Crafting enchanted light

It's hard to picture a witch without her cauldron smoldering, her large antique book of shadows open, and tons of dripping candles lit and surrounded by dried herbs and crystals. I receive dozens of questions every week regarding candles and how to get the most out of them. Enchanted candles are those candles created from start to finish with intention to effect change and are potent spellworking tools. Many witches use candles in workings, some only work with candles, and candles may be used for many things other than simply casting. Meditation, visualizations, scrying, and wax reading are all other means of using candles.

It’s important to have a general knowledge of candles and how they function, relate, and of the things that go into them. For instance different types of wax have different melting patterns and burning times. Color may also play a role in how the candle effects change and candles certainly add ambience to any ritual. They instantly instill peace, romance, and relaxation and make magickal working much easier for some. Candles belong to the element of fire and are symbols of both the creative kundalini energies and destructive energies that abide in every aspect of nature. Thus they are symbols for passionate duality, something that as witches we must all master in order to effectively work our craft.

Candles are associated with all gods and goddesses associated with fire, creativity, and the hearth as they were lit in great vats of oil in homes and temples to honor the household deities. They were burned continuously and were not allowed to go out. Candles were first used in temples and were created as lamps of oil with wicks in them. The oil was sometimes scented with flowers or other composites and later solidified in wax using beeswax. Now we can find candles and candle making supplies almost everywhere. Before we begin our journey into candle magick it’s important to know the different types of wax and their burning and preparation times. Some need a much higher heat for melting, others have a much lower flashing point (the point in which the wax may ignite should it come in contact with flames or heat past the melting point).

Beeswax is obtained from beehives and is readily found in sheets, crystals, bricks, or large slabs. This is one of the most expensive forms of wax and also one of the more natural. It smokes quite a bit when it’s burned and burns relatively quickly compared to paraffin. Beeswax is prized for it’s purity in color and richness in texture. It creates a smooth, soft,creamy looking candle and if scent is added, provides a very rich aroma. Scent added to beeswax should be sparingly as it holds scents very well. Beeswax is a very soft wax even when it hardens and when lit it will melt quickly. This type of wax can usually be found in specialty shops and most craft stores although it’s pricey, it’s well worth it for use in creating candles that are being used for communication, organization, effiencency, or work related issues. Beeswax is great for painted candles rather than carved ones simply because of it’s softness.

Paraffin wax is found in sheets and bricks and is relatively inexpensive. This is one of the most commonly used waxes, although soy candles are a close second. Parrafin is less expensive than beeswax but does not have the same creaminess to the coloring and finish. Parrafin tends to have air bubbles and a rough finish when it hardens. It also tends to smoke moreso than beeswax although it takes it longer to melt and is better for carved candles rather than painted ones, although it’s firm enough to paint.

Soy wax is the newest addition to the candle family. It has a very soft texture and is nearly buttery in its finish. It’s important to realize that candles and their ingredients have a marked impression on the Earth and environment. Of all the candles, soy is likely the best wax for environmentally aware individuals. Soy is created from the ever versatile soy plant and is one of the longer burning waxes. Soy is well known for it’s smokeless burning and ability to hold scent. It can be found in solid bricks, sheets, gels, or crystal form and can be used for any type of candle. One disadvantage is that soy candles tend to burn quicker than other forms and they have a low tolerance for heat in general. Doing a working in the middle of summer may require a cooler if you are using soy wax. If you’re working within a specific time frame this is an important thing to keep in mind.

Crème wax is another form of wax that is very suitable for jar candles as it forms a silky smooth very creamy candle and the wax itself remains soft even after it hardens. Candles created specificly for jar candles such as vigil candles may be used for enchantments however any images are best placed on the outside of the jar rather than trying to paint or carve them on the candle itself.

Other forms of wax include palm wax, which is a heavy, solid, wax that bubbles easily and has a semi sticky finish. It is used in the making of certain types of candles including vigil and jar candles. Jelly wax is also popular, although not necessarily among energy workers, as being a shimmering semi-transparent wax that somewhat resembles jellies or jello when it sets. When this type of wax sets, it's more of a suspension than an actual solid wax candle so for this reason it's better to use them in jars.

