Spell bowls

One of the most versatile forms of magick is candle magick. The association between candles and higher states of spirituality is so ingrained in our religious and spiritual communities it would be impossible to separate the two. Vist any church, synagogue, mosque, or temple and you will likely see candles, something to hold the candles, or something similar burning in the altar space. Candles work to set the tone, invoke divinity, and evoke an emotional and psychospiritual response. It is very difficult to see an altar full of lit candles without thinking of the space as being sacred, whether it is in a temple space or outside among the trees.

A couple of months ago I posted an article on candle magick, a slim outline for colors, candles, shaped candles, and so forth. In this piece I am going to take it a step further. This is candle magick 201 for beginners. For most spells you need a list of ingredients, usually herbs, crystals or stones, sometimes powdered crystals, sometimes flowers, essential oils, and associations with both the working and the deity involved. It almost always involves the candle and an offering for the gods being called upon. Spell bowls do this in two ways. They either hold all of the ingredients, including offerings and such, or they hold a candle that has all of the offerings and such made into it. The candle with everything in it is often referred to as a loaded candle. The object in which everything is placed to begin with the working is a spell bowl.

Spell bowls are bowls set aside for this particular work. You shouldn't use them for making salads, cupcakes, or batter. They are usually made of stone, wood, or metal, and should be to some extent, fireproof. Do not use glass, crystal, plastic, plastic fusions, or natural fibers like grasses, leaves, hay, or straw. Mine is solid wood and has a metal base. It is wide enough so the candle does not come in direct contact with the sides and it is safe to burn candles and herbs in. Even though the container is relatively safe, never leave a burning candle alone.

My spell bowl is wood, but there are some amazing natural stone bowls also that are perfect for this kind of working. They should not be too deep as to not allow oxygen to circulate inside the bowl and they should also not be too shallow so the flame or burning herbs, papers, and such can end up somewhere else.

Your bowl has now been chosen, consecrated, cleansed, and is ready to use. Now you will need letter of intention, or your spell with a letter explaining in great detail why and how you wish this spell to go along. Be very specific and keep in mind that whatever energy you put out there may affect others in a very unpleasant way. Be mindful of any energy work so the best possible outcome will be achieved. Keep your letter simple and short while being very detailed. You don't want a novella of a spell under a burning candle. It's a fire hazard. It will also take much longer to activate. Simplicity is always best and especially so when working with primal energies.

It doesn't matter really what kind of paper you use. Whether it is a sheet from a notebook, a very high quality of hand crafted parchment, or recycled, it is very likely to do the same job. If you need a specific paper to get you in the zone, by all means indulge. I like to make my own papers, but I also use regular paper as well. If you choose to use a special ink for your letter of intention they come in all varieties.

One of the most popular inks to use for writing spells, rites, and letters of intentions is dragon's blood ink. Dragon's blood ink is made from a the resin dragonsblood, vanilla bean, and gum arabic. Some add a drop of indigo ink to make it a little darker, but for the most part this is a basic recipe. Dragon's blood ink is used for spells of empowerment, strength, gaining arcane wisdom, and protection. Bat's blood ink incorporates the same ingredients but has a touch of powdered myrrh and a drop (single) of indigo ink and is used for spells of protection and gaining control over nocturnal energies. Dove's blood ink is the same basic recipe as Dragon's blood ink, with the exception of having powdered frankincense also. Some also use a drop of rose attar for scent, but it's not really necessary. It is used for spells invoking love, friendship, self love, empowerment, and truth. Other types of inks include green ink, made with a botanical dye, rue oil, and gum arabic to draw money, luck, and fertility and yellow ink for working healing, memory, and success spells. Other variations of magickal inks include:

Gold for prosperity and fast luck.

Silver for purification spells.

Violet to deepen spiritual connections, enhance astral temple work, and repel negative energies.

India ink is used in banishing spells, protection, unblocking and uncrossing, and repelling negative energies.

Blue is used to enhance spells for peace, protection, mental clarity, and unity.

So now you have your letter of intention written. You now have to create your candle or purchase one that may be used if you don't have the time or space to craft candles. Choose the candle that is correct for your working. With your athame carve a symbol on the candle that indicates the result you with to have with this spell. You may also use a veve, Celtic knot, spiritual symbol, planetary pentacles, runes, or glyphs that will release the energies once they have been burned away. Once you have carved your glyph of choice into the candle, you may want to use glitter, ground crystal dust, or course granulated sugar to accent the symbol and attract spirits to the candle.

Now you want to anoint the candle. To do this you should use either a high quality of essential oil, a dressing oil just created for that purpose, honey, wine, or other liquor. If you use any of the latter be sure to taste it prior to placing it on the candle or anywhere near the spellbowl. It is considered rude to offer something to the gods without first testing it yourself to make sure it is the correct quality. For instance, if you are dressing the candle with tequila, have a shot first and then dress the candle.

Once your candle has been dressed, light the white candle and drip a bit of the wax over the top of the candle. Then add a pinch of the herbs you are using in the basin of the bowl as an offering to the top of the candle. Just a pinch. This is your primary offering. Your secondary offering is beneath the candle. You could also use flowers, sugar, honey powder, or resins.

Once you have the candle done, place the letter of intention in the base of the spell bowl. You then want to place an herb offering of some type over the letter, with the majority of it being covered by the candle. If you have ground crystal dust you may certainly add those as well as any flowers that may go with your work that you wish to use as a base offering. Now you have layers forming: spell bowl, letter of intention, herbal offering, candle.

Around the base of the candle you may want to add any deity specific ingredients. After that, your spellbowl is ready for use! Congratulations you've completed your first working spell bowl!

Namaste ~