Here I’ll give some basic instructions on candle dressing, the magickal preparation of candles for spell work. These instructions only cover the way that I, personally, dress my candles. I’ve found that my method works well for most people, however, there are endless variations and techniques that can be used to prepare a candle for magick. Use the above links for more details on specific types of candle spells, but the below information should be known first.

The books that Raymond Buckland have written on the subject of candle magick are excellent, though his methods are much more complex than my own. You are encouraged to find the method that works best for you. Read as many books as you can find, and develop your own system, use a system from a book or try mine. Just keep in mind that the strong focus that you place upon your needs is the most crucial ingredient in ensuring your success in this, or any type of magickal work. The method that you use serves only to enhance that focus and concentration.

The specific type of candle used, votive, taper, seven day, etc. matters little. Just use whatever you can get, though, I find using tapers or seven day candles work better than other types. Never think that you have to spend money on “special” candles. Magick isn’t about how much money you can spend. It’s more important that you put as much energy and focus into it as possible, not cash. Of course, you can obtain ritually prepared candles or candles dressed by a professional…the ones we prepare and sell at Moontide are particularly effective…however, you should always endeavor to add your own personal, magickal touch to the candle before burning it.

As to the timing of your candle spell, there are many different thoughts. I believe that any type of candle burned for a positive effect (love, healing, prosperity, protection, etc.) should be started during the waxing moon, and candles burned to eliminate a bad effect (hex-breaking, weight loss, etc.) should be burned during the waning moon. I also try to burn my spell candles as close to the full moon as possible, if not on the full. I start seven day candles seven days before the full or for the negative types, on the full.

Additionally, you may wish to begin your ritual on a specific day of the week. I usually just do my candle magick when the need strikes, even if the moon isn’t in the correct phase if my need is strong enough, but  there are those that think certain types of spells should be performed on certain days. With that in mind, you may wish to try the following (though you may find this list to be contrary to other writings, these are my own preferences):

                        Sunday—psychic work, attraction, confidence
                        Monday—protection, purity, spiritual cleansing, female
                                          concerns  
                        Tuesday—passion, love, strength, healing
                        Wednesday—psychic work, spiritual work, business needs
                        Thursday—healing, patience, understanding
                        Friday—prosperity, success, increase, fertility
                        Saturday—protection, hex-breaking

Now as to the color, click here (or find the link on the left) to reach a chart that lists my own preferences regarding the color to choose for various types of spells.                     

Next, you need to choose an appropriate place in which to do your candle magick. Safety is the key factor in this decision, As for myself, I never leave a burning candle unattended unless I put it in a pan of water, in my bathtub or deep sink with the door to the room closed. I have cats, so anything can happen. Also, keep in mind that drafts can blow curtains or bits of paper into the flame, starting a fire. Examine your situation carefully, and if you’re to leave the candle burning while you’re away, it is perfectly fine to move it to a safer place.

Once lit, some say, one should never move a ritual candle. This is not the case. Again, I cannot stress this too much; safety should be the deciding factor. I usually do my candle ritual on my alter and move it to the bathtub or sink when I leave the room. Just try not to move it around too much. I’ve even been known to do my rituals at the sink so that I wouldn’t have to move the lit candle at all.

Another thing to keep in mind is that certain candles require a bit more attention to keep them safe. Votives, seven day candles and other types of jar candles have been known to generate enough heat to crack their glass containers. Quite a dangerous fire occurred in my own home when a votive container cracked, spilling hot wax that spread lighting a wall on fire. To avoid that type of situation, I now place all of my glass-enclosed types of candles in a dish with about an inch or so of water in the bottom (a wider dish with more water for the seven day type candles). This has worked well for me so far, but I still move the candle to a deep sink or the bathtub when left unattended. You may find that all of the wax doesn’t completely burn when you use this safety precaution, however, that matters little. Safety is more important. Your spell will be complete even if wax remains. I usually bury any remaining wax or re-melt it, form it into a ball, and place it in an amulet bag.

As for tapers, it is very important that they fit snuggly in their proper holder. Most people drip melted wax into the candle cup to “glue” the candle into the cup. Use quite a bit of wax if that is your choice. A few drops will work, but you’ll find that the candle easily knocks out of position if you don’t use enough. There are a number of commercially available products, “candle snuggers” (round pieces of foam) and “candle stickers” (soft, sticky, wax dots—these work best), but you may also want to try Silly Putty (very cheap) or Play Dough (also cheap). It’s important, however, to know that these products may burn and release chemicals into the air, not a beneficial addition to your magick, so you must never let a taper burn unattended to the very end. Even if your taper fits tightly, don’t let it burn all of the way down. It may ruin your candleholder or generate enough heat to start a fire.

