The Candle Magic Spell Book

A Beginner’s Guide to Spells to Improve Your Life

Bridget Bishop

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Introduction

The mesmerizing flicker of a candle flame contains magical depths that, if we know how to plumb them, can bring us our heart’s desires. Candles are used in rituals the world over, from the lighting of candles in the nave of a church to the centering on the flame in meditative practice. They are vessels of pent-up energy, releasing intention into the air as they burn, amplifying the wishes and wants of those who know how to channel that energy. This is why they are central to the practice of magic and to witchcraft in general, featured in numerous rituals, ceremonies, and spells of all kinds.

When I first started practicing witchcraft about a decade ago, I was facing a difficult time in my life: I was let go from my first real job, anxious about my finances and concerned that I wouldn’t be able to keep my apartment (would I have to go back to live with my parents?). The anxiety was crushing. My boyfriend at the time and I had been bickering constantly and decided to take a break; when I lost my job, all I could focus on was how awful my life was, which led to our eventual break-up. It seemed as if nothing in my life was going right. In fact, I started to wonder if I even had the ability to live a good, stable life as a functioning adult. Things were pretty bleak.

Then, a friend of mine introduced me to witchcraft, and it seemed like something that I could at least pass the time with, letting go of my constant worry in the comfort of the rituals. The simple spells that my friend taught me actually seemed to help things—not only did I get another, better job, but I also started dating again. In fact, for the last three years, I have been in a happy, exciting, committed relationship. The changes were gradual at first, but as I became more comfortable and skilled with the spells, the stronger my magic seemed to be. Perhaps this is because the most important benefit I gained from the witchcraft was an overwhelming sense of self-confidence. I knew that I was good enough, worthy of love and success, and that I had the power to put my life back in order, not just to live but to thrive.

Now that I’m in my early 30s, I can look back on that period of my life and feel certain that I won’t ever have to go through that again. Over the years, I have learned many, many spells and introduced many, many people to these rituals. It’s deeply satisfying to help others through the rough patches in their lives, which is why I want to help you as well! I find that candle magic is an excellent place to start: it’s simple and straightforward, and you don’t need a lot of esoteric accessories or widespread knowledge to get started and to see results.

If you are curious about the wide world of magic, and the casting of spells in particular, then you can get started with this introduction to some simple candle spells, the practical application of magic at its best. In this book, you will discover the ancient art of candle magic; learning how to prepare rituals for specific spells, interpret your results, and clear up afterwards with ceremonial success. Here you will find spells for love and relationships, friends and family, money and prosperity, work and career, health and well-being, and protection. The various spells you will find under these headings are organized into a simple template that will tell you when to perform the spell, what you need to complete it, and a step-by-step set of instructions to carry out the ritual. The spells here will address nearly every aspect of your life, enabling you to take control of your own happiness and overall success.

Many people who are seeking a spiritual outlet for their difficulties and desires are increasingly turning to magic and spells. There is a reason why cultures across the globe and throughout history have celebrated sacred events around the fire. There is a reason why gathering around the hearth is a symbol of comfort and security, of affirming basic human connections and communal spirit. Candles remind us of the power of the flame, of the wisdom resident in fire. We can channel those powers to harness the energies in our own lives to do better, to have better, to live better lives. In this book, you will find opportunities to establish your own practical magic, using these simple spells to improve your situation and enhance your happiness. Once you get into the rhythms of the rituals, you will no doubt find your self-confidence increase as your power grows—and you will find that you have the power to determine the shape and scope of your own life. Burn bright!

Part I: Understanding Candle Magic

How does candle magic work? Basically, candles represent energy, specifically the transformation of energy: when a candle is unlit, the energy is dormant; when the candle is lit, the energy is released, transformed by the flame and affected by the air. If you put intentions behind the release of that energy, then you can channel and shape that energy to fit your own needs and desires. All fire is transformative—think about how fire transforms raw ingredients into satisfactory meals, for example—and if you understand how to apply your intention to fire, then you can shape the process of transformation.

It is also important to note that, while the fire is the central element of energy in candle magic, there are other attributes to be taken into account when setting up your spells: the color of the candle has significance, as do the symbols that may surround it or be carved directly into it. Thus, you can customize each spell to fit your particular needs, demonstrating your intentions in numerous ways so as to increase the possibilities for success each time. In the following chapters, you will learn more about the history of candles and the use of fire in ritual events, as well as become familiar with the basic properties of candles and how to use them. There are specific steps to take when preparing to cast a candle spell, and ways in which you can determine how successful a spell is, thus ultimately improving your rate of success. You will also learn how to complete the spell and close out the ritual by cleansing your space, by utilizing elements from the spell to enhance results, and/or by disposing of items properly, depending on the spell.

Finally, you must be aware that fire is also transformative in terribly destructive ways—the ashes left after a house fire are nothing short of devastating—so you must strive to be responsible with your candle magic, not only in your intentions but also in your applications. That is, magic (some spell it “magick”) in its purest sense is not about wishing ill on others, or even exercising any will over others, but rather it is about personal transformation and the fulfilment of personal (positive) goals. Witchcraft is not the work of harm or hate or control. In addition, candle magic should always be practiced with safety in mind, so always be cautious when using live fire in any ritual or spell. With these precautions in mind, you can move on to a greater understanding of how candles work and how to perform some basic magic.

1

The Magic of Candles

Candles are a common element in ritual practices around the world, not just in witchcraft. Their centrality to rituals and magic is easy to understand when you are aware of how the powerful element of fire has been viewed throughout history, both mythological and actual. We are also well aware of the practical nature of fire and of candles: fire both warms and provides food, while candles provide light and scent. For centuries, humankind depended on candles specifically to light their rooms after dark, while fires warmed our dwellings before electricity. It is no surprise then that the element of fire and its vessel of the candle have become important symbols and conductors of magical power well into the modern age. There is something ancient and mysterious about fire, and without it, human civilization could not exist. The candle, therefore, is also infused with the mystery and potency of this tempestuous element, its ability to cleanse and transform, to destroy and renew.

Mythological tales about fire abound throughout history and across cultures. There is, for example, the famous story about Prometheus, the Titan of Greek mythology who gifted fire to humans and was therefore punished by Zeus: he was to be chained to a rock, where his liver would be eaten each day by Zeus’s eagle (only to regrow afresh for another meal the next) for eternity. Why was he punished? Because giving humans the gift of fire was to grant them a civilization, an opportunity to become more like the gods. Fire is forever associated with the civilizing impulse: we gather around the hearth, and with this burning light we signal to others that this is a place of warmth and civil society. It is to that light, in the great Hall of Heorot, that the monster Grendel is drawn in the ancient epic, Beowulf. The light represents the beacon of civilization, from which Grendel has been exiled, and he enacts his revenge by ravaging the hall night after night until the hero Beowulf is sent to dispatch him. In both tales, fire is the element that forges civilized culture.

In many places, fire is also often associated with divinity: think of the Biblical tale of the burning bush, wherein Moses is given a message from God that he is the one to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This fiery message of divine intervention also crops up when the pillar of fire serves to guide the Israelites through the dark wilderness on their gruelling trek. There is also fiery retribution to be found in the Bible, as in the burning of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

In both Eastern and Western cultures, fire has been used to divine the future and to decode messages, to understand prophecies and interpret events. Animal bones would be thrown into fires, and the cracks that appeared under the pressure of heat would be interpreted, guiding decisions and uncovering divine intentions. Indeed, for much of Western cultural history, fire has been seen as a god in and of itself, ascribed with anthropomorphic abilities; it could feed and devour, or breathe and grow, finally decaying into death. Fire was so instrumental to supporting human existence that it became viewed as nearly human itself.

It is also considered to be an agent of purification: after a forest is burned in a fire, it is able to spring back to life out of the ashes. Disney’s original Fantasia displayed this in its “Night on Bald Mountain” sequence set to the crashing music of Wagner; the fire appears as a demonic force, devouring everything in its path until nothing is left. And yet, new life magically appears once the spring rains replenish the earth, renewing the world. This is the myth of the phoenix, of course: as the ancient symbol of rebirth, the phoenix grows old and feeble, but instead of dying, it bursts into flames and rises anew from the ashes in a cycle of hope and reanimation. Like funeral pyres in many religions, the fire represents a purification in death and a releasing of the spirit into more divine realms.

More practically, fire allows us to cook food in an act that definitively separates humans from other animals; only humans cook food and create elaborate cuisines. Again, fire is fundamental to the process of constructing a civilization, a culture. It also expands our ability to be productive, providing light after dark so we can study or work; many inventions originated by the light of the fire after a day’s work is done. It has also been crucial to our ability to survive and thrive throughout the seasons, keeping us warm through the winter in colder climes. Fire made it possible to live in various corners of the globe, and it still serves as a powerful symbolic reminder of the comforts of home and community. It is a beacon shining through the dark.

Fire is also regarded as one of the four fundamental elements, along with earth, water, and air. Each of these elements has a specific role to play: fire itself, as aforementioned, is the symbol of transformation and is represented by the sun and stars, as well as other natural (and forceful) elements, like erupting volcanoes and stark deserts. Because fire is always in motion—dancing or devouring, flickering or slowly being snuffed out—it reads as the most animated of elements, though both water and air (and even earth) move in their own ways, as well. Its connection to the sun and light in general associates it with illumination, not just purely physical illumination but also mental enlightenment, bringing clarity to thought and imagination to ideas. The “aha” moment of invention is said to be one of illumination: when we have a revelation, we are said to have “seen the light.” Fire is also associated with great strength and health overall, because its vibrancy is so lifelike, and it aligns closely to passion, as our internal fires/desires burn brightly.

With regard to magic, fire is instrumental in many rituals and ceremonies, often called upon to represent masculine energies and projective powers. This element is particularly conducive to certain intentions, including igniting the passions (and, concomitantly, compassion) within a relationship; increasing your own personal energy (“lighting a fire under you”); and discovering hidden truths, bringing illumination to secretive darkness. Fire is also used in many protection spells and rituals, as you gather those you love closer to the fire, that symbol of hearth and home. It can also help in banishment spells, purging negative thoughts and renewing good habits out of old; this is using fire as in the process of purification and rebirth. It can also improve confidence and self-awareness; again, the illumination of fire to reveal (and cast out) the negative. Fire was also often used to strengthen resolve (“an iron will be forged in the fire”)—just as fire can temper the blade so that it is stronger and, paradoxically, more flexible, so can fire forge mental strength and an even temperament. Fire propelled warriors to victory, not only through its ferocious strength and powers of destruction but also via its power to inspire revelation, illuminating the strategies necessary for success. These are all examples that you can begin to apply to your own personal needs as you start to learn certain spells.

There are many ways in which you can connect to the element of fire when implementing magical rituals—candles, of course, will be our primary vessel for the remainder of the book, though you can explore other sources, as well. Building bonfires is one of the central events at many gatherings, including a gathering of like-minded witches: with the right intentions, flames can be read for divination or used to create a meditative state for contemplation. A more contained cousin to the bonfire, the hearth fire is central to home and family, or friends and community; spells cast here cement bonds and create protective boundaries. Lanterns and (especially) fire torches can be symbolic of lighting the way in spells that ask for guidance, as well as those that illuminate the truth of complicated circumstances. Torches are often lit to initiate a ceremony, and ceremonially snuffed as the magic is completed. As in most magical practice, the more connected to nature your tools are, the stronger their magical powers; thus, wood fires are particularly potent. Different woods indicate different symbolic associations; for example, cherry wood is used to create good fortune and foster love, while apple wood nurtures youthful health and general happiness. Even the ashes (and wax), the leftover by-products of ritual fires, can be used for magical purposes: you can include these in amulets and charms to increase their potency.

Candles, in particular, are central to most modern witchcraft practice: they are symbolic of all of the powers of the element of fire, and they can be procured easily and utilized in a controlled fashion. These all-purpose magical tools not only help to generate magic from intention, but they are also key to marking sacred space. Instead of emphasizing the destructive aspects of fire, candles symbolize the warmer, gentler, comforting aspects, and thus are commonly used in personal wish spells. The magic of candles can bring about personal transformation and significant regeneration. In secular culture today, we often celebrate our birthday by blowing out candles, signifying the ineluctable movement from one state to another, from this age to that age, the ongoing process of transformation.

Basically, all spell work is about transforming an intention—your wish, your desire, your request—into a reality. Candles work as some of the most effective communicators of those intentions; they are akin to messengers, carrying your messages of intent out into the spiritual realm where they can be heard. As a candle burns, it is transformed, seeming to dissipate from the material form (the candle slowly disappears) as it carries in its flame your intentions to the ethereal plane. This process helps beginners to clearly visualize what they wish their magic to do: inculcating the candle with your intention allows you to envision its manifestation. While the candle is primarily associated with the element of fire, it is particularly potent in spell work because it contains or relies on all of the other elements, as well: the candle itself, the wick and the base, represent the earth, grounding the candle to that subtle strength; the wax represents the element of water as it melts and runs while the candle burns, working to reshape the form of things; and the flame itself relies on air to keep it burning and dancing (fire needs oxygen to survive, just as we do). Thus, using candles in magical practice is both easy and powerful. In fact, the very act of lighting a candle—even if you don’t intend to perform magic—can alter the very atmosphere of a space. We become more alert to the presence of unseen energies surrounding us when we focus on the flicker of a lit candle.

As you can clearly see, the element of fire is central to our understanding of human civilization in general. Its magical potency has been recognized throughout the centuries and utilized for both conquest and comfort, destruction and regeneration. We still employ fire, particularly in the form of candles, for many rituals, both sacred and secular, and modern witchcraft relies heavily on their power. In the next chapter, you will be introduced to the many types of candles that can be used for different forms of magic, as well as the many correspondences that are used in conjunction with candle flames to create formidable magical spells.

2

Candle Basics

When using candle magic, you must consider not only the appropriate candle to use but also other factors that influence the potency of your intention. Basically, the candle that you choose, and how you choose to enhance its power, is paramount to the success of your spells. Here you will find advice on what kinds of candles to choose and how to interpret various correspondences, as well as how to incorporate additional elements into your candle magic to increase the efficacy of your spells.

First, as you are almost certainly aware, candles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, which impact how you will use them in your spell work. Below I list which kinds of candles are best for the various spells that follow in the second part of the book--at least the ones that have provided the best results for me over the years. This list describes the main varieties of candles and when to use them:

Tea candles: tea, or tealight, candles are very small, round candles usually ensconced in their own metal or plastic container. They are quick burning because they are so small, and they are generally used in groups, often within special holders. These can be used for short spells that invoke a quick intention. I like to use these when I need a mid-week boost of energy or focus; a quick good fortune or prosperity spell before payday or the completion of a big project is also great for short-lived spell work.

Votive candles: these medium-sized candles are short and squat and take longer to burn than tea candles. Because of their shape, they burn quite slowly as the wick sinks into the candle. They often leave a significant amount of wax behind after burning their cores hollow. See below for more on when and how to use them.