Wicks come in many forms as well from wax covered wire forms to string forms. Most wicking have wiring inside to keep the shape and help guide the candle through the molds. Wicking without wire usually comes on a roll or spool and can be bought in bulk. Wax covered wicking and wicking with the wire are ready to use and require little support while wicking that come on spools need to be wrapped around a thin dowel to keep the wicking straight.

Candle colors are important although white and black are fairly multifunctional and white can be used for any purpose. It’s important to know the basics of color before selecting the color of candle. Ask yourself what your intent is in creating this candle. Are you seeking abundance, fertility, love, or removing obstacles? Along with chosing graphics, color and sometimes scent should also be considered. It’s best to use a scent that is in accordance with the deity and purpose in which you are working. If you’re working with Ganesha you wouldn’t likely use a rose scent and likewise would not use a coconut scent when working with Cerridwen. Study the gods. Know what they like and dislike so that the candle might serve as a multifunctional altar within itself.

White is a multifunctional one size fits all kind of color for candle working. It covers all the basis and is one of the most versatile colors to use. It stands for purity, truth, spirituality, healing, higher transcendence, and innocence. This color is associated with the Maiden goddess, the goddesses of love, innocence, all virgin goddesses, and all maiden goddesses. It is also associated with the element of air and as such may be utilized with the fey realms of sylphs. Air dragons may also be honored with this candle, although avoid using heavy scents for this color. This candle should be light and airy, very clean, and subtle.

Yellow is the color of pure radiant joy. It’s strongest association is of the sun, but it is also associated with the element of air. Yellow can be used for love, healing, fertility, bringing joy and happiness into one’s life, and overcoming depression. This candle is best used with floral scents or scents that make the user happy. Jonquil is a good one, as is honeysuckle. Other scents commonly used with yellow are lemon, citrusy, or herbal and citrus mixed scents. These scents evoke a sense of cleanliness and refreshment and can be used to bless a new home or to clean out the stagnant energy after the winter months.

Green is the color of fertility and is associated with the earth and all earth related deities. This candle is strongly associated with abundance, prosperity,healing, overcoming money problems (especially when paired with black or brown) and fertility, prowess, and the element of earth. As such use earthy scents, or green scents such as herbal scents or woodsy scents. Green candles sometimes come in scents of mellon which could be used with a deity such as Ganesha who favors sweet foods. The scent of green apples can aid in pain relief and especially work well with headaches.

Blue is a color of healing, but also of emotions and is associated with the element of water. Blue may also be used in truth spells but are especially effective with healing emotional trauma. Blue is a very peaceful color and is soothing to the mind as it is evocative of the ocean and peace. Use a blue candle when there is an abundance of chaos around and you need a little tranquility. Blue is associated with the Crone aspect in deeper tones and the Maiden aspect of the Goddess in the lighter tones. Scents associated with this type of candle are freeshia, water scents, lotus, berry, or other light scent.

Orange is the color of mysticism and occult wisdom. It is also used as an activator or booster candle with other colored candles to bring about a swift result. Other colors used for boosters include reds and reddish orange. Orange is used for spells that need immediate results. Orange is also associated with speedy healing work, swift resolution to a problem, fertility, and passion. This color is commonly associated with Autumn and harvesting festivals and sabbats.

Red is a booster but resonates with strength, fortitude, endurance, passion of a sexual nature, fertility, sensuality, power, and motherhood. It is the color of the Mother Goddess as a pregnant Mother and the color of the Goddess in Her warrior aspect as well. Few other colors are associated with primal sexuality the way red is nor action or speed. Red cars get more tickets than other colored cars, people with red hair have reputations of being strong individuals, and red is a primary color on nearly every flag worldwide as a color of strength and endurance. This color radiates power and using it with any other color will add a boost immediately. Be careful when pairing it with orange though as the two colors may resonate at a higher frequency together than the color they are helping. This color is commonly used in Harvest and Yule festivals and is representative of the element of Fire.

