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An Introduction to Candle Magic

Spells
witchcraft-candle-magick

Candle magic is one of the simplest forms of spell casting. Considered sympathetic magic, it’s a method which doesn’t require a lot of fancy ritual or expensive ceremonial artifacts. In other words, anyone with a candle can cast a spell. After all, remember when you were a child and you made a wish before you blew out the candles on your birthday cake?

In this article, Patti Wiginton, explains, as birthday candles, here is the same theory, only now instead of just hoping, you’re declaring your intent (and by now you’ve probably stopped hoping for a pony). If you think about it, the birthday-candle ritual is based on three key magical principles:

  • Decide on a goal
  • Visualize the end result
  • Focus your intent, or will, to manifest that result

What Sort of Candle Should I Use?

Most practitioners of magical systems will tell you that, much like a few other aspects of life, size really isn’t important. In fact, really big candles may be counterproductive. Look at it this way–a candle that takes three days to burn down can be highly distracting to someone working a spell that instructs you to wait until the candle burns out on its own. Typically, a short taper candle or a votive candle will work the best. In some cases, a spell might call for a specific type of candle, such as a seven-day candle or a figure candle, which may represent a particular person.

One of the most popular candles, believe it or not, is in fact the little menorah candles which are sold by the box in the kosher section of the grocery store. They’re about 4″ long, white, unscented, and thin. Because of this, they’re perfect for spell work.

You should always use a brand new candle for spell work–in other words, use virgin materials. Don’t use the candles that you burned at the dinner table or in the bathroom yesterday for spell work. In some magical traditions, once a candle is burned it picks up vibrations from things around it. If a used candle is already tainted by vibrations, some people believe it will lead to a negative or ineffective magical outcome.

When it comes to colors, you may wish to have a variety on hand for different magical purposes. Typically, Color correspondences for candle magic are as follows:

  • Red: Courage and health, sexual love, and lust.
  • Pink: Friendship and sweet love.
  • Orange: Attraction and encouragement.
  • Gold: Financial gain, business endeavors, and solar connections.
  • Yellow: Persuasion and protection.
  • Green: Financial gain, abundance, and fertility.
  • Light Blue: Health, patience, and understanding.
  • Dark Blue: Depression and vulnerability.
  • Purple: Ambition and power.
  • Brown: Earth-related or animal-related workings.
  • Black: Negativity and banishment.
  • White: Purity and truth*.
  • Silver: Reflection, intuition, and lunar connections.

    * Note that in many Pagan traditions, it is acceptable to use a white candle in place of any other color.

    Using Your Candle in Ritual

    After you’ve selected a candle, you’ll want to oil it or dress it before burning. This is a method by which you’ll establish a psychic link between you and the candle itself. In other words, you’re charging the candle with your own energy and personal vibrations, and projecting your intent into the wax before you burn it. To dress a candle, you’ll need a natural oil; many practitioners like to use grapeseed because it has no smell. Another option is to use special candle magic oils from one of the metaphysical supply stores.

    Begin at the top of the candle, and rub the oil downward to the middle. Then, begin at the base of the candle and rub the oil up towards the middle, ending where the first coating of oil left off. In some traditions, the anointing is done just the opposite way; start in the middle and work your way towards the two ends.

    If your working calls for herbs to be used as well, roll the oiled candle in the powdered herbs until it is coated all the way around.

    Brujo Negro of BrujoNegroBrujeria says,

    “Is a candle magical in and of itself? No, it is the flame of the candle which is what we are making the magic; the candle and its wax are the fuel for the fire. In essence the candle is a vehicle for the creation of the magic contained in the flame, it is a tool if you will and yes it is a magical tool so you should treat your candles as magical tools. You should give your chosen candle a basic cleansing, before dedicating it to the use of a magical spell.”

