"Stanzas" is a song by the American metalcore band Killswitch Engage, released on their sixth studio album "Disarm the Descent" in 2013. The song showcases the band's signature blend of heavy metal and melodic sensibilities through its powerful instrumentation and introspective lyrics. The chorus of "Stanzas" revolves around the line "my curse," which serves as the title of one of Killswitch Engage's most well-known songs. This repetition emphasizes the theme of personal struggle and the burden one carries in life. By using the word "stanzas," the band suggests that these struggles are like verses or chapters in one's life, highlighting the cyclical nature of pain and introspection. The lyrics of "Stanzas" delve into the mental and emotional turmoil experienced by individuals dealing with personal demons.
The lyrics of "Stanzas" delve into the mental and emotional turmoil experienced by individuals dealing with personal demons. The lines "Reflections of my past / seem so trivial now / was this all in vain? / A shallow comfort for this weary heart" express feelings of regret and disillusionment. The songwriter questions the validity of their past actions and seeks solace in understanding the purpose behind their pain.
What is Ritual Oil + How to Use It To Supercharge Your Magic
Mixing magic oils reminds me so much of movies and books about witches creating potent potions.
To this day, ritual oils are one of my favorite things to make and buy. I use them as body oils, perfumes, and dab drops of oil around my office and room. Gorgeous-smelling, powerful oils make all of your magic more potent.
Read on to learn all about anointing oils, anointing oil ingredients, how they work, and how to choose the best anointing oils for your practice.
A Short History of Ritual and Anointing Oils
Most people likely associate anointing oils with religious traditions — namely Christian religions. Various Christian lineages have used anointing oils on priests and other religious leaders to set them apart as sacred from the rest of the population.
Other Western traditions include anointing kings and prophets. And sacred oils were used by healers and clergy to heal the sick or undo curses.
Even today, religious leaders anoint followers with oils and water during baptisms and other ceremonies.
Other folk magic traditions like Hoodoo use conjure and "conditioning" oils, which consist of carrier oils, essential oils, herbs, stones, and other elements like gold and silver.
Conjure oils are usually prepared by Hoodoo practitioners using specific recipes passed down throughout generations. I don’t know a lot about Hoodoo, but it’s best to get your conjure oils from a Hoodoo Priest or Priestess. You’ll get a set of specific instructions on how to use it.
In European-based magic and folk magic traditions, ritual oil recipes use many of the same ingredients — essential oils, herbs, stones, and other elements.
We use oils to bless our bodies and magical tools in preparation for spell work. Or to “fix” or “dress” a candle for maximum magic. Specific oils are also used for specific rituals — for things like love, money, clarity, or protection.
So, what is ritual oil and how does it work?
What is Ritual Oil?
Ritual and magic oils are sacred oils that are blessed and energetically charged using intention, plants, crystals, and the moon cycles to create massive magic.
All ritual oils look a little different depending on your magical or religious tradition. I follow a predominantly Western and Southern European folk magic tradition. And our oils are a mixture of:
- A carrier oil
- Essential oils
- Dried herbs, roots, and flowers
- Crystals
- Intention
In addition to small stones, I’ll sometimes add gold flakes or iron shavings, according to the intention or any recipe that’s been passed down.
All magic oils strengthen your intention and work to "supercharge" the spell or ritual.
For instance, rub some oil on a candle and that candle magic will become even more powerful.
Add some powerful ritual oil to the petals of a flower during the ritual and the essence of that flower is magnified. Anoint yourself or others during a spell or ritual, and your intentions go to the next level.
How Does Ritual Oil Work?
Anointing oil holds all the energies of the oils, plants, roots, and stones it contains. The ingredients are what hold the oil’s intent, which is why there are different oil recipes for love, money, clarity, psychic connections, and so much more.
You could also refer to the energy of the ingredients as the soul or spirit of the plants, stones, and essential oils. And these spirits help you to tap into your specific intentions.