Pink is the color of sweetness and innocence. It is the color of the Maiden Goddess and is strongly associated with the Goddess Kuan Yin and Flora as being the colors of sweetness, gentleness, and kindness. This color belongs to early Spring and the element of aire. Pink candles signify love working where friendship is involved, a friendly gentle love versus a fiery passionate one. This is a love built on emotions rather than the physical. This type of candle may also be used for Sapphic love spells and for attracting a lifelong mate. Pink may also be used to strengthen the bonds of friendship, to draw friends to you, or to heal the bonds between friends that have gone their separate ways. Pink can be used for healing or fertility spells as well and is a soothing color in itself. This type of candle usually comes in a sweet scent such as cotton candy, berries, or rose scents.

Purple is the color of spirituality and the color of higher wisdom. It is also associated with occult wisdom , the Akashic records, and advancing one’s spirituality. It may be used to consecrate an altar as it represents the element of Spirit (or Akasha) and comes in variable shades from lavender to amethyst. It may also be used for healing spiritual trauma or repairing one’s mindset to a more balanced state. Purple candles come in many scents from lavender to grape, even wine scents, and are commonly used for consecration rites as well as harvest rituals.

Brown is the color of the earth, the soil, the caves, and the stability and safety they offer. Brown is used to neutralize or stabilize a situation and is especially effective when paired with a green candle with works dealing with finances or white when dealing with personal stability. Brown may be used to cloak one’s energy, to banish a difficult situation or person from one’s life, to remove obstacles, open the path to prosperity, invoke masculine energies as well as feminine, invoke earth energies, or earth spirits. In some traditions brown could be used for cursing or hexing, however placing a hex sign on a brown candle could empower it for greater usage. Hex signs in themselves are not bad, they are German forms of creating sigils and symbols for protection and are usually used for warding or hearthcrafte. Brown candles are usually given earthy, nutty, heavy, or leather scents. It is not uncommon to find brown candles scented with hazelnut, coffee, leather, chocolate, or other rich scent. Brown candles may also be used as a booster although it’s energy is heavier and not as rapid as the reds and oranges.

Black is the color of the night, pure irradiant night. It is the color of the Crone Goddess and the Horned God, the wise old Sage and the Grandmother Goddess. Black is the color of empowerment, protection, pure wisdom, innate abilities, hidden truths, hidden powers, and psychic ability. It banishes those energies that would harm us, offers protection for those that need it, and removes obstacles immediately. Black may stand alone as a candle or may be paired with a white candle for balance. Use black when the situation is dire or when invoking the aid of the Elder God and Goddess. Black is usually used at one time of the year…Samhain and is the easiest to find at that time. Black candles also burn more rapidly than other candles, so time your rite accordingly. Black wax also tends to pool moreso than other candle colors and is in general a softer wax and the hardest of colors to find outside of a specialty store. Black is generally scented with leather, lotus, magnolia, licorice or not at all.

Grey is the color of neutrality and may be used as a banisher with neutralizing tendencies. The color itself is one of fog and could be used to represent water. Grey is easily used, not always the easiest to find, and provides balance to any situation. Grey is best used when a decision needs to be made so that the fog is cleared from the mind or clarification about a situation or person is needed. It can dissolve disputes, negative energies, and dispel drama and slander quickly and to the benefit of all. Use a nice medium grey instead of a black and white candle to achieve the same effect. Use a deep charcoal grey instead of black if black can not be found.

Gold and silver always represent solar and lunar energies and the energies of the Goddess and God. They are commonly used to adorn altars and for solar and lunar specific rites. These candles may be found at all times of the year, although it is easier to find them during the Yuletide season than at most others. If you can’t find a silver or gold candle white or bright yellow may be used.

Multicolored candles are also an important part of candle magick. It’s very common to find candles ranging in two and three colors but candles in rainbow colors may also be used with great effectiveness.

