Exploring Candle Magic in Witchcraft

Welcome to our first blog post! I'm excited to share my thoughts on all things witchy, spiritual, and earthy with you. We're aiming for a twice-monthly schedule. I've been practicing witchcraft for five years. However, I can confidently say that no witch knows everything. The craft is more of a journey than a destination. It offers twists, turns, and plenty of learning opportunities at every corner. My hope is that you find these blogs interesting and perhaps learn something new, whether you identify as a witch or not.

Understanding Candle Magic

Let’s dive into candle magic—the what’s, how’s, and why’s. This ancient practice has deep roots, potentially dating back 3,000 years. Evidence suggests it was used in spiritual and religious practices across various cultures. You may be familiar with civilizations like Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome. Deities, gods, and goddesses were honored through it, and rituals built around candle magic are numerous. Candle magic serves many purposes, including remembrance, honoring, offerings, meditation, spells, and rituals. The possibilities are endless.

Choosing Your Candle

Now, let’s talk about how to choose the right candle for your needs. Ultimately, this will depend on the witch's preference. There’s a wide range of options available. You can find candles made from different materials, such as beeswax and paraffin. They come in various sizes, some dressed with intention.

For continuous rituals, I recommend pillar candles. These candles are long-lasting and can be safely burned for extended periods, such as daily protection candles or full moon rituals. Other options include taper candles, sometimes called chime candles, tealights, and even birthday candles. These also come in various colors, which can enhance your working.

When selecting a candle, consider the type of spell, working, or ritual you intend to perform. For a daily ritual, a pillar candle is ideal due to its longer burn time. Shorter-burn candles, like spell candles and tealights, each have their place. Spell candles typically burn for about 90 minutes, while tealights last around 4 hours. Always prioritize safety by never leaving a burning candle unattended. Ensure you remain present during your candle magic.

The Power of Color

Colors play a significant role in candle magic. You can find candles in every color imaginable, but here’s an important point: you don’t need every color of the rainbow. A white candle can act as a substitute for any color. If clear intentions matter to you, inscribe your candle. Historically, our ancestors usually only had white candles available, so think of white as a versatile option.

For example, a green candle symbolizes luck and abundance, while a black candle is often used for protection. We will explore color magic more thoroughly in the next blog post.

Inscribing and Anointing Candles

After selecting your candle, you may choose to inscribe or anoint it. This isn’t mandatory and is entirely up to you. If you choose to inscribe, you can write your name, the spell's intention, or a specific goal on the candle. Anointing can involve using oils that align with your intention. You might also consider rolling your candle in specific herbs to enhance its properties.

Herbs add different aspects to your spell, and we’ll discuss these in more detail later. Make sure to use a safe holder for your candle! Candle holders are widely available and can also be found in local thrift shops.

Cleansing Your Space

Once you've chosen your candle and any additional components, it's time to cleanse your space where you will perform your candle magic. There are several ways for cleansing, such as smoke cleansing with incense or herb bundles, using sound, or even banging pots and pans to dispel negative energy.

Open a window while doing this to allow any lingering energies to escape. After cleansing your space, cleanse yourself as well. Establish protective boundaries—this practice is personal to each witch. Some verbalize protective chants, while others visualize a protective cloak or surrounding light.

I take a few deep breaths, center myself, and set firm boundaries about what I want and who can be present. I affirm my protection, grounding, and safety. When calling in guides or ancestors, choose those aligned with your path. Avoid calling in individuals, like a strictly Catholic Grandma, who may disapprove of your practices. Lastly, you can choose to acknowledge any deities involved. Please note that this is not a requirement for your practice.

Setting Intentions

Before lighting your candle, take some time to visualize your desired outcome. Communicate with your tools, explaining their purpose. For instance, you can tell Nettle, “I’m adding you for protection.” Writing a short verse or rhyme about your spell can also be beneficial, but it’s not necessary for your work to be effective.

If you’ve written your desired outcome on parchment, fold the paper towards you for something you want to bring into your life. Fold it away from you for anything you wish to release or banish. Light your candle and focus on your intention.

Observing the Flame

There’s ongoing debate within the witchy community on whether it’s better to blow out a candle or to snuff it. Personally, I prefer to let the candle burn out naturally, as I often work with spell candles that only burn for about 90 minutes. I believe blowing out the candle won’t extinguish my spell, intention, or desired outcome.

It’s enlightening to observe the flame, smoke, and wax markings left behind. Each of these observations can provide valuable insights into your working.

After the Ritual: What to Do with Leftovers

Once your spell is complete and the candle has extinguished, what do you do with the remnants? Personally, I recommend not keeping old spells lying around, as they can stagnate your practice. While you may feel differently, it's essential to dispose of old spell workings mindfully.

I tend to favor burying them in the earth to allow Mother Nature to recycle them or simply throwing them away.

Why We Use Candle Magic

Why use candle magic? Witchcraft involves the manipulation of energy. Everything around us is composed of energy, and witchcraft reveals ways to enhance and manifest our desires. Candle magic utilizes fire, which helps build the energy you’re putting into the spell along with your chosen components. It's one of the simplest forms of magic—diverse and accessible to everyone, whether you are new to the craft or a seasoned practitioner.

That's it for this blog post on candle magic. I hope you found it engaging and useful for your practice. Remember, every witch’s craft is unique. No two practices are the same. Once you try things a few times, you'll discover your personal rhythm and style.

You can explore spell candles, holders, herbs, and other witchy essentials on our website.