Candle Magick: A Practical Beginner’s Guide

Candles are a magickal thing. But what exactly is candle magick? You may not even be a practitioner of magick but the gentle act of lighting a candle has a calming effect that leaves a soft smile on your lips.

‘Light a candle, say a prayer’ is pretty standard spiritual practice and not unfamiliar territory. Candles have long been used by those who choose magick and the natural elements as their spiritual path.

Candle magick can be simple or complex. This is up to you and can’t be ‘wrong’.

So if you have been curious about it, but not really sure where to start, keep on reading! I’ll be sharing specific steps to follow, as well as colour, oil and herb associations to get you going 🙂

Candle Magick: A little history

Fire is a known powerful element. So it’s only natural that candles would make their way into spiritual work. Candles have been used in spiritual practice since ancient times and are still used today. And not only by those who practice the magick but by many religions.

Candles are used by Hindus, Buddhists, Pagans, and Christians to name a few. They are often an integral part of their practice. So why not make it a part of your own spiritual work arsenal 😉

Candle Magick: Putting it into practice

Choose your candle

I have listed the colours and associations below. Pick a candle that is plain and without any extras or adornments in the appropriate colour.

Set Your Intention

You want to do this before scribing or dressing your candle. That way you have it in the forefront of your thoughts throughout the entire process.

Scribe Your Candle

You may use your ritual knife or a pin to carve names, numbers, symbols or key words associated to your goal into your candle.

What you inscribe is totally up to you so be creative!

Dress Your Candle

Anoint in your chosen oils and/or herbs (please see notes below on properly blending your oils). Oil first, then herbs so that the herbs will have something to stick to.

Put a few drops of oil on your index finger, trace around, up to down, and anything you have scribed. There are theories on which is the correct way to rub the oil but I say go with what feels right to you for that particular purpose.

After you rub the oil on, roll the candle in your herbs. You can also sprinkle a bit on the very top around the wick if you choose.

Say Your Spell or Blessing aloud

Be strong, say it with intention and focus.

Light Your Candle

You don’t want to forget this step. 😉

Focus Your Intention

Breathe deep, meditate with your thoughts, visualize your desired outcome. Try and embrace the feelings that would occur if your goal were to be reached.

Recite affirmations related to what you wish to manifest in your head while you visualize.

Maintain the process until you feel fulfilled and content.

Allow Candle to Burn out on it’s own

If possible and safe of course. Obviously don’t go to sleep or leave the house with your candle burning. Safety first!

If you can’t let it burn all the way, just let it be as long as you are able to.

Candle Magick Colour Correspondence

White – purity, purification, strength, cleansing (can also substitute for any other colour)

Black – Loss, sadness, releasement, negativity, protection, banishing

Red – health, protection, vitality, sexuality, passion

Pink – friendship, tranquility, love, unity, harmony, beauty, emotional healing

Purple – enhances power, healing agent, ambition, reversal of curses

Yellow – memory aid, charm, confidence, happiness, travel

Green – fertility, success, healing, prosperity, luck, harmony

Blue – dreams, sleep protection, spiritual awareness, peace, intuition

Orange – encouragement, concentration, legal aid, courage, intellect

Brown – stability, pets, friendships, gardening

Oil Correspondence

Anise – purification, protection

Bergamot – success, prosperity

Camphor – banishing illness, psychic awareness, harmony

Cinnamon – prosperity, astral projection

Clary Sage – cleansing of negativity & banishing

Dragons Blood – love, protection, good luck

Eucalyptus – purification, healing

Jasmine – love, prosperity, astral travel, clairvoyance

Lavender – cleansing, healing, love, tranquility

Orange – personal power, luck

Patchouli – personal growth, physical attraction, prosperity

Sandalwood – personal healing, banishing illness, spirituality, protection

Notes on Oil Blending

Blend your essential oil (or oils) into a base carrier oil. Fractionated Coconut Oil, Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil are good choices.

This is useful for a couple of reasons, the oil will be thicker with a carrier oil so better for securing your herbs once you roll the candle in them.

Also, with a base oil you can use this ritual oil to anoint your person, if desired, and not worry about any skin irritations. As a general rule essential oils should not be put directly onto the skin.

Not to mention, essential oils can be pricey and diluting them with a carrier oil will make them last much longer!

Using a 30ml glass amber dropper bottle to store them works well. Add desired amount of essential oils (10-20 drops is a nice amount), then fill remainder of the bottle with your base oil. Give it a shake and you are good to go!

Herb Correspondence

Ash – protection, health, prosperity, luck

Basil – protection, love, courage, wealth

Beet Root – love

Burdock Root – protection, healing, release negative energies

Chamomile – improved sleep, purification, luck

Clover – success, luck, fidelity, protection

Frankincense – purification, spirituality, success, cleansing 

Ginger – prosperity, love, power, success

Hyacinth – happiness, protection, love

Nutmeg – fertility, luck, prosperity, breaking hexes

Thistle – strengthens energy, healing, protection

Vervain – increase wealth & love, repels psychic negativity, purification, peace 

Herb Prep Notes

 The herbs should be ground finely. They will adhere to the candle more easily and are less likely to have little bits catching fire as it burns.

Be sure you burn the candle in a fireproof container large enough to catch any bits that may fall off in the process. A cast iron cauldron is great for this if you happen to have one.

Final thoughts on Candle Magick

There are many more oils and herbs that you can use here of course.  Do your research and experiment. These list is just to get you started.

And keep in mind, the most important thing here is your intention. Even if all you do is choose your candle, light the wick and meditate with your desired goal, your energy and focus are where the power lies.

Scribing and dressing the candle is by no means obligatory, but you may feel it enhances the power of the spell.

Ideally, I like to do these things. We all would, but life happens! If you don’t have quite the appropriate herbs or oils for your purpose (or on some days, the time) don’t sweat it. And don’t scrap your ritual intent all together!

The act of lighting a candle and focusing on your desires can be a very powerful thing so don’t dismiss simplicity.

Your turn!

Do you have any candle magick tips you would like to share? Will this be your first time giving it a go? Comment here or connect with me on social media. I love to hear from you 🙂

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Blessed be pixie dolls and happy manifesting! 

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo