Practical
(Candle) Magic
Even though we are talking about magical, spiritual, and high level woo-woo, candle magic is about the material world too. You’ve got a real candle with real fire and you need to make sure you’re being safe.
There are also practical parts to consider. What kinds of candles there are, other items you might want to have on hand to do a more elaborate spell, and what color candle to pick are all things you will probably wonder about once you are comfortable with the simplest spells.
Candle Spell Safety
When you are working with candles, you are working with the element of fire. As with all elemental work, if the element is not treated with reverence and respect, you may have some problems. And when it comes to fire, the consequences can be quite serious.
Here are some common-sense safety precautions that you should take whenever you are doing a candle spell.
1. Make sure you are always awake and nearby whenever a candle is burning.
2. Make sure to burn candles in an area free from things that can burn, such as furniture, bedding, carpet, books, papers, curtains, fabric, or other flammable objects.
3. Burn candles away from drafts, vents, and ceiling fans.
4. Always burn candles in a well-ventilated area.
5. Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets.
6. Keep your candle wick trimmed to 1/4" (6 mm) as it burns.
7. Burn candles in holders designed for candle use.
8. Place holders on heat resistant surfaces.
9. Keep the wax pool free from trimmings, matches, and debris.
10. Never touch a candle while it is burning. Its container can get very hot, and hot wax could drip on you.
11. Use a snuffer to extinguish a candle; never blow it out.
12. Never extinguish a candle with water. Water can interact with wax and create a fireball, cause wax to splatter, and potentially break glass containers.
13. Snuff a candle if it smokes, flickers, or the flame becomes too high. After the candle has cooled, you can trim the wick and check for drafts.
14. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand (Class B, K, or ABC) for fires that get out of control.
Types of Candles
There are so many different candles that you can use for spell work. How do you choose? Here are most of the varieties of candles you will encounter on your candle magic journey, along with their descriptions and special features.
Taper Candles
Taper candles are long slim candles. Think of the ones that you see on a fancy dining room table. They come in many sizes from the long 12" (30 cm) ones that you see in a candelabra, called tall tapers, to shorter 5" (12 cm) ones that are used in prayer services, called thick tapers. There are slimmer, smaller ones that are sometimes called chime candles, but I like to call them slim tapers. Birthday candles also fall into the category of tapers (personally, I call them “tiny tapers.”) Because they come in a variety of sizes, you can choose the ideal taper size based on how long you want the candle to burn.
Tapers can be used for spells on their own, but they can also be added as additional candles to a spell when you want to bring in some extra power. They can be used as support candles, which are extra candles placed around a main candle, sometimes called the master candle. Support candles can bring additional focus and energy by adding an additional magical color or by being dressed in different oils and herbs than the master candle. Tapers are also excellent for multi-day spells, either by dividing a tall taper into sections or by burning one slim taper a day over the course of a certain number of days. A single taper can also be dressed and blessed in oils and herbs and burned individually for a quick, focused spell. The advantages to taper candles are that they are readily available, come in many colors, and are generally fragrance-free so you can add your own herbs and oils to them. Most tapers are made with paraffin, but the best-quality ones are made with beeswax.
Types of Taper Candles
Choose a slim taper when you want to support a bigger candle with another color or you already have a spell going and want to add an extra dose of magic. For example, if you’ve done a spell to get accepted to your first choice college and you’re waiting to hear the results, you could light a larger candle for the college acceptance and, once that’s finished burning, burn a slim taper each day to keep that energy going until you get that acceptance letter.
You can also use a slim taper or a birthday candle-sized tiny taper when you need to set off a spell immediately or almost immediately. For example, your pet just ran away and you want to send a spell immediately to enable a safe, quick return.
Pillar Candles
Pillar candles are thicker cylinders that are able to stand on a tray or dish without a candle holder. These are the decorative, often scented, freestanding candles found at gift shops, spas, and home stores. They are wider than tapers, have a flat bottom and come in a variety of sizes from short and wide to tall and thin with a range in diameter from about 2" (5 cm) up to 10" (25 cm) or more. Pillars come in a variety of heights too, from short and squat tea lights to tall and imposing candles that are so wide that they need multiple wicks.
