Occult candle symbolism refers to the interpretation of various symbols and meanings associated with candles within occult practices. Candles have long been used in spiritual and ceremonial rituals because of their ability to create an atmosphere and focus energy. In the occult, candles are believed to possess magical properties and are often used during spellwork and divination. The color of a candle is one of the most important aspects of its symbolism. Each color is thought to represent a specific intention or energy. For example, a red candle is associated with passion, love, and strength, while a green candle represents fertility, abundance, and healing.
For example, a red candle is associated with passion, love, and strength, while a green candle represents fertility, abundance, and healing. By choosing the appropriate color candle, practitioners can enhance the energy and intention behind their rituals. The shape and size of a candle can also hold symbolic meaning.
Witchcraft Terms and Tools – Coven
In Wicca and other similar forms of modern Neopagan witchcraft, a coven is a gathering or community of witches, a group of believers who gather together for ceremonies of worship, such as Drawing Down the Moon or celebrating the Sabbats. Other words may also be used, such as clan, grove, sept, touta, cove.
The word “coven” (or “covan”) was originally a late medieval (c.1500) Scots word meaning a gathering of any kind, deriving from the Latin root word “convenire” (meaning to come together or to gather). The first recorded use of it being applied to witches, however, came much later, in the 1662 trial of Isobel Gowdie, which described a coven of thirteen members. Even then, the word remained largely unused in English until 1921, when Margaret Murray promoted the idea, now much disputed, that historically all witches across Europe met in groups of thirteen which they called “covens”.
The number of witches in a coven may vary, and any meeting of three or more can be considered a coven. Twenty is often considered a rule-of-thumb maximum, although covens of up to sixty are not unheard of. Some covens limit membership to thirteen, possibly in deference to Murray‘s theories, and possibly on the grounds that this is the maximum number which can be comfortably accommodated in the traditional 9-foot circle. However, some groups consider that a coven of as many as thirteen can lead to unwieldy group dynamics and an unfair burden on the leadership.
A coven usually has one or two leaders, known as the High Priestess and/or High Priest, and each coven is usually autonomous and makes its own decisions (depending on the particular Wicca, a newly made High Priest or High Priestess (with 3rd Degree ordination) may also leave to start their own coven, and strike off in new directions.
Many covens (called initiatory covens) require that the leaders initiate new members before they can be considered part of the group or tradition, which usually involves some kind of formal induction ceremony and oath of loyalty after the prospective member has carried out the required level of study (often for the traditional year-and-a-day). Other covens operate on a self-initiation basis, or accept initiates from other groups or traditions.
Some covens work in robes, some in modified street clothing, and a few go “skyclad” or naked. Some are “teaching covens” and are happy to take on newcomers; others prefer to keep to the current membership and aim to develop a closer family-type relationship. Some “open covens”, or those with an “inner circle” and “outer circle”, allow interested outsiders to get a taste of coven practice without committing themselves. Some covens are gender-segregated, although most are open to both sexes and often try to maintain a more or less even balance of male and female members.
Many covens also have some system of degrees or ranks based on the level of expertise or experience of the members (although these vary significantly between traditions). Typical degree divisions might be: Neophyte (a student preparing for basic initiation as a witch); First Degree (a witch who has been initiated, but has not yet undertaken any advanced study); Second Degree (a witch who has an intermediate knowledge of the craft, which in some traditions may also confer priesthood); Third Degree (a witch who has studied the craft in depth, and is capable of teaching others and/or serving as High Priest/High Priestess); Elder (in some traditions, a witch of advanced knowledge and who has been active for a number of years).
After the witch trials and the suspicion of witches died down, witches began to practice and live in secret, some with their covens, including the original Bonum Coven, led by the High Priestess, Diane Williams. Soon, however, talk and sightings were mentioned by some of the remaining members of the Anti-Witch Council during the end of the 17th century in 1700. Witch Hunters began to arise again, threatening to eradicate the species. The Genocide of 1701 began. Many covens were targeted and killed including the entire Bonum Coven. However, they had protected their six children with witchcraft so they could continue on the tradition. Unfortunately, there were no remains of any other descent covens.
Taper candles, for instance, are commonly used in rituals to represent the element of fire and are often associated with transformation and purification. Pillar candles, on the other hand, are seen as symbols of stability and grounding. The size of a candle can represent the duration and intensity of the desired outcome. A large candle may symbolize a long-lasting or powerful intention, while a small candle may represent a quick or subtle change. In addition to color, shape, and size, the way a candle burns can also hold significance. The flame itself is believed to have its own language, often referred to as pyromancy. A strong, steady flame is seen as positive and suggests that the spell or ritual is working effectively. A weak or flickering flame, on the other hand, may indicate resistance or obstacles in achieving the desired outcome. The wax that melts as the candle burns is another element of symbolism. It can represent the letting go of negative energy or the transformation of the practitioner’s intention into reality. Some individuals may even perform a form of divination called ceromancy, which involves interpreting patterns and shapes formed by the melting wax. Overall, occult candle symbolism is a complex and intricate system that involves the interpretation of various elements such as color, shape, size, flame, and wax. By understanding these symbols and incorporating them into rituals, practitioners can effectively channel and focus their intentions to manifest their desired outcomes..
Reviews for "Understanding Light and Darkness: Exploring Occult Candle Symbolism"
1. John - 2 stars - I was not impressed with "Occult candle symbolism" at all. I found it to be extremely confusing and hard to decipher. The author seemed to assume that the reader already had a deep understanding of occultism and candle symbolism, which made it inaccessible for someone like me who was just starting to explore these topics. The book did not provide enough explanation or context, and I was left feeling frustrated and discouraged. I would not recommend this book to beginners in the occult or those looking for a comprehensive guide on candle symbolism.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I regret buying "Occult candle symbolism". The book promised to provide insight into the hidden meanings behind candle symbolism, but instead, it was filled with vague and generic information. It felt like the author was just throwing random information without any real depth or expertise in the subject matter. The book lacked a coherent structure and failed to provide any practical guidance or examples. Save your money and look for a better resource if you are genuinely interested in learning about occult candle symbolism.
3. Alex - 2.5 stars - "Occult candle symbolism" left me underwhelmed. While it did touch upon some interesting aspects of candle symbolism, it failed to go into enough detail to make it truly informative or thought-provoking. I felt like the book could have been condensed into a few pages without losing any valuable information. The author's writing style was also quite dry and uninspiring, which made it difficult to stay engaged with the text. Overall, I was disappointed by the lack of depth and originality in this book and would recommend looking for better resources on the subject.