspiration, Peace, Calm, Reassurance, Tranquility, Gently Moving, Element of Water, Creativity, Honor, Loyalty, Protection During Sleep, Astral Projection, Prophetic Dreaming.
Purple
Influencing People in High Places, Third Eye, Psychic Ability, Spiritual Power, Psychic Manifestations, Healing, Independence, Self Assurance, Power, Hidden Knowledge, Success, Household Protection.
Silver
Telepathy, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Psychometry, Intuition, Dreams, Astral Energies, Female Power, Communication, The Goddess, Remove Negativity, Encourage Stability.
Brown
Influence Friendships, Special Favors, Finding Lost Objects, Concentration and Telepathy, Protection of Household Animals and Familiars, Healing Animals.
Black
Meditation, Protection, Repelling Negativity, Binding, Banishing, Uncrossing, Shapeshifting.
Grey
Canceling and Neutralizing, Causing Stalemates.
White
Spirituality, Meditation, Divination, Clairvoyance, The Goddess, Lunar Energy, Truth, Peace, Higher Self, Spiritual Strength, Purity, Consecration Rituals, Exorcism, Healing, Virginity (as in the woman's mind is owned by no man), a Substitute for any other color.
By answering them, you will aquatint yourself with the elements of magick.
Print or copy this list and add it to your spell-book.
It can also be used for other types of spells as well.
Candle Type: ______________________________________________________
How long will it burn? _______________________________________________
Color: ____________________________________________________________
Symbols: _________________________________________________________
Phase of the Moon: _________________________________________________
Astrological Phase: _________________________________________________
Deities: ___________________________________________________________
Elementals: _______________________________________________________
Herbs: ___________________________________________________________
Oils: _____________________________________________________________
Stones: __________________________________________________________
Magickal Decoration: _______________________________________________
Visualizations: _____________________________________________________
Where will the candle be placed for the duration of the spell?________________
_________________________________________________________________
by Willow
The candle should be special, consecrated only for its purpose. I prefer natural (beeswax) votive candles, as votive shapes mean I don't have to worry about wax leakage and beeswax means that I don't have to worry about their smell.
The color should symbolize the purpose:
Red for Love, Green for Money, White for Psychic Energy, Blue for Health, etc.
Most important is that the color should mean something to you.
As for the oil, I prefer simple oils that don't turn rancid (I've always wanted to try scented ones).
The ritual is simple:
Prepare yourself (prayer, LBRP, Watchtower, whatever), take the candle, and "rub" your "request" into it.
For example, if you need to heal someone, or yourself, take the candle and meditate on the desired goal (better health), thinking only positive thoughts to that end as you completely rub oil onto the whole candle.
When you have finished, light the candle and "lightly" (versus intently, which could hurt your eyes!) stare into the flame (squint if you have to) as you think of what it is you desire.
After a time, blow out the candle and go about your business, repeating (from the beginning) as often as you feel moved to, at least a day between lightings.
I'm amazed time and again as to how well it seems to work; don't let its simplicity fool you.
Anoint your candle with the oil that you have chosen. This is done by placing a little of the oil on your fingertips. Grasp the candle at its midpoint with your left index finger and thumb, and use your right index finger and thumb to stroke oil on the candle from the midpoint up to the top of the candle. Next, grasp the candle at its midpoint with your right index finger and thumb, and use your left index finger and thumb to stroke oil on the candle from the midpoint down to the bottom of the candle. Continue in this fashion until the entire candle has been anointed.
While ritually anointing your candle, visualize a pure white beam of light coming up from Mother Earth, entering your body through the soles of your feet and another beam of white light coming down from the Universe and entering your body through the top of your head.
Envision the energy of these beams of light flowing throughout your body and mingling together, finally concentrating in your hands, causing them to feel warm and to tingle.
Now continue to stroke your candle until you feel the energy from your hands transfer to the candle. Your candle is now charged with your personal energy and magickal intent.
It is very easy to use herbs with candle magick. After your candle is dressed and lit, concentrate on your desire coming true (not working but already fulfilled!) and sprinkle the corresponding herbs over your candle. For this practice, I generally use small candles and melt the bottom of them and stand them upright in my cauldron. The I sprinkle the herbs into the flame. (The flame will often spark or grow large--this lets you know that your energy is really going!)
