Candle magic is a practice that has been used for centuries to harness the power of fire and channel it for various purposes. One crucial aspect of candle magic is the meaning behind the flame. The flame of a candle can convey messages and provide insight into the progress and effectiveness of a spell or ritual. A steady and strong flame is commonly seen as a positive sign in candle magic. It indicates that the energy and intention behind the spell are focused and powerful. A vibrant flame can suggest that the spell is working effectively and that the desired outcome is likely to manifest.
In film, highlights of the BFI's gothic season include Burn Baby Burn! a festival of witchcraft on film, which comes to Belfast's Queens Film Theatre in early November, and the once-banned 1922 Danish witch movie Häxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages, showing this week at Filmhouse Edinburgh and the following week at the Glasgow Film Theatre and Dundee Contemporary Arts. Even Meryl Streep is getting in on the act – recent stills from the forthcoming film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods show her transformed into a hag complete with wild grey hair and long nails.
In the young-adult section of bookshops, shelves that recently groaned under the weight of tales of tormented vampires and lovelorn werewolves, are now stuffed with stories of witchcraft and magic, from Ruth Warburton s much-praised Winter Trilogy to Jessica Spotswood s Cahill Witch Chronicles. In the young-adult section of bookshops, shelves that recently groaned under the weight of tales of tormented vampires and lovelorn werewolves, are now stuffed with stories of witchcraft and magic, from Ruth Warburton s much-praised Winter Trilogy to Jessica Spotswood s Cahill Witch Chronicles.
A vibrant flame can suggest that the spell is working effectively and that the desired outcome is likely to manifest. This type of flame is often associated with success, energy, and progress. On the other hand, a weak or flickering flame may indicate that the energy is scattered or that there are obstacles hindering the manifestation of the spell.
Spellbound: why witchcraft is enchanting a new generation of teenage girls
When Ryan Murphy, the creator of American Horror Story, announced that the third season of the American TV series would focus on witches, he was riding the crest of a wave. Not since the 1990s – the era of Buffy's geek goddess, Willow Rosenberg, and a scowling Fairuza Balk in The Craft – have witches been so much in demand.
In the young-adult section of bookshops, shelves that recently groaned under the weight of tales of tormented vampires and lovelorn werewolves, are now stuffed with stories of witchcraft and magic, from Ruth Warburton's much-praised Winter Trilogy to Jessica Spotswood's Cahill Witch Chronicles. Lower down the age range, last month the most recent in Jill Murphy's long-running Worst Witch series was published, while among the predictions for this Christmas's bestselling toys are the Bratz spinoff, House of Witchez. For adults, next year will mark the climax of Deborah Harkness's All Souls Trilogy, centring on the relationship between a vampire and a feisty American witch.
In film, highlights of the BFI's gothic season include Burn Baby Burn! a festival of witchcraft on film, which comes to Belfast's Queens Film Theatre in early November, and the once-banned 1922 Danish witch movie Häxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages, showing this week at Filmhouse Edinburgh and the following week at the Glasgow Film Theatre and Dundee Contemporary Arts. Even Meryl Streep is getting in on the act – recent stills from the forthcoming film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods show her transformed into a hag complete with wild grey hair and long nails.
However, it is on television that the season of the witch has truly taken hold. In addition to American Horror Story, with its tale of voodoo queens and teenage witches, there's Lifetime's The Witches of East End, adapted from a novel by Melissa de la Cruz and featuring a family of spellcasters led by Julia Ormond. Vampire Diaries spinoff The Originals (on the Syfy channel) has a central storyline about witchcraft and in Universal's Sleepy Hollow, Ichabod Crane deals with duelling covens in present-day America.
So why witches – and why now? "The idea of being able to manipulate supernatural forces still resonates," says Owen Davies, professor of social history at the University of Hertfordshire and author of America Bewitched: The Story of Witchcraft after Salem. "Witches and ghosts speak to something fundamental and innate in our psyche. It's an emotional connection."
The last time witches were so in fashion, in the 1990s, the response from young girls was intense. "When Buffy and Charmed were at their peak, I would get letters from teenage girls, mainly from America, asking for help about where to look for spells," says Davies. "Those shows gave teenage girls a feeling of empowerment; there's something very appealing about magic and witchcraft. There have also been studies of girls who were interested in witch shows in the 1990s, following how many went on to become practising wiccans.It's not a huge number, but it's interesting that some of them watched the shows and thought, 'I want to know more'."
Ruth Warburton, whose latest young-adult novel, Witch Finder, will be out in January, feels the growing interest is partially driven by a teenage desire to see girls in less passive roles. The most striking thing about the recent movie Beautiful Creatures (adapted from a bestselling teen novel) was that the hero worshipped from the sidelines as his witch girlfriend came into her powers.