Candles layered with colors usually have equal parts of one color over the other and are charged for specific purposes. They may be obviously over each other or they may be layered so that when they melt one pours over the other. For instance, some reversing candles are red tapers that have been overlayed with black wax. When they melt the red covers the black and are often called bleeding candles for this reason. They are used to remove obstacles and invoke strength and power to overcome them.

Black and white candles are usually found in glass containers although they may also be found without. These candles are used for balance and are white on top and black on the bottom. Use them for meditations or for neutralizing a situation. Green and black candles are used for removing obstacles that stand in the way of financial security or fertility issues. They can also be used to increase one’s luck and happiness or to banish illness and release the ability to heal.

Black and green candles are usually half green and half black with the top portion being green. Green and brown candles are also effective for instilling financial stability. They are usually invoked to neutralize issues that are standing in the way of financial stability but may also be used for health and hearth. They are usually half green and half brown.

White and blue and white and yellow, and white and green are used for healing and health or to invoke joy and peace into one’s life. The top part is always white with the secondary part being the colored portion.

Red and black candles are usually half one color and half the other and are used to reverse negative working, energy, or bad luck. They may be used to send someone’s negative energy back to them or to dispel a negative situation. Used with a cow, oxe, or deer tongue they may be used to stop slander and send it back to the person, removing the harm from their intended victim. They may also be used to reverse negative spellworking wrongfully done to another individual. Although spellworking by the sender may not be revoked, it has to play out after all, it may be reversed by the recipient who must choose to receive this energy or not. Red and black candles may be used to banish obstacles and invoke strength when needed.

Yellow and green candles are usually used to invoke money and happiness, as for many in hard times happiness stems from being able to live in financial stability.

White, red, black candles may be used singularly to represent Maiden, Mother, and Crone or as a spellworking candle to bless a home and remove any negative residual energies that may reside there. They may be used in house blessings and to remove negative energies left from past residents.

White, green, and red may be used for the same purpose although not as commonly used to represent the Goddess. White, orange, and green are often used to invoke peace, happiness, and prosperity to a new home or a new family. They are used more often than not for house blessing ceremonies or given as gifts to newly married couples.

Seven colored candles are usually created for Santerios, Voudoun, or Hoodoun in mind. They are used to represent the seven Orishas and each color is for a specific one. They are generally burned to honor them and consecrate a spot in one’s home specificly for them and to invite them to share their gifts with the family.

Candles not only come in varied shades and color combinations but also in different shapes. Skull shaped candles are used to get to the head of the problem and have an immediate effect. Using a skull shaped candle holder may work as well if you can’t find a skull shaped candle. Black cat candles invoke luck and protection. Ghost shaped candles help us get in touch with the otherworld and those that have passed on. They may also be used to contact a spirit guide or for channeling. Candles shaped like human bones offer rest and help overcome exhaustion and fatigue.

Figure candles in the shape of men or women have a variety of purposes. Black figures offer banishing and protection against the person the candle represents. Green figures offer prosperity, fertility, or stability. Red, pink, or white usually signifies love, sexual prowess, passion or friendship although green may also be used for healing and love. Blue offers healing, trust, and truth. They may be used for bindings as well as banishings.

Genitalia shaped candles are used almost exclusively to prevent a lover from straying, sexual enslavement, or to find a compatable lover. They come in anatomically correct male and female representations.

Geometrically shaped candles their own meanings as well. Although they are not as specified they are easy to work with and easy to find. You need not go to a specialty shop to find them. Triangle or pyramid candles are usually used to channel ancient wisdom or to get in touch with past lives. Square candles are representative of an equal balance of the elements. Round candles are used for balance.

Using the candle is simple. You choose the type of candle you need for your specific working. Choose an oil for that purpose. For instance a candle to draw love. Choose two pink figure candles, one for each person involved. Dress them with rose essential oil. Smudge them with rosemary, and surround them with rose quartz and rose petals. To dress the candles dab a drop of oil on your finger of your power hand. Rub the candle from top to bottom with the oil. Tie the two candles together with a pink ribbon and let them burn to form one blob of wax. Bury it under a rose bush.

Namaste ~