Candle magic is one of the most popular and powerful forms of magic. It relates to the power of the flame and the element of fire, which is considered to represent transformation, energy, passion, and vitality in most spiritual traditions. It is destructive, but the rich ash it leaves behind is also creative.
In ancient Zoroastrianism, fire is revered as a symbol of purity, and their chief creator god, Ahura Mazda, is worshipped in fire temples. The Norse, and many other cultures, believed that fire had the power to move things between the physical and spiritual world. This is why bodies were cremated, and it was believed that a man could take with him to the afterlife anything burned on his funeral pyre. In the Christian faith, fire is a symbol of the presence of God, for example, the burning bush that appeared to Moses in the Old Testament.
Candle magic combines the physical and fire.
- Candles can be made or chosen based on your beliefs and what you want to achieve, for example with colors and essential oil infusions representing the type of magic you want to work and the type of energy you want to release.
- The flame and the burning down of the candle can offer a focus for meditation, spiritual connection, and mind-over-matter focus.
- Writing down what you want to manifest makes it tangible and burning it transforms the idea from something that is stuck on paper, to something that is released into the universe through smoke.
There are many different ways to conduct candle magic depending on your belief system and tradition, but all candle magic involves the same general steps, although they may look quite different.
1. Prepare your ritual space
In candle magic, the candle is the center of the magical act, so selecting a candle that is fit for purpose is the first step. This can include color, fragrance, shape, and many other aspects. Some people choose to anoint their candles directly with essential oils, while others may carve significant symbols into their candle.
You may then choose to bring that candle into a broader sacred space. This could be a dedicated ritual space that you have, or a magic circle that is created for the casting. How you create a magic circle depends on the tradition you follow, but it generally involves placing representations of the elements in each of the four corners and then enclosing the space between them to create a circle. You can then cleanse the inner part of the circle of any negative energy, and then use tools such as incense and crystals to attract the type of energy you desire.
Finally, there is a decision about when to conduct a candle magic spell. Many people base their decisions on the phases of the moon and conduct rituals when the moon is overhead, even if it is not visible. The New Moon is a time for setting new intentions, while the Full Moon is a time for manifesting. The Waxing moon is a time for rituals that will bring increase to your life, while the Waning Moon is a time for banishment and expelling.
2. Meditation on purpose
The next step is to focus on your desired outcome as it is the focused energy of the mind that gives the spell power. Because the agent of the spell is the flame, this meditation should be conducted while focused on the flame of the lit candle.
Your approach to meditation depends on what works best for you. It could involve chanting, reciting spells, or silent meditation. The purpose is to make the vision of what you want as real as possible in your mind.
You also want to give your manifestation physical form. For most people, this means writing it down or drawing it on paper. This could be an affirmation, a spell, a runic symbol, or anything else that embodies what you want to manifest. You can also use other flammable materials to represent your desire, such as poppets or collections of herbs.
How long you need to meditate for depends on you.
3. Releasing your intentions
Once the vision of your intentions is fully formed, it is time to release those intentions by burning the physical manifestation of them in the candle flame. It is often during this process that practitioners choose to recite a spell to help push the intentions into the universe. You will want to continue to meditate on your intention as you release it.
Once the item is burned, you need to decide what to do with what remains. Some people decide to let the candle burn down more-or-less completely, and then bury the remains of the spell, including the candle and the ash, in the earth to be reabsorbed into the universe. Others will create a spell jar, placing the candle, ashes, and other meaningful objects such as crystals used during the spell inside and keeping it in a safe and secret place until the result of the spell is felt. At some point in the future, they may choose to bury those items in the ground as well.
It is also important to break down your magic circle when the ritual is complete, thanking any gods, spirits, or other entities you feel may have assisted you during the casting.
Choosing Your Candle: Color Meanings
Choosing the right color candle for your ritual can be subjective and culturally specific, for example, red has different meanings in Western and Chinese cultures. But these are the accepted color meanings in the Wiccan tradition.
White
Protection, new beginnings, healing, truth, gratitude, harmony, calling on guiding spirits
Black
Protection, repelling, absorbing, or banishing negative energy, reverse curses or hexes, unblock stuck energy, stop bad habits, end unhealthy situations
Red
Lust, survival, passion, good luck, confidence, willpower, physical strength, courage, determination
Pink
Love, romance, affection, warmth, joy, friendship, self-love, empathy, connection, forgiveness, emotional healing
Blue
Communication, creativity, focus, memory, justice, prophecy, inspiration
Green
Good luck, abundance, earthly things, success, prosperity
Brown
Neutrality, understanding, balance, trust, animal guides
Purple
Physic powers, wisdom, divination, uncovering secrets
Orange
Intellectual energy, career, networking, legal affairs, play
Yellow
Intellect, learning, overcoming mental blocks, getting clarity, new ideas, logic
Gold
Make energy, success, happiness, enlightenment, confidence, prosperity, wealth, personal power, wisdom
Silver
Female energy, astral energy, intuition, telepathy, clairvoyance, dreams
Light Blue
Patience, friendship, mental fortitude, release anger
Grey
Balance, protection, peace, spiritual wisdom
Candle Magic Spells
It is often best to write your own spells based on your spiritual traditions, the energy that you want to harness, and the tools you choose to use. But if you are looking for inspiration, consider some of the following spells.
Spell 1
Candle of power, candle of might
Do grant my wish upon this night
May power flow from candle fire
And bring to me my heart’s desire
My words and strong my cause is won
I now declare this spell is done
Spell 2
Unto your realm great goddess, I do commit this spell
Do bring its rich rewards to me, so for to help me in my task
By all the strength of the moon and sun
By all the strength of the great goddess and the horned lord
So may this spell be manifest for me
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