Candle Magic Basics

Candle magick uses the techniques of meditation and visualization. These are combined with the use of sympathetic magick. Sympathetic magick is a way of using symbols to make a model of what you want to manifest. In this form of magick the candles are representative of what you are trying to achieve, such as protection, money and love.

In Preparation :

Timing Rituals and Spells

In your search for knowledge you will come across tables of magickal correspondences for the Days of The Week, Time of the Month, Months of the Year. These are for optimum conditions for spell work, but it is not necessary to follow these to the letter. GreyWing herself has some of these tables on her site, but finds it unnecessary to follow things to the absolute pickiness of doing a specific spell at 2 o'clock in the morning, when she has to be at work at 7:30 am. Working magick is a state of mind, not a time of day or month, or year. Candle colors may be changed according to your feelings of what is right for you. If your budget is tight and you only have a white candle at the moment, use it. The magic is in your hands, and only you know what is inside you.

Decide where your candle magick will be performed. Stay away from the fabrics of draperies and curtains.

Some rituals and spells are written in such a way that the candles are required to stay lit until they burn themselves out. This is a fire hazard and should not be done. Rewrite the spell or ritual so it may be performed over several days if this is necessary.

Many spells require that a candle may not be moved once the spell is started. Greywing has found this to be untrue. Just rewrite the spell to your requirements.

Choose an Altar and setup.

Prepare yourself with a ritual bath or perform some other type of purification.

If you use an alter cloth, use candle holders that will protect it.

The bell shaped sleeves on some robes are awkward around candles. Use caution if wearing a robe.

Dress the candles for ritual or spell use. This may be done before the spell to be performed or during a previous ritual.

Types of Candles used in Rituals

Altar Candles

These are two white candles that are placed at the two far corners of the altar. These candles are always lit before any others. If your altar is small and space is at a premium, these candles may be omitted.

Goddess and God Candles

A white, silver or green candle may be chosen to represent the Goddess. Chose a red, yellow or gold candle to represent the God.

Offeratory Candles

These are the working candles. Their color depends on the spell to be performed.

Astral Candles

This candle represents the petitioner (the person working the spell). The color to be chosen depends on the petitioners birthday, as below.

Day Candles