That’s also why it’s important to use all essential oils, herbs, flowers, and stones with the utmost respect for the spirits involved. Think of your ritual oil ingredients as gifts from Mother Earth. This kind of gratitude does wonders for manifestation and magic.
Still — YOUR intention is going to be the strongest ingredient in your ritual oil.
Even if you’re buying pre-made oils (more on how to choose the right oils in a minute), you’ll want to charge your oil with your energy and intention.
How to Charge Your Oil
Charging your oil with your intention is simple. The first step is to choose your oil or make your own. There are numerous recipes on Pinterest and all over the Internet. I make super high-quality oils with essential oils, herbs, and stones (made to order).
But even though I bless and charge each oil myself, I still think it’s crucial for you to charge your oil before use to imbue it with your own energy and intention.
Here’s how it works:
- Get clear on your intention. For instance, if it’s romance you crave, think of exactly what you want from your relationship and how it will feel to have that. If it’s more money, conjure the feeling of being wealthy … what does that feel like to you?
- Hold your ritual oil between your hands in front of you. Close your eyes, picturing your intent.
- I like to meditate for a few minutes and visualize my intent as a glowing golden or white light flowing into the bottle.
- Continue with your visualization for 1-5 minutes. Or stop whenever you feel like it.
- Your oil is now charged with your intention.
You can also charge your oil with Full Moon or New Moon energy. Simply leave the bottle under the moon’s light — on a window sill or outside.
Moon energy is incredibly potent, creative, feminine, and fertile — perfect for manifestation.
How to Use Ritual Oil
For generations of magic makers, anointing and ritual oils have been used to turn a normal object (or person) into something more sacred.
Knowing that you could use your oil on anything that needs a touch of magic (assuming the oil won’t damage it).
You can anoint (dab a touch of oil onto):
- Candles (don’t get oil on the wick)
- Crystals and other stones
- Altar tools like vases, bowls, or incense burners
- Jewelry and other talismans
- Photos of your intention or vision boards
You can also dab a bit of oil on your wrists and neck before ritual or your morning meditation. Make sure to check the ingredients. Cinnamon oil and citrus oils can burn your skin in large amounts.
Anxious about work or paying bills? Dab a bit of Prosperity Oil around your workspace or on a paper bill that you’re about to pay online. Going out on a hot date? Love Oil on your wrists and behind your ears can help draw in the one you love.
How to Anoint Candles with Ritual Oil
Candle magic is a type of ritual performed throughout many folk magic and occult traditions using candles, oils, herbs, and other materials for magic and manifestation.
Fire is one of the more transformative elements, changing solids to liquid, gas, steam or ash, providing warmth, and transforming raw foods into cooked creations. So it makes sense to use fire (candle flames) to transform dreams and wishes into reality.
I first got into anointing and ritual oils because of candle magic.
Many candle magic spells call for a totally separate ritual to create the anointing oil, so I would find myself putting a ton of time into the oil before I could even start the spell. And since many oils call for a number of ingredients, I decided just to start making and selling the oils myself.
Not everyone has access to the right ingredients or the time to spend on making the oils from scratch.
In candle magic, you can use ritual oils to help “supercharge” the candle and your spell. You simply anoint the sides or the top of the candle with a few drops of oil, being careful not to saturate the wick. Then you can “feed” the candle daily with another drop or two of oil as an offering to Spirit.
Not only are you covering the candle in the plants' essence, but you’re also connecting with your candle even more through a sensory experience (touch and smell), which charges it even more with your intention.
For instance, you can use a green candle for a prosperity spell, but when you pair that with prosperity or abundance anointing oil, your magic is twice as strong. As you anoint the candle with the oil, allow your energy and intent to flow into the candle.
So, where is the best place to find authentic, high-quality ritual oil? And what should you look for in a good oil?
What to Look For When You’re Buying Ritual Oil
The quality of your oil matters when it comes to magic-making. And much like choosing crystals, it’s important to get a good vibe from the oil you’re buying.