If I feel that the spell is weak and needs yet more power, I will lay the corresponding herbs at the base of the candle, and then I will drop a few drops of a corresponding essential oil onto the candle and into the flame. This usually works well. If not, maybe you aren�t t focused enough. Remember: herbs and candles are merely tools. You yourself ARE the magick! It can't work if your mind isn't in it!
Using herbs with candle magick is very rewarding, and it can be mentally draining because there is so much prep work involved. But if your need is great, then I feel that it is well worth your time.
An astral candle is used in our tradition to represent a person, generally yourself, on the altar. It is used at Esbats to link your subconscious to the group's subconscious. Because the altar represents the subconscious mind, when you are doing work alone, the altar is your subconscious representation. But in a group, it represents the group mind, and so to link ourselves to that group mind, we light our astral candle and place it on the altar. It also signifies that we are here of our own free will, and we intend to fully participate in the coming ritual.
Referring to the table below, you will use a larger candle for the primary color as your base, and a smaller candle for the secondary color. You will carve your name, birth date, symbol or sigil on the larger candle. You can use a "sacred toothpick" or your athame, or your boline, whatever your tradition or your own personal preferences dictate. You can carve into this candle whatever you use to symbolically represent yourself; whether that be your craft name, or some glyph or sigil. You can put your astrological sign on there also.
Now, use the smaller candle to drip onto the larger one. This is best done over a paper towel, as it gets a bit messy. You can drip in any patterns that please you, spirals, stripes, dots, whatever. When covered to your satisfaction - add breath to your candle by blowing on it. This joins your essence, your breath, to the candle. Hold the candle with your pinky's together, palms out, with the candle resting on your pinky fingers, and the wick up. Start from the base to the wick, blowing up. Turn the candle 1/3 around, and blow from base to wick up again. Turn the candle once more 1/3 turn, and blow again up from base to wick. (3 turns, 3 breaths)
Dressing - anoint with your zodiacal oil by putting oil onto palms and rubbing them vigorously together. Then starting from middle to wick, rub palms on candle up 3 times. Now turn the candle around, so that the base is at the top, and dress from middle to base 3 times. Turn the candle again so that the wick is at the top and then dress from base to wick 3 times. It is not necessary to put more oil on your hands to do this, one application will be enough oil.
Protect this candle because it now has a psychic link to you.
Once the basic candle is done you can add to it. You can make yourself an astral candle for example, for a money spell, and add green drips and dollar signs on top of your basic astral colors. Or any colors and signs appropriate to the spell you are doing. You should burn it for at least 15 minutes to be effective for spellwork.
Astral candles can be used for many rituals until they are all burned. They should never be discarded, but either stored safely, or allowed to burn out after the last use.
Sign Primary Color Secondary Color
Aquarius blue green
Pisces white green
Aries white pink
Taurus red yellow
Gemini red blue
Cancer green brown
Leo red green
Virgo gold black
Libra black blue
Scorpio brown black
Sagittarius gold red
Capricorn red brown
Lady Rhea
Blue: Peace and Harmony, Protection., Healing, especially where there are Fevers concerned. Reunites Friendships, House Blessing for a, New Home. Works well with all Neutralizing Acts of Magick, Ie, Breaking Bad Habits { including all over indulgences, be they in Food, Alcohol, or Drugs } Calms the Nerves and will Calm the Atmosphere of a Home where there is a Calamity, too many Arguments, or where a Recent Traumatic Experience has taken place. I strongly advise a White Uncrossing in this case, with the Blue, the Higher Octave of Jupiter Rules here; also the Planet Neptune. I prefer Purple myself.
Brown: This Color is worked well on the Physical Planes. It is a combination of Red and Green Mars and Venus, when blended together, neutralize. So Brown is often used to separate. But on the other side of the coin, it is also a Color used for Grounding and Stabilizing that which is not Stable. This Color falls under the Rulership of Pluto, The Lord of Outer Spaces and the Dead. Use this Color in All Matters Dealing with Justice, Separation, Earth Elementals and whenever the Color brown is mentioned in a Ritual.