    The most basic form of candle magic uses a piece of colored paper that matches the intent of your candle. Decide what your goal is, and write it on the piece of paper. Just for an example, let’s say we’re going to do a money working. Write down your intent, something like I will become financially prosperous. In some traditions, you would write your intent in a magical alphabet, such as Theban or Enochian. Because this is a money-oriented working, we would select either a gold or green piece of paper, and a candle of the same color.

    As you write down your goal, visualize yourself achieving that goal. Think about the different ways in which your goal might manifest. Could you be getting a raise at work? Perhaps someone who owed you money will arrive out of the blue to repay their debt. Maybe you’ll find out you overpaid that cable bill from last year, and you will get a surprise refund check!

    Once you’ve written down your goal, fold the paper, concentrating on your intent the whole time. Some people like to say a small incantation as they do this. If you’re one of those people, this is a good place to do it. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You can use something as simple as:

    Extra money come my way,
    I could use a little cash today.
    Extra money come to me,
    As I will, so it shall be.

    Place one corned of the folded paper into the candle’s flame and allow it to catch fire. Hold the paper as long as possible (without burning your fingers) and then place it in a fire-safe bowl or cauldron to burn the rest of the way on its own. Allow the candle to burn out completely. When the candle has burned out completely, dispose of it, rather than saving it to use again for another working. Usually there’s not much left of a candle except a stub of wax, and you can either bury it outdoors or dispose of it in whatever manner you choose.

    Candle Magic for Divination

    In some magical traditions, candles are used for divinatory purposes. The two most commonly used methods of candle divination are by reading the wax, and reading the manner in which the candle actually burns. To read the wax, the typical practice is to drop the liquefied wax into a bowl of cold water. The wax will harden almost immediately, and form shapes. Use these shapes to get the answers to your questions, much as you would if you were reading tea leaves.

    To divine by the way the candle burns is a bit more complex, and Cat Yronwoode of LuckyMojo has a great essay on ceromancy in Hoodoo candle magic.

    9 Ways to Cleanse Negativity

    Spells
    cleansing-your-aura

    Negativity is a pain in the neck and every-time you try to accomplish something, negativity might block you. That’s why I decided today to share this short but insightful article published by The Alchemist. Original source: magicalrecipesonline.com

    You must be wondering, there should be a way to cleanse negativity. Of course there is. 9 to be exact (if not more). Here we are going to present you easy ways to banish and cleanse negativity.

    Is negativity around?

    The First question you have to answer is “does negativity surround me?”. Well to answer this we have to go one step back. Here you can find 10 Signs (and symptoms) when negativity is around. Have you answered yes in more than 5 (out of ten) questions? Then, it is time to make a change and try and see how your magic can help you rectify the issue.

    And here is how to get rid of Negative Energy and Cleanse Negativity:

      1. Setting the intention to get rid of all this negativity is step one. The stronger your will, the stronger your magic.
      2. Forgiveness. Simple acts of letting go and forgiving our selves and others have extremely healing properties. All we need to recognise is that everybody tries the best they know how and let things go.
      3. Using the power of water for its cleansing properties. Best solution is to prepare a hot bath, use some salt (or Epsom salts) and add essential oils of herbs with cleansing and healing properties such as eucalyptus, achillea, sage, myrrh and peppermint. Please remember to dilute and do not apply directly on your skin. Dive in and soak your body. Feel the cleansing properties of water removing all the debris from your body and aura and take deep breaths to allow the aroma of the oils replenish you.
      4. Ask assistance from your Deities, the Universe and any higher forces that you work with. The first step is to recognise that you need help, put your pride aside and ask for it. When you ask they will listen.
      5. Carry crystals which ground negativity and have protective properties such as onyx, obsidian, black tourmaline or tiger’s eye. Remember to cleanse them every so often as they all have storing capacities.
      6. Time for a good house cleansing.
      7. Cast a purification and cleansing spell.
      8. Cast a protection spell.
      9. Use the upcoming ritual of the chalice and the athame

    Always remember to take baby steps and keep going, asking for help is not a sign of weakness and whatever the situation you are stronger than you think and you can always surpass your expectations.

    Real Witches Share 6 Spells That Actually Work!

    Spells
    wirchcraft-spells-that-actually-work

    As any practicing witch will tell you, there is no right way to cast a spell. The process is deeply personal and needs to be tailored to fit the situation. Spells can be as simple as scratching your intention in the dirt, but they can also be as elaborate as creating an entire ritual, complete with candles, chanting, and spoken rhymes. The accuracy of spells can be a bit of a learning curve, as you will learn below. But it can definitely be achieved.

    Here, six real-life witches share the success stories of their own spells—including one that went a bit too well.

    by Jennifer Billock

    CLEANSING SPELL

    “A friend of mine recently lost his two-month-old to SIDS. He constantly complained about hearing the child cry, so I asked if could try to help. As a kitchen witch, my tools are simple: I cleansed everything in his house. It took over seven hours, but afterward, he stopped hearing the baby cry all the time and only ever heard it again when a child was around.” – Luna, 34

    Kitchen witches use a variety of tools to cleanse spaces, from herbal techniques to good old brooms. If you’d like to do something similar, try lighting a bundle of dried sage until it begins to smoke, then waft the smoke around the area you’d like cleansed, making sure to get in all the corners. Another method is to actually clean—imagine a white light enveloping your surroundings as you literally scrub and wash everything. When you’re finished, sweep in a counterclockwise direction (also known as widdershins) and brush everything out the door.

    LUNAR CYCLE SPELL

    “I cast my most recent spell to help a friend find a place to live—not just any place but one that would be specifically suited to her lifestyle and that would allow multiple cats.

    It was a two-part spell. The first part was casting intentions during a full moon to clear away any obstructions to her getting a place. The second part was during the new moon, at which time I infused a piece of orgonite with the intention to attract an open-minded landlord.

    She is now happily moving into her new place.” – Tammy, 42

    Using the specific powers of the lunar calendar is a great way to get your spell to come to fruition. Many witches meticulously track the path of the moon and work their magic depending on whether it’s full, waxing, waning, or new. A full moon is perfect for spells that need a lot of extra energy, divination, and protection. When the moon is waxing (or getting larger), you should do prosperity spells or any type of spellwork designed to bring something close to you or increase something. For a waning moon—one that’s getting smaller—work spells that get rid of things like bad energy, illnesses, and detrimental habits. During the new moon, aim for spells that promote the newness of things, like a new job or a new relationship.

    MANIFESTATION SPELL

    “When my girlfriend and I decided to move in together, we began looking for a home with a yard big enough for our pets – my cat and her two dogs. We also wanted something where we could separate the house in the middle just in case they didn’t get along, giving the animals plenty of space while we tried to get them used to each other.

    So, I decided to use blessed moon water to manifest our perfect home. Every full moon, I blessed water beneath the moon and then used that moon water during the month for various things. For instance, I would make myself a cup of tea or hot cocoa with regular water then, as the tea was steeping, I would say a blessing and charge the moon water again before pouring a splash of it into the cup. Every night during this ritual, I asked the universe to give us “everything we need in life to sustain us and make us happy.”

    One day during this time, I drew on a piece of paper a rectangular house that could be split right down the middle. I pictured that house every single night. Lo and behold, at the last minute, we found the perfect house in town, that fit our budget and easily split down the middle, with a huge yard. Everything about it was exactly what I asked for.

    To this day, it’s the best spell I ever did, but it took about six or nine months to complete.”

    -Daena, 25

    Commitment and consistency was the key to success for Daena. If you want to manifest something in your life, try a similar visualization technique. If possible, draw what you’re seeking on a sheet of paper and then meditate on it as often as possible. Manifestation spells work best when they’re repetitive and combined with other types of spellwork to really reinforce the need for what you desire.

