Candle magic is a popular form of spellwork that has been used for centuries. It is a simple yet powerful practice that involves using candles to manifest intentions and desires. In this guide, we will explore the basics of candle magic for beginners. To begin with, it is important to choose the right candle for your spell. Different colors hold different energies, so it is crucial to select a candle that aligns with your intention. For example, a red candle is often used for love and passion spells, while a green candle is associated with money and abundance.
Clearly define whether this magical work is intended for yourself or for another person. If you are casting a spell for someone else, it is essential to first get their permission. Otherwise, you might be working against their free will, breaking one of the most basic Rules Every Witch Should Know.
If you plan on letting the candle burn out until the end of it, you can leave them in small, stable bowls of water, a sink or bathtub, or a fireplace, but make sure the focus on your intention is still strong. When doing this, remember that it s still part of the ritual and a sacred act , so you could say a prayer as you do it, or just give thanks to the Elements for their help.
For example, a red candle is often used for love and passion spells, while a green candle is associated with money and abundance. Once you have chosen the appropriate candle, it is important to cleanse and charge it before use. This can be done by holding the candle in your hands and visualizing any negative or unwanted energy being released and replaced with positive and empowering energy.
Witch 101: Candle Magick
If you’ve ever walked into a metaphysical store, aside from the wafting smell of sage or incense, you’ve probably noticed a bunch of candles for sale. That’s because candle magick is a staple in the witch community, as they represent the four elements. Fire is represented by the lit candle, water by the melted wax, air by the smoke, and earth from the unlit candle.
Candle magick is a simple and inexpensive way to practice witchcraft. Candle magick, like witchcraft in general, is tailored to your own taste. There’s no specific path of rules you have to follow, the only thing that matters is that your intention is there. You can use candle magick as a way to emphasize your manifestations, set an intention, aid in spells, or even to communicate with your spirit guide or a deity.
A rough guide to candle magick, in steps:
1. Cleanse your space
For almost every practice in witchcraft, it is crucial to cleanse your space. It’s easy for unwanted negative energy to overtake your space, and this is a way to reset the energy. You can choose different ways of cleansing your space, whether by smudging ethically sourced sage, incense, dried herb bundles, or whatever else you decide works best for your practice.
2. Figure out what type of candle is best for you
If you’ve searched witchcraft on Depop, you’ve probably seen chime candles. I’ve had the most experience with chime candles, and even contacted my spirit guide through a white one. They’re inexpensive and last an average burning time of two-two and a half hours. They’re really easy to carve your intention into, but a little bit more difficult to dress. The average price for chime candles should be anywhere from $0.50-$1, and $1.50-$2 for the metallic ones.
Tea candles, a.k.a. votive candles, are another small candle that is a great option for candle magick. They’re the easiest to use and you’re able to find a bunch of them for a really cheap price. They last a burning time of three hours and unlike the chime candles, they are really easy to dress, as well as carve your intention into.
I’m sure you’ve seen the prayer candles at Walgreens or Target, with Jesus and other biblical figures, or even mock ones with celebrities on them. Those prayer candles are more commonly known in the world of witchcraft as pillar candles. They’re more of an expensive option, with prices ranging from $8-$15. Pillar candles are intended to keep burning, but obviously, we don’t want you to burn your house down. If you want you can use a pillar candle for many sessions, but if you go that route, it is more recommended to use pillar candles for a seven-day magick spell, something that needs to be “marinated” for several days.
You can also buy a candle with a pre-set purpose from your metaphysical store or online. They tend to have the purpose on the candle, along with color and sometimes a scent that correlates to the intention.
3. Pick out what color candle you’ll use
Here’s a basic list of colors and their meaning, pick the one you feel best represents your intentions…
- White: attracting, manifesting, cleansing, protection, grounding, healing; white is also associated as an all-purpose candle and can be used as a replacement for other colors when they’re not available
- Black: banishing and releasing negative energies, transformation, enlightenment, protection
- Red: passion, strength, lust, survival, fast action, and career goals
- Orange: general success, justice, property deals, legal matters, selling or winning
- Yellow: focus, teaching, joy, clarity of thought, speech, and positive energy
- Green: growth, element of earth, plant magic, physical healing, and monetary success
- Light Blue: pursuing inspirational meditations, truth, harmony, and guidance while amplifying creativity and perception
- Dark Blue: spiritual inspiration, calming, and opening blocked communication
- Lavender: peace, gentleness, inner healing, spiritual growth, and contact with higher self and inspiration
- Purple: enhancing your third eye, psychic ability, influencing higher places, and uncovering hidden knowledge and spiritual power
- Pink: love, self-love, affection, nurturing, caring, and romance
- Silver: moon energy, astral travel, female energy, telepathy, and intuition
- Gold: sun energy, winning, male energy, and happiness
- Brown: earth or animal magic, concentration, balance, home, finding lost items, and friendship
4. Set your intention
Find a clean place in your home where the candle won’t be disturbed and clear away anything that doesn’t match your intention, then surround the candle with things that do match the intention. You can set your intention by speaking it aloud, writing it into the candle, manifesting it, or however you normally set your intention. There is no wrong way to do it!