Pillar candles: similar to votive candles in shape, pillar candles are quite large, tall and broad, and take quite a long time to burn out. Again, like votives, pillar candles will leave behind a hefty amount of wax. Thus, when using both votive and pillar candles, consider the spell: if the spell requires the candle to burn all the way out before the intention is invoked—as most spells do—then these candles, particularly the pillar, might not be well-suited (unless you have the time and/or strength of intention to wait). However, there are some spells wherein you burn a candle in stages, depending on the phases of the moon or days of the week (among other factors), which would mean that either of these choices would be pertinent: I use pillar candles when casting spells that have to do with long-term goals, regardless of the category. Finally, there are some spells for which you want to have leftover wax to create other magical objects (amulets, talismans) or to perform completion rituals. These candles would be good choices for those purposes.

Taper candles: the taper candle is the all-purpose candle for spell work: tall and slim, these burn steadily and fairly quickly, though not as fast as the tea candle. They also typically produce the tallest and brightest flames (the chunky shape of the votive and pillar candles tend to obscure the flame after a few moments of burning), and the wax melts away as the candle burns down. These are my preferred candle: they last long enough to fully convey intentions, and have enough surface area on which to carve symbols (to be discussed in the following chapter) when I need a boost of power.

Special “spell” candles: you can also find numerous varieties of special candles, made specifically for certain kinds of spells, on the market (they are easy to find online). These are candles that have been made with other magically tuned materials, such as herbs, crystals or essential oils, and/or endowed with particular magical symbols to enhance their power. Certainly, these can be a part of your spell work, if you like, though these special spell candles are more expensive than ordinary candles (which can be used for magical purposes) and they are not imbued by you with your specific intentions. That is, they aren’t customized to your particular needs. Thus, save these for very special occasions or complicated spells wherein you may need a boost. See below, however, for ways in which you can endow your ordinary candles with greater magical potency.

Figure candles: like the special spell candles, these figure candles have particular functions and are often also imbued with essential oils and other enhancements to increase their power. These include not only male and female representations, often used for love and romance spells, but other powerful symbols within the world of witchcraft, including the skull, the cross, and the cat. There are also figure candles for specific body parts, which are used both for healing rituals and for enhancement spells. Again, these can increase the potency of your candle magic, though you can also manipulate an ordinary pillar candle to create the same effect by carving symbols into it. See below for some specific suggestions.

Other considerations: finally, you should also consider the material from which your candle is made: many mass-produced candles are made of paraffin, which can produce faintly toxic chemicals (paraffin is a by-product of petroleum); thus, most witches prefer to use candles made of natural materials, such as beeswax (most popular) and soy. You should also note that only new candles should be used for spell work; as with any potentially magical object, candles pick up energy and resonate with vibrations from previous uses. Thus, your spells will likely not be as effective unless you use a new candle for each one. If you are concerned about waste, consider recycling leftover candle wax for household use: you can melt together leftover bits of wax and pour into a simple mold (cleaned out can, for example), inserting a new wick. These leftover candles won’t be effective for spell work but they are quite adequate for the dinner table or living room.

In addition to the type of candle used, there are additional factors to consider when choosing your candles for particular spells. There are magical correspondences inherent to specific features: for example, the color red corresponds to passion and strength, and is also associated with the fire element; the herb thyme corresponds to purification and is often used in cleansing or banishment spells. This also applies to timing. When you cast your spell has an impact on its efficacy, and to the seasons and natural cycles. You can find elaborate tables of correspondences across the magical spectrum. Below are some simple lists of basic correspondences that will improve the focus of your intention and thus the potency of your spell, along with the reliability of your results:

Color Correspondences: when choosing your candle for spells, you want to pay close attention to color; colors are associated with various elements and characteristics. Choosing the right color for your intention will increase the efficacy of your spell. Here are some basic correspondences:

Green is associated with nature and fertility, as well as money and good fortune.

Red is associated with power and passion, as well vitality and courage.

Pink is associated with friendship and romance, as well as compassion and innocence.

Yellow is associated with success and happiness, as well as travel and imagination.

Blue is associated with truth and communication, as well as fidelity and patience.

Orange is associated with creativity and joy, as well as ambition and justice.

Purple is associated with wisdom and spiritual power, as well as warding off evil.

Silver is associated with intuition and dreams.

White is associated with purity and cleansing, as well as peacefulness and balance.

Black is associated with grounding and learning, as well as protection and banishment.

Phases of the Moon: The moon is considered a powerful symbol of feminine energy, mysterious in its nature and full of quiet strength. Different spells work differently during the various phases of the moon. For example, some spells use the growing power of the waxing moon to increase the potency of a spell, while other spells require that you cast it during a full moon for maximum effect. Fewer spells call for casting during a waning moon, though there are various spells that require you to track the phases of the moon in order to complete the full spell.

Days of the Week: in addition to the cycles of the moon, each day of the week has its own corresponding set of powers and characteristics, making spellcasting more or less effective on certain days. With most magic, the phase of the moon takes precedence over the day of the week. For example, if a full moon falls on a Wednesday, but your spell suggests a Sunday would be a better corresponding day, the full moon trumps the day of the week. Still, when it is possible to apply the correspondence of a particular day to your intentions, here is a simple guide:

Sunday is named for the sun, so it radiates masculine energy and works well with red, gold, and yellow colors.

Monday is named for the moon, so it, in contrast, radiates feminine energy and works well with blue, white, and silver colors.

Tuesday corresponds to the planet Mars, so it brings with it masculine attributes and is associated with courage and strength.

Wednesday comes from “Woden’s Day,” which associates it with the Norse god Odin, and is also connected to the planet Mercury. Mercury was the messenger of the gods, so this indicates that Wednesday is an excellent day for communications, as well as divination.

Thursday is associated with Thor and the planet Jupiter, both gods in different pantheons, again signalling a masculine energy. It is frequently associated with the harvest, thus with abundance and wealth.

Friday brings with it a feminine energy, associated with the planet Venus as well as the Norse goddess Frigga, and thus the powers of romance and love, and the colors of pink and white. It is also ripe for fertility energy.

Saturday ends the week with more masculine energy, in particular the power of wisdom and self-restraint, contrary to what our modern-day weekends might entail. It is also an opportune time to confront issues of death.

Symbol Enhancements: you can also enhance the power of your candle by using various symbols along with the candle; these can clarify your intentions in visible ways that will both help you focus and increase the likelihood of specific results. These symbols can be carved directly into candles, drawn on paper that rests underneath your candle’s base (protected from the flame, of course), or simply drawn with your hand or a wand into the air to signify your intentions. More on this will be addressed in the following chapter. There are any number of magical symbols that you can use in your spells, from the pentacle, which represents the four fundamental elements (fire, water, air, earth) in harmony with the divine, to the witches’ knot, which represents the unbreakable unity among the elements and natural cycles.

Herbal Additions: you can also add herbs, with their magical properties, to your candle magic to make it more potent and to clarify your specific intentions. There are herbs too numerous to count that have been used in magic rituals and spells all across the world, but here are some, with their attendant characteristics, that you can readily find in grocery stores, markets, and home gardens:

Basil is a common kitchen herb, a potent potential medicine and an all-purpose protective shield. It is most frequently used in spells for protection and can be used for smudging (ridding a space of negative energy). It is also associated with fertility, partly because of its bright green color and strong aroma.

Thyme is another powerful herb used in a number of applications. Not only does it get rid of negative energy, but it also fosters stronger psychic energy and encourages sleep. It is often used in purification rituals and cleansing baths and can be useful in healing spells, as well.

Cinnamon is technically a spice, but is considered a part of the herbal “magic family,” if you will. It is often used in romance or sexual enhancement spells, as well as prosperity spells. Its main function, though, is to keep away bad energies, promoting positive spiritual connections.

Sage is the most common herb used in the practice of smudging, which is to rid a space of negative energy. In addition, it also has associations with fertility and longevity—it is purported to have powerful protective properties.

Rosemary also has healing properties and can be employed to enhance intellectual capacities. Because it is a mild stimulant, rosemary can give you—and your spells—a boost of energy when needed. Burning rosemary and jasmine together is a potent protection against illness, as well as an aid to hard work. Like most herbs, rosemary can also be used for purification purposes.

Nutmeg is purported to bring on psychic visions (indeed, it can cause hallucinations if ingested in large quantities—not recommended for health reasons). It is also used to increase sexual energy and powers of clairvoyance.

Lavender is excellent at promoting good sleep, as it is associated with calmness and serenity. It is also used in spells that help with clarity of thought, and is often used in love potions, as it is thought to be conducive to wishful thinking. Ritual cleansing can be assisted by lavender, as well.

Chamomile is another herb that is thought to produce peacefulness and aid in sleep. The “Sleepytime tea” you see in stores is most often made from chamomile. It can also help in protection spells; one old wives’ tale suggests that if you have chamomile in your garden, you become a guardian of the land.

Dandelion is not merely a pesky weed in your backyard, it is also thought to be a welcoming plant, good for use in friendship or attraction spells, and it can act as a messenger, along with the flame of the candle. It is employed in divination rituals, as well.

Crystal Enrichments: crystals and semi-precious stones are often used in magic, and alongside candles, they can greatly enhance certain kinds of spell work. As with herbs, there are literally thousands of examples found around the world, but here are a few fairly common crystals and stones that have properties conducive for various kinds of magic:

Jade has a beautiful green color that inherently connects it to wealth and good fortune, as well as fertility. It is very common in Asian cultures and thought to bring luck.

Amethyst has a soothing purple color that is often used in spells for pacifying anger and fear because of its calming qualities. Many witches sleep with an amethyst under their pillows.

Quartz in its pure white form is considered a booster of energy: when casting stones for divination, white quartz is usually placed in the middle to amplify the messages. It can do the same work in spells.

Rose quartz, with its lovely pink shade, is often used in spells related to romance and friendship.

Citrine is nicknamed the “success stone,” and is often used in prosperity rituals and spells. It can be various shades of brown with hints of orange, so is also associated with the earth element (groundedness) and with joy.

Hematite is a deep black stone that is used to chase off bad energies and help to break bad habits.

Moonstone comes in a plethora of colors, but is thought to be most potent when it mimics the color of its namesake, the moon (pale grey, light blue). Because of its direct association with the moon, it is used in love spells and to call upon feminine energies.

Bloodstone is actually a dark green, despite its name, though it can have flecks of red within it. Its association with blood makes it useful in spells regarding passion (or the lack thereof), as well as in healing applications.

Tiger’s Eye contains within it both the powers of the earth (brown) and the sun (yellow, gold). It can be worn for protection, and its golden eye attracts prosperity.

Lapis Lazuli, with its deep blue color, has been prized the world over. It is thought to promote intuition and psychic connection, and to help soothe and protect.

Essential Oil Boosts: these are infusions of natural plants and herbs into an oil in order to intensify them and make them easy to apply. They are often used in spells to increase the potency of the magic; in candle magic, they can be used to anoint the candle, clarifying and intensifying the intentions. There are commonly used essential oils made of lavender, patchouli, cinnamon, orange and other citrus oils, cedarwood, sandalwood, and juniper, among others.

3

Preparation

Now that you have amassed the appropriate candles for your spell work, along with some additional magical boosters as described in the previous chapter, we can turn our attention to how to most effectively cast a spell. Getting results isn’t merely about having the right magical aids on hand, it is also about how you prepare your space and how you prepare your materials. These simple steps will give your space a boost of positive energy, allowing your intentions to flow from you through your candle and spell out to the ethereal plane. You are readying yourself to make your message loud and clear, guaranteeing good results.

Setting up an Altar

Most spellcasting takes place at an altar that reflects the witch’s personal magical style as well as adheres to some basic guidelines to enhance energy flow and magical potency. This is the symbolic centerpiece of your magical practice. While you can set up a makeshift altar each time you decide to cast a spell, most practitioners choose to set up a permanent space somewhere in their home in order to have it ready to go whenever it feels right to cast a spell. You can also make a moveable altar, if you like, so that you can clear the space whenever the altar is not in use. This is also handy should you decide to practice spell work outdoors: many witches find that they can more powerfully connect with the universal energy when they are surrounded by nature and natural objects.

Before you embark upon building your altar, however, you will want to cleanse your space: you can do this by smudging, which is the burning of herbs (such as sage or rosemary) to clear the space of negative vibrations. You might also consider taking a ritual bath to cleanse yourself of negative energy, if you feel that this would be beneficial to your goals. Putting quartz crystals around the bath, along with some purifying (white) candles and perhaps some lavender essential oil in the water, will refresh your spirit and clarify your mind. I always smudge before I tend to my altar, even after it’s set up, and I usually smudge before the casting of any spell: it not only helps to clear my mind, it also gives me time to focus on my intentions. In terms of the ritual bath, I do that as a matter of routine about once a week, not merely for specific spells. It keeps my energy up and my magic flowing!

While there aren’t any specific rules as to what your altar should look like, there are some common features that many witches utilize. You must have a flat (ideally, non-flammable) surface upon which to place your candles and other objects of ritual significance; many witches like a round or oval shape, because it is both representative of egalitarian communion (as with the witch’s knot symbol) and associated with femininity. It is also common for the base of the altar to be made of natural material, such as wood or stone, rather than artificial or “cold” materials, such as plastic or steel. You can use what you have around the house, if you like, such as an unused end table or small desk—whatever suits your purposes and feels right to you. Part of the practice of magic is to start trusting in your intuitions—you’ll know it’s right for your purposes when you feel it is.

Once you have the base of your altar ready to go, begin to adorn it with whatever magical materials you feel are appropriate for your needs. The point of setting up an altar is to turn an ordinary space into a magical, conducive one. This extraordinary place is where your intentions will be heard, and your spells will yield results. Thus, think about what kinds of crystals and stones, symbols and colors you wish to represent your magical intentions would be best suited to making your altar a sacred space. These amplifications can change with the seasons, of course, and should also be customized for each spell. For example, think about green stones to reflect the fertility of the spring season, while fall hues of gold and orange can usher in prosperity and strength for the colder months. Another key component of practicing successful spell work is to connect with nature, tuning into natural cycles and phases.

In my case, I find that there are all sorts of natural objects that speak to me when I am paying attention. For example, I am drawn to stones and crystals of all kinds, so whenever I travel, I look for something that vibrates with the power of the place I’m in. This then goes on my altar, pulling in the magic from all over. (There are exceptions to this, of course: never take stones from sacred places, like volcanic rock from Hawaii: I can attest that the goddess Pele will hound you until you return it.) On my altar, I have a rock encrusted with sulfur that I found in the northeast; it brings me joy and good fortune; I have some geodes that I picked up out west that open up my space and mind to greater possibilities; and I keep a crystal of andalusite that I found in Morocco, which radiates psychic power alongside a Buddha figurine of jade that I procured in China. These things remind me not only of my travels, but of the spirit in which I opened up to the various energies and cultural touchstones that can be found everywhere. I also keep in the center of my altar a small, smoothed branch that I took from my childhood home. It centers my magic and keeps me grounded overall. You can clearly see that whatever you find that speaks to your energy and rights your mind will be welcome on your altar.

