Candle Burning

     Being a Sagittarius, candle burning is one of my favorite things to do.  The soft glow of a single candle can change the entire mood in one quick second.  Candles don't have to be used just for looks however.  Burning candles with intent can be a wonderful way of sending off your prayers to the All-Life.  There are many different ways of placing intent into a candle.  You can place intent simply by lighting it, saying a prayer over it, and also by the physical properties of the candle.

    Candles absolutely do not have to be expensive to be effective.  The most effective candles are the ones you put together yourself.  But maybe Ill get into making candles another time.  For now, the best thing to do is to go out and find a candle that best suits your needs.  There are many different factors that you should think of when choosing your candle.  Choosing the right color for the job is probably one of the first things you should consider.  Colors mean different things.  A little research of symbolism would be wise before attempting to put together your candle ritual.  And yes burning a simple candle can become a ritual.  Besides the color of the candle, size and shape come into play.  You can find all kinds of different shaped candles, try to pick the right shape for what you are trying to do.  A good example would be a star shaped candle for a earthing / grounding  ritual. The star or pentacle is representative of the element of earth, and likewise a star shaped candle would be very helpful in projecting the subconscious into that state of being.

     How many and how big the candle should be is something else that should be taken into consideration.  The amount of time it takes for a candle to burn off can be very indicative of how long it would take for the needed changes to take effect.  Adding additional candles to the mix can add strength to the working.  A general rule of thumb that I use when figuring this out is by using the standard rule of Karma.  3 x 3 x 3.  This means that for every candle I use the energy is projected back to me 27 times its initial intent.  It can be very helpful in deciding how many candles to use.  It truly depends on what you are doing.

     Other things that can add more intent to a candle is scribing your wishes into the sides of the candle.  Just use a small pin or needle and write what you are looking for in the sides of the candle.  Candle scents also play an important role, it might help if you can find an aroma therapy book so that you could adjust your choices to the ones that correspond to your magickal working.  When looking for candles, try to find the ones that have true essential oils in them.  The purer the candle is, the better it will work.  You can also use essential oils to anoint your candles.  Anointing your candles is an important part of the process, it helps clear the candle of any energy it may have absorbed at the store, and also it will charge the candle.  Use virgin olive oil to anoint your candle first, and then use the essential oil of your choice.

     Praying over a candle has always been effective over the ages.  When you are ready, write down a few words that you can recite over your candle whenever you light it.  You can burn your candle straight through, or you can take your time.  Again, this is all up to what you are trying to accomplish.  Spending longer burning a candle, and using it sparingly will help the effects of the candle to manifest longer.  Don't buy into the rumor that you have to burn it all the way through in the first sitting.

     Buying prepared candles from new age stores and shops will work also.  A lot of times you will be able to find candles with herbs and the intent already directed in it.  This by far is the easiest method, but the more personal you can make the candle the better.  I know I have bought quite a few candles from shops that were extremely effective.  Candle burning can be a lot of fun, it is all a matter of what you put into it.  Candles are good for meditation also, they tend to calm the atmosphere, and help you release some of your anxiety.

     If you would like to share any of your candle rituals with this site, I would be happy to post them, just send them to the address listed below.  I will be sure that proper credit is given.

     A lighthouse is a beacon of hope for those souls riding in troubled waters.            

David River