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Introduction To Candle Magic
Ancient Craft & Occultism
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By KB
Introduction
Welcome back witches in training! We've been covering a lot of ground bases lately, especially within the realms of spellwork. Today, we're going to take that a bit further by opening our horizons to the infinite world of Candle Magic! In this lesson, we're going to discuss basic color magic, the history of candles, and how to use candles in your craft. Let's get to it!
A Brief Candle History
The exact origin of the candle is quite a debate among historical scholars, but there is a large sum of evidence that suggests candles made of beeswax were used in Egypt and Crete as early as 3000 BCE. Other early candles were fashioned using tallow-soaked tapers manufactured from fibrous materials like rushes. Rushlights were one of the first types of enclosed light we are aware of, yet they were unlike candles as we know them today because they lacked a wick. The impoverished continued to utilize them for centuries because they were also inexpensive to produce.
It may come as no surprise that the Romans are credited with creating the first wicked candles by continuously dipping a roll of papyrus into tallow, a converted form of beef or mutton fat, while wrapping it around a length of twine. Candles were still used in the same manner, but they had superior quality and a longer lifespan than rushlights.
However, candle production was not only practiced by the Romans. Wicked candles were "invented" by numerous other ancient civilizations who also used local plant-based waxes. The eulachon fish, which is so oily that when dried, it would burn like a candle when you ignite one end, was used as a candle by tribes in Alaska and Canada. The Chinese used wrapped ricepaper as wicks. In India, wax was created from the fruit of the cinnamon tree.
Candles, in any form, were a significant component of religious rites throughout this time. The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, was originally documented around 165 B.C. Constantine, the Roman emperor between 306 and 337 A.D., mandated the use of lamps during Easter celebrations. Indeed, from roughly the time of Constantine, lights have played a significant role in religious events and signify the purifying light of God.
Candle flames were seen by ancient peoples to reveal enigmatic things. One could experience an altered state of consciousness and see gods, spirits, or the future by gazing into a flame. In a magic ceremony for "dreaming true," or getting information from dreams, the late Egyptians of the third century B.C. utilized lamps and possibly candles. He retired to a pitch-black cave that faced south and sat there gazing into a flame till he saw a god. Then he went to sleep, hoping that the deity would show up in his dreams and provide him with the answers he was looking for.
The Roman Christian scholar Tertullian fiercely objected to the ancient Pagan practice of lighting candles and lights during religious ceremonies, calling it "the useless lighting of lamps at noon." Candles and lamps were used in Christian rites from the fourth century, but candles weren't put on church altars until the later Middle Ages, starting in the twelfth century. Consecrated holy candles are used in ceremonies for blessings, atonement for sins, and the exorcism of demons, all of which were instituted by the Catholic Church.
Using Candles In The Craft
Candles have long been used as versatile tools, but in witchcraft, they can also be used for divination, spirit sensing, casting spells, and a variety of other things. Let's jump right in.
Divination - Reading the wax and observing how the candle really burns are the two most popular techniques for candle divination. You must observe the candle's burning pattern, including its height, flickering, and the presence of many flames, in order to make a prediction based on how it burns. Two flames could indicate assistance from the afterlife in achieving your objective. Even the hues of the flame may give you a clue as to how well your efforts are going. However, there is no agreement on what these indications signify. While some practitioners hold that a candle that burns tall and strongly indicates that one's request will be granted, others draw attention to the fact that the wick's length and quality, as well as an air vent, can affect how the candle burns. Prioritize your intention over the candle's burning process. You can always read the wax once it hardens, or pour the wax directly into cold water for it to harden and then interpret the symbols, much like you would with bone throwing, or scrying. Personally, I also like to pay attention to the smoke and interpret the way the smoke from the candle flows in order to interpret surrounding energies.
Spirit Work - Fire scrying is the most common way to communicate with spirits, and as it's the only method with candles I have experience with, that's what I will be discussing here. I encourage you to do your own research into spirit communication outside of my suggestion, because I'm sure there are plenty other methods out there. Again, there is no base consensus in a means to interpretation, as spirits and practitioners alike have different ways of communication. Just like with any other scrying, its imperative to stay connected to your personal energy while connecting with surrounding energy to properly interpret the signals you are receiving. Connecting with deities is also possible using this method of Candle Magic.
