Candle Magick

This came from my friend Merry who always post the best things on her myspace site. I stole..I mean "borrowed" it from her.

Candle Magick

One of the simplest of the magickal arts which comes under the heading of natural magick is candle burning. It is simple because it employs little ritual and ceremonial artifacts. The theactrical props of candle magick can be purchased at any department store and it's rituals can be practiced in any sitting room or bedroom.

Most of us have preformed our first act of candle magick by the time we are two years old. Blowing out the tiny candles on our first birthday cake and making a wish is pure magick. This childhood custom is based on the three magickal 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) and hope that it will come true (Will power).

The shape and size of the candle you use is unimportant, although highly decorative, extra large, or unusually shaped candles often create distractions just remember that often k.i.s. is the best way (keep it simple) Most people prefer to use candles of standard or uniform size if possible.

The candles you use for any type of magick should be virgin candles, that is new/unused. Under no circumstances should you use a candle that has been used for other purposes, the reason for this is that second hand materials lets say candles used at a dinner party have picked up vibrations that may disturb your workings and negate their effectiveness.

Some practitioners find it more satisfing to create or mold their own candles. 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 magickally potent.

Once you have purchased or made your own candle next you will need to oil or dress it before burning. The purpose of dressing the candle is to establish a psychic link between it and you through a primal sensory experience. By physically touching the candle during the dressing you are charging it with your own personal vibrations and also concentrating the desire of your magickal act into the wax. The candle is becoming an extention of your own mental power and life energy.

When you dress a candle for magickal 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 halfway point. Always brush in the same direction downwards. This process is then repeated by beginning at the bottom or south end and working up to the middle.

I find that the best types of oils for dressing candles are natural ones. Use what you are most comfortable with. You might even do some herbal research and use and esstential oil to suit your intent or one that connects with the god or goddess of your pantheon.

The candles you use can be colored in accordance wiht their magickal uses:

white~ spiritual or peace

red~ health,energy,strength,courage, sexual potency

pink~love,affection, and romance

yellow~ intellectialism, imagination, memory, and creativity

green~fertility, abundance, good luck and harmony

blue~inspiration, wisdom, protection and devotion

purple~material wealth, psychic ability, spiritual power, and idealism

silver~clairvoyance, inspiration, astral energy, and intuition

orange~ambition, career matters and the law

For example if you wanted to use candle magick for healing, you would burn a red candle. To pass an exam burn a yellow one, to gain esoteric knowledge or material gain a purple one.

The simplest form of candle magick is to write down the objective of your ritual on a virgin piece of paper. You can use the color paper which matches the candle if you would like. Write down your petition on the paper, as you write down what you want to accomplish through the use of candle magick, a new job, healing for a friend, a change of residence, etc... visualize your dreams coming true. Visualize the circumstances under which you might be offered a new job, imagine your employer telling you that your salary has been increased.

When you have completed writing down your petition carefully fold up the paper in a deliberately slow 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 completely burn away. You do not need to stay with the candle after the ritual just be sure it is in a safe place that will not cause damage or fire.

Never re-use a candle which has been lit in any other ritual. It should be used in that ritual and allowed to burn away or be disposed of afterwards.

exceptions to this in my case and my opinion are dedicated candles. Such as alter candles. I have several candles that I work with daily. Such as my Goddess/god candles or my healing candle. When I am done with my work I respectfully thank the spirit or element and blow my candle out. My best offer to you is you need to do what feels right to you. Follow your heart and it will never lead you wrong.