Once you’ve selected an appropriate candle, you must cleanse it. I wash mine with sea-salted water. I use sea salt, as that is the least chemically processed of the salts. The salted water serves to remove any negativity that may have attached itself to the candle due to it being handled by unknown persons. Alternatively, you may smudge (bathe in smoke) the candle with frankincense, sandalwood, desert sage or some other highly spiritual herbal incense.

After cleansing the candle, you’re ready to inscribe the candle with symbols that match your magickal needs. Inscribing the candle is simply carving runes, appropriate symbols, names or whatever else suits the intention for which you’ve chosen for your candle. The above links will offer specific details regarding which symbols I find work well in various different types of candle spells, as well as my thoughts on how many symbols to carve, as I believe adding the benefit of numerology to your candle magick greatly enhances your work.

I believe that working with a special tool, reserved solely for your candle carving, is a good idea. The tool I use to carve my candles is an antique, Victorian, ivory handled, corset hook. Before finding that lovely item, I used a long, thin and very sharp crystal point. Before selecting that, I used a long, sharpened nail, which I decorated with a bit of leather and beads. If you have difficulty finding just the right tool, your fingernail will work sufficiently.

After your candle is inscribed, it’s time to anoint it. An anointing is the ritual application of oil, usually a magickally or spiritually prepared and blessed oil. You may choose a magickal anointing oil professionally prepared (Moontide offers a wonderful selection) or make your own. Look for instructions regarding the preparation of magickal oils in another link within this site. If you don’t have the specific type of anointing oil for your spell, and are unable to make one, you may use pure olive oil as a substitute. A more type specific oil usually works better, but olive oil has a strong spiritual vibration, and won’t interfere with your candle work. It’s better to use what you have, rather than let a specific missing ingredient interfere with a spell that your set upon doing.

If you do use olive oil as a substitute, you should “charge” it for your needs. Charging the oil is the act of “infusing” it with your intent. Pour out a bit of oil, only a very small amount is needed, into a vial or glass, concentrate upon the intention of your magick (be it a love spell, prosperity, protection…whatever the purpose) and focus your need into the oil. Concentration and focus is always the key. Hold onto the container of oil until you feel that you’ve fully directed your need into it. If you don’t know whether or not you’ve charged the oil sufficiently, concentrate harder. You’ll soon feel when the oil is ready.

The actual anointing of the candle is done in a very specific fashion. First pour a small amount of oil into the palm of your projective hand (the hand with which you write), nine or ten drops should do, then rub you palms together, always concentrating upon the purpose of the spell. You then pick up your candle in the middle with both hands, wick facing your projective hand, and draw your hands away from one another, slicking the oil to both ends simultaneously. Another technique involves drawing your projective hand up towards the wick while the other hand moves down towards the end, either way works (since both are basically the same).

Most candle magick preparation techniques end here, however, I add another, I think, crucial step. I believe that dusting the oiled candle with appropriate herbs before lighting it makes the ritual all the stronger. I grind together various resins, and herbs to a powder, charge them with intent, and then sprinkle them onto the candle. I choose the herbs and other ingredients (sometimes even glitter to add a bit of additional color magick) based on the desired effect, i.e. rose petals, orris root and other such love drawing ingredients for a love spell. 

Another useful addition to your spell, before lighting your candle would be in writing a detailed letter to yourself or the gods of your choice regarding your needs. What, exactly, do you wish to achieve with your spell? Be as detailed as possible, as this helps to focus your intent. If you worry about someone finding your letter, write it in one of the magickal alphabets, runes or use your own code. Place the letter beneath your candleholder, providing that is safe, before burning the candle. After your candle has fully burned, you may then either bury or burn (preferred, however, as always, keep safety factors in mind, as even a small piece of burning paper easily get out of control) your letter.

These have been some simple basics on the preparation of candles for magick. There are endless variations on these techniques, but these are the ones that have worked well for me for years. I hope that you’ll try your hand at candle magick, as it can be a most satisfying and effective.

 I’ll light a candle to your success.

 Blessed be, Victoria