Larger pillar candles are generally burned over the course of several days. The advantage to pillar candles is that they are large enough that they can be inscribed with names, wishes, or even long and detailed intentions. Many pillar candles are scented with fragrance, which can work like incense to imbue a space and be a carrier for your intentions. When looking at scented candles for magical purposes, the best ones contain some essential oils and herbs that can support and strengthen your intention. Smaller pillars and tea lights can be used like small tapers when you want to do a quick spell or burn one candle each day over the course of many days.
Vigil Candles and Jar Candles
Vigil candles (sometimes called novena candles or sanctuary candles) are tall beeswax or paraffin pillar candles encased in a slender glass jar. These are the large candles seen in Catholic churches where parishioners can make an offering and light a candle for their prayer. At one time, they were only seen in Catholic churches but are now available in botanicas, metaphysical stores, and even in supermarkets.
Originally, they burned for nine continuous days (“novena” comes from the Latin “novem” meaning nine) but now, with manufacturers looking to cut corners, they have been made skinnier and smaller, typically lasting five to seven days if burned continuously. These candles are usually fragrance-free and can be found in many colors. When purchased at a spiritual shop, they may be purchased plain or “dressed and blessed” (sometimes referred to as a “fixed” candle), which means that the shop has added spiritual oils and/or herbs aligned with your spell work.
The glass holders of novena candles can be plain or they can be silkscreened or have paper labels with words or images on them. There are also candle refills, called pull-outs, that can be added to empty glass holders. Images and words on the glass of a vigil candle give even a novice buyer a clue as to how the candle can be used. For example, a candle with a label that says “True Love” is obviously one that can be used for love spells. As you learn about color magic later in this chapter, you will be able to identify whether you want that love candle in pink (for sweet, romantic love) or in red (for hot, passionate chemistry).
A really magical way to customize vigil candles is to start with a candle in a plain glass jar and decorate the glass yourself with paint pens, permanent markers, stickers, or a personally-designed label made with a computer printer and sticker paper.
When purchasing a vigil candle, make sure you know whether the candle is plain or dressed with herbs and oils. More experienced spell casters may want to dress a plain candle themselves, but purchasing a candle that has already been dressed and blessed by an experienced practitioner makes casting a spell as easy as speaking words of intention and lighting the candle. In the latter case, you don’t have to have knowledge of what herbs or oils to add to your spell because your trusted practitioner has done it for you.
Jar candles are candles that come in a glass container of any shape or size. They can be made of beeswax, paraffin, soy, palm, or gel wax and generally come with a fragrance added. You can find this type of candle at any gift shop, spa, or home store and most are simply used to scent a space. However, there are magical varieties that incorporate herbs, essential oils, and even gemstones for magical purposes.
Votive Candles
Votive candles are small pillar candles meant to be placed in small glass containers (traditionally red) and are essentially a smaller version of a vigil candle. Unlike vigil candles, votive candles and their glassware are often sold separately. These smaller candles were originally found in Catholic churches. A visitor to the church could make a small donation and light one instead of the larger novena candles. Votive candles usually burn in a matter of hours and are thus considered one-day spell candles; like smaller tapers and tea lights, they can be used for multi-day spells where one candle is burned per day. Many votive candles are scented, which can enhance their intent. The best candles for magical purposes, however, are loaded with essential oils and herbs to offer specific support for your spell. Plain ones can also be dressed and blessed by the spell caster. It is not typical to find a votive that is custom dressed and blessed on the spot like a vigil candle.
Figural Candles
Figural or image candles are candles molded into representational shapes, such as human figures, angels, cats, pyramids, and many more symbolic styles. Figural candles are like visual talismans that add an extra degree of support to spell work. Just like a horseshoe is more than a U-shaped piece of iron, a figural candle offers a symbolic focal point and more juice to your spell through the visual image.
Figural candles are generally made with plain, unscented wax and therefore are more empowered magically when dressed with oils and herbs. They can be burned for spell work by themselves, alongside other figural candles or with taper candles used for support.
Floating Candles
Floating candles are small figural candles shaped so that they can very prettily float in a bowl of water. Floating candles are generally made with plain wax; when used for spell work, they should be dressed with oils and herbs.
The unique feature of floating candles is that they can be floated in special waters, such as holy water, water that has been charged under a full moon, water that has been infused with herbs, or water with gemstones and talismans added to the bowl. Floating candles don’t have to be floated in water, however. They can be burned on a dish or tray just like a regular figural candle.
