Size and Shape Candles Candles come in an array of shapes and sizes, which I will divide into three categories, votive, Household, and Vigil. Votive candles are smaller, burn quicker and hotter. Therefore they are often used for spells where fast results are needed. In some cases they are burned around taper, vigils, or honey jar to speed up results. Most, in not all, candle spells, are worked using tapers. These candles can range anywhere from 6 to 12 inches or longer and come in every color of the rainbow. The thickness of household tapers will also vary. Vigil candles are encased in glass and often have special labels indicating their use or purpose. They can burn anywhere from seven to nine days. Pillar candles are similar to Vigil-Candles, however they are not encased in glass. Pillar candles can be used as an alternate to Vigil Lights. They may be marked with a wish, dressed with oil, placed on an overturned saucer, under which a written petition may be placed. For long term goals, a pillar candle can be prepared in this manner on the day that corresponds to your goal which falls closest to the Full Moon. The candle is then burned on the same day of the week every week until your goal is manifest. If your candle is spent and your goal has yet to manifest, prepare a new one, lighting it from the flame of the old one, before it is spent. Candle Flipping Candle Flipping is a very old practice, which some say originated with the Gypsies, who were said to burn candles ‘upside down’ to ensure they would not be (justly or unjustly) incarcerated. To flip a candle means to cut off a portion of a candle where the exposed wick is, called the head; and then cut away the wax on the opposite end, called the foot, to expose the wick on that end. As a general rule, candles prepared to pull things towards you are burned upright, those designed to move things away from you are flipped and burned upside down. Marking and Dressing To mark a candle means to inscribe something in its wax. Candles are marked with two pieces of information, they are: Who the candle spell is to affect. The goal of the spell. The name of the individual can be written in your native language or in a magical alphabet. Your goal may be written in the form of a keyword or phrase, or a magic symbol such as a Rune, Astrological Sign, or even a magical symbol of your own making. In either case, the candle is marked vertically from the top of the candle to the bottom, with the name of the individual on its ‘face’ and the goal on the reverse. Dressing a candle refers to the act of anointing the candle with oil. Candles are anointed with oil to spiritually cleanse them and seal the magick inside until releasing it through the act of burning the candle. Candles are anointed in two ways, either to draw things towards yourself, or drive them away. To anoint a candle, hold its base against your abdomen (as if to insert it in your belly button). To draw something to you, dip your finger in the oil and stroke the candle from the tip to base three times and call the essence of your desire, using a keyword of phrase. To drive something away from you, anoint the candle from base to tip. Herbs represent another aspect of dressing candles, which brings an added dimension to the process. After dressing the candle with oil, it may be rolled in a mixture or a combination of an odd number of herbs from 10 to 13 and never more than 13. Herbs chosen for dressing the candle should match your goal. Measuring In most spells, a candle will be allowed to burn until it burns all the way down and finally extinguishes itself. However, some spells require a candle to be burned in intervals at specific times. The method of dividing a candle to accommodate these intervals is called measuring. Candles are measured in two main ways, They are timing, and pinning. In timing, a candle is allowed to burn for a certain number of minutes per day over a certain number of days (typically nine days, but also sometimes 7) and then allowed to burn out on the last day. In pinning, a candle is divided into a certain number of sections by sticking a needle or pin through the candle. The candle is then burned at the same time every day for as many days as required until the needle drops, at which time it is then extinguished. In the case of a candle that is measured with needles or pins to burn for nine days the candle is divided into nine equal sections with eight pins, and a ninth pin going through the wick. If a written petition has been placed under the candle, the pins will be placed in the petition until the spell is complete and then ritually disposed. If not petition has been written, the pins will either be saved for re-use or ritually disposed of with any left over wax. Charging Now that your candle is prepared, it must then be charged. To ‘charge’ a candle means to fill it with energy, much like charging a battery. Charging a candle fills it with power that it will release into the universe as it burns in order to accomplish your goal. To charge your candle, hold your hands over it and form a triangle with your forefinger and thumbs. Position the candle in the center of your triangle. Visualize that which you desire as your make your fervent prayer or petition. When you are done, gently tap the candle on the table three times to signal that your intention is sealed. Lighting and Extinguishing Many individuals light their candles with ordinary matches, while others feel that the sulfur with which matches are tipped, disturb the nature of the work. These people light a small candle in another room, which they use to light their spell candles with, at the appropriate time. The effectiveness of your candle spell will be greatly enhanced by focused intent and chanting during its preparation and burning, as will having a clear vision of your goal Extinguishing candles is another issue where magickal practitioners are divided. Methods of extinguishing candle include: Pinching out the flame, but some say you pinch out your wish. Blowing out the flame, but some say you blow away your wish. Snuffing out the flame, but some say you snuff out your wish. Just like lighting your candles, you will either have to experiment or trust your instincts when choosing how to extinguish your candles. Whichever methods you choose, it is important that you remain consistent.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 16:44:01 +0000
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