The primary function of your altar, ultimately, is to keep your magical materials arranged in a thoughtful and energy-boosting way that makes clear your intentions for a particular spell. This, of course, varies according to the spell, the intention, and the spell-caster’s individual preferences; however, there are a handful of guidelines that will help you successfully get started. Keep any symbols or tools that are associated with the earth or water elements to the left of center, while arranging objects associated with air and fire elements to the right of center. The central part of the altar is for what you consider to be your most powerful magical symbols, and is also the space in which you set up your specific candle for a particular spell. To maximize the flow of energy, you can be even more elaborate, setting up earth elements facing north, fire elements facing south, water elements facing west, and air elements facing east: these are the cardinal directions that correspond to each fundamental element. Many altars keep a candle to the south for fire, a small bowl of salt to the north for earth, a chalice of water to the west for water, and a feather to the east for air. Still, arrange your altar according to your own intuitive feeling: this is undoubtedly the best way you will glean the maximum power from your space.

Remember that your altar is endowed with a sense of life: you must tend to it as you would tend to a houseplant or pet. Without upkeep, the altar becomes drained of energy, stagnant and cold. Make sure that your altar is meaningful enough that you do tend to it; it should feel a part of you and your magical energy. This is a sacred space, full of power, intention, and serenity—but it should also be conducive to practical usage. If it becomes so crowded that casting spells becomes difficult, or if your spell work isn’t getting the best results, then it’s time to rethink and rearrange the space. You can also “re-charge” your altar on occasion, if you feel it’s losing potency, by using some of the following methods for charging candles.

Cleansing and Charging Candles

Once you have an altar set up, and a spell picked out, it’s time to tend to your main magical object: the candle. Choose an appropriate color for your spell, of course, and then be sure to cleanse the candle well. This can be done in a couple of different ways: if you are confident in your spell work and clear in your message, you can cleanse a candle using intentions alone. You might also consider smudging the candle, using burning sage or rosemary to clear out any negative energies that might yet hover. This is to lift away the industrial and commercial associations from the candle; the process of packaging and shipping surely strips a candle of its positive energy. I myself usually smudge the space itself before doing spell work, making sure my candles are charged beforehand.

“Charging” candles before you utilize them grants them even more potency when used in spell work and this can also be done in different ways. One of the most effective ways to charge any magical object is to allow it to bathe in moonlight: one night under a full moon can fully charge a candle or other item, while a week under a waxing moon also works. You can also charge a candle by aligning it with a quartz stone, a booster of energy, for a full day. Or you can arrange stones around it, according to the correspondences assigned to the four elements and four cardinal directions: this invites all the available energies to converge onto your candle. You create a flow of spiritual energy that is open to your intentions. This kind of charging can also be done with your altar.

Carving and Anointing Candles

You can prepare your candles for spell work by carving them. This means that you should literally carve your intentions into the candle using words or phrases or magical runes that encapsulate what you intend the spell to manifest. Or you can carve particular magical symbols into the candle in order to boost its connections to the natural and/or spiritual world, creating a stronger flow of energy. If you aren’t achieving the results you’d like from your initial spells, try different methods to see which works best for your magic. If words and phrases aren’t working, try symbols, and vice versa.

You can also increase your success rate by anointing or “dressing” your candles before spell work. This involves rubbing the candle with essential oils appropriate to your intention (or, in some instances, adding a drop or two to where the wax will pool). If your spell involves bringing something to you (love, friendship, prosperity, and so on), anoint the candle from the top, moving down to the middle, then from the bottom moving up to the middle. If your spell intends to cast something away (as in banishment or protection spells), then start in the middle working upwards to the top and downward to the bottom.

Finally, you can boost a candle’s energy even further by first anointing it, then rolling it in herbs that correspond to the intentions behind your spell. These are among the many ways in which you can increase the potency of your spells. When we move into the second section of the book, you will find instructions for ways to use certain energy-enhancing methods in particular spells.

4

Interpretation

As you begin to practice your brilliant candle magic, you will want to learn how to interpret what your candles are trying to tell you with their mysterious dance. Why does a flame sometimes seem to flicker, sometimes to grow tall and insistent, sometimes to sway gently? Why does the wax sometimes drip, sometimes pool, sometimes create geometric designs of fascinating complexity? Part of developing your magical skill is about gaining the knowledge necessary to analyze the messages that you are receiving. While you are, indeed, the arbiter of the intentions, the candle itself is a vessel (linked to all of the elements, as discussed in previous chapters) for responses to your inquiries. For me, this is one of the most fascinating parts of practicing candle magic: learning to interpret how your intentions are being received and understanding how and why your spells are ultimately successful or not. The candle’s response gives you crucial insight into why your intentions are realized or why your spell has faltered.

Now that you are able to choose the perfect candle for the spell, parsing out its shape and size and color, adorning it with whatever symbols or potency boosts you deem relevant to your intentions, you can begin to delve into the art of interpretation. A candle is communicating something important to you, but what it is trying to say is only revealed through an understanding of certain symbols, and is reliant on your own intuition. In other words, the following explanations for particular signals are enhanced by your own personal intentions, feelings, and powers. You may develop your own candle symbology over time, as you become more well-versed in how your spells interact with the candles themselves. In any event, there are three branches of interpretation that are relevant to practicing candle magic: divination by fire (which some call pyromancy, its own important branch of magic), divination by wax (or, ceromancy), and divination by smoke (or, capromancy). We will explore each in turn.

Lest we forget, all of the various ways in which a candle reacts to our ministrations can be explained by science and logic, through the knowledge of physical and chemical reactions. However, because we have brought the candle into a magical space—prepared as described in the previous chapter—we have imbued it with a power greater than the sum of its explicable parts. It now exists in our magical realm, and one of the constants of magic is that everything means something. We just have to figure out what those signals mean to us.

Divination by Fire:

Clean Burn: typically speaking, if a candle flame doesn’t actually do much, then that is a good sign that your message is being heard. Your spell work is likely working, though it may not show itself in a very dramatic or obvious fashion.

Tall or Bright Flame: if your candle burns brightly and stands tall and strong, this indicates that your magic itself is potent and that your intentions are clear. You will most likely achieve excellent results from your spell.

Small but Steady Flame: while this is still a sign that your intentions are being heard, it usually indicates that the power behind them is somewhat feeble. You may need to better focus your energies or clarify your intentions. If you increase your concentration during the spell, you may begin to see results in the flame; if it grows taller, then your stronger focus can be credited. In either case, your spell should reap some results, if not to the degree that you originally hoped for.

Small and Weak Flame: if the flame is both small and weak, seeming to sink into the wax, then this is a sure sign that you are asking for something that is out of reach—at least for the time being. If this weak flame succumbs to the wax, it signals that your request has fallen on deaf ears. Re-evaluate your intentions: are they, in fact, feasible? If so, then the timing is probably wrong. Regroup and check your calendar for a more auspicious time.

Dancing Flame: this mysterious sign often indicates that there are forces at work beyond your intentions. Of course, a dancing flame reveals a lot of energy, but this energy is diffuse and chaotic, so there may be other factors that are impeding your spell work. This is when you must look deeply into the flame to see what its movements might mean to you: gaze into it with eyes open but relaxed. You are looking into and even beyond the flame to discern what the signs are telling you.

Rapid Flicker Flame: if the flame acts as if it is being switched on and off, flicking rapidly in a noticeable pattern, then this indicates that there are strong energies present. It often means that you are being clearly heard in the present moment, so you should expect quick, decisive results. A flickering flame is also a good opportunity to practice divination in general, as its rhythmic movement can put you into a trance-like state.

Sputtering Flame: if the flame pops and hisses, this can indicate that there is interference; either someone or something is working against your spell. If this flame also burns unevenly, you can almost be certain that some kind of interference is pre-empting your spell. However, if a candle is particularly noisy, it’s possible that spirits and ancestors are trying to speak to you, so you might do well to listen.

Blue Flame: if your candle produces the rare blue flame, you can rest assured that you are in the presence of strong and benevolent energies. Sit back and bask in the awe of your potency: a blue flame indicates that you have been able to call upon some of the strongest magic available. The more typical red or yellow flames reveal that your magic is working, but they aren’t quite as powerful as the elusive blue flame.

Extinguished Flame: if the flame simply goes out suddenly, without your assistance, then clearly the spell is over. Typically, this indicates that your appeal will not be granted, that something more powerful than your magic opposes your intentions—at least for the time being. In some instances, on the other hand, this can simply mean that your intention has been heard and will be granted. If your request and spell are straightforward and simple, then it may not take much time and focus for your intentions to be heard.

“Eternal” Flame: if the flame refuses to be extinguished, then this clearly tells you that you aren’t quite done. Perhaps you’ve missed an important component along the way or perhaps you need a moment to boost your power or clarity, but sit with it for a minute and try to figure out what you may have missed before trying to put out the candle again. Also be aware that most spells call for allowing the candle to burn out on its own, while those that do call for extinguishing the flame usually require snuffing the candle or pinching the wick. You should never blow out a candle when practicing spell work: this blows the intentions away.

Refusal to Light: if a candle stubbornly resists your attempt to light it, then you best just walk away. Your intentions are either already determined by external forces, or they are simply not within your reach. Take some time to ponder what might be blocking your magic. You might need to cleanse your space again—or yourself—and reconsider your original intentions.

Divination by Smoke:

Abundance of Smoke: if your candle puts out a lot of smoke while you are practicing, this is the candle’s way of acknowledging the element of air. It doesn’t necessarily indicate that the spell is a success or a failure; instead, it invites you to ponder the smoke, to parse out what you see that might lead to a greater understanding of what is at play in your intentions.

Smoke Moves Away: if the candle smoke moves away from you, the meaning is dependent on the spell being cast. In general, smoke that drifts away from you indicates that your energy is diffuse and dissipating, moving away from your intention. However, when you are casting spells that have to do with the actions of others or your intentions to heal or otherwise create influence over things, then this can indicate that your intentions are being heard and are traveling toward their ultimate destination.

Smoke Moves Toward: if the candle smoke moves toward you, this usually means that you are attracting energy and receiving blessing for your requests. This is an especially good sign when casting spells regarding love or money. However, if your intentions are negative—as you were forewarned about in the introduction to Part I—then this can indicate that you will be caught up in the unintended consequences of your negative intentions.

White Smoke: this is nearly always interpreted as a positive sign, that there are beneficial elements listening to your intentions. If a puff of white smoke appears at a particularly opportune time (say, right as you envision the culmination of your intention), then it is almost certain that your request will be granted.

Black Smoke: this is not always a bad sign, though most often it signals that you’ll have no luck with this request. It can sometimes be a signal that you need to do more work—more cleansing, more preparation—before you attempt this particular spell again. It basically warns you not to waste the time until you are fully ready.

Divination by Wax:

Wax Crater: if your candle burns through the middle but leaves tall expanses of wax unburned around the perimeter, this indicates that the spell was probably not powerful enough to work. This is why pillar candles aren’t always recommended for candle magic: they don’t burn fully, which means the intentions cannot be heard completely. Try improving the potency of your magic with symbols and/or anointments, or clarify and intensify the message of your intentions. Or do as I do and try again with a different candle (such as a taper) that will better channel the flow of your energy. Leave pillar candles for spell work that calls upon you to use a candle over the course of many days and has a plan for leftover wax. I’ll explain when pillars or votives are useful in the second part of the book.

Wax Puddle: this is what happens when your candle burns quickly, leaving a puddle of wax in its wake. While not necessarily a negative signal, this does indicate that your level of passion behind your intention is particularly intense (which can impact your magic in unexpected ways, so proceed with caution). In addition, this wax residue gives you the opportunity for more analysis: look to see what it says, how it speaks to you. This kind of divination might give you valuable information for your next spell or your future in general. You can find a whole host of resources that interpret various shapes and forms, should you decide to do some research, but you can also rely on your own intuition and feelings.

Drip-free Wax: if your candle burns steadily without creating any wax trails or drips, this indicates that your spell and your intentions are clear and acceptable. You can expect decisive results.

Wax Drips: if, on the other hand, your candle drips a lot of wax, this could mean that your spell is ill-conceived, messy. If the drips congregate on one side or the other of the candle, this indicates that something—your intentions, yourself, your powers—is out of balance. Drips to the left might mean that your psychic energies need grounding, while drips to the right might mean that you aren’t fully invested in the magic. Your own intrusive thoughts or skeptical beliefs are getting in the way.

Candle Detritus: if the wick deposits black flecks into the puddling wax, this indicates that your spell work may create some unintended consequences. Thus, you might have to do some cleanup after the spell is complete. Think about what baggage you might have unintentionally brought to the spell (guilt or sadness, anxiety or fear), then work to tie up those loose ends.

Candle Soot: if you are burning a candle within glass, you might end up with a soot pattern that you can interpret. Typically, if you see soot only around the top of the candle container, then your energies have overcome what might be blocking your magic, but if you soot covers the entire container, then you’ve probably been stymied in your request for the time being. Take some time and try again when you feel more energized.

Inexplicable End: if your candle does something totally unexpected (e.g., burns through a plastic tea candle container, partially explodes or does something else dramatic), then you should probably consider that your spell was rejected. In this case, you probably want to cleanse your space and think hard about whether this spell is worth pursuing.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the chapter, this aspect of practicing candle magic can be among the most creative parts of spell work. You will tap into your intuition and powers of interpretation to generate your own magical vocabulary that you will rely on to recognize when your work is successful. It will also increase your potency of divination, in general, and help you to be more attuned to the magical flow of energy within your daily life.

5

After the Spell

Once you have completed your spell work, it is important to consider how you dispose of any ritual items used. It’s unwise to simply chuck a spent candle or other magical tool into the trash can for an unknown end. Indeed, you can increase the potency of your spell, in many cases, by practicing carefully curated post-ritual routines. First, you must know how to complete your spell work by ending the ritual with its own magical script. Second, there are some basic guidelines, depending on the spell, for how to safely dispose of candles or, alternately, how to use the spent materials of your spell for further communication or closure.

First, let’s examine what it takes to complete a spell. It’s not enough to simply walk away once your intentions have been conveyed and your candle has been burned. As with any ritual of consequence, the conclusion has value as well. Part of this comes in carefully disposing of the ritual items, as will be discussed below, but it is also important to conclude your spell work session with a definitive gesture. For example, I cast a circle when I practice my spells. While this practice is not necessary when you do your candle magic, I find it helps me to focus my intentions and to clear my head so that I can devote all of my energies to my spell. To cast a circle is to prepare your space for your spell work (or any other magical ceremony or ritual in which you wish to engage). Establish a boundary within which your magic will take place by distributing magically conducive materials around your workspace.

I usually cast a small circle around my altar for basic candle magic, though if my intentions are quite important or require lots of energy, I might cast a larger circle around the room in which I work. Occasionally (though rarely), I’ll cast a circle around my house for stronger spells at various seasonal events). This just means marking your magical territory by using magical stones or crystals, relevant herbs, or salt (which has cleansing powers) to draw a literal circle. If you want to be even more elaborate, you can place corresponding ritual items to mark the four cardinal directions; I do this when I want to create a particularly strong flow of energy. Thus, the circle is now the repository of all of your intentions, cleansed of counter-energies, and ready for your personal magic to shine. When your spell work is complete, close the circle by removing the items in reverse order of how you initially set them up, thanking the elements and energies that attended to your intentions during that session.

Keep in mind that you do not always have to cast a circle to practice your spell work, though as I said, it helps me to get into the spirit of the spell, focusing my mind and encapsulating my attention. If you don’t have the time or inclination, you can simply smudge your space by burning sage or rosemary, cleansing away any negative energies. Or you can cast a circle without extra materials simply by acknowledging the four cardinal directions and the space in which your magic is to occur. The power of thought and intention is central to all magic, so this is oftentimes adequate to the task. It will be up to you to decide what works best for your candle magic. Just remember to acknowledge, with some show of gratitude, the forces that attend to your intention.

After completing your ritual, it’s important for a variety of reasons to dispose of ritual items carefully. First, these items once held significant meaning to you, and they are imbued with your magic; throwing them away without ceremony is akin to tossing aside the power you have so carefully cultivated. You don’t want these items to languish in landfills or fall into the possession of negative forces. Second, if the leftover detritus from all of your magical workings begin piling up, then not only does it create inconvenient physical clutter, but it can also block your new intentions by creating psychic clutter. Naturally, we all work best when our minds and spaces are clear. Third, most practitioners of magic have an unspoken commitment to the environment and thus wish to dispose of their magical items in ways that both honor nature and nurture an ethical responsibility. So, for all of these reasons, you should skip the trash can in favor of other methods of disposal. There are some spells in Part II for which specific disposal instructions are outlined, but here you will find general guidelines for how to properly and respectfully clear out used ritual items.

Recycle: there are certain magical items that you can re-use, especially if you take the time to recharge them (as explained in Chapter 3). For example, most stones and crystals used in spell work are recharged and reused. The items you have arranged on your altar are also typically there for the duration, though if you find your magic flagging, try some new arrangements. Some items are never re-used, such as herbs and other food items, essential oils and any other organic compounds; their magic is typically used up in the course of one spell. Finally, some ritual items—including candles—are sometimes re-used. Typically, once a candle has been designated for a particular spell, it is considered spent once the spell is complete (you can recycle the wax for making household candles, as mentioned previously), but there are exceptions to this based on your own intuition. If you feel that your candle has not spent its energy, then by all means, re-use it. Much of candle magic is about gaining confidence in your own gut feelings.

Evaluate: if you have a collection of ritual items that you feel are not up for recycling, then take stock of what they are before deciding how to dispose of them. For example, if an item is clearly not biodegradable, then trying to dispose of it in nature is simply harmful. If an item is likely to cause harm should someone accidentally stumble across it (such as broken glass from a candle holder), then ensure that it is disposed of in a safe and responsible manner. If an item is intensely personal (and, especially, identifiable as yours), then you want to take extra care in disposing of it discreetly and respectfully. You most certainly don’t want these items to cause you trouble in the future; unresolved personal issues are often buried within these personal items.

Disposal by Earth: many ritual items can be consigned to the earth for proper disposal. This applies to candles, especially candles made of natural materials, as they are environmentally friendly and quickly biodegradable. This method also has the benefit of bestowing respect upon nature, returning the gift that was granted you to its rightful place. While this might seem as simple as putting your spent candle in the trash—it’ll end up in a landfill anyway, right?—this misses the point of magic, which is to elevate the everyday to the extraordinary. Thus, finding a place to bury it that feels right to you is more in keeping with the spirit of your spell work. I have a garden in which I consign some of my biodegradable items, fuelling my future magical herbs with the remnants of my magical past.

Disposal by Air: this is impractical for candles themselves (you cannot just toss them into the air and be done with them, and even small remnants of wax are likely too heavy for the wind to carry them away), but it can be done with ashes that remain after the spell. This is especially pertinent when you have been casting spells for healing or for banishment; you want the negative energies to be swiftly carried away by the winds. You can also do this with herbs and salt, if used in the casting of your circle or in the spell itself.

Disposal by Fire: perhaps the most definitive way to dispose of ritual items is through fire, which both consumes the objects completely and consecrates their impurities. Thus, anything with particularly heavy signification might be best disposed of by fire. However, beware of burning anything that contains toxic residues (such as plastic) and make sure that you follow safety protocols and regulations for your area. You certainly don’t want to be responsible for producing a destructive wildfire or putting others (or yourself!) in harm’s way.

Disposal by Water: sending ritual items off to a watery grave is another way in which to dispose of them with respect and care. Water transforms whatever it touches, so this method of disposal washes away the old and leaves a revitalized energy in its place. If you are so inclined, you can even dispose of items via toilet water: this is not something that I do, as I find it a bit irreverent, but some of my friends find it invigoratingly final (a metaphor for flushing the “crap” out of your life). As with fire disposals, be responsible for any water burials: you don’t want to cause plumbing problems, for one, or to litter streams and lakes with non-biodegradable materials. Small spent candles and bits of wax should be fine for this method.

Other: finally, consider whether you want these spent magical items to end up residing near you or scattered far away. In most cases, I like to keep my magical items close: they are personal to me, and I feel their presence adds to and increases my powers over time. However, there are exceptions. If you are freeing yourself from an unwanted energy (person, feeling, event, and so on), then you might find it more appropriate to consign the spent item to a faraway place.

Each element of your candle magic is important, including completing the ritual properly and disposing of magical items with respect and ceremony. While these actions may seem like afterthoughts, they are actually contributing to the constellation of your powers, helping you to increase your potency and improve the strength of your intentions.

Part II: The Spells

In the second part of the book, we move on to the heart of the matter: how to cast spells using our best candle magic. Here you will find that I follow a fairly standard template for my spells—which you can, of course, vary according to your personal intuition, experience, and specific intention, which should help you to get started conjuring up real results. You will also find suggestions for how to increase your potency when necessary and how to deal with the leftover odds and ends of your practice.

In the chapters that follow, you will discover a plethora of spells for love and relationships, including self-love and self-confidence, as well as passion and fidelity; concomitantly, there is also a chapter on friends and family spells, which will focus on communication and trust, ending interference, and bringing new friends into your life, among other issues. You will also find spells for money and prosperity, bringing you opportunity and good fortune, as well as helping you dissipate debt and find lost objects. There are spells specifically geared towards your work and career goals, such as getting a new job or raise and increasing your motivation. Health and well-being spells are also covered, including specific spells on healing, but also some more regularly useful spells, like how to dispel anxiety or conquer fears. This same chapter also contains spells for sleep (oh, how we all could use that!) and creative thinking, among others. Finally, we conclude with the ever-important protection spells, helping us to feel safe and secure—and peaceful—in our own lives.

So, gather your magical materials, set up your altar, and prepare to light your candles: you are primed to embark upon a magical practice that will amplify your powers and intensify your intentions so that you can manifest the life you desire and deserve.

6

Love and Relationship Spells

Casting love spells, like love itself, is one of the most enduring and mysterious forms of magic you can perform. Because we are so culturally attached to the expansive nature of love—it includes platonic love, passionate love, romantic love, spiritual love—we often invoke the time-worn cliché that “love conquers all.” And, indeed, it just might; however, for those of us casting love spells for the first time, be aware that you cannot conjure love out of nothing. I find that many beginners mistake the underlying purpose of love and relationship spells: they are to augment and to refine what already exists, rather than to create something out of nothing. Candle magic is about harnessing energies that are already present, not calling them up from some void. Thus, you cannot force a love that is not there, just as you cannot redefine the elemental energies that assist you with your intentions. Having said that, there is nothing wrong with using a spell to nudge along a crush, or to soothe yourself at the end of a relationship. In fact, this is what the following spells are supposed to do: channel your intentions toward a greater experience of love, in whatever form, while nurturing your soul when love is lost. Surely you will find, among these spells, one or two at least that will re-energize your love life and reignite your happiness, mimicking the flame dancing at the center of your candle magic.

Sustaining Self-love: A Spell for Yourself

Since all love flourishes only when you have self-love, this is the ideal spell to get started in the love department. After my break-up, this was the first spell that worked for me, letting me remember how worthy I was to love myself, which, ultimately, attracted the love of others.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 red candle, either taper or tea

Lemon and/or orange essential oil

Amethyst or rose quartz crystal

STEPS:

Cleanse yourself: when implementing a spell of self-love, take a long ritual bath, washing away your anxieties and fears, letting go of all your bad energy. When you are ready to begin the spell, cleanse your altar or space. I recommended smudging with sage.

Choose your candle: a taper if you need a bigger boost, a tea candle if you need a slight jolt. Anoint your candle with essential oil: the lemon symbolizes cleansing power and new beginnings, while the orange symbolizes joyfulness and energy.

Light your red candle; the red here symbolizes courage and power. As you light it, imagine that you are setting your own self-assurance ablaze.

Once the flame is tall and strong, pass your amethyst or rose quartz through the flame (carefully, so as not to burn yourself) while repeating your personal mantra: “I am powerful and whole. I am worthy and kind. I am loving and loved.” Do this seven times.

Lay the crystal in front of the candle and meditate as the candle burns down, repeating your mantra silently to yourself, or visualizing your particular self-worth. Remind yourself of your strengths and passions, your vitality and joy.

Conjuring Confidence

While the previous spell helps you to regain a sense of self-love, this spell will help you reclaim your self-confidence—useful when looking for love, of course, but also good for when you are merely looking to meet new people or try new things. This is another simple spell that should become a go-to anytime you need a pick-me-up.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Sunday during a waxing or full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 gold taper candle

Ylang-ylang essential oil

A mirror

Paper and pen

STEPS:

Prepare your space: if you’re using an altar, cleanse it, and cast a circle for concentration.

Anoint your candle with ylang-ylang oil, which boosts both self-confidence and balance. The gold of the candle radiates energy and success.

Light your candle, and as the candle burns, write down a list of accomplishments that you are proud of, characteristics you cultivate with care, and whatever you feel is most worthy about yourself.

Once the flame has almost died, turn to your mirror (whether it be a small hand mirror or a full-length mirror) and read aloud to yourself all of the affirmations you put to paper while the candle was burning.

Once the candle is completely spent, close your circle and keep your affirmations close by: sleep with them under your pillow for seven days or carry them in your pocket or purse for the following week.

Letting Go of Lost Love

This spell is a combination of a healing spell and a purification spell: you are essentially trying to heal from the end of a relationship as well as purify and strengthen yourself to move forward. While it may seem to require a long time in comparison with most spells you’ll see in this book, it is important to note that letting go of failed relationships or great loves that faltered is one of the most difficult endeavours we face as humans. Take the time to allow yourself to mourn; grieving is part of the process that leads us back to the full force of joyfulness ever-present in our lives.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Start at the beginning of the waning moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

Seven days

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

3 pillar candles: one purple, two white

Sharp tool for carving (optional)

STEPS:

Cleanse your space thoroughly and charge your candles before using for best results (see Chapter 3 for details).

Arrange your candles in a triangle on your altar, with purple at the top and the two white candles at the base: the purple represents our spiritual power, the representation of our highest self, while the two white candles represent you and your lost love. You can carve your names in each, if you like, or a symbol that represents each of you in turn. This can help you focus your intention and clarify your potency. The white symbolizes your desire to purify the negative energy that exists between the two of you.

Light the candle that represents you first, imagining your best qualities and letting the flame carry away the worst of you. Do the same with the second white candle, remembering the best about your lover and letting the worst be carried away in the wind. Finally, light the purple candle and let it guide you to a peaceful place, visualizing both of you at your best without expectation. This is to let go of the bad feelings, of the ill wishes, and of the hurt: you can both be purified and strong separately. If your feelings are especially acrimonious at first, use a sage bundle while the candles burn to further dispel any negative energy amongst the symbolic candles.

When you feel calmer and grounded, then snuff the candles out in reverse order, beginning with the purple, then moving to the white candle of your lost love and ending with yourself. Do this for seven days until the new moon begins.

With each day, as your candles burn down and grow smaller, you should feel your serenity increasing and your heart less burdened. Once the ritual is complete, take care in disposing of the remains. Some might want to bury the bits of wax in a comforting place, a remembrance of the relationship gone, while others might want to let them go by water, allowing them to be carried away once and for all.

Discovering Desirability: Another Spell for Yourself

Once you’ve rid yourself of lost love, you will often want to remind yourself of how absolutely desirable you are to many. Even if you aren’t mourning a lost love, rediscovering your desirability is another way in which you open yourself up for love and success, self-confidence and a greater sense of self-worth. In fact, this spell goes well with a makeover: I like to cast it when a new season rolls around, as I change out my wardrobe, get a new hairstyle, and generally invite new and positive energies into my life.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

As close to the full moon as possible

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 red or orange taper candle

Patchouli incense (optional)

Clear quartz crystal

STEPS:

Charge your quartz crystal before using, if possible, and cleanse your space before beginning the spell. Light your patchouli incense before you begin the spell, if you like, to enhance the sexual and spiritual energies at work.

Place your crystal at the cardinal direction that most fits the element you wish to respond to your intention: north for earth, if your intention is for general, grounded desirability; south for fire, if your intention is for sexual desirability; west for water, if your intention is romantic desirability; and east for air, if your intention is for fun and frolic.

Place your candle at the center of your altar or space and light it—red for passion, orange for joyful—while repeating this simple spell three times over: May I be seen and seen well today, with no harm to come my way. From this fire, desire I seek, bring to me energy at its high peak.

Imagine the crystal pulling energy from your chosen element, burning up through the flame of your candle, and flowing into you like bright smoke.

Once the candle has burned down, show gratitude for the element that responds to your request and carry the crystal with you for seven days.

Alluring Love: The Ultimate “Come-Hither” Spell

This is a very simple but extremely useful spell to have in your repertoire to return to time and again, for various reasons. It is intended to attract your desired intention to you: not only can it conjure up love, but it can bring to you whatever it is that you need at a given time. As you change your magical tools slightly, this all-purpose spell responds in kind.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Begin during a waxing moon, so that your final spell culminates at the full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

Up to nine days

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

2 taper or pillar candles

An inscribed intention on a piece of paper

Anointing oils, symbols (optional)

STEPS:

Choose your candles according to what you wish to invite into your life: red candles will bring you passion; pink candles will bring you romance or friendship; green candles will introduce good fortune or wealth into your life; blue candles can bring peace and harmony, and so on.

You can further enhance the potency of your candle magic by inscribing each candle with a symbol or a word that represents your intentions, or by anointing it with corresponding oils (such as patchouli or cinnamon for passion, rose for romance, basil for fortune, and lavender or chamomile for peace).

Cleanse your space, and arrange your candles side by side, with your written intention between them. Be sure your intention is clear and your focus is strong.

Light both candles, letting the flame settle into a steady rhythm before passing your intention over the flames of each, letting the fire consume the intention, transmitting it to the ethereal plane. Be sure to practice caution when doing this: use tongs to hold the paper, and have a flameproof container to catch the ashes.

