Candle Magic

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If you could name one thing that gives you that witchy aesthetic, it would be candles. The power candles have over us can be intoxicating. Many of us spend (me included) so much on candles and have quite the collection. And those candles have many uses. Not just to light a room when the power goes out, but for candle magic.

What is Candle Magic?

Candle magic is a spell or ritual that uses candles as the main aspect. Placing your intentions into the candle as well as dressing and anointing your candles to give them a boost of energy. This can be done for a specific outcome like a cord cutting, or it can be used to commune with ancestors or deities.

Types of Candles

Candles come in all shapes and sizes and some burn faster than others. This is based off of candle type, size, material, and environment. So, keep these factors in mind when choosing your types of candles.

Larger candles burn slower than smaller candles. Candles made of beeswax tend to burn slower than the typical wax candle. Environment plays a role as well. A candle burning outside runs risk of being blown out the wind. So take the environment into consideration when doing candle magic.

But how do you know which one to use and when?

Birthday:

Birthday candles are the best candle to use for those quick spells and rituals. Especially if you have to wait for the candle to go out on its own to end the spell or ritual. They usually burn for about 5-7 minutes.

Tea Light:

Another great choice for those quicker spells and rituals, but you have some time to let the candle burn. The burn time is around 4-5 hours

Taper:

These candles are very popular with cord cutting spells, due to their length. These candles come in many lengths so burn times may vary. You can measure the length of burn time by the size of the candle. About one hour per inch of candle.

Votive:

Votives are nice to have burning all day if you plan on being home. And there are so many decorative votive glasses you can put them in. Burn time ranges between 8-15 hours.

Floating:

These candles are probably not used as often as others. However, they are perfect when working with the elements. Bring fire and water together, or even all four elements using this type of candle. Burn time around 4-5 hours.

Pilar:

If you are looking for a quick burning candle, this is not it. Pillar candles are for those spells and rituals that go for many days. Keeping size in mind, large pillar candles that are 3 inches in diameter can burn up to 4-50 hours.

How do you know which candle type is right?

The best way to answer this question is to look at how much time do you have? Are you performing this spell in the morning, but have plans in the afternoon? I suggest a faster burning candle. However, if you plan on being home all day and are able to keep an eye on your candle, then I suggest a lower burning candle.

⚠️ DO NOT LEAVE CANDLES UNATTENDED. EXTINGUISH ALL CANDLES BEFORE LEAVING YOUR HOME OR GOING TO BED! ⚠️

How to Dress a Candle

When dressing a candle, what it is doing is allowing you to enhance it with more energy. It is adding layers of energy to your candle and your spell.

1. Intentions
   • What are your intentions for the candle?
2. Choose Candle Type and Color
   • Determine how long you have to perform the spell to completion- this will help you know what candle type you should use.
   • Pick the candle color that corresponds to the spell
3. Anoint the Candle
   • Add an anointing oil- this can be a plain anointing oil such as olive oil, or you may wish to use a specific oil you may have made for this specific purpose.
     • Place the oil on your hand or fingertips and rub the oil all over the candle (avoid hitting the wick) OR place the candle in a container and drizzle the oil onto the candle.
   • Add corresponding herbs. Find herbs that best match the intentions you have set, harnessing their energy into your spell.
     • Sprinkle the herbs onto the oil covering the candle (avoid getting too close to wick)

How to Perform Candle Magic

1. Set Your Intentions
   • What is the purpose of this spell? What is it that you are trying to accomplish?
   • You can do this by closing your eyes and meditating with the candle(s). You may choose to hold the candle, but you can also hold your hands above it as well.
2. Pick Your Candle
   • Choose the right candle for the spell you wish to do
   • Choose a candle color(s)
3. Dress the Candle (optional)
   • Anoint the candle with oil
   • Add herbs
4. Perform the Spell
   • Light the candle and preform the spell. This could be in the form of:
     • A spell found in a book
     • A spell you wrote
     • Burning (safely) parchment
     • Meditating or chanting the set intention
5. End the Spell
   • Let the candle burn itself out (DO NOT LEAVE UNATTENDED)
     • It is ok to extinguish the candle if you cannot attend to it. Even if the spell says to let it burn out on its own. (know your timing, and choose the appropriate candle for your timing)

Candle spells and rituals found in books or online may have specific instructions on how to preform them. If you are following something with specific instructions, be sure to follow them, unless you are just using it as a guideline into making it your own.