What Role Do Candles Play in Magick and Witchcraft?

Candles have always played a part in humankind’s celebrations, rites and rituals.  Once Prometheus stole fire from the gods/goddesses and presented it to us, we have honored that gift in one way or another.  Whether it be that of a birthday party, a wedding, church service, prayer vigils or even a romantic dinner for two, candles have always held a  special place in  marking and observing the milestones of our lives. When we do this we honor Prometheus and let a little candle magick into our lives.

You can never have too many candles and what type of candles you use helps to give your magick that special boost.  There are several types of candles that we use in our rites and rituals such as pillar candles, jar candles, figure candles, tapers, chimes, etc.  So what does it all mean?  Here is a simple guide for you.

Figure Candles in Hoodoo

These are the candles that have been carved or shaped into the figure and likeness of a person, deity or symbol.  They come in various colors.  Each candle color also has its own magickal meaning.  The color of the candle combined with the shape of the candle will greatly enhance your candle magick in ceremony, ritual, spell, etc.

Keep in mind the most common colors and you’ll know how to use each candle.

• Red usually deals with romance, sex magick, and passion
• Green is luck, money and finances
• White is for purifying and blessings.  Use this color to substitute for any color I’m lacking also
• Black is banishing, protection and reversal of bad fortune
• Blue is for peace, tranquility and calming a situation
• Orange is for attracting energy your way
• Yellow is for communication
• Purple is for connecting with the divine
• Lavender is for divination
• Gold – fortune, luck, money, sun magick
• Silver – fortune, luck, money, moon magick
• Pink – feminine matters, love, friendship, affection

These are just a few of the colors and when combined with the correct candle you’re on your way to making some powerful magick.

The Shapes of Candle Magick

Skull candles.  Skull candles can be used in ancestral magick, to call upon the power of those who have transitioned on to the next phase of existence.  This candle also carries the vibration of commanding, compelling and persuasion.  It is oftentimes used to bend someone or a situation your way.

Cross candles.  Although older than Christianity, those with a Christian or Catholic background find these candles easy to work with.  I have found that these candles are good for working with and calling on the angels.  It’s the candle of sustainability. They will keep a situation flowing.  Use green for continuous money flow, red for continuous love, blue for peace, etc.

Cat candles.  Call on the energies of the Egyptian Goddess Bast with this candle.  Use the black candle to return negativity and hexes back on the one who sent them.  Use the green cat candle to bring good luck and money.  The red Bast candle is for sex and romance.  Bast can be called on to help with all these things when burning this candle.

Coiled Snake candle.  Although commonly used to break things apart and cause destruction, this candle can also be used to call upon the kundalini energy to rise.  On the flip side this is an excellent candle to use to break apart relationships.

Seven Knob candle.  Choose the color candle of the candle according to your purpose and burn one section or knob a day for seven days.

Figure Candles as People

Devil candle.  I don’t necessarily believe in the existence of a devil so to me this is a representation of Pan.  Use this candle (black) for banishing. For instance, to bring about a situation quickly such as fast money (green), fast love (red), etc. use a devil candle.  Moreover, this is a good candle for breaking hexes, removing jinxes, and aiding in exorcisms.

Witch candle.  Burn a candle to bestow a witch’s blessings on your spell or ritual.

Naked Male or Female candle.  This candle represents a person. It can represent you or the target of your spell.  Red will bring back a lover, green will bring back the person that owes you money.  Place petition papers under these candles to better clarify your intent.

Couples candle.  This is a candle of a man and a woman standing side by side.  Looks like a cake topper.  Perfect candle for use in marriage spells and binding two people together spells.

Entwined Couple candle.  Figure candle of a couple locked in an intimate embrace.  This is best for sex magick and to spice up your love life.  I use this one for binding couples.

Divorce candle.  A candle of a couple with their backs turned to each other.  It is really self explanatory.  Use this candle to break up a couple or to aid in an unbinding spell.

Novena and Vigil Candles

Glass enclosed novena candles are useful in magick. They have a long burn time. These candles usually burn for 7-9 days. Known also as vigil candles. Glass candles are often used in hoodoo candle magick .

Novena or vigil candles are often loaded with oils, herbs and stones and burned for a specific purpose depending on the color and to whom the candle is dedicated. Some novena candles are burned to particular saints or orishas and placed on petition papers containing prayers and wishes to be accomplished. The novena candle is an old type of candle magick that is widely used today. Most forms of witchcraft as well as mainstream religions use novenas for wishes and prayers.

Wiccan Candle Magick

Candle magick in is a common practice in Wicca. Wiccans use candles to aid in spells and in spellwork alone. The types of candles vary from practice to practice , but consists of taper, chime, jar, tea light, and pillar candles. Candles are loaded and anointed with oils just as in Hoodoo, but can include crystals as well. The candle colors and meanings in Wicca are as follows:

• Blue: peace
• Black: grounding and protection
• Brown: protection of familiars
• Gold: power from the sun
• Grey:
• Green: fertility, luck
• Orange: energy
• Pink: love
• Purple: spiritual
• Red: passion, lust
• Silver: power from the moon
• White: consecration
• Yellow: attraction

Each day of the week is dedicated to a color. Burn a colored candle on the corresponding day to enhance spells in rituals in Wicca.

• Sunday is yellow
• Monday is white
• Tuesday is red
• Wednesday is purple
• Thursday is blue
• Friday is green
• Saturday is black