Green: Money Drawing, of course. Now, after Love, we come to every body's next cause, or vice versa. Aha! But this is only apart of it, for here we have the Planetary Vibrations of Venus. Yes, She Rules on an Earthly Level. Green can attract all that Venus Rules on a Material sense. Treasures, Antiques, worldly Possessions , etc. This is best worked with an Orange, Mercury Candle so that Obstacles are Removed and the way to Hidden Treasure is Opened. Do this Duo and then go on an Antique Shopping Trip. Green is also a Color of Healing for Physical Disorders and Diseases having to do with Female Problems. Use the Green in Healing Cancer. It is the Devotional Color to Mother Earth.
Orange: Communications is the Key word here. This Color is Ruled by Mercury, Divine Messenger Of The Gods. Having a lot of Red Tape Lately? This Candle can be the Scissors that cuts through it. Success Spells and Favorable decisions are best started here. If your having trouble getting your thoughts collected, or in expressing your desires, Orange is your best bet. When there is a lot of Confusion and people are saying the same thing, but not hearing each other, Blue, Pink, or even White works well with Orange, depending on the situation. This also works well when 2 people desire to open their Telepathic Senses Together. However, both people should be in agreement to this. Do not use this to invade another, for Mercury is a Trickster and the Trick might be played on You. Excellent for Job Hunting and Success of any Nature.
Purple: Royal Workings for Honor and Recognition in acquiring Wealth. Respect of others. This Color is Ruled by Jupiter, so, remember, if you haven't completed the reason for acquiring Honors and Recognition Purple rules Higher Knowledge. First, accomplish the work, then, Invoke the Honors. We cannot put the cart before the horse. Good for Winning in the Court Room, Law suits, etc. All Psychic work attaining Wisdom through Psychic Visions in Business and Attracting New Business Clients. Good for putting your Employer in a Jovial mood before you hit him/her for a raise. This is a Color related to Power and will work well with other Colors, especially Orange, Green, and Yellow. For Legal Cases use Brown and Orange.
Red: Brings Physical Love; Sexual Potency. Manifests Ambitions on a Physical Level. Good for people who are Listless and have no Ambition or Drive. Mars is in Rulership here. This Color is also Sacred to Chango. Good for Business Deals that don't quite seem to be getting off the ground. Healing for Muscle wounds.
Pink: Love Attraction and Devotional Love. Romantic Love is more involved here, as well as Passion and Flirtations. Can be used when dealing with Bitter People. Example: when you have to work with someone and there is a lot of clash, this will help Sweeten up their disposition. Brings friendships. Best used with a Yellow, also because this keeps the Friendship on a Platonic Basis. Erzulie and Venus Rule here.
White: Here we have the Purity of Naught. The Serenity of White will bring a Clearing Effect like a Clean Sweep. Whether you are using it on a Person to clear away Obstacles, it is the best Purging of the Color Spectrum. So it is advised to do an Uncrossing before the undertaking of most Spells as this will open doors and make a Clear Path before you. This Color will Clean, Purify, and Absorb like no other. Which brings us to the next Principle of White. Being a Virgin Color it will Absorb any other. Example: If in an emergency I need a Green Candle and there are none available, I can substitute with a White, for it shall absorb the Color necessary by simply envisioning Green Light Passing through the Candle until it is completely Green. This Color, like Neutral Grey, is a Sacred to the Moon for its Virgin Qualities. Its Pantheon Aspects tie it to the Yurban Goddess Obatala. And in Candle Magick we do Uncrossings with Ellegua, which works exceptionally well even though His Colors are Red and Black. When you have all the proper Keys, All The Doors Open.
Yellow: This Color represents the Brilliance of the Sun. We use this Color in Healing, works where Higher Consciousness is needed, Happiness, Glory, Overcoming Injustices, all Magickal Acts that require Seals of the Sun. This Color is always prescribed when there has been a long dismal period in a person's lifestyle. It Attracts Wealth and Acclaim with more, Notoriety than Jupiter { puts you in the spotlight }. Use for Clearing up Lung Disorders and Problems of a similar Nature. Yellow is Ruled by the Santeria Goddess Oshun and the Sun God Apollo. Both Gods are Golden in their Nature of things. Oshun Rules Love and Marriage, and Apollo Rules the Supreme Archetype which all people aspire to be linked to.