    HEALING SPELL

    “I created a jar spell on the one-year anniversary of my mom’s death in January, intended to bring myself (and others that loved her) peace and healing for the upcoming year. Jar spells are a type of folk magic where the spellcaster fills a vessel with things symbolizing the subject of their magick.

    I know it was successful because I could feel this sense of calmness after I completed it. It isn’t a miracle by any means, but it helps. Sometimes I hold the spell jar in my hands while looking at her picture and feel strength.” – Kelley, 28

    To create your own spell jar, pick a container that feels right to you for the purpose of the spell. It can be helpful to match the color to your intent, but it isn’t necessary. Based on the spell you’re working, add whatever you think is a good symbol. For example, for a spell to get a new pet, maybe you’d add some hair clippings from a friend’s animal or a collar with dog tags. Generally spell jars contain three things: an item to reflect the intent of the spell (if it was a spell on yourself, you’d add a personal item), a written account of the spell’s intent, and some sort of liquid to bind it all together, tailored to the spell. Fun fact: a lot of antique spell jars used urine!

    LOVE SPELL

    “In my early 20s, I desperately wanted to date a friend of mine that I thought I loved, and who I know felt a similar way toward me. I decided I would work a spell to get him to ask me for a date. I took a red candle (even though I wasn’t versed in candle magick) and, one afternoon, carved his name into it with a knife. I chanted over the candle for a moment, willing him to ask me out, then I took it inside and burned it. He did eventually ask me on a date—only two years later, shortly after I got married. He told me he felt compelled to ask, though he didn’t know why.” -Jennifer, 34

    The delayed response to this spell could have been the result of several things—and shows why it’s important to feel comfortable in your magic and make sure the timing is right.

    Jennifer didn’t know much about candle magic when she did the spell and wasn’t fully comfortable with it, so the results could have manifested later, at a point when she had learned more about the style. Plus, it was afternoon, the sun was setting and the day was winding down, which could have had a lengthening effect on the spell.

    But the main reason for the delay was likely due to her intention of making the object of her spell do something. Working spells on someone generally doesn’t mess with their free will—so if he didn’t feel it was the right time to ask her out, he was making the choice to wait until he felt like the pressure was off.

    BINDING SPELL

    “I did a binding spell because I was being bullied by two coworkers. Binding spells are most often used to prevent an individual from causing harm to themselves or to others, which was true in this case. But, then, things seemed to get out of hand.

    My patron goddess, a deity I include in my magick for spiritual guidance, told me to wear white and burn white candles. She also told me to purify my body prior and to keep my intentions pure while performing the ritual.

    Next, I stole two used water bottles belonging to the coworkers I was binding and combined the remaining drops of water in each bottle into a glass. I used a fluid condenser for the spell, which is a mixture of water, alcohol, and ingredients that represent the magickal intent, reduced through boiling. I poured the condenser into a glass. Then I wrote their names on a scrap of paper, burned the paper, and emptied the ashes into the liquid, which I then transferred to a freezer bag. Then I stuck it in my freezer, where it remains frozen to this day.

    The very next day, one of my coworkers texted me an apology for her behavior. So, immediately, I was like: yes! the spell worked! But then, soon afterward, she lost an important account and was crying in the office. She’s been kinder to me ever since.

    The other coworker also changed his behavior and was immediately more kind to me. But then, he soon became ill. His mother died suddenly of a heart attack, and he moved away.

    I really didn’t wish them any harm; I just wanted the bullying to stop. So I think (I hope) that the bad things that befell them after I cast my spell were just the result of their karma. But honestly, I’m kind of scared to unfreeze the bag now.” – Trinity, 31

    Trinity learned a very important lesson with her spell. It’s never a good idea to work magick on other people if you have anger or ill will toward them. That emotion will manifest into something nasty in the outcome of the spell and can often cause more problems than you intended.

    Source: Astrology.com