Double-Action Candles
Double-action candles are special extra-large taper candles that have been poured or dipped so that half the candle is one color (red, green or white, for example) and the other half is black. These candles are like burning two spells in one. The black half is burned first to send any negativity back to its source and the white, red or green half is burned afterward to bring in blessings.
Triple-Action Candles
Triple-action candles are like double-action candles except that they have three colors, with the top, middle, and bottom thirds all different colors. These extra-large taper candles often start out as candles of one color and are dipped in different colors at each end to create the tri-color effect. Each color is burned for a different aspect of a single spell. They are similar to the multi-colored double-action candles in that you can incorporate more than one intention into a single candle spell. Also like double-action candles, you can use each section for a different facet of your wish. Triple-action candles can also represent any of the divine trinities, such as the Triple Goddess or the Holy Trinity and can be used as altar candles, spirit candles, or blessing candles used to invite these deities to assist in your spell work.
Reverse-Action Candles
Reverse-action candles are colored candles (usually red) coated on the outside with a layer of black wax. These candles are used to reverse negativity and send it back to where it originated. These are usually extra-large taper candles but they can sometimes be found in figural candle shapes, which can add a symbolic dimension to spell work.
Types of Candles
Other Multi-Colored Candles
It’s also possible to purchase vigil candles in multiple colors. Two, three and sometimes up to seven different colors of wax are poured layer-by-layer into a glass container. These multi-colored candles can be used to address more than one issue in a single spell. For example, you might find a Road Opener candle with layers of orange, green, and yellow wax for opportunity, prosperity, and luck respectively.
Some figural candles also come in multiple colors. These multi-colored candles can also be used for bringing different elements to one spell, e.g., a half blue and half pink skull-shaped candle (blue for reconciliation and pink for romance), or a human figure-shaped candle of red dipped in black wax for reversing.
Once you’ve determined the kind of candle that is best for your spell, you will probably start thinking about color. Color is magic! Bringing color into your spell work adds an extra dimension of support and power. When you choose a vigil candle that has a label and is already dressed with oils and herbs and blessed for a certain outcome (for example, an Abundant Prosperity candle for money or a Soul Mate candle for love), you do not necessarily have to consider the importance of the color of the candle, the candle maker has already done that work for you. But if you are choosing a plain wax candle and dressing it with oils and herbs yourself, you may want to choose a color that corresponds to your intention.
As you look at the list of colors and the corresponding areas where they are most effective, you might notice that there are a couple of issues that have more than one possible color that you can use. For example, you can do a healing spell with blue, lavender, green, or white candles. An experienced candle spell caster might notice a slightly different vibration to each color, but don’t overthink things or get stuck while making a decision. Just choose the one that you feel attracted to and trust your own intuitive guidance.
Black
Banishing, transformation, uncrossing, endings, domination, protection, reversing, repulsion, freedom from evil, cursing, cloaking, sophistication, security, emotional safety, closure, breaking patterns, grief, mourning, absorbing, removing, trapping, encasing, the unconscious, mystery, shielding from the evil eye.
Blue
Reconciliation, harmony, peace, kindness, healing, ideas, intelligence, wisdom, loyalty, sleep, meditation, communication, creativity, dream work, trust, blessings, calm, forgiveness, truth, bliss, inspiration, fidelity, honesty.
Brown
Justice, balance, grounding, court cases, legal matters, being down-to-earth, practical matters, seriousness, reliability, support, stability, safety, earth, nature, animals, home, nostalgia, basic needs being met, balance.
Gray
Neutrality, neutralizing, invisibility, working in “gray areas,” anonymity, hiding from others, working in-between worlds, secrets, occult and arcane wisdom, reversing, uncovering mysteries and secrets, lifting curses, undoing prior spell work.
Green
Prosperity, abundance, wealth, generosity, money luck, career, growth, fertility, gambling luck, business, a good job, harmony, balance, healing, self-love, altruism, universal love, contact with fae and nature spirits.
Lavender
Healing, calming, tranquility, spirituality, meditation, pacification, cooperation, sensitivity, compassion, empathy, selflessness.
Metallic Gold
Prosperity, fame, luxury, generosity, optimism, wisdom, enlightenment, victory, sun magic, confidence, life force, power, attraction, magnetism, vigor, charisma.
