Basic Guide
to
Popular Candle Magick
Since earliest time, Mankind has equated Fire with Divinity. The Sun was regarded as a Deity, and fire was one of its expressions. Primitives noticed that when the body was alive, it was warm. It became cold when dead. They surmised that Fire must also be the essence of Life.
It has been aeons of this unconscious idea which is behind the use of fire in worship and ritual. Igniting a fire triggers a primal, pre-historic part of our souls. It is an act of magick. When done for religious or spiritual purposes, that ancient idea sets in motion powerful forces. Fire and light have great power to move the soul and thereby stir the forces of magick.
Lighting a candle is like bringing Divine Power into a situation. Of course, if things worked that easily, we'd only have to strike a match to get things moving. Though the urge behind it is simple, making the magick do what you want takes more. Our minds have evolved considerably since those ancient times. Our magick must evolve, also.
What makes candlemagick so popular is its simplicity, availability, and adaptability. Candles are easy to get and use. The ways of using them are flexible. They can be adapted to almost any tradition or religion. They can be employed for almost any intention.
A spell, by definition, is a vehicle to access, control and direct magickal force. Candles gain access primarily by their fiery symbolism. Other means are used to control and direct the force. However, for best results, we must be more specific about what we access, what we want it to do, and how to make it all work together.
The most convenient schemes for understanding magickal force are the Elements and the Planets. The Elements are not the same as elements of Chemistry. Magickal Elements describe the four basic forces and processes behind our world. These are:
Earth: Stability, form, mass, bulk, shape, weight, stasis
Water: Fluidity, depth, changeability, magnetism, contraction
Air: Motion, speed, lightness, neutrality, carrying
Fire: Expansion, heat, light, change, energy
What we do is use the Elements to symbolize the need or the power which we wish to invoke. If we want to bind something, we call on the power of Elemental Water. To move, we would invoke Air; for mmobility, Earth. To spread and grow, we invoke Fire. Each Element is a convenient category to which things are attributed. The attributions are based the Element to which any thing corresponds most. The following is a short list:
Earth: Land, stone, houses, stability, longevity, the Past, hardness, money, possessions, physical needs, darkness, brown, Winter
Water: The sea, lakes, softness, fluidity, boats, moods, sentiment, emotions, binding, constricting, joining, transluscence, blue, Autumn
Air: Wind, smoke, lightness, clarity, communication, transport, logic, moving, knowledge, carrying, transparency, yellow, Spring
Fire: Heat, burning, consuming, growing, rising, passions, expansion, illumination, inspiration, changing, competition, emergency, brightness, red, Summer
A spell for money or a home would be placed within Earth. You mightplace a symbol of the Element on a brown candle. A love spell would fall under water. One for hot romance would be Fire. A spell for travel would be Air.
The planets of astrology are used the same way. Each symbolizes an energy, and each has attributes. You can use the planet chart to help plan your spells.
Mercury: orange, yellow, Quicksilver, Aluminum, communication, travel, intelligence, magick, logic, science, Wednesday, Air
Venus: green, blue, Copper, love, increase, nature, emotions, growth, agriculture, play, Friday, Water, Earth
Mars: red, Iron, Steel, war, strength, conflict, competition, vitality, courage, blacksmithing, Tuesday, Fire
Jupiter: blue, purple, Tin, honor, wisdom, joviality, expansiveness, generosity, wealth, religion, Thursday, Air
Saturn: black, indigo, Lead, homes, time, contraction, restriction, aging, business, stability, teaching, Saturday, Earth
Sun: gold, orange, Gold, harmony, beauty, leadership, inspiration, healing, sacrifice, heroes, warmth, freedom, Sunday, Fire
Moon: violet, blue, Silver, tides, oceans, psychic work, cycles, night, Goddess, mysteries, nautical trades, Monday, Water
There are many kinds of candles, from simple tapers to large 7-Day coach candles and candles shaped like people, animals and things. Simplest of all is to purchase candles whose color corresponds to your need, using the Planetary listings.
For spells that require more power, you might want to use a larger candle. Votive candles can burn much longer than tapers. They arealso easier to inscribe.