When you have finished, scatter the ashes into the wind; thus, you are invoking the element of fire to ignite the intention and the element of wind to deliver that intention. There are two ways to complete this spell: if you find yourself available on the full moon, use its power to cast this spell once—as long as your intention is clear and your potency is flowing—with taper candles that you allow to burn through. On the other hand, if you plan ahead, you can cast this spell on nine consecutive nights using pillar candles that you snuff each night, culminating at the full moon, which can increase the likelihood of a definitive response.

Finding A Faithful Lover

This is a powerful spell that can even bring you a forever soulmate. While the items that you will need are fairly simple, the spell itself is somewhat complicated, requiring an understanding of the four cardinal directions and their corresponding elements. You are trying to harness a free-flowing energy that creates a space for lasting love and fidelity.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

At the full moon (note that it can be more powerful when performed outdoors)

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

20-30 minutes

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

4 red taper candles

2 white taper candles

STEPS:

Carefully cleanse your space: make sure the space is large enough for you to stand or sit in the middle of your candle arrangement. Whether you cast this indoors or outdoors, be sure to take adequate safety precautions: you don’t want to start a fire!

Orient yourself to the north, and place your four red candles at the four cardinal directions. Light each one in turn, starting with your candle to the north and invoking the power of the earth, then move to your right in a clockwise pattern: light the candle to the east, symbolizing the air; the candle to the south, symbolizing fire; and the candle to the west, representing water. You are invoking all the elemental powers to aid you in your intentions.

Turn back to the north, and light your white candles. Place the first one slightly to the left of you, still oriented north, and place the second one slightly to the right of you. Repeat your intention as you see the flames rise up and remain steady.

Now pick up both white candles (again, using caution), and tilt them towards one another so that their flames meld as you hold the intention in your mind.

Blow out the flames together, sending the intention out onto the ethereal plane, then close the circle you have created by blowing out each red candle in reverse order (from west to south to east to north). Be sure to bury the white candles in a place of significance, so the earth nurtures the intention to fruition.

Healing Unhappiness: A Relationship Spell

This spell should only be performed on auspicious occasions and not relied upon too much; it’s a delicate balance to banish the bad parts of a love relationship without harming the good parts. Thus, you should choose your time wisely, following what is mentioned below but also relying on your sense of energy and working when you feel your powers are at their most potent. Because the spell is rather tricky, it may take a couple of times to get right. Be patient and follow your intuitions.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

During a waxing moon and in spring or fall for the most powerful results

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 red taper candle

Dried lavender, catnip, and ginger

STEPS:

Be sure to cleanse your space thoroughly: I recommend a full sage smudging of the area (even of the whole house, if that feels necessary). This is also a spell for which I would cast a circle before beginning: you want all the energy to gather at the center of your intention.

Sit cross-legged, as if for meditation, and place your candle in front of you. Make sure that there are no artificial lights to distract you from the candle and ritual to follow.

Light your candle and focus your intentions into your lower abdomen: feel your romantic and sexual energy there and push it up and outward toward your candle, coursing up through the candle and out through its flame. When you feel that your energy has reached its peak, rub the herbs together between your palms and sprinkle them over and around you. These work to purify the negative energies while intensifying the positive.

Recite your intention—in fact, writing something personal about the issue or issues to be healed can be quite powerful—as you watch the candle burn down, manifesting your intention.

When the candle has burned, and the spell is complete, return the dried herbs to the wind and sleep with the remains of the candle under your pillow until the full moon.

Rekindling Passion: A Candle Flame Spell

This is the kind of spell that can be cast whenever you feel your relationship is in need of a boost (you could also invest in a date night or some new lingerie as you contemplate casting this spell: it certainly can’t hurt).

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Right before the full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

15-20 minutes

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

2 red pillar candles

Rose essential oil

String, preferably red

Written intention

STEPS:

Ready your space and prepare your candles: on one, carve a heart (this symbolizes your lover), and on the other, carve a symbol of attraction, such as a moon or a bolt of lightning.

Place the candles to your left (your heart side), with the heart candle to the left of the other, tie them together with a string and anoint them each with a couple of drops of rose oil close to the wick.

Light both candles, letting the flames grow strong and steady. When you feel their energy is strong, let your written intention burn in the flame of the left candle (the one with the heart).

Let the candles burn down to where the string binds them together, taking care not to let the string burn or the candles be severed. Snuff them gently, leaving them bound together.

At the full moon, place the still bound candles at a location where they can absorb the light of the full moon, then safely bury them or burn them fully.

Peaceful Parting: Another Relationship Spell

Letting go of the past is another obstacle to our happiness, and yet sometimes it is the healthiest decision we can make—parting with a former lover, in particular. If you have come to the conclusion that your relationship is no longer working, then wishing for an amicable split is the best way to go about damage control. This is a form of a healing spell.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waning moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candles to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 white candle, 1 blue candle, 1 red candle

Rosemary and basil (fresh or dried)

Spring water

STEPS:

Cleanse your space by smudging: rosemary is good here, as it symbolizes memory; you indicate that you wish to remember the good and make peace with the bad as you move on.

Arrange your candles in a triangle, with the white (purifying) candle at the apex, and the blue (peace) and red (love) candles at the base. Before lighting your candles, infuse your spring water with basil and have it ready to splash on your face as you move through the ritual. This both cleanses you of bad intention and purifies your mindset. I use a natural spring water infused with fresh basil that I put in a small spray bottle, but you can simply use a bowl.

Light the candles, starting with the white, and repeat your intention after lighting each candle: “I am cutting these cords, I am releasing these ties. All that’s in this past are peaceful goodbyes.” Spritz or splash your face with basil water each time.

Let the candles burn down to complete the spell: the size of the candles dictates the length of the spell, so the size you choose should adequately represent how much energy needs to be expended in creating peace (a pillar should only be used if much acrimonious discord precedes the end, while a tea candle can be used if wistful harmony is already in sight).

Thwarting the Third Wheel: Banishing an Interloper Spell

If your relationship is being interrupted by the intrusive presence of another, then this spell can effectively remove the interloper. This doesn’t mean that you are banishing this person from your life—you really don’t want to get rid of your mother-in-law or his or her best friend completely—just from interfering in your relationship.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waning moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

15-20 minutes

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

2 small white candles, 1 small black candle

Hematite crystal

STEPS:

As with any spell that has some element of banishment to it, be sure to smudge your space well. You don’t need any more negative energies alongside the ones you wish to be rid of.

Place your candles in front of you, with the black candle in between the white candles (you can guess what this symbolizes). Light the white candles first, starting with the one to your left (heart) side. Affirm the purity of the love connection between these two symbolic candles.

Then light the black candle, symbolizing the interloper, and state your intention clearly: tell the interloper not just that you want them to “butt out” but also specifically what you wish them to do (or to quit doing). The more specific you are, the better your result.

Before allowing the flame to go out, smother the black flame with the hematite crystal, using caution so as to avoid harming yourself. Then let the other two candles burn all the way down naturally.

Be sure to dispose of any remains of the black candle in a final way, such as releasing it by water.

Buzz, Buzz Begone: A Spell to Ward off Unwanted Attention

While we crafty folk dedicate most of our time to bringing in positive energies to our lives, there are those times when we just want to be rid of that creepy person at the office or gym who stands a little too close. It’s a testament to your growing powers that you will find yourself being a subject of attraction, but you can nudge away the unwanted suitors with this simple spell.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waning moon, Saturday being the best day

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 small black candle

Salt

Crystal of your choice

STEPS:

Cleanse your space as mentioned in the previous spell; you’ll want negative energies cleared well

Make a circle at the center of your altar and place the black candle in its center. Salt is used in both protection and banishment spells: here you are containing the one who is assailing you with unwanted attention.

Light the candle and state your intention clearly. Again, the more specifically you relay your request, the better your results.

Let the candle burn while you focus your energy on your intention, but before it goes out, snuff it with your crystal. Choose a crystal that represents your current state of mind, something positive and carefree. I like citrine because it both grounds me and re-energizes my happier side.

After the ritual is complete, scatter the salt to the winds and be sure to release the spent candle far away from you (as with a water burial . . . or a quick flush). Wear or carry your chosen candle with you for the next seven days.

7

Friends and Family Spells

After the ever-popular love spell, spells that assist with friends and family matters are among the most sought-out for practitioners of magic. These are the kinds of spells that can help you forge relationships, mend relationships, and deepen relationships with the most important people in your life. Like love spells, they are not intended to force anyone into behaving or feeling a certain way; rather, they are aimed at further developing the potential that is already there, or at improving an established relationship—even if that means casting a spell to nudge someone away from an interfering role. I make it a habit to work on some of these spells, such as the one on communication, with regularity, because it reminds me of the ways in which we should all nurture and care for our closest relationships. The magic itself creates a positive energy that enhances that understanding, and it does double duty by reminding us to be aware of our role in maintaining strong and caring relationships in general. As with all candle magic, these spells are simple and straightforward, but powerful and lasting. You will find spells that cover a range of intentions here, from making new friends to ending potentially hurtful gossip to increasing the bond of trust between friends, among others. I am certain you will find some that will make it into your regular rotation of conjuring up happiness and fulfilment!

Forging a Friendship: A Spell to Attract Friends

Just as with a love spell, this isn’t meant to bewitch a random stranger into falling into a friendship with you. It’s really more about you, making yourself open and available to the possibilities for friendship that swirl around you on a daily basis. If you have a particular person in mind, then the clarity of your intention might make the spell more potent, but even if you are just casting about (literally) for some new companions, this spell can enliven the energies around you, increasing the potential connection.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 small orange drawstring bag

1 yellow taper candle

1 carnelian stone

1 teaspoon of allspice berries

STEPS:

Cleanse your space and make sure your altar has enough room for the objects needed to perform the spell.

Place your candle in the center of the altar, its yellow color symbolizing inspiration and optimism, then place your orange drawstring bag in front of it. The orange indicates attraction and vitality, drawing these energies into your spell. Put the carnelian stone—a symbol of success and smart choices—atop the bag, and encircle these with the allspice berries, which summon good fortune.

Light your candle and contemplate the kind of friendship you wish to forge. Make sure your intentions are clear—write them down beforehand if you need some focus—and once you feel your positive energy flowing through you, place your palms upon your friendship objects and chant three times: “Strong, true friendships, please come to me. As I will it, so make it be.”

Allow the candle to burn down while you continue to visualize your future friendships. Close your circle if you have cast one.

Gather up the allspice berries and the carnelian stone and place them in your drawstring bag. Carry this friendship pouch with you until the next full moon. It should attract new people and new possibilities to you!

Attracting Appreciation: A Spell for Popularity

There are a variety of spells that one can cast when seeking to increase your popularity. In fact, this kind of spell is similar to any attraction spell (for love, for good fortune, and so on). Here is one I like because it is very simple and a quick way to give your energy a confidence booster.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon, and a Thursday is a strong day for attraction

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

10-15 minutes

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 gold candle

3 yellow candles

Citronella candle or incense (optional)

STEPS:

Cleanse your space before you begin; you could think about burning citronella incense or a candle, as it both energizes and cleanses.

Carve your name into the gold candle, for you are the center of this little spell, with your good fortune and powerful attractive potential. Set it on the altar and surround it with the three yellow candles in a triangular pattern. The idea is that the energy and brightness of the yellow, along with the magical property of three, will be drawn to your even more brilliant gold.

Light the gold candle first, then light the three yellow candles in a clockwise fashion. As you light the candles, recite your incantation: “Look at me here, for all to see. I’m encircled by energies three. With my poise and talents galore, I bring fascination to me forevermore.”

With this spell, you may snuff the candles rather than waiting for them to burn down. Wait for three days, and if you feel that your intention hasn’t been answered, repeat the spell with the same candles, this time allowing them to burn all the way down.

Dispelling Loneliness: A Spell for Solitary Times

This spell may seem a little odd, in that it’s not an attraction spell. When you experience loneliness, there are all sorts of spells to which you can turn, such as the previous spell regarding popularity, or any number of friendship and/or relationship or love spells. Here, though, is a spell especially for those times when you are lonely but don’t have a lot of choice in the matter: this is for those times when we are alone (sheltered in place, for example, traveling alone for business, or simply spending some solitary time for healing). Thus, this spell is closer to a balancing or healing spell, designed to help you soothe yourself.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

A full moon is best, but it can be done during the last phase of the waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 purple or blue taper candle

Cypress essential oil

Other crystals or oils (optional)

STEPS:

You should always cleanse your space before casting a spell, of course, but this is a spell wherein it’s more important to cleanse the negative energies from the self. Take a ritual bath surrounded by candles (for comfort rather than for magic) as an act of self-care and cleansing. You can add some favorite crystals to your set-up, should you feel lacking in energy, or put a few drops of invigorating or calming essential oil in the bath (try some rosemary for uplift, or some lavender for soothing).

Once you feel yourself ready, place your purple or blue candle at the center of your altar. Purple is best if you want to build your psychic protections against loneliness, if you are in a seeking mood. Blue is best if you desire peacefulness and acceptance.

Anoint the candle with a few drops of cypress oil, which facilitates balance and inner peace, then light and focus your gaze on the flame.

Here there is no specific incantation, rather a reflection on the solidity and wonder of your presence. You might repeat the mantra, “I am enough” or some other affirmation that places you directly at the center of your life.

Once the candle has burned down, place the wax remnants under your pillow for seven days, feeling yourself grow more peaceful with each passing day.

Getting Rid of Gossip: A Quasi-Banishment Spell

This quirky little spell isn’t directly a banishment spell—you’re not getting rid of a person but rather a bad habit—but a binding spell. Your intention is to direct some energies toward encouraging discretion. Some spells of this nature call for an actual cow’s tongue as a representation of the gossip’s oversharing mouth, but we’ll just craft a candle for our needs.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 black pillar candle

Salt

Pen, paper, and string

STEPS:

Smudge your space with sage to get rid of negative energy.

Write the name of the offending gossiper on your piece of paper, then tie it to the candle with string (white is fine, as it signifies purification). Sprinkle a circle of salt around the candle, containing the negative energies to that specific location.

Light the candle, and as it burns, recite your intention: “I cast your words far from me, your wicked tongue no longer free. Your words are gone out of my mind, as your wagging tongue I now do bind.”

Let the pillar burn all the way through the center, then bury the remains—along with the string, which should still be intact (you want the binding to endure)—somewhere remote and silent.

Conjuring up Clear Communication

This is an excellent spell to perform at the change of the seasons, when you want to clear away old energies and make way for new and clearer vibes, somewhat like a magical spring cleaning. This spell can ease tensions between you and others, preventing miscommunication and promoting openness and tolerance. I make it a point to perform this spell every year before the winter holidays, just to ensure that I’m equipped and ready for a variety of family interactions.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

During a full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 small glass jar with a tightly fitting lid

Allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt

1 brown taper candle

STEPS:

Cleanse your kitchen before you make your spell jar. These handy magical tools can be made for a variety of purposes, and their magical energies will last for quite a while if you construct them during a full moon and charge them with a candle and strong intentions.