Metallic Silver
Dreams, intuition, psychic work, courtesy, honor, moon magic, rhythm, cycles, divination, illusions, glamour spells, wisdom.
Orange
New opportunities, new ventures, new beginnings, change of plans, encouragement, opening the way, removing blocks, physical comfort, warmth, security, ambition, creativity, courage, optimism.
Pink
Romantic love, friendship, soul mates, sweet feelings, emotional healing, heart connection, affection, family love, admiration, physical tranquility, nurturing, warmth, youthfulness, healing grief, compassion, forgiveness, beauty, unconditional love.
Purple
Empowerment, controlling, commanding, mastery, power, ambition, achievement, charisma, luxury, expansion, psychic ability, spirituality, authenticity, truth, transformation, insight, justice, wisdom, politics, divination, ESP, intuition, wishes, influence.
Red
Passionate love, energy, action, attraction, sexuality, magnetism, will, force, anger, fire within, courage, warmth, lust, drive, pleasure, vitality, vigor, excitement, desire.
White
Cleansing, clarity, blessing, healing, innocence, truth, connection to spirits or the spiritual world, divine connection, consecration, dream work, psychic connection, purity, rest, moon magic, angelic work, devotion, harmony, prayer, peace, purification, universal truths. White can also be used as an all-purpose color for your intention when the color you want is not available.
Yellow
Optimism, prosperity, happiness, good luck, attraction, success, confidence, visibility, fame, self-esteem, communication, concentration, focus, inspiration, intellect, logic, memory, knowledge, learning.
Candles of More Than One Color
There are also candles that are more than one color. These candles can be thought of as combining the power of two colors into one spell or as one intention (the first color burned) followed by a second intention (the second color burned).
Black and White
Reversing general negativity and bringing in blessings, invoking Mother Earth (black) and Father Sky (white), duality, yin and yang.
Black and Red
Reversing negativity surrounding relationships and bringing in love.
Black and Green
Reversing negativity surrounding money and bringing in prosperity.
Rainbow
These seven-layered candles can correspond to the chakras: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and purple or white. They can be used for chakra healing, for spells which address multiple issues or, since the rainbow is a symbol of gay pride, celebration of sexual diversity. You can also use this rainbow candle as a seven day spell, burning one color segment each day.
Other Multi-Color Combinations
You may see a candle that has other color combinations. If you’re not sure what the candle is to be used for, reverse engineer your answer. Look at the description of each color and see if they have something that connects them magically. For example, a green and yellow candle can be used for money spells—yellow for luck and green for prosperity—or it could also be used for job success. A blue and pink candle can be used for reconciliation (blue) and romance (pink). A purple and red candle can be used for power (purple) and will (red). A red, white, and blue candle can be used for vitality (red), blessing (white), and healing (blue). Keep an eye out for candles with multiple colors and think about how you can incorporate these combinations in your spell work.
What’s in Your Candle Magic Toolkit?
When you are ready to do candle spell work, you will need some additional tools to prepare your candle spells. Some of these tools are a necessity and others, while optional, will add extra energy to your spells or make your candle spell casting easier and more enjoyable.
Matches, Lighters, or Eternal Flames
Believe it or not, this is a controversial topic in candle magic with pro-match and pro-lighter factions battling it out. Match lovers say that matches are more authentic, old-fashioned and ecological, while lighter fans say that the sulfur in matches will undo positive work. I have used both in my spells and haven’t seen any difference in the outcome or the effectiveness of spells using one or the other, so choose whichever you feel is more magical. That being said, there are some things to think about when choosing a tool to light your candle.
Cardboard matches in a matchbook are fine if you are lighting only one or two candles, but if you are lighting more than one candle for your spell, you may want to use longer matches, such as kitchen matches, which are about 2.25" (6 cm) long, so that you don’t burn your fingers. For vigil candles and candles burned in a jar, longer matches become essential to relight a candle as it burns down in the jar. Fireplace matches, which are about 11" (28 cm) long are especially useful to reach down and relight vigil candles as they near the end of their burn.
Regular cigarette lighters are not ideal for lighting candles, because you either have to turn the candle horizontal to light it or you have to turn the lighter horizontal which will cause the flame to get too close to your fingers and burn you as you hold down the spark wheel. A better option is using BBQ lighters, which are bigger cigarette lighters that have a long neck and keep the flame away from your fingers. Like fireplace matches, they are useful for reaching into tall, skinny vigil candle jars. However, the drawback to them is that most are not refillable and therefore get thrown in landfills. However, it is possible to find some refillable models; if you would like to go this route, these are preferable.