Here are a few steps to take when you’re choosing a magic oil to work with:
- First, get clear on your intention. Whether you need to journal or meditate or talk about it with a friend or coach, get down to the root of the matter. For instance, if you want more money, get clear on the “why” behind your desires.
- After you choose your intentions, you can pick your oil. Go with companies that feel good to you. Maybe you identify with their vibe, or you really like their company’s mission.
- Once you choose a brand, take a look at its ingredients. Go with oils that are handmade, charged with the moon cycles, or with strong intent, and made with all-natural, sustainably sourced, mostly organic ingredients.
- Support small businesses when you can. The energy behind big companies like Walmart and Sephora are a lot different than the energy from small, privately-owned businesses. Do a little research into who you’re buying from. And don’t be afraid to ask questions about the products!
Anointing oils and ritual oils have changed my entire magic and manifestation process.
It’s very rare that I do a spell or moon phase ritual without my oils. And there are periods of time (depending on what I’m manifesting) where I use them in my morning meditations and other daily practices as well.
Ritual oils, charged with your specific intent, can be incredibly powerful. So, choose your oils wisely or make them yourself from high-quality raw materials.
In European-based magic and folk magic traditions, ritual oil recipes use many of the same ingredients — essential oils, herbs, stones, and other elements.
In the pre-chorus, the lyrics take a more introspective turn with the lines "I'd trade tomorrow for yesterday / just to feel anything." This statement reflects the desperation and longing for relief from the emotional burden experienced by the narrator. They express a willingness to sacrifice the future in exchange for respite from their present suffering, highlighting the intensity of their struggle. The bridge of the song acts as an emotional climax, with the lyrics "My fear is standing still / this can't be happening." Here, the songwriter acknowledges the fear of stagnation or being trapped in their current state. This fear stems from the realization that their internal struggles are ongoing and that they must actively confront them in order to find peace. The main idea behind "Stanzas" is the depiction of personal struggle and the emotional weight that accompanies it. Killswitch Engage uses powerful instrumentation and introspective lyrics to explore the cyclical nature of pain and the desire for resolution. The repetition of the phrase "my curse" throughout the song reinforces the central theme and emphasizes the burden of personal demons. Overall, "Stanzas" is a compelling exploration of the human experience and the fight for inner peace amidst turbulent times..
Reviews for "The Cultural Relevance of "Stanzas" by Killswitch Engage"
1. Samantha123 - 2/5 stars - I found "Stanzas my curse" by Killswitch Engage to be underwhelming and lacking originality. The lyrics felt repetitive, and the instrumentals were nothing out of the ordinary. The overall sound of the song failed to capture my attention or evoke any strong emotions. It felt like a generic metal track that didn't offer anything new or unique. Overall, I was disappointed and expected more from such a renowned band.
2. JohnDoe321 - 1/5 stars - "Stanzas my curse" by Killswitch Engage was a complete miss for me. The vocals were unintelligible, and I couldn't connect with the lyrics. The heavy guitar riffs were overpowering and drowned out any potential melody. It felt like a jumbled mess of noise rather than a cohesive song. I've enjoyed some of Killswitch Engage's previous work, but this particular track was a letdown.
3. MetalHead666 - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for "Stanzas my curse" by Killswitch Engage, but it fell short. The song lacked the energy and aggression that I associate with the band. The chorus was forgettable, and the breakdowns felt forced and uninspired. It seemed like they were trying to play it safe and cater to a wider audience instead of staying true to their signature sound. Overall, it was a forgettable track in an otherwise impressive discography.
4. RockNRollFanatic - 1/5 stars - I can't believe "Stanzas my curse" is by Killswitch Engage. The song felt like a watered-down version of their previous work. The lack of complexity and variation in the instrumentals made it sound amateurish. The vocals were unimpressive and lacked the raw emotion that is usually characteristic of the band. It's disappointing to see a band I used to admire release such an underwhelming and mediocre track.