Layer three teaspoons of each dried spice into your jar, finishing with three teaspoons of salt. The allspice brings providence, while the cinnamon provides mental focus, the nutmeg clarity, and the cloves a healing energy. The salt provides a protective barrier to keep any negative energies at bay.

Bring your spell jar to your altar and light your brown candle—brown to ground you in the practical, mothering energies of the earth. Pass it over your spell jar three times clockwise, wishing for clarity of communication, then pass it over your spell jar three times counterclockwise, requesting openness and compassion in communication. You are unlocking all of the positive energies available.

Snuff the brown candle when you have finished and keep it handy for the next three months to recharge your spell jar as necessary. When the candle is spent, the spell jar should radiate energy for another three months, so keep it somewhere appropriate, like the kitchen or living room, where most conversations take place. (Don’t waste the spices when the jar’s magical time is done. Throw them into a hearty stew or other savory dish.

Vanquishing a Fight: A Spell to Mend a Friendship

A broken friendship can be one of the most damaging things we experience in our lives. If you have had a fight with a friend, or had a more serious falling out, here is a spell that will help you mend that bond and dispel those negative energies.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon, Friday being the best day

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candles to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

2 pink votive candles

A mirror large enough to hold candles

A picture or other representation of you with your friend

STEPS:

Cleanse your altar, and if you have time, charge the mirror you will be using in the spell by moonlight: leave it outside under the moonlight for three nights (or, if a full moon is handy, one night under a full moon).

Put the mirror in the center of your altar, and place the photo of you with your friend face down on the mirror so that the picture is reflecting itself. If you don’t have a physical photo to use, you can write down your names (or draw symbols that represent the two of you, or both) on a piece of paper, placing it face down as well.

Place your candles on the photo or paper and light them from left to right. Make your intention clear: “There is no stronger bond than we friends two. I relinquish my anger, and embrace you, too. We remain strangers no more, as we bring friendship to the fore.”

Let the candles melt onto the photo or paper (though take care not to start a fire), then bury everything except the mirror under a strong tree, preferably close to your home. Apple trees are signifiers of friendship, so if you have one nearby, that would be quite lovely.

Strengthening Bonds: A Spell to Bolster a Friendship

Sometimes, when we have been friends with another person for so long, we begin to take for granted both the little frustrations and the wonderful perks of the relationship (this is true of romantic relationships, as well). But friendships must be nurtured like any other relationship. The following spell can serve as a reminder—and re-binder—of all that makes your friendship remarkable.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon: if your friend is female, try this on a Friday. If the friend is a male, try a Saturday.

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candles to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Pen and paper

1 white taper candle and 1 pink taper candle

Two pieces of string

STEPS:

Ready your altar for the spell, cleansing and doing some tidying up. This is a reminder spell, so it’s a good time to declutter your space, clearing the way for fresh energies.

Now write two separate accounts of your friendship: on one piece of paper, talk about the little annoyances or the few bad moments, maybe when you have been let down or disappointed. On the other piece of paper, write an account of all of the wonderful parts of your friendship, recounting all the best qualities of your friend and how your friendship has bettered your life.

Place your candles side by side, and light the white candle first; this is for purifying and regeneration. Then light your pink candle, symbolizing friendship and platonic love. Reread your first piece of paper, then set it alight with the flames from each candle—use caution here, and have a non-flammable place to let the paper burn to ash. You have let go of whatever negative energy exists between you.

Now, reread the second piece of paper while the candles burn down, then take your two pieces of string and make a knot of friendship. Roll up the paper and tie it tightly with your knotted string. Let the candles finish burning down, then take the wax remnants and the letter bundle and bury them at the foot of a strong tree (as suggested in the previous spell, an apple tree is ideal, though oak or ash are also considered magical).

Invoking Trust Between Friends

While you can cast this spell at any time to increase the level of trust you may have with a friend or family member, it is specifically designed to help you to overcome what you considered to be a breach of trust. This is a quirky spell that requires some flexibility, depending on what items are available to you. You can ensure success by fully investing in your intention; be sure that you aren’t harboring any guilty secrets yourself or your intentions might backfire.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Must be done during a full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 blue taper candle

Dandelion in whatever form you can find

Quartz crystal

STEPS:

Like many full moon spells, this is best done outdoors, though use precaution when burning candles outside. Choose a secluded spot, and though it doesn’t have to be while the moon is out (that is, at night), it might be more powerful during that time.

Cast a circle around you, using stones that you find in your area (or bring salt to demarcate your magical boundary).

Place the quartz in the center of the circle, so it enhances the energy you bring with you to the circle.

Place the candle at one of the four cardinal directions: north if you want to reinforce trust that is already there; south if you need to heal a breach of trust toward you; west if you need to establish trust; or east if you need to heal a breach of trust you created.

Light the candle and repeat your incantation at least three times: “Let this shine the light of trust, so that this friendship will be more robust. Keep truth in mind at all times, and honesty will prevail in all climes.”

As the candle burns down, sprinkle your dandelion root or extract around the inner edge of your circle. If you happen to have access to a common garden dandelion, you can blow the seeds from the head, scattering them throughout the circle, welcoming the energy of trust.

When the candle is spent, close your circle, and bury the candle there.

Magic for Meddling: A Spell to End a Family Member’s Interference

There are a number of ways to interrupt someone’s interference, and this one relies on the old adage that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. It can be a little messy but the end results are usually worth it—and a side effect is that your relationship with the meddler is sweetened. I’ve used this a couple of times on my own mom, whose love sometimes veers toward the vexing. It helps--in a kind and loving way!

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waning moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

About 15 minutes for seven days

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 white pillar candle

Honey

Fennel seeds

STEPS:

Cleanse your space, and cover your altar with wax paper to protect its surface. Alternately, use a large plate or platter that can be washed after the ritual.

Coat the purifying candle in honey—you’re intending to sweeten the relationship, attracting positive interactions—then roll it in fennel seeds. Fennel wards off other’s influence, stopping the meddling in its tracks.

Light the candle, while you repeat your intentions three times: “As much as your advice is well-meaning, it really does interfere. So, I ask you to cease repeating, your help does not belong here.” Be sure to state the person’s name while reciting the spell.

Snuff the candle once you’ve finished the spell, then repeat each day for seven days. Your candle should be spent at this point, and the best way to send it off is by water or fire.

Reunion Revived: A Spell to Bring Friends Together

This is an excellent spell for when you want to reunite with friends that you haven’t seen in a long time. It can even work to reconnect with friends with whom you’ve lost contact. With a slightly different intention, you can also use it to revitalize the bonds between a circle of friends.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Best at the full moon, but it can be done during the waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 blue taper candle

Rosemary essential oil

A key, or something symbolic of a key

STEPS:

Cleanse your space well. I’d recommend a thorough sage smudging, as this spell needs all the positive potency it can conjure.

Anoint your candle with rosemary oil, the herb of remembrance and purification. The blue here represents water, smoothing over the time apart, as well as dreams and wishes.

Light your candle and focus your intentions: “I wish to bring you back to me, my bosom buddy so far and free. My memories remain so fond I wish for us to renew this bond.” Keep repeating your incantation while you pass your key—or, again, something non-flammable that is symbolic of a key—through the flame, moving in a clockwise motion. You are opening up the possibilities for reconnection, unlocking the obstacles.

Once your candle has burned down, dispose of it by burying it somewhere near and dear to you. Tie a string around the key so you can wear it until the next full moon. Alternately, fasten it to your clothes or bag with a pin. If possible, keep it close to your heart.

8

Money and Prosperity Spells

These abundance and banishment spells are quite popular with most candle magic practitioners: they are very practical and fairly simple to perform. Remember, though, as with any magic, there should be ethical limitations to your spell work—your prosperity should not come at the expense of anyone else’s good fortune—as well as an assumption of responsibility with regard to money matters. That is, casting spells to rid ourselves of debt or to increase our financial well-being are intended to boost the practical efforts that you are already making in your daily life. The spells are intended to reward good behavior with an extra magical enhancement. They work for you as long as you also work for yourself.

Making Money!: A Spell to Attract Prosperity

Harnessing the power of the moon is one of the most effective ways to attract money and prosperity, in general. The waxing moon always symbolizes the growing of potency, so taking advantage of this crucial resource, not just in timing but in energy itself, is tantamount to success.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 green taper candle

Gold-colored coin

Cinnamon, basil, dried orange peel

STEPS:

As mentioned in the introduction to the spell, this is best performed outdoors under the light of the waxing moon (or at least at a window that lets in the moonlight). Cleanse your space, cast a circle, and be sure to take precautions when lighting a candle, so as not to cause a fire outside.

Have all of your items close at hand as you light your green good fortune candle. Once the candle exhibits a steady flame, take the coin in your left hand and your herbal accoutrements in the right hand: the cinnamon represents prosperity, while the basil symbolizes both money and protective energy, and the orange peel indicates happiness.

Rub your hands together, releasing the scents into the air while infusing yourself and the coin with their essences and state your intention clearly: “Make the money flow, make my money grow. I ask for wealth, prosperity, and health.” Recite this three times while releasing the scents and watching the candle flame.

Once the candle has burned down, bury it in an auspicious spot, sprinkling the remnants of the herbal items over its mound. Carry the coin with you until the next waxing moon begins.

Debt Begone!: A Spell to Decrease Debt

This is essentially a banishing spell, focused particularly on money, but it also contains elements of healing. The sense of relief and release that we feel when our debt burdens are lifted is quite wonderful. I know I performed this spell a lot when I was paying off my student loans: the last time I performed it, I received a wholly unexpected notice that I had paid too much and was getting a hefty refund. How’s that for working some crafty magic?

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waning moon, though Saturday is best

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 purple taper candle

Frankincense essential oil

Pen and paper

STEPS:

Cleanse your space well. I’d recommend a thorough sage smudging here, as this spell needs all the positive potency it can conjure.

Anoint your candle with the frankincense oil, which helps with stress and banishes unwanted ties to the past. Your purple candle represents your wisdom and helps to ward off the negative.

On your paper, write down your debts alongside your intention to get rid of them. If you are so inclined, you can draw a banishing symbol (usually the pentacle) on the back of the paper (you might also choose to carve the banishing symbol into your candle).

Place the candle atop your paper, light it and call upon the energies you invoke to assist you in this banishment: “I ask for some simple relief so I can rid myself of stress and grief.”

As the candle burns, focus your intention on how you will feel once you are out from under this burden; let it be an invitation to feel peace. Ideally, the paper will burn as the candle burns down to it (be sure to practice sensible fire safety), but you may need to help it along. Put everything in a flameproof pot or cauldron and let it burn away.

Conquering Hardship: A Spell to Change Your Luck

We could all use some good fortune in our lives and this is a simple spell that can be performed at just about any time. This spell can function as a straightforward luck spell, but it can also be more intensely focused on overcoming a stretch of bad luck.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Best at the full moon, but it can be done during the waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the paper to burn

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 green taper candle

1 Jade stone

Pen and paper

Flameproof container

STEPS:

You might want to consider cleansing not just your altar space where you will perform this spell, but your entire home, or at least the part of your living space where you spend the most time. You want to rid yourself of whatever negative energies are crowding out your good fortune.

Before you light your candle, have a flameproof pot or cauldron at the ready and place your jade stone in it—this will promote your good luck, and strengthen banishment of the bad. Write down what you consider to be your misfortunes as of late and place this list into the cauldron.

Light your wealth and good fortune candle, set the paper alight, and recite your incantation seven times: “Misfortunes of the recent past are burning now; they will not last.”

Place the candle back on its base and wait until the paper is turned to ash. Blow the candle out—yes, this is one of the appropriate times to extinguish a candle with gusto; you’re blowing away misfortune—and let everything in the cauldron cool. Retrieve your jade stone and sleep with it underneath your pillow for one week. Toss the ashes to the winds, and bury your good fortune candle somewhere auspicious: a garden is excellent for this, but any place where nature grows in abundance is appropriate.

Payback Time: A Spell to Recoup What You’re Owed

While your intentions could be specific to one particular situation, this spell can also be used generally to attract money that is due to you (better tax refund, higher wages, and so on).

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

About 10-15 minutes for nine days

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 green pillar candle

1 white pillar candle

Basil essential oil

STEPS:

Cleanse your space, and place your candles nine inches apart: the green is for the money you wish to recoup and the white represents yourself. Orient them according to the cardinal directions best for your energy: whichever element seems to be most like you (grounded would be north, passionate would be south, serene would be west, and flighty would be east) is where the white candle should go, and place the green candle at its opposite direction, creating a flow of energy.

Anoint the candles with basil oil, and as you light them, recite your intentions: “Return my money three times three, bring this happiness and wealth to me. Not where others would feel harm, so I wish it with this charm.” Repeat this three times, then snuff your candles.

Repeat this ritual—ideally at the same time each day—moving the candles closer together by an inch each day: by the ninth day (three times three), your candles should touch, and your money should come your way!

Opening up Opportunities: A General Luck Spell

This spell involves the wonderful magical mint plant, so I’ll take the opportunity to suggest that, if you are interested in growing your magical skills and repertoire, plant an herb garden. Your own homegrown herbs (for cooking, drying, making oils, and so on) are powerful tools: basil, rosemary, sage, and mint are all frequently used and easily grown.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon, though Thursday is the day most associated with abundance

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candles to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 green tea candle

1 gold tea candle

1 orange tea candle

1 bunch of fresh or dried mint

STEPS:

Smudge your altar with sage or rosemary, sending away negative energies. Set up your candles in a triangle, with the green good fortune candle at the point, and the gold luck candle and orange vitality candle forming the base.

In the center space of your candles, place your mint: be sure to rub it between your palms to release its scent, emphasizing your intentions (you can also anoint the candles with mint oil, if you have some on hand).

Light your candles and cast your spell: “Here I bring myself good luck, true prosperity, and positive energy. Peace and happiness, fortune and wealth, bring it to me all in good health.”

Let the candles burn down as you visualize all that this good luck will bring you. Once they are burned down, be sure to dispose of them properly (however you feel will be best for your energies), and be sure to use the mint for tea or other recipes, literally consuming your good fortune.

Overcoming Obstacles: A Spell to Remove Roadblocks

This magic works as both a banishing spell and an attraction spell: you are banishing whatever roadblocks are preventing you from achieving your goals, while attracting the powerful energies and strength you need to overcome the obstacle.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during the waning moon, though waiting until the waning moon is at crescent phase is most potent

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 black taper candle

Essential oil of your choice

Herbal-spice blend of cayenne pepper, ginger, sage, mint, bay leaf (1-2 teaspoons each)

A pinch of coffee grounds (optional)

STEPS:

Prepare and cleanse your altar, as per usual.

Anoint your black banishment candle with essential oil. Choose one that is appropriate for your particular situation (if it’s a financial obstacle, try mint or basil; if it’s a relationship obstacle, try cinnamon or rose; if it’s a health obstacle, try eucalyptus oil, and so on).

Roll your candle in the herbal-spice blend: cayenne helps to “burn” away the bad energy, while ginger strengthens your resolve; sage helps with cleansing, while mint increases the banishment; and bay leaf serves as protection. The optional coffee grounds work to bolster the strength and speed of the spell.