Another interesting option are USB lighters. These are reusable lighters that can be recharged through a USB plug. These lighters don’t use any fuel at all; instead, they generate a small electrical spark across a gap that’s just big enough to put a wick in. These also have an element of magic to them. When you zap your spell with an electrical charge, you are symbolically giving it a real dose of power. They also last for millions of zaps so, unlike disposable lighters, you won’t be adding more plastic to our landfills.
Another option for lighting your spell candle is using a taper you designate as an eternal flame. While an eternal flame sounds extra special and magical, technically it just means using one candle to light another. The concept behind the eternal flame is that you don’t want to use a match, which contains sulfur, or a lighter, which uses butane, to touch your spell candle. Light a taper candle with a match, lighter or with the flame of a gas stove burner and then use the taper to light your spell candle.
One last variation is good for really getting deeply into some natural magic—using a magnifying glass and the sun to start a small fire. This “sun fire” can then be used to light an eternal flame with which you can light your candle. You must have a lot of patience and a bright sunny day to do this (it’s not easy), but if you want to bring the energy of the sun into your spells, it can be quite powerful and satisfying.
Glass Jars and Containers
Many candles come with a glass jar included, such as vigil candles, jar candles, and some votive candles. You might also find candles in metal cans or tins or other more heatproof containers. These containers help hold softer waxes together and let the candle wax burn completely instead of puddling and spreading out on a dish or tray. The goal with most candle spells is to burn the candle as completely as possible, so containers aid in this.
With freestanding pillar candles or extra-large tapers, I find it useful to put them in slender glass jars or larger votive holders to contain the wax and let them burn as much as possible. Burning a candle in a glass jar also allows the spell worker to do capnomancy (reading the soot or smoke on a glass candle jar) once the spell is complete.
Candleholders
A candleholder for tapers, sometimes called a taper holder, candelabra, or candlestick, can be made of any fireproof material, such as metal, ceramic or glass. A single candleholder is usually called a candleholder or candlestick, while a holder that can hold many is called a candelabra. Usually these are shaped to hold a standard taper, but slightly smaller or larger candles can be placed in them with some adjustments, either by carving the base of the candle to make it smaller or adding some soft wax candle adhesive around the base of a candle that is too small. I recommend using single candle holders when burning just one taper or in cases where you want to set tapers on an altar in a certain pattern.
There are some specialty candelabras that hold slim tapers (chime candles). Swedish brass or wooden candle holders made as Christmas decorations called angel chimes (where “chime candles” got their name) are a charming tool that could be adapted to your magic spells. These special holders feature a thin brass or wooden pinwheel that spins from the heat of the four candles below it, which also causes small chimes to ring or figures to move on a track. A menorah for Hanukkah or a kinara for Kwanzaa can also be used for spells other than honoring the seven days or eight nights of the holiday. Think about ways to use these multi-candle holders in your spell work, such as lighting more than one candle for your spell intention or lighting one candle a day over the course of several days (see chapter 8 for more information on multi-candle and multi-day spells).
Snuffers and Wick Dippers
A snuffer is a tool that “shuts off” a candle by cutting off the oxygen supply to the wick. Snuffers are often cone or bell-shaped and usually have a handle of some kind. To use a snuffer, just place the cone over the flame and hold it there for several seconds.
More than a romantic, old-fashioned way of extinguishing your candle flames, using a snuffer is also safer. Blowing a candle out with your breath always involves the risk of blowing the hot, liquid wax everywhere, creating a mess or potentially burning others. From a magical perspective, blowing out a candle shows disrespect to the spirit of fire and signals that you no longer value the objective of your spell. In many magical practices, snuffing is the acceptable way to put a spell on “pause”—blowing out a candle, by contrast, would signal the spell work is finished.
I always advise my candle magic students to snuff their candles whenever they leave the house or go to sleep. I have seen many incidents where the flames of candles have caught things on fire; if you are not there to attend to a growing flame, it can result in disaster.
