One
What Is Candle Magic?
According to the Unabridged Random House
Dictionary of the English Language, magic is the
art of achieving a desired result by the use of
certain mysterious techniques, such as incantations
or ceremonies. Aleister Crowley, the famous
twentieth-century magician, defined magic
as "the Science and Art of causing Change to
occur in conformity with Will." One of my favorite
definitions of magic comes from Florence
Farr, a leading member of the Golden
Dawn: "Magic consists of removing the limitations
from what we think are the earthly and
spiritual laws that bind or compel us. We can
be anything because we are All." I particularly
like the phrase "we can be anything," as magic
allows us to overcome apparently insurmountable obstacles
and attract to us whatever it is we want.
There are many forms of magic, some of them extremely
difficult to master. Candle magic has a huge advantage
over virtually all other forms of magic as it is
straightforward and uncomplicated. You do not have to
remember the 365 names of God, for instance. At its
most basic, you can light a candle and make a wish. Of
course, there is a lot more to it than that, and the rituals
need to be performed properly to be effective. Nevertheless,
candle magic stands alone among the magical arts
for its ease and effectiveness.
Here are just some of the advantages that candle magic
has over other forms of magic:
• The rituals are simple, but effective
• The costs are minimal, and the props can be
made or bought anywhere
• There is no need for special robes or intricate
ceremonies
• The rituals can be performed anywhere, indoors
or out
• There is no need for years of training; you
can start right away, and experience results
immediately
• Candle magic is extremely versatile; rituals can
be used to attract, to repel, to protect, and to
divine the future
You might be surprised to learn that you have been
practicing candle magic since you were a toddler. Making
a wish when you blew out the candles on your birthday
cake is a good example of candle magic. First of all you
concentrated, and then you made a wish. Your subconscious
mind received this request and made the wish
happen.
Many people perform candle magic unconsciously. A
good friend of mine lights candles every Sunday night
while writing in her journal. This is a special, quiet time
for her, and she looks forward to it all week long. She has
a large selection of candles and chooses the ones that appeal
to her at the time. Somehow, even though she knows
nothing about the subject, she always chooses the candles
that relate to what is going on in her life at the time.
Our former next-door-neighbors used to burn a beeswax
candle in their bedroom for an hour or two every
night before going to bed. They believed that it helped
them sleep better, and also made them more likely to remember
helpful dreams. Interestingly, my friends at Pheylonian
Beeswax Candles in Canada told me that beeswax
candles produce negative ions that help create a balanced
environment. Consequently, at the same time that my
neighbors thought they were performing a form of candle
magic, their candles were busy creating a more harmonious
and sweeter environment. No wonder they slept so
well.
I have been guilty of lighting candles for a specific purpose
while entertaining people. If they had thought about
it, my guests would have assumed that I was using the
candles for atmosphere and decoration, rather than for a
magical purpose.
Candles are incredibly comforting, even when used
simply to decorate a dining table. There is something
about the romantic atmosphere they create that makes
them seem magical and uplifting. Candles create warmth,
light, and feelings of brightness and joy. When you gaze
into a flame it is easy to see how candle magic began.
The Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Russian
Orthodox churches all burn candles when making requests.
Pagans also burn candles for the same reasons.
Candle magic has been used by people of all religions,
and of no religion, to effect change and to make their
wishes come true.
Burning candles is one thing; burning them to attain a
desired result is another. Candles that are burned with a
specific aim in mind become powerful tools that enable
you to perform real magic. This is because the person
making the request concentrates on the desired result,
which subconsciously impresses this desire into the candle.
As the candle burns, the request is sent out into the
universe where it is manifested. The candle is, in effect,
the link between the mind of the person making the request
and the Universal Mind, whoever or whatever you
perceive that as being. The Universal Mind is spiritual in
nature. The candle is solid matter that is transmuted into
spirit as it burns. This, coupled with intent, creates incredibly
powerful magic.
It is interesting to note that all four elements are always
involved in candle magic. An unlit candle represents
the element of Earth. However, when it is placed in
contact with Fire, the candle starts to melt, creating liquid
wax (symbolizing Water) and smoke (Air). The Rosicrucians
were referred to as the "fire-philosophers." They
used fire to symbolize transmutation, because when a
candle is burned it creates light.
It goes without saying that candle magic should be used
only for good. Karma follows the law of cause and effect.
Any good deeds you do build up a store of good, or positive,
karma. Any bad deeds build up bad, or negative,
karma that will have to be repaid sooner or later. Consequently,
it is vitally important that you perform any form of
magic with pure motives. Your magic must harm no one.
Candle magic involves a number of factors:
• You must have an aim, desire, or need in mind;
you need to remain focused on your goal while
performing all of these steps
• As in all types of magic, there needs to be an
emotional involvement
• You have to choose the correct candle, or
candles
• You must dress the candle
• You must consecrate the candle
• You must burn the candle; this is usually
done in the form of a ritual that helps send
the desired energies out into the universe
• You need to believe in the power of your magic,
and wait expectantly for the desired result
• Naturally, you can not expect the candle ritual to
do everything for you; you need to do whatever
else is required to make your desire a reality;
this usually entails work; if your spell involves
finding a new partner, for instance, you have to
do your part by going to places where you are
likely to meet him or her-creating a spell and
then staying at home will not work
We will be covering all of these factors in the following
chapters. To begin, though, we need to look at the items
that are required to perform candle magic. That is the
subject of the next chapter.
