Candles and The Craft are almost synonymous - they are ubiquitous in ritual and indispensable for spellcraft. They adorn the quarters, the altar and, more often than not, any other nook or cranny where one may conceivably fit. They can symbolise a myriad of different forms, functions and energies. They provide a soft, natural light for reading scripts by and generate a distinctive ambience, which combined with a little incense, is utterly conducive to ritual. One of the most widely used and effective acts of devotion is simply to light a candle to a deity.
Candles are particularly useful in spellcraft because they can be just about any colour, shape, scent and size - attributes that can be corresponded to the intent of the spell, and as such, fine tune the energies that one wishes to work with. The very nature of candles, the fact that they burn down with a bright flame makes them excellent for use in spells - transformation, sublimation, dissipation or actualisation - depending upon the intent that is programmed into the candle. The softness of the wax makes it ideal for the carving sigils or runes into the candle, again further enhancing the link between object and intent. The bright flame also makes a superb focus for meditation and trance work.
Candles are relatively easy to make; candle making kits can be obtained from most craft shops, and there are also several ‘traditional’ methods that can be employed. Another way is to buy flat sheets of beeswax which can be rolled around a wick. The great advantage of making your own candles is that not only can you have control over the colour, size, shape and scent etc., but you can also employ ritual techniques during the construction process to further enhance the energies. Open a circle during construction, use chant, mantra and visualisation; the very act of creating the candle puts energy into the system and augments the link between tool and purpose by focusing your will upon your intent. If you can’t make your own, then spending a quantity of your hard earned cash on a special candle that took all day tramping around various shops to find is also an excellent focus of energy!
Quarter Candles - here a simple colour correspondence is usually sufficient, but shape, scent and elemental symbols all add to the effect. There are many variations on the colours used to represent each direction, but a general one is:
East (Air) - white
South (Fire) - red
West (Water) - blue
North (Earth) - black
Candles to represent people - here you can use an appropriate zodiacal colour (e.g. red for the Fire of Aries, yellow for the Sun of Leo) and anoint with zodiacal oil (you can buy these ready made, which is a bit of a cheat, but handy nevertheless!). Carve a glyph or sigil to represent that person (or even just write their/your name on the candle). Other witchy favourites such as hair or nail clippings etc. can also be incorporated to further enhance the link.
Candles to represent a desired outcome - here you could use a colour suitable to the energies being invoked, such as green or gold for healing. Appropriate planetary colours can be used: in a spell for a new job, you may want to employ a blue candle for Jupiter, in a spell to enhance communication, a yellow candle for mercury would be fitting. Planetary oils could be anointed onto the candles (or added to the molten wax if you making your own) and glyphs engraved.
There are many different spells that utilise candles in one form or an other, sometimes as the main focus of the spell, sometimes in a more subsidiary role. In spells where the candle is the focus, the intent of the ritual (e.g. some desired outcome) and therefore the will of the practitioner is ‘programmed’ into the candle. The programming process begins with the simple act of deciding the correspondences - the appropriate colour, scent/anointing oil, size and shape etc. Within the circle (which goes without saying, is cast when employing spellcraft) the Stating of Intent, consecration, dedication, anointing, naming, carving, binding etc. of the candle, combined with some form of energy raising and visualisation complete the programming. When the candle is lit, the program is actualised and released; as the wax of the candle burns down so the intent of the spell is sublimated from the physical to the astral (or whatever realms you work within) and the desired effect brought about.
Depending upon the intent of the ritual, the candle may be allowed to burn down completely in one go, or burnt over a period of time. The latter can be attuned to the moon phases: If the intent is to bring a project to fruition, you would start at the new moon and burn the candle for a short while, and then open a small circle on subsequent days and let the candle burn down further, finishing at the full moon. If the intent was to bring about the end of a situation, you could start at the full moon and finish at the dark of the moon, culminating with a ritual of completion where the stump of the candle is buried. As with most other forms of spellcraft, as long as good magickal techniques are implemented (working within a consecrated space, appropriate correspondences used etc.), the sky’s basically the limit for the number of ways candles may be employed.
It is a good idea to consecrate the candle with the Five Elements. For example, starting with Air, pass the candle through the Incense smoke and call upon the Powers of Air to bless, cleanse and consecrate the candle so that it might be a fitting instrument for your art. See the Powers of Air passing through the candle, taking any impurities with them - especially any blocks associated with that element, such as barriers to communication etc. Then move to Fire - pass the candle through the flame of the southern quarter candle and call upon the Powers of Fire and visualise them burning out any associated impurities. Then move to Water, and anoint the candle with consecrated water (from the circle casting is fine) and call upon the Powers of Water and then repeat with Earth, rubbing consecrated salt onto the candle as you call upon the powers of Earth.
Then move to the centre of the circle and anoint the candle with an appropriate oil for Spirit. Starting at the middle of the candle, stroke the oil in an upward direction then, starting from the middle again, in a downward direction. Say, ‘From above to below flows the pattern of perfection, From desire to manifestation flows the pattern of magick, From within to without flows the pattern of my will.’ Complete with a kiss and visualise Spirit entering the candle.
Then, offer the candle to the Goddess and God (or whatever Deity form you are working with) for a blessing and if appropriate name the candle and state its purpose.
If appropriate, carve runes, sigils etc. onto the candle with your working knife, visualising what the symbols represent and feeling their purpose filling the candle.
As you light the candle, it might be fitting to restate your Intention. Visualise the energy of your will being released and going forth into the world and so bringing about your intention - e.g. if you are doing a healing spell for someone, see the healing energies flowing out and travelling to that person and the desired effect being brought about. Bind the spell.
There are many, many variations upon the theme of Candle Magick, and it can be argued that familiarising yourself with several different types will allow you greater insight in designing your own spells.
Push a needle through a candle, halfway down, cutting through the wick. The needle is dedicated to the purpose of the spell as is the candle. The candle is lit and burns until it comes to the needle, which puts out the flame and releases the spell. The candle and needle should both be consecrated before hand, and the intent declared and concentrated on. The needle is charged with the power to activate the spell. The candle contains the intent.
Two candles of appropriate colour are chosen and dedicated. For love, begin on the new moon, and start with the two candles apart from each other on the altar. Light them, and then each night move them closer together, so that the flames representing life and love become closer. On the full moon, move them so that they touch and the flames burn together. Bind the candles and allow them to melt together, but do not let them burn out completely. Visualise the two people as lovers and wrap the candles in silk and bind the spell.
For separation, begin at the full moon. Consecrate and name the candles, and each night move them further apart. They may initially be tied together. Cut the cord that ties them, visualizing any psychic bonds being cut.
As the candles are moved apart, visualize each person drawing back their own energy and becoming whole again, with strong auras. On the dark moon, burn the candles (which should now be on opposite sides of the alter) completely. Bind the spell.
Take a red candle, consecrate it and inscribe upon it a glyph or sigil that represents positive, vital energy. Program it with the intent that when the candle is burnt that positive vitality will be elicited in you and reinforce this by raising energy into it by dance or chanting. It could be burnt in one go for a big boost, or just for a while when you are feeling a little down.