Wick dippers are long metal hooks that snuff a candle by dipping the lit wick into its pool of melted wax, then gently pulling it upright so it may be lit again. While not as well-known as snuffers, they work just as well. Wick dippers are also handy for retrieving wicks that have drowned if they are caught before the wax has hardened.
Trays and Platters
If you plan on doing any complex spell work with freestanding figural, pillar, or taper candles, trays and platters are a necessity. Any tray you use for candle magic should be fireproof (e.g., no paper plates or wooden trays). You can purchase some beautiful specially-made candle trays in home decor stores or convert a baking pan, cookie sheet, heavy ceramic dish, serving plate, or platter into a candle spell platform.
Incense
While not required for doing candle magic, incense adds an extra dimension to ritual work. Our sense of smell holds our strongest memories, and I believe scent helps us focus (think of the smell of coffee or your lover’s perfume or cologne). If you burn a special herbal incense that supports your magical intention in the room before you start your candle rituals, you will see a difference in the level of focus as you work.
You can also add an extra layer of magic to your spells by gently waving your candle through incense smoke before you prepare or light it. If smoke irritates your lungs, you can create a smokeless incense by putting a few drops of your favorite spiritual oil (more on that in a moment) and some spring water in a spray bottle. Shake it and spray around the room or on your candle before you begin your work.
Spiritual Oils
Spiritual oils are used to dress candles and serve a couple of purposes. First, a good-quality spiritual oil contains essential oils and herbs to support magical intentions. For example, Abundant Prosperity oil contains the essential oils and herbs (such as allspice) that are traditionally used for increasing financial abundance. In addition, oil applied to a candle creates a slightly sticky surface which helps powders, herbs, and glitter stick to the candle.
When applying oil to a candle, consider whether the spell is invoking something (bringing in) or expelling something (clearing out). If you are bringing in something, apply your oil in an upward motion from the base of the candle toward the wick. If you are clearing out something, apply your oil in a downward motion from the wick toward the base. (This topic is explored further in chapter 4.)
Spiritual Sachet Powders
Sachet powders are powders infused with essential oils and herbs to bring in a certain outcome. Think of them as spiritual oils in powder form. Sachet powders can be sprinkled around the base of a candle or applied to candles directly (if applied, they stick better if the candle has been dressed in an oil first). You can use the same oil and sachet powder on a candle (e.g., Powerful Protection oil and sachet), or customize your spell intention by mixing and matching (e.g., Magnetic Attraction oil with True Love sachet).
Sachet powders can also be sprinkled on candle trays or altars to draw magical shapes around your candle which can empower your spells. (Check out chapter 9 for more information about the magic of shapes.)
Herbs, Roots, Flowers, and Resins
Use fresh or dried plant material in your spells to add extra power and support. Herbs, roots, and flowers are the icing on your candle spell cake. You can sprinkle dried herbs on top of vigil or pillar candles; soften the wax of a pillar or taper candle and roll it in herbs; dress a figural candle in oil and sprinkle herbs on it; and/or place fresh or dried flowers, roots, or herbs on the tray around your candle spell. Refer to Appendix I for a list of herbs and their magical uses.
No matter how you use herbs, be sparing with your use. More herbs do not mean a more powerful spell. Dried plant material is flammable, so don’t overload your candle with herbal matter or you will end up with a fiery mess. If in doubt, use less and sprinkle your herbs around the candle, rather than on top of it. Herbs sprinkled around a candle can still catch fire but are less likely to ignite than the herbs sprinkled directly on top of your candle.
Petition Papers
Petition papers are slips of paper on which you write your wishes, spell words, or intentions. A basic petition paper is a piece of paper that is large enough for you to write out intentions but small enough to be folded and placed under your candle spell tray, candle holder, or vigil candle. Usually, a petition paper is about 2" (5 cm) square, though you can certainly experiment with larger or smaller paper or a shape other than a square.
Petition papers can be written on any kind of paper, though some people like to incorporate extra magic in their spell by using a special paper such as parchment or a colored paper that corresponds to their intention (see the Color Magic section in this chapter for guidelines). Your petition can be typed or printed on the computer, but I prefer writing my petition paper out by hand. You can use either a pen or pencil and can incorporate color magic by using a colored ink or pencil that supports your magical intention.
There are many styles of petition papers ranging from basic to quite elaborate, and we explore them in chapter 3, on writing magic words.