Light your candle, and recite your spell: “I ask for success with nothing to block my way. Cast aside the obstacles forever and a day.” Repeat this incantation as the candle burns down.

Be sure to dispose of the candle remains as you would for a banishment: a watery grave or a fiery destruction.

Mining the Money Tree: A Spell to Lead You to Money

This is a spell to help you find direction and open up the channels of communication that will point you in the right direction for reaping some well-deserved prosperity.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Best at the full moon, but it can be done during the waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candles to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

2 green votive candles

2 small glass jars

Some rice

6 black peppercorns

STEPS:

This is an unusual spell in that it doesn’t require your presence at the altar or any specific incantations. Basically, it brings positive energy into your living space that is designed to help you find a prosperous direction. Thus, begin by cleansing your home with a good sage smudging.

Next, prepare your prosperity jars. Put a handful of rice in each of your jars for purification and positive energy; add three black peppercorns to each, as these will bring protection and energy to you and your intentions.

Place the jars at the northernmost part and the southernmost part of your home, with a candle next to each. Be sure to exercise safety precautions, as the candles will burn without you being directly present.

Light the candles and allow them to burn all the way down: you are summoning energy to your prosperity jars via the flame, channeling it from north to south (or vice versa) to bring grounded security and reborn energy into your life. Open windows, if you can, to increase the flow.

Once the candles are burned down, bury them in your garden or under a nearby sturdy tree. Leave the jars in place until the next full moon.

Locating Lost Items

This is an easy spell to quickly find whatever inanimate object you’ve lost. For more significant losses (such as lost loves and other emotionally charged scenarios), look to spells in Chapters 6 and 7.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Anytime needed

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 silver tea candle

STEPS:

Cleanse your altar, and clear your mind: oftentimes, our energy becomes occluded with frustration when we lose something.

Light your silver candle for mystical guidance and call up the assistance you need: “Please help me find what I clearly seek, so I can overcome my pique.”

As the candle burns, visualize the lost object and see if the flame flickers in any particular direction or takes any impressionistic form. It will often give you clues as to where your object might be.

Brokering the Best Deal: A Spell for Successful Negotiation

Use this spell anytime you need some good luck in achieving the best result from any personal or professional scenario that will impact your overall prosperity (such as a better job or a pay raise—more on these in the following chapter). I’ll also mention here that, as with many spells, if you wear some of the colors that correspond to your intentions—for example, orange, gold, or green—it can increase the potency of your message.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

This is a sun spell, so choose a day with maximum sunshine, preferably a Sunday or a Wednesday

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 gold taper candle

Tiger’s eye stones

Orange essential oil

STEPS:

Cleanse your space as per usual and orient the candle in between the north and south cardinal directions.

Anoint your candle with orange oil, which engenders vitality and success, and place your tiger’s eye stones to the north and to the south of your candle. These stones channel both the masculine energy of the sun (in its golden eye) and the feminine energy of the earth (in its rich brown tones).

State your intentions clearly: “I am worthy of the best possible outcome. I have confidence and clarity, along with purity of intentions. I call upon the powers of the sun and the strength of the earth to assist my request.”

Let the candle burn down as you visualize the ideal result, then carry the tiger’s eye stones with you for the next seven days (of course, you should have them with you during the actual negotiation!).

9

Work and Career Spells

These spells delve deeply into improving your career path, as well as assisting you with specific workplace dilemmas and desires. We all define success differently, so work on putting your individual intentions into each of the following spells, envisioning your own particular recipe for success. One of the many wonderful things about working candle magic is that it accesses the fundamental energies of the four elements in order to generate more positive energy, with your intentions directing that energy in a certain way. This is why this kind of magical prowess is especially well-suited to bolstering your career and grounding your workday: you are harnessing these powerful energies and channeling them into your overall design for a successful life. For me, these spells were instrumental not only in improving my work situation, but also in helping me to clarify what I wanted and how to get it. Many of these spells are mini-motivational speeches in their own right!

Manifesting Your Dream Job: A Spell for Good Work

This is a simple spell that can be adapted for any number of purposes, but it seems to be especially effective when job seeking.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon, with Sunday being the ideal symbolic time

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 gold pillar candle

Basil essential oil

Pen and paper

Orange pouch

STEPS:

Smudge your space before beginning, as per usual.

Place the candle at the center of your altar, projecting energy, confidence, and good fortune. Anoint with the basil oil, bringing your way clarity of thought and associations with wealth.

Write down the job you want, if you are seeking a specific post, or write down aspects of your dream job: the more specific your intentions, the better your results. Fold the paper into a triangle and place it in front of your candle.

Light the candle and recite your spell: “I attract this work to me, with my will I ask let it be. Bring this job, three times three, with my power, let it be.” Let the candle burn for nine minutes, then snuff it.

Repeat the spell at the same time each week until the candle is completely burned. After the spell is completed, put the triangle paper in the orange pouch (add a pinch of basil, if you like, to focus on the monetary aspect of the job) and carry it with you for nine days.

Making More Money: A Spell to Get a Raise

This is a similar spell to the previous one, including the writing of intentions and the anointing of the candle. The tools are varied based on the specific intention here.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during the waxing moon, with Thursday being perhaps the most auspicious

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 green taper candle

Patchouli oil

Paper and pen

STEPS:

Cleanse your space: you might use rosemary or basil for this spell, as they both contain purification properties and money attraction.

Place the candle in the center of your altar and anoint it with patchouli oil; the oil attracts money, along with other powerful emotions.

Write your name and a symbol for money on the paper, fold it in half and place it next to the candle. Light the candle and recite: “Rewards for good work shall come to me, hard work pays off, my raise shall be.”

After the candle has formed some wax, use it to seal your written intention (be careful when handling hot wax). Let your candle burn down, then slip the intention into your purse or wallet, carrying it with you until your request is granted.

First Impressions: An Attraction Spell

This is an excellent way to calm your nerves before an important job interview, though it could also be modified to apply to a first date or any other meeting wherein your vibrancy and intelligence need to shine.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Best during a full moon but performed when the sun is at its strongest, mid-day

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down plus a preparatory bath

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

An orange

Rose petals or dried rose

1 white tea candle

Vanilla essential oil (or extract)

STEPS:

Begin by taking a ritual bath; you want to slough off any negative energy, while also feeling clean, beautiful, and confident. Cut your orange into six pieces, and put these into the bath along with a handful of rose petals or a few pinches of dried rose. Give yourself some time to relax and clarify your intentions.

After your cleansing bath, prepare your altar and anoint your white candle—symbolic of the purified you—with vanilla, the scent of attraction and beauty.

Light the candle and recite your intention: “All I meet will see no wrong, as my impression is as lovely as a song. All remember when first we met, because I am clearly the best you can get.”

Let the candle burn down, and bury the remains in your garden so they take root.

Sorcery for Success: A Spell to Do Well at Work

This spell can be cast at any time of the year, but it is particularly potent when cast at the close of one year or the beginning of the next, during what used to be called Yule season. This is akin to the making of New Year’s Resolutions. Again, it can be cast at other times but its power is intended to last throughout the year, so choose what you feel to be an auspicious moment. The spell also requires an investment of time, so plan accordingly.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

During a full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down, as well as time to make oil (3+ days)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Ingredients to make your own anointing oil: olive oil, pine needles, poinsettia leaves, fresh or dried cranberries

1 white votive candle, 1 green votive candle, and 1 yellow votive candle

STEPS:

Cleanse your kitchen, as you are going to work in there to make your customized essential oil. Warm the olive oil (about ½ cup) in a small saucepan, then add a few pinches of pine needles for strength and perseverance, three poinsettia leaves for motivation and positivity, and eight fresh or dried cranberries to banish negative energy. Let this mixture cool before pouring it into a container and covering with plastic wrap.

Steep this for three days before straining it into a container, preferably an apothecary jar with a dropper or other easily pourable container.

Cleanse your altar, then arrange your candles with the white candle at the apex of a triangle pattern. Light them and clarify your intentions: “As surely as the sun comes up by day, keep me focused and successful in my way. As surely as the day goes long, help me stay clear and strong.”

Let the candles burn down as you contemplate what activities you will excel in at work. Use the anointing oil to cast a quick booster spell whenever you have an important meeting or a project due.

Practicing Peace: A Spell to End Workplace Strife

One of the trickiest issues to deal with in the workplace is one that requires an equally crafty spell. Remember, though, that your intentions with candle magic are always to reinforce positive energies, never to wish ill or harm on others. Also keep the focus on yourself and how you fit into the larger picture at work; your spell will have more success if you aren’t interested in controlling what’s going on but rather changing the energy and direction of events.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 white taper candle

1 pink taper candle

1 black taper candle

Lavender or jasmine essential oil

STEPS:

Cleanse your space as per usual, and arrange your candles in a triangle, with the white candle at the apex.

The white candle represents yourself, negotiating between amity (the pink) and animosity (which the black will banish). You can carve names into the candles, if there are specific parties who are in need of nudging toward friendship and/or away from conflict.

Anoint the candles with the peaceful lavender or jasmine oil, soothing the reconciliation. Light them, starting with the white candle, then recite your intentions: “I am here to wish all involved well, to start to heal the wounds on which we dwell. Clear our space peaceful as before, so we can work together once more.”

Let the candles burn down and dispose of them in kind: the white and pink should be buried someplace where their energies will be fruitful, while the black banishment remnants should be sent out by water.

Practicing Procrastination: A Spell to End Bad Habits

If you find yourself slipping into bad habits at work—the most common of these being procrastination—I recommend you do this quick banishing spell. I like to cast it on the hump day of Wednesday, which symbolizes the work day of the week where my bad habits (like laziness, inattention, or procrastination) are likeliest to crop up.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waning moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down plus 21 days

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Salt

1 black taper candle

Pen and paper

Clear quartz crystal

STEPS:

Smudge your space well, using the powerful sage herb, and cast a circle around your black candle using salt. This helps with the banishment part of the spell.

Write down your bad habit, such as procrastination. Light your candle and state your intentions: “I wish to rid myself of the bad, to find a way to instead be glad. I replace this habit with the good, a reminder of all things I should.”

Either let the candle burn down to the paper or ignite the paper in the flame (have a flameproof container handy nearby), scattering the ashes to the wind and setting the candle off by water. Close your circle and dispose of your salt.

The next day, preferably at the same time, write down the good habit you wish to use as a replacement for the bad (habits aren’t so much broken as exchanged). Put it under the clear quartz crystal at the center of your altar. Each day, for the next 21 days, rewrite the good habit and place the slip of paper under the quartz. On the 22nd day, bury the slips of paper near the foundation of your home. Be sure to recharge the quartz before using it in another spell, as this spell requires a lot of its energy.

Warding off Downsizing: A Protection Spell

This protection spell is designed to prevent you from getting fired or laid off, though it is also good to have some practice at protection spells in general. You can use this as a basis for any number of personalized protection spells; also look to Chapter 11 for more.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

During the full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 black taper candle

Lavender essential oil

1 obsidian stone

Dried sage, thyme, and rose

Small white or black pouch

STEPS:

Cleanse your altar, and consider placing some objects of good fortune at the four cardinal directions: this is optional, though it enhances the flow of energy for this spell.

Place your candle at the center of your altar, and light it while reciting your intention: “Protect me from all negativity and cloak me in purity. Keep me safe from workplace wrongs so I can remain protected and strong.” Pass the obsidian stone through the flame three times, allowing the power of the intention to strengthen the stone’s resolve.

Once the candle has burned down and the stone has cooled, place the stone, any wax remains (or at least a bit of these remains while burying the rest), and the herbs in your pouch. The cleansing sage and protective thyme, along with the rose for confidence and well-being, will empower the protective obsidian. A white pouch is perhaps more attuned against outright firing, while the black functions more specifically in a downsizing situation.

Carry or wear the pouch with you until the next full moon.

Magical Motivation: A Spell to Keep you Keeping on

This spell should invigorate you just as the ingredients intend. All of these scents and colors are used to wake us up, refresh us, and expand our creativity.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

This is a sun spell, so choose a day with maximum sunshine, preferably a Sunday or a Wednesday

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 orange taper candle

Mint essential oil

Blend of rosemary, cinnamon, and ginger

STEPS:

Cleanse your space as per usual, and anoint your orange candle with mint oil, then roll it in your spice blend.

The orange candle signifies vitality and vigor, while the mint awakens your senses. Rosemary is always good for both protection and invigoration (while also being linked to wealth), while cinnamon increases your power and passion, as ginger creates an energized spirit.

State your intentions clearly, preferably coming up with your own personal list of things to do: ideally, your incantation will state what needs to be done, followed by an affirmation of the rewards in getting it done.

Let the candle burn down and keep the remnants at your altar for a full week.

Channeling Certainty: A Spell to Make Good Decisions

This is a spell to increase your psychic energy, attracting positive energies and clarifying the mind. It’s equally good to use when faced with personal decisions, in addition to those related to work and career.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

During a full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candles to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

4 purple tea candles

1 white tea candle

Jasmine essential oil

STEPS:

Cleanse your space, and consider whether to take a ritual bath in preparation. If the decision you’re contemplating is a life-changing one, I’d suggest you put in the extra time.

Place your purple candles, signifying psychic power and awareness, at each of the four cardinal directions: you want energy from all of the elements to help you sort through all of the factors involved in your decision.

Place your white candle, representing yourself, in the center, and anoint all of your candles with jasmine oil for clarity.

Light your candles, beginning with the north, then going clockwise and ending with the white candle. Cast your intentions: “Help me here to decide for the best, I need to choose one and discard all the rest. I request clarity of mind, so I can make the best of my time.”

Let the candles burn down, then bury them someplace where good things grow. This spell can be repeated at the full moon for three consecutive months, if necessary.

10

Health and Well-Being Spells

When we start to practice magic, we begin to realize the interconnectedness of many things, from the elements and the four cardinal directions to the many correspondences among colors and scents, phases and times, magical tools in general. Health itself is no different, and healing spells rarely target one area; instead, they are intended to heal and bring together the mind, the body, and the spirit—true well-being is balance and harmony among all of these areas. If we begin to view our health in an interconnected and holistic manner, then we are better able to understand how to channel various natural energies to improve our overall health and well-being: our emotional states directly impact our physical strength, as well as our spiritual sensibility.

In general, healing spells are intended for the practitioner, though they can be turned outward toward helping others, with different intentions. Be careful, though, when attempting to perform healing spells for others: you should seek permission before assuming your actions are welcome, and be respectful if they’re not.

Finally, I advocate these health and well-being spells because they help me to reorient my state of mind to the positive, as well as promote feelings of security against ill feelings and bad health. They are performed with an overall intention of putting me in a happier and fitter state of mind. I do not, as you should not, use these spells in place of professional medical advice; these are used in conjunction with traditional medicine to boost positive energies and create a vibrant, supportive space for healing.