Rituals/Spellwork - In rituals and spells, candles are used to increase vibrations, represent specific elements and other important objects or creatures, use symbolism, and seal items like letters or spell bottles. Even candle spells can be created simply lighting a candle with intention. It is very common to carve, dress, and anoint candles in aid for ritual and spellwork as well. Fire being the main force driving the work, of course.
Worship - Candles are often used as offerings for various deities. Symbolism, color, and dressings can all play a part of this as well. They are also used as a beacon for an entity to guide you through your working.
Candle Correspondences
When undertaking serious candle work, choosing the right candle colors is crucial. Each hue has a unique meaning and possesses unique abilities. It's crucial to pick colors that align with your aims while working with candles in spells or rituals. Please remember that this is a very basic list and that the things you will read in your personal correspondence are far more significant than anything you will read here.
White - Attraction, Purification, Protection, Balance, Clarity, Grounding, Healing, Hope, Innocence, Optimism, Peace, Truth, Willpower
White can take the place of any other color when not available. Just a bit of visualization is required.
Black - Acceptance, Afterlife, Banishing, Binding, Determination, Endings, Justice, Loss, Release, Break, Security, Grief, Negativity, Patience, Persistence, Rebirth, Strength, Self Control
Red - Assertiveness, Courage, Creativity, Energy, Desire, Loyalty, Motivation, Power, Survival, Change
Yellow - Action, Communication, Learning, Finances, Business, Intellect, Inspiration, Knowledge, Wisdom, Stimulation
Pink - Acceptance, Affection, Beauty, Compassion, Healing, Family, Harmony, Kindness, Longevity, Nurturing, Partnership, Prosperity
Green - Abundance, Agriculture, Beauty, Creativity, Family, Fertility, Healing, Luck, Environment, Nurturing
Purple - Authority, Enlightenment, Spirituality, Emotions, Imagination, Influence, Truth, Wisdom, Overcoming Fear
Orange - Adaptive, Ambition, Confidence, Courage, Discipline, Energy, Freedom, Justice, Positivity, Pleasure, Stimulation, Travel
Blue - Honesty, Truth, Trust, Dreams, Sleep, Mental, Wisdom, Leadership, Fertility, Marriage, Healing, Study
Brown - Endurance, Animals, Balance, Courage, Grounding, Stability, Protection
Silver - Awareness, Intuition, Money, Purification, Potential, Stability, Success, Celestial
Gold - Abundance, Ambition, Money, Happiness, Power, Influence, Solar energy
Even if you aren't aware of it, the type of candle and the type of wax it is made of may have an impact on your craft. It can all come down to functionality or magical implications.
Taper Candles
Taper candles are tall, thin candles with a tapered top; they are often placed in vintage, smaller candle jars and are more ornamental and symbolic. Shorter taper candles are typically used to seal objects with wax. They can, however, be utilized for any task.
Pillar Candles
There are many different types of pillar candles, but these are the ones I see used almost exclusively. They differ from being short and fat to being tall and slim. They can be utilized for a variety of purposes, but I've found that rituals are where they're most useful.
Votive Candles
Votive candles are little and barely taper more at the base. They are frequently placed in glass candle holders and are used as offerings to deities. Given that their modest, tapering size is what makes them votives, their sizes rarely fluctuate. But they do come in a variety of colors. They are often white.
Tealights
Tealights are tiny, thin, and short candles. You can use them to make offerings, perform spells and rituals, decorate, or even keep wax warmers warm. I frequently observe this kind of candle being used, largely because they are the least expensive candles available.
Now, let's go over some of the different wax types.
Beeswax
It used to be difficult and dangerous to obtain beeswax, which added to the candle's mystique and spiritual power. Beeswax is a natural substance that burns more slowly, making it a premium item among contemporary candle spiritual practitioners; yet, because of its price, it may not be the best choice. Beeswax candles are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and hues and can be rolled, poured, or dipped. Longer ancestral rituals that demand higher vibrations and purpose work best with these candles.
Soy
People who use earth magic sometimes like soy candles since they are natural. Although they tend to burn for a shorter period of time than beeswax candles, they keep fragrances quite well. When dressed, they can also be extremely fragile and challenging to mold or carve. The majority of soy candles are already housed in glass. They are most effective when utilized in ancestral rituals for healing and rebirth.
Paraffin
Since it's a byproduct of the petroleum industry, many people consider it to be less natural than the available alternatives. The fact that it releases chemicals like toluene into the air makes it a poor choice for poorly ventilated areas. Other than providing the foundation for candles, I haven't discovered any sources that discuss the magickal powers of paraffin itself. I found a few for petroleum jelly, which is frequently used as a foundation for herbal salves, but they mainly praised how simple it was to use as an ointment. Even our non-human ancestors may have used petroleum, according to some sources, which makes it a solid foundation for ancestor magic.
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Yesterday I collected the first basil leaves of the season and I'm really happy. He even gave us small new shoots!
Basil is one of my favorite plants, both for spells and for cooking. Below I leave you some ideas for using basil!
Remember:
Regular pruning of basil gives the plant a healthier appearance, better foliage production and healthier growth.
The pruning of the basil is carried out against the inflorescences in formation. By cutting the inflorescences you can prolong the production of new vegetation and stimulate the plant to produce new shoots. As soon as the flower production season has arrived, cut off all the tops of the basil that present the flowers in formation. To do this, just bring gardening scissors or any pair of well-sharpened scissors and cut the inflorescences at the apex just below the stem attachment.
❦ Steep basil in flying ointments and meditation ointments for “clarity in flight.” Basil stabilizes a wandering mind to keep your meditation or “flying” session focused and purposeful.
❦ Spring dried basil near your desk or tie it in a drawstring bag with some pennies to draw luck to your money and business matters. Refresh before important meetings, phone calls or as needed.
❦ Whether you no longer want to feel interest in someone, or you wish they no longer took interest in you, let a piece of basil wilt under your bed to encourage the feelings to fade away.
❦ Arguing with a dear friend and can’t seem to stop? Take a photo of her, sprinkle it with dry basil and leave a piece of rose quartz on it for one full moon cycle.
❦ Plant basil near the threshold of your home to repel negative entities and welcome friendly spirits.
❦ If you feel troubled by negative energy in your sacred circle, sprinkle dried basil along the perimeter instead of (or in addition to) salt to seal your circle with a little extra protection.
❦ Throw fresh basil an ice tray, then fill the remaining space with spring water. Make a wish for new love, then throw it a creek or river. “Send” your wish to the Element of Water and then resign yourself to Her wisdom. Walk away and don’t look back.
❦ Soak basil in a spray bottle with 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar. (Optional: Include a piece of lapislazuli in the bottle). Use the mixture as a natural cleaning solution throughout the home until tensions subside.
Not:
Don't forget to thank your plant and mother nature (and / or your divinity if you work with one) and leave an offer.
Before starting the pruning I watered my basil abundantly and added some blessed storm water and while I was singing I sang for it.
#witch#christian witch#witchraft#witchraft 101#witchy#baby witch#beginer witch#herbalism#herbal witch#green witch#elemental witch#basil#basilicum#magic#typwitch#typ
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🐇white rabbits🐇white rabbits 🐇white rabbits
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PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t be sharing photos of your book of shadows!!! No witch or otherwise should ever ever EVER have a copy of your handwriting especially directly out your Grimoire! this is witchraft 101!
allowing another witch to copy notes from your grimoire (IN THEIR HANDWRITING) is okay but that it!!! dont give another witch power over you.
Runes page in my book of shadows 🔮✨
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WITCHCRAFT 101, CONJURING BY COLORS & THE SERENITY SPECTRUM
Witchcraft 101: Conjuring By Colors & The Serenity Spectrum Color Magick is a basic tenet for working spells. The properties of each color determine how it impacts your mood, frame of mind, and the potency of your spell casting. Be mindful of the color of the candle, gemstone, and flower you choose; carefully pick the hues of your clothing, furniture, and even the paint on the walls. For example, if you are given to moodiness or anger, remove all RED from your home décor. If you are predisposed to melancholia, a VIOLET scheme may depress you. The Serenity Spectrum For a Peaceful Home Burn blue candles on Thursday To Overcome Fear Burn red candles on Sunday For Inner Peace Burn silver candles on Monday For Self-Confidence Burn red candles on Sunday For Physical Wellbeing Burn green candles on Friday To Overcome Regret or Guilt Burn white candles on Wednesday For Mental Clarity Burn yellow candles on Wednesday To Let Go of Anger Burn orange candles on Monday For Success at Work Burn green candles on Friday Found in Witches of the Craft.com Posted by, Phynxrizng
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