Gemstones, Shells, and Talismans
Crystals, shells, and good luck charms add extra magical support and beauty to a candle spell. You can add rough crystal points or tumbled gemstones around your candle to charge your spell with the energy of that gem. You can choose the gems intuitively or use Appendix II to find the right gem for your spell work. There are many easy-to-find and reasonably priced gems that can support your work in powerful ways.
Shells can also be used magically to enhance your candle spell. Shells carry the energy of their home, the sea, and bring all the emotional power of the ocean to your intention. You can choose shells you simply find attractive or select ones based on your magical goals. You can also repurpose shells from a meal and use them in your candle spell work. (I love the idea of saving a magical item from ending up in a landfill.) Take a look at Appendix III at the back of the book for a list of shells and their magical uses.
Talismans and amulets are natural or crafted curios that we would generally call “good luck charms.” Coins, charms, and jewelry can be added to your spell to support its positive outcome. Using items that have personal significance to you, e.g., a lucky coin or a ring given to you by a lover, can add a personal connection to your spell. Commercially-made charms in symbolic shapes such as a heart or a four-leaf clover can also be added to any spell—simply place them around the candle. A list of magical talismans can be found in Appendix IV.
Whatever you use, place your gemstones, shells, or talismans around the candle before burning it. After your candle spell is complete, you may carry the charms with you, wear them, or place them on your altar to keep the power of your spell going.
Glitter and Confetti
Glitter and confetti can bring color magic to your spell work (see the Color Magic section earlier in this chapter) as well as reflective energy for radiating your intention out into the world. You can use glitter of the same color as your candle to give extra support or use glitter of another color if you want to add another layer of intention to your spell. Glitter and confetti can even add another element that you can “read” once the spell is complete (See chapter 11 for more information on reading candle wax).
Keep in mind that while glitter can be a lovely addition to candle spells, most glitter and confetti is made from micro-plastics. These are somewhat problematic as they add to the pollution problem and can end up in the oceans and land where they can be swallowed by animals or take millennia to decompose. And while paper confetti might seem like a good alternative to plastic, I tend to shy away from using paper confetti in candle spells because paper can catch fire and create smoke and fire hazards.
There is some good news, though. If you are willing to look for them, there are a lot of alternatives that will let you get shiny with your spell and still remain eco-conscious. You can use biodegradable glitter (sometimes called eco-glitter) made from cellulose (a plant product), powdered mica or mica flakes (a natural mineral), glass glitter, glass beads, flat-back glass rhinestones (all made from glass), crushed gemstones, edible glitter or confetti (which is made from sugar and can be great in sweet love spells), real gold or silver leaf, or imitation gold or silver leaf (made from copper and aluminum). All of these are less harmful on the environment and can still bring amazing sparkle to your magic.
To use these in your spell work, apply oil to your candle and then sprinkle it with glitter to make it shine. You could also add a small pinch of glitter to the top of a vigil candle to bring some extra color magic.
Scissors, Wick Trimmers, and Tweezers
When burning a candle, the ideal wick length should be between 1/4" (6 mm) to 1/2" (12 mm). When a wick is too long, it produces soot and smoke, burns too hot and quickly, and its burnt pieces accumulate in the pool of wax and can catch fire.
It’s possible to trim the wick of a new candle to an acceptable length with scissors before burning, but they are a bit tricky to use while the candle is burning (especially if you are working with a jar or vigil candle). Instead, use a wick trimmer, a special pair of scissors that allows a wick to be trimmed to the ideal length, even if it’s at the bottom of a vigil candle glass. The way wick trimmers are shaped also catches the trimmed pieces so they won’t fall into the wax and create a fire hazard.
Here’s a handy witch tip: If you trim a new candle, save those little extra bits of unused wick so that you can use them as helper wicks for a candle that has a wick that gets lost or is too short (see the section on what it means if your wick disappears in chapter 11 for information on how to make a helper wick).
It’s also a good idea to have a long pair of tweezers (sometimes called “aquarium tweezers”) on hand to pull out fallen wick pieces or any extra material that may land in the candle. Tweezers also come in handy to pull out wicks that have drowned in excess wax and to pinch out candle flames instead of snuffing them. They can also be used for lighting incense charcoals without burning your fingers. Find them at aquarium supply stores or online.