Figure candles have specialized uses. Most common are human, skull and cross-shaped candles. Many occult shops have a large array of shaped candles. Here are a few popular uses for figure candles:
Human (man or woman): in love spells, it is common to use a red, orwhite candle shaped in the gender of the person you wish to attract.
Skull: red skull candles are used in healing spells for head injuries.
Cross: crosses are used for invoking blessings and in ``uncrossing,''or breaking a spell of bad luck.
Witch: witch-shaped candles are burned for good luck.
Cat: cat candles are used for luck, good fortune, and attracting love.
Scented oils have become popular in candle magick, due to the influence of Louisiana ``gris-gris'' magick. There are many different blends available. These oils are rubbed over the surface of the candle before it is lit. They are available through occult suppliers. Books of oil formulas are available, if you wish to make your own. Some plain oils (such as potpourri oils) can also be used. Here are examples:
Pine: for healing, strength and prosperity.
Bayberry: for luck and prosperity.
Rose: for love.
Jasmine: for love, good fortune and wealth.
Lavender: for wisdom, love and psychic insight.
Frankincense: for blessings, good influences, protection.
Myrrh: to cleanse, to banish negativity.
Spearmint: for healing and purification.
Incense sticks are commonly burnt alongside the candle. An old legendclaims that incense brings one's prayers heavenward. Most occult shops offer an array of incense blends. Some are specifically made to correspond with planets. Simple scents are available in many places. The above oil chart also applies to incense.
Look at the chart of Planetary references, and find the one most suited to your need. If possible, get a candle of the appropriate color (if you don't have one, use a white candle). Now, using a nail, awl or small knife, carve a symbol of Divinity near the top of the candle. It may be a religious symbol, such as a cross or Star of David, or you may use a magickal symbols such as the Pentagram.
Next, carve symbols which relate to your desire. Use the appropriate Planetary symbol and another symbol which fits the need. For example, you might use a heart for love or a dollar sign for money. Some people also put their initials on the candle.
Put a drop or two of oil on the candle, and rub it onto the entire surface. As you do so, imagine that you are filling the candle with a special magickal essence. Take your time. Some people will hold the candle in their hand and imagine energy flowing from themselves into it.
Now, put the candle into its holder. Light the candle and the incense, and make an invocation or prayer asking fulfillment of your need.
Do not beg - state your claim calmly are assuredly. Image what youneed with your minds eye. See it being fulfilled. Imagine that lightingthe candle invoked Divine force into the situation. Let the candle burn.
Those more devoted to candle magick may make a small altar. On itwill be the candle holder, an incense burner, and a symbol of Divinity, such as a cross or a statue.
If you wish to charge a pendant, crystal or other item with candle magick, you must first choose the right candle, oils and incenses. If the pendant has a notable shape or bears a design, carve it onto the candle. Prepare as above. On your altar, place the item beside the candle. You light the candle and incense, then invoke, adding that you seek to charge the object. Pass it thought the smoke of the incense and over the candle flame (be careful not to burn it or yourself!), and image the item glowing with magickal force. In your mind, see energy from the smoke and flame infusing the item with power. You can use this to charge protective items, love amulets, money-drawing charms, etc.
Just because you're doing magick doesn't mean you can be reckless. Candles are an open flame. A little fire safety is in order. Never burn them near drapes or hangings. The flame may be small, but its heat can eventually affect things that seem high enough to be safe.Do not leave a burning candle unattended. If you must leave, snuff the candle out (don't blow it out - it's considered bad magickal practice! Use a candle snuffer.) You can relight it later. Keep pets and small children away from your burning candles. Make sure candles aren't burning where they may easily be knocked down. Use good fire safety when doing candle magick!
AND SO
Candle magick can be that easy! Remember - pratice makes perfect. It takes time to develop skill, so don't feel bad if some spells fall short. Most important is that you put lots of feeling into every stage of the spell, from marking the candle to imaging the forces working for you. You can be creative and add your own ideas. You may wish to learn more about magick. You can combine candle magick with information from other booklets in this series. You can also learn from other books - there are many good books available.