"Often the traditional way of looking at relationships in young-adult fiction is that the guy has all the power and the interesting life and the girl goes along for the ride, but that's not the whole story," says Warburton. "Increasingly, we're trying to bring our daughters up to believe they can be the leader; they can have the adventure; they can do the cool stuff and one thing about witches is that they allow you to explore that moment when girls become teenagers and realise the power they have as women and how exhilarating that can be."
It is also arguable that these new shows reflect a changing attitude in television. The era of the anti-hero is coming to a close with the end of Breaking Bad and the final seasons of Mad Men. In their place have come female-centric shows, from Orange is the New Black to Masters of Sex, and Scandal. Thus Witches of East End is as interested in the bonds between mothers and daughters as in potions and curses, while American Horror Story: Coven conducts a serious examination of outsiderdom, exclusion and the nature of power. "The witches are a great allegory for any minority group that's been persecuted and had to go underground and finally is like: 'You know what? Dammit no, we're fighting back,'" the show's creator Murphy said.
It helps that both shows are happy to play with stereotypes. We tend to see witches as withered crone or seductive enchantress, Baba Yaga or Morgan Le Fay, yet for Witches of East End the key is that these women are a normal family with a family's ups and downs.
Yet Davies argues that the key to witch-related success remains image. "The image of the witch has transformed from someone extremely dangerous, through the sexy domesticated witches of Bewitched to the new wave of young, sexy witches in Charmed and Buffy to now," he says. "We're not interested in the mundane reality – we don't want to watch a drama about someone falsely accused of bewitching a pig." In other words, just as our vampires are now soulful lost boys, so our witches must be appealing in looks, if not always in deed.
American Horror Story: Coven starts on the Fox channel on 29 October at 10pm. Witches of East End starts on Lifetime, on 5 November at 10pm
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In the young-adult section of bookshops, shelves that recently groaned under the weight of tales of tormented vampires and lovelorn werewolves, are now stuffed with stories of witchcraft and magic, from Ruth Warburton's much-praised Winter Trilogy to Jessica Spotswood's Cahill Witch Chronicles. Lower down the age range, last month the most recent in Jill Murphy's long-running Worst Witch series was published, while among the predictions for this Christmas's bestselling toys are the Bratz spinoff, House of Witchez. For adults, next year will mark the climax of Deborah Harkness's All Souls Trilogy, centring on the relationship between a vampire and a feisty American witch.
It might be a sign that the practitioner needs to focus their intention and concentration or address any factors that might be blocking the spell's success. In such cases, it is often recommended to repeat the spell or perform additional rituals to strengthen the energy. A high and leaping flame can have various interpretations depending on the context of the spell or ritual. It can indicate that the spell is receiving a significant amount of energy and that there is a strong force supporting its manifestation. However, a very high flame can also suggest that the spell is becoming unstable or that there may be a surplus of energy. It is crucial to monitor such flames closely to prevent any accidents or negative consequences. A low or almost extinguished flame can be a sign that the spell is encountering resistance or facing challenges. It might suggest that the spell needs more energy or that the intention needs to be reaffirmed. In such cases, it is advisable to strengthen the spell by adding additional components, performing supplementary rituals, or even starting the process again from the beginning. Furthermore, the direction in which the flame leans or tilts can also convey meaning in candle magic. A flame leaning towards the practitioner may suggest that the energy of the spell is being received and accepted by them. It can indicate a strong connection between the spell and the individual casting it. On the contrary, a flame that leans away or flickers away from the practitioner might suggest that there are external factors or influences hindering the spell's progress. Ultimately, interpreting the meaning of a flame in candle magic requires careful observation, intuition, and experience. Each spell and ritual is unique, and the symbolism may vary depending on individual circumstances and intentions. It is essential for practitioners to develop a personal connection with the candles they use and to pay attention to the messages conveyed by the flames. Through practice and experimentation, a deeper understanding of the flame's meaning in candle magic can be attained..
Reviews for "Interpreting the Movement of Candle Flames in Magic"
- Sarah - 1 star
I was really disappointed with the "Candle Magic Flame Meaning" book. I found it to be incredibly vague and lacking any real substance. The author claims to provide detailed explanations of what each flame means, but I found the descriptions to be extremely general and unhelpful. It felt like the author was just making things up as they went along. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive and informative guide on candle magic.
- Mark - 2 stars
I have to say that I was quite underwhelmed by "Candle Magic Flame Meaning". While there were certainly some interesting tidbits here and there, the book failed to deliver on its promise of providing a thorough understanding of candle flame meanings. I found the explanations to be confusing and contradictory at times. Additionally, the writing style was quite dry and lacked any real enthusiasm or passion. Ultimately, I don't think this book added much value to my knowledge of candle magic.
- Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Candle Magic Flame Meaning" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The book seemed more like a collection of random thoughts and musings rather than a well-organized guide. The author jumped from one topic to another without any clear structure, making it difficult to follow along. I also found the examples used to be too simplistic and lacking in depth. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with this book.