5. Dress the candle
There is no specific guide on how to dress a candle! You can add drops of essential oil, sprinkle herbs, carve your intention into the candle, carve symbols or a sigil. It’s really up to you! If you want to carve your intention, write from the top of the candle to the middle, and then the bottom to the middle. If you dress the candle with oils for manifestations, put it on from the top to the middle, and then the bottom to the middle. If you’re practicing a banishing spell, put the oil from the middle to the top, then middle to the bottom.
6. Once the candle is lit, watch the flame
If you’re communicating with a deity, you can use the flame as the main way to connect. When I used candle magick to talk to my spirit guide, I asked the flame a question aloud and watched the flame to see its response. Usually, I take a strong reaction from the flame as an answer to the question. For example, when I was figuring out who my spirit guide was, I prepared a spell and asked the candle to send me a sign if my spirit guide was Artemis. Once doing so, the flame immediately bounced up and down, which I took as a “yes.”
If you want to let the flame vibe and have no idea what to do next, but are not ready to end the session, do something that calms you. Listen to music, journal, read tarot, take out the pendulum and ask some questions, drink some tea made with herbs, meditate, however you relax. These are great ways to further your intentions and keep the energy flowing.
I advise not going on your phone or questioning your intentions. They’re a quick way to kill the energy you had going. If you plan on letting the candle burn out until the end of it, you can leave them in small, stable bowls of water, a sink or bathtub, or a fireplace, but make sure the focus on your intention is still strong.
7. All done? Do not blow out the candle
If you feel that your spell is all done, but the candle is still burning, do not blow out the flame. Blowing out the flame is like you’re saying it’s done, it’s over. But if you smother or smudge the flame, you can relight it.
Once you’re all done, remember to show gratitude. Recognize the work you’re putting in the intention and give thanks for everything that’s already in motion. Then go on with the intention, you’re the one doing the work, not the candle itself.
That’s basically it! Go out and practice candle magick! But please stay safe around an open flame and protect yourself while doing a spell.
After cleansing and charging the candle, it is time to focus on your intention. Take a moment to clearly define what you hope to achieve through your candle magic spell. It is helpful to write down your intention on a piece of paper using concise and positive language. Next, you will need to dress the candle. Dressing the candle involves anointing it with oils or herbs that correspond to your intention. This can be done by rubbing the oil or herb onto the candle in a purposeful and clockwise motion. This process helps to further align the candle with your desired outcome. Before lighting the candle, it is important to create a sacred space. This can be done by clearing the energy in the room, setting up an altar or sacred space, and creating a peaceful and focused atmosphere. When you are ready, light the candle and focus on your intention. Visualize your desired outcome as if it has already been achieved. You may choose to say an affirmation or chant that reinforces your intention. As the candle burns, it is important to continue focusing on your intention and maintaining a positive mindset. It can be helpful to meditate or visualize throughout the duration of the candle burning. Once the candle has completely burned down, the spell is complete. It is important to release the energy and trust that your intention has been set in motion. You can do this by thanking any deities or higher powers that you work with, or simply stating your gratitude for the manifestation of your intention. Candle magic is a beautiful and accessible form of spellwork that can be practiced by beginners and experienced practitioners alike. By following these basic steps, you can start incorporating candle magic into your spiritual practice and begin manifesting your desires. Remember to always approach candle magic with respect and intention, and trust in the power of your own energy..
Reviews for "Candle Magic for Success and Achievement: Spells and Rituals to Reach Your Goals"
1. John - 1 star - I was really excited to learn about candle magic and thought this book would be a great introduction. However, I found it to be very basic and lacking in depth. The author barely scratched the surface of candle magic and didn't provide any new or unique insights. It felt like I could have learned more from a quick internet search. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of substance in this book.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I was hoping to find practical advice and step-by-step instructions in "Candle magic 101 for starters," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book seemed more focused on theoretical concepts and didn't provide enough concrete guidance for beginners like me. I would have appreciated more detailed rituals and spells to follow along with. The author's writing style was also a bit dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the book. Overall, I didn't feel like I gained much valuable knowledge from reading this.
3. Emily - 2 stars - As someone completely new to candle magic, I was looking for a book that would explain the basics in a clear and organized manner. However, "Candle magic 101 for starters" left me feeling confused and overwhelmed. The information provided was scattered and disorganized, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, the book seemed to assume prior knowledge of certain terms and practices, which left me feeling lost. While I appreciate the effort to cover a wide range of topics, it was executed poorly, and I wouldn't recommend this book to beginners looking for a comprehensive introduction to candle magic.
4. Michael - 1 star - I must say, "Candle magic 101 for starters" was a massive disappointment. The content was repetitive, and it felt like the author was just filling up pages without offering any substantial information. I expected a much more thorough exploration of candle magic, but instead, it felt like a shallow overview. The lack of depth and substance made this book a waste of my time and money. I would suggest looking for other resources if you're genuinely interested in learning about candle magic.