Nails, Pins, Wax Inscribers, and Carving Tools
Spell work requires that you sometimes play with something sharp. In the case of candles, nails and pins will come in very handy. Large nails are useful for inscribing words and names on candles. You can make these tools extra special for your spell work. For example, you can use large “golden” brass nails, copper nails, and hammered iron “coffin nails” for inscribing on your candles and bringing in all the magical power of these metals.
Some people use pins for inscribing on candles, but they are really too fine, difficult to control, and flimsy to scratch into hard wax without bending. However, pins are the perfect tool for marking off sections of candles for multi-day spells. You can use colorful glass head straight pins for marking off candle segments, but plain straight pins will work just as well.
Pins also focus power. Think of a pin marking a spot on a map. Use a pin like a mini magic wand to point at an area on a figural candle where you would like to make some change or send some concentrated energy. Many people think that using pins in this way is like using pins on a voodoo doll to cause someone harm; while you could certainly use these focal points in that way, you can also use them for good. It all depends on your intent. For example, use a pin with a pink head stuck in the heart to cause someone to feel more loving feelings.
Wax inscribers are special dedicated tools used only for carving into wax. They look similar to metal pencils and have sharp points on one or both ends. The advantage to the inscriber is that they are easy to hold and write with. You can find ones made intentionally as magical tools which can then add some extra energy to a spell.
If you like to carve symbols and sigils into the side of your pillar candle or pull-out candle, art supply stores sell many tools that can be used for carving and inscribing. Try working with linoleum cutting knives, etching needles, or a stylus for a variety of line thicknesses and detail.
Knives and Candle Tools
Knives are useful for carving candles. You may want to carve off the excess wax on a wide pillar candle if the wick burns down the center or cut channels in the sides if the wax pools in the center. You can also use knives to cut the top off a reversing candle and carve a new top out of the bottom, so you can turn the candle upside down as described in the section on double-action candles in chapter 10.
A candle tool is a long, pencil-sized metal instrument with one end featuring a pointed gouge and the other end a small scoop, almost like a doll-sized ice cream scoop. Candle tools are used to carve off excess wax or cut channels on pillar candles like a knife, but their brilliance is in the scoop end, which allows you to carve the wax around a drowned wick without cutting through the wick, so that you can revive candles that have gone out too soon.
Screwdrivers, Awls, Icepicks, Metal Chopsticks,
and Metal Knitting Needles
A sharp tool such as a screwdriver, awl, icepick, metal chopstick, or metal knitting needle will be useful in dressing and blessing vigil candles. With these long, pointed objects, you can poke holes into the top of a vigil candle to dress the candle with oil by placing a drop of oil in each hole. In the case of chopsticks or knitting needles, metal ones are necessary because most wooden and plastic ones break from the force of poking the holes.
These long sharp objects also come in handy if you have to poke a hole to add a new wick to a candle in which the wick has disappeared. In a pinch, they can also be used as inscribers.
Soft Wax Candle Adhesive, Candle Snuggers,
Candle Grippers, and Candle Sharpeners
If you’ve worked with taper candles, you start to realize that there is no standardized size for candles and candle holders. Candles can be too big or too skinny for a candle holder, or holders can be too tight or too loose. The result is a taper candle that tips over. What’s a witch to do? There are many tools and materials that help fit taper candles in candle holders.
Candle adhesive is soft, sticky wax that keeps a candle firmly in the holder or fills in gaps when the candle is too skinny for its holder. Candle adhesive comes in rolls, tins, or in wax dots on a card.
Candle grips or snuggers are foam circles that can be placed on the base of a taper to fill in the gap when the fit is loose. Candle grippers are ridged rubber bands that go around the base of a candle to make a snug fit in a candle holder.
Candle sharpeners, which are like large crayon sharpeners, can be used to make the base of a candle smaller so that it can fit in a candle holder that is too tight.
Fire Extinguishers, Baking Soda, Sand, and Pan Lids
If you’re burning candles at home, it’s always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher, baking soda, or a bucket of sand available if a flame gets out of hand. While your instinct might be to use water to extinguish a candle gone haywire, it can actually make the fire worse—when melted wax is doused in water, it can create a dangerous fireball known as a wax fire. The best option is to use a fire extinguisher classed for grease fires (Class B, K, or ABC) or a large box of baking soda or bucket of sand to put out a fire. You can also snuff out a smaller fire with a frying pan lid.