Conjuring Relief from Anxiety and Depression

This spell can be used for either anxiety, which boils down to a fear of the future, or depression, which often indicates being stuck in the regrets of the past. The ritual is the same for either, though the signifying colors of the candle are distinct.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during the waning moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candles to burn down over the course of nine days

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 white pillar candle for anxiety OR

1 red pillar candle for depression

Orange essential oil

Crystal or stone (optional)

STEPS:

Smudge your space well: you want your energy to be clear and fresh.

Place your candle in the center of the altar and anoint with orange essential oil. This replaces the anxiety or depression with strength and vitality. The white candle is to purify your mind of anxiety, while the red candle fortifies you with courage.

Light the candle and, if you like, choose a particular crystal or stone to pass through the flame, drawing symbolic energy to you (a moonstone for peace, perhaps, or a bloodstone for courage). As the candle burns, recite your incantation: “My power of self is so clearly strong, that no worries or troubles can come along. I cast protection against these worries in my soul, because might is my weapon and harmony is my goal.”

Let the candle burn for a few minutes as you meditate on peacefulness and strength, then snuff it. Repeat this ritual each day at the same time for nine consecutive days.

The End of Envy: A Banishing Spell

One of the most destructive emotions, envy can impede not only our joy and happiness but also our magic itself. It shuts down our mind, keeping it closed to tolerance and compassion, which are crucial to the energies we release in casting spells. I find myself casting this spell at the beginning of a new season, when change is in the air (and people are often conspicuously spending money for gifts at the holidays or travel during the summer) and I’m in need of a refreshed mindset.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

During a full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candles to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 green pillar candle

1 black pillar candle

A penknife

Clove of garlic

STEPS:

This is another spell that is best cast outdoors: you want to send your envious feelings away with the wind. Again, always use caution when burning candles outdoors.

Cast a circle around your space using pebbles, sticks, or simple energy to demarcate a cleansed space.

Carve the word “envy” into the black candle, and rub your green candle with protective garlic. Light the black candle first, using its flame to light the green candle.

Clarify your intentions: “I cast aside this envy and other feelings poor, I bid them gone from my life forevermore.” Let the candles burn all the way through the center as you meditate on the beauty of nature, reminding yourself that what you have is enough; in fact, it is abundant.

Bury the green candle so your new good fortune can take root, protected from envy, while disposing of the black candle far from your home.

Blocking Illness: A Protection Spell

Most people who practice magic acquire a repertoire of healing and protective tools, including amulets, sachets, potions, and spells. Herbs, in particular, are key to most healing rituals, and can be used in a variety of combinations for a myriad of results. Here is a general health spell using candles: you can amplify its power or specify its intentions with the addition of particular herbal oils or dried herbs, depending on your needs.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

During a full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candles to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 white taper candle

1 indigo taper candle

1 purple taper candle

STEPS:

Smudge your space with a mix of sage and rosemary for maximum protection and cleansing.

Arrange your candles in a triangle with the white “self” candle at the apex. The indigo represents physical health, while the purple candle symbolizes spiritual well-being.

Call upon each of the elements to aid in protection: “I call upon the earth to keep me grounded. I call upon the fire to purge me of fever. I call upon the water to wash away infection. I call upon the wind to whisk away bad energies.”

Let the candles burn all the way down, and when the wax remnants are cool, keep them under your pillow until the next full moon, then bury them beneath a strong and sturdy tree.

Rapid Recovery: A Spell for Quick Healing

This spell is appropriate for a particular wound or illness. While the previous spell is, at its core, a protection spell, this is a more focused conjuring. It may not be powerful enough to heal chronic conditions, but I have used it to good effect when dealing with sprained ankles and head colds.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time it’s needed

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 white taper candle

Eucalyptus essential oil

Black cord or string

STEPS:

Cleanse your space and set your candle at the center of your altar.

Anoint the candle with the healing and cleansing eucalyptus oil. Use the cord or string to tie around the injured or ill part of the body, as close to the area as you can.

Light the candle and state your intention: “Close this wound, end the sick, make me healthy, sure and quick.”

Let the candle burn down, untying the cord and letting it burn—use caution. In the last moments of the dying flame, imagine the injury or illness being consumed by the flame. Be sure to get rid of remnants directly, sending them far away.

Divining Dreams: A Spell for Good Sleep

This spell should help you get a solid night’s sleep. If you want to invite dreams, then add a stick of frankincense or lavender incense to burn during the spell.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Anytime you need deep sleep

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 blue tea candle

Amethyst or smoke quartz crystal

STEPS:

Perform this spell directly in your bedroom, and prepare yourself and the room for good sleep. Obviously, you want to cleanse the space thoroughly, as usual, but you also want to invest in some more practical aids for good sleep. Put fresh, clean sheets on your bed, have a comfy blanket and your favorite pillow handy, turn off screens and keep lighting dim, consider playing some sleep-inducing music.

When you are ready for bed, light your candle first and recite your incantation, with your crystal in your hand. The crystal is representative of the moon itself, inviting nighttime serenity. State your intentions clearly: “Here in my hand, I hold the moon, so its calming light will soothe me soon.”

Let your tea candle burn down safely, as you tuck the crystal under your pillow and yourself into bed.

Negating Nightmares: Another Spell for Good Sleep

This spell can also be aided with herbal potions that help you sleep soundly (or just some unfussy chamomile tea), as nightmares are often caused by an agitated mind. If your nightmares come from a psychic interference, or some deep well of anxiety or trauma, you may need to perform this spell fairly regularly for it to produce results. Casting it in conjunction with anxiety spells or other banishing spells can also increase its efficacy.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

When necessary for peaceful sleep

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

About 10-15 minutes before bedtime

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 black taper candle

1 silver ribbon

1 silver coin

STEPS:

As with the previous spell, prepare your bedroom not only with cleansing or smudging but also with practical considerations (clean sheets, comfy blanket and pillow, soothing music, and so on).

Tie your silver ribbon around your black candle: the silver symbolizes spiritual awakening and higher thinking, as it binds the banishing candle.

Hold your coin in your left hand as you light your candle and cast your spell: “These dreams that come before the dawn, make not me a frightened pawn. I ask the moon, so calm and sure to bring me peace just like a cure.”

Let the candle burn for a few minutes, as you visualize a peaceful scene or a previous happy dream. Put the coin on your windowsill, snuff the black candle, and tie the ribbon around your wrist before bed. You can reuse these magical tools for three nights in a row, if necessary.

Conjuring Creativity

If you feel that your magic is blocked, this spell can also help you revitalize your energy and connection with the natural elements.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

15-20 minutes

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Small glass jar with lid

Orange candle of whatever size

Herb-spice blend including dried basil, mistletoe, bay leaf, cinnamon, rosemary, and sage (two teaspoons each)

STEPS:

Cleanse your space, as per usual. You can do this spell at your altar or in your kitchen, where it might be more convenient.

Make sure your jar is sterilized and magically purified (soap and water first, then some lemon and/or salt). Light your candle so it provides enlightening guidance as you layer your spices: start with a teaspoon each of basil and mistletoe for creative thought, bay leaf for success, cinnamon for energy, rosemary for clarity, and sage for wisdom.

You can place a symbol of your creativity in the jar, if you like, be that a sigil or a slip of paper with a word or phrase on it, or an object that symbolizes your creative pursuits.

Finish the layering with another teaspoon of each of the above herbs.

State your intention clearly: “Sleep no more, inspiration. Awakened be. Rouse up muses, come to me.” Then use the melted candle wax to seal the bottle (with caution, of course).

Keep your creativity jar on your altar for up to three months.

Hearty and Hale: A Spell to Improve Health

This spell uses candle magic in a slightly different way: you are focusing your magic on your homemade incense blend, using the candle to release the scents and energies into the atmosphere. This incense blend can also be brewed into a tea, assuming that you’ve used kitchen-grade products safe for consumption.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

During a full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

A couple of hours (mostly inactive)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Incense ingredients: dried orange peel, caraway seeds, black peppercorns, dried sage, rosemary, cinnamon, and natural sugar (such as demerara)

1 orange or red tea candle

Flameproof incense burner or other vessel

STEPS:

This is best prepared in the kitchen, so smudge the kitchen with a strong sage bundle.

Prepare your incense mixture by combining one tablespoon each of dried orange peel for vitality, caraway seeds for antiseptic properties, black peppercorns for endurance, sage for mental strength, rosemary for memory, cinnamon for physical strength, and sugar for sweetness (of life).

Put your ingredients in an incense burner or other flameproof container and light your tea candle underneath the incense, releasing its scents and intentions into the room.

Let it burn until it’s spent, then bury the remnants in a place where healthy plants grow.

Casting Out Fear

This is a very basic banishment spell that uses clear symbolism to rid you of unwanted fears. I find that this simple spell will put you in the right mindset for dispelling a fear, but it takes a lot of time and energy to get over a true phobia. For example, I have an intense fear of flying, so I always cast this spell before I get on a plane. The fear doesn’t go away, but my mind is soothed and my energies can be spent on more positive things.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

When needed

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes to burn and scatter intention

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 black taper candle

Pen and paper

Flameproof dish or cauldron

STEPS:

Cleanse your altar space, taking the time to both purify your space with lemon and/or salt and smudging with sage: fear is a negative energy that clings to much in our lives.

Write down your fear on a slip of paper and read it aloud: confronting the fear head on bolsters our courage.

Light your candle and cast your spell: “Keep close to me those things so dear, crowding out implacable fear. Now I request you disappear, be gone from my life, irrational fear.”

Ignite your piece of paper with the candle flame, then let it burn to ash in your flameproof bowl or dish. Scatter the ashes away from your home, and send the waxy remnants of the candle to a watery grave.

11

Protection Spells

Another incredibly useful category in the armament of candle magic is the protection spell. Not only is this kind of magic incredibly practical, but it bestows upon you a peace of mind that is invaluable for continuing your magical studies—and for daily life, in general. The spells you will find in this chapter are, again, confined to candle magic, simple and straightforward, but they should give you a sense of the wide world of protective magic that exists for interested parties. Amulets and talismans are frequently employed in these spells and can be repurposed for all sorts of protective purposes. Protection spells are also very important because, in order for you to be able to practice any kind of magic, you must be able to connect to the flow of energies that come from nature and the fundamental elements. If negative energies (or people or spells) are blocking your ability to call upon these forces, then your ability to do magic is hampered. So, keep your space cleansed, positively charge your magical tools, and learn to deflect any negative energy that is directed your way.

This is not to suggest that protection spells are retribution against any other person (or that they can somehow completely control external forces); rather, they function to build up a surplus of positive energy that surrounds and protects you and your home, your sacred space, and your loved ones, and keep negative influences at bay.

Protecting Home and Hearth

This spell is ideal for when you first move into a new living space: you can ensure that any negative energy put out by previous occupants is dispelled, and reassure your own sense of safety. To fortify, recast the spell each year at the anniversary of your initial move-in.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

When needed

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

Two days

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 black taper candle

1white taper candle

Lemon and rose essential oils

4 small glass jars

Dried lavender, basil, salt and rice

STEPS:

The day before you intend to cast the spell, thoroughly smudge your entire house. Get up at sunrise (an auspicious time) and tidy everything before doing a sage smudging.

Fill each of your jars with lavender, basil, salt, and rice, respectively, and place them at the four cardinal directions in your home—in a windowsill, if possible—or out in the garden, if you have one. The lavender brings peacefulness to the household, while the basil offers protection; the salt wards off negative energies, while the rice is thought to bring good fortune. Let the moonlight charge these containers overnight.

The next day, preferably at sunrise, arrange your jars at the four cardinal directions on your altar with the candles in between. Light your black candle to banish evil, your white candle to purify. Anoint the black candle with lemon essential oil for protection, your white candle with rose oil for blessings.

Cast your spell with clear intentions: “Bless this house, with peace and love. Cleanse all that should be rid of. Protect all those dwelling here, to keep us close, safe, and dear.”

Let the candles burn down entirely, and bury the wax remnants near your foundation. You can keep the jars on your window sills for a few weeks, if you like, and/or you can use the contents to conjure up some magically enhanced potions and meals. Some practitioners don’t use the herbs or other edible ingredients that have been a part of their spells, but I find it perfectly acceptable, not only because it infuses some magic into what I eat, but also because it keeps with the spirit of economy and recycling that is a part of any good spellcaster’s philosophy.

Conjuring Peace: A Spell for a Happy Household

This spell attracts the positive energies needed to keep everyone in your home getting along with one another. The spell jar is intended to sit at a central place in your home, where it will draw on all the fundamental elements to keep the positive energy flowing.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waxing moon, though a Friday is thought to be best

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes for the candles to burn

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

2 blue tea candles

2 yellow tea candles

Vanilla essential oil

Small glass jar

Dried basil, lavender, thyme, catnip, and lemon peel

Lapis lazuli stone

Rose quartz stone

A couple drops of sun-charged water

STEPS:

Cleanse your altar space, as per usual, and prepare your spell jar. Add a tablespoon each of basil for protection and luck, lavender for peace, thyme for joy, catnip for attraction, and lemon peel for happiness.

Anoint the stones with a couple of drops of sun-charged water (water that has been exposed to full sunlight for three hours), then place them in the jar: the lapis lazuli soothes and invites intuition, while the rose quartz promotes friendship and romantic love.

Place your candles at the four cardinal directions—the blue at north/earth and west/water, the yellow at south/fire and east/air—and anoint them with soothing vanilla essential oil.

As you light the candles, cast your spell: “Here I ask for this home to have peace, for all negative energy and strife to cease. I invite much happiness and joy to all who dwell here, girl and boy.”

Let the candles burn down, and bury their remains at the foundation of your home.

Vanquishing Visitors: A Spell to Get Rid of Unwanted Guests

We all know what it’s like to have the obtuse guest who doesn’t realize it’s time to leave, whether that be an annoying uncle at the holidays or an old friend who’s crashing on your couch. Here’s a simple, but gentle, banishment spell to restore your privacy.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

When needed

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes for the candle to burn

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 black taper candle

Lemon or mint essential oil

Black pepper, cayenne, and cinnamon

STEPS:

Cleanse your altar or space. You might consider smudging the area in which the unwanted guest has been sleeping (if you can do so while they aren’t around).

Anoint your black banishment candle with lemon or mint oil; both provide purification and protection for your space. Mix together your spices, about a tablespoon of each, and roll your candle in them: black pepper provides stamina and courage; cayenne sends away negative energy; and cinnamon brings protection.

Light your candle and recite your incantation: “Hear me now as I ask my guest to go, give me peace and end this woe.” Repeat this seven times as you watch the candle burn.

Be sure to get rid of the remnants as soon as possible: this might be an occasion for a handy toilet flush!

Under Your Thumb No More: A Spell to Free Yourself from Influence

If you’ve ever been involved in an unhealthy relationship, whether a romantic relationship or friendship gone sour, or even a domineering family member, this spell can help you free yourself from that negative influence. You might also try casting a decision-making spell, as well, or a confidence spell to get you back to your own clarity of thinking.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Any time during a waning moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes to burn and scatter ashes

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

2 white taper candles

1 red or purple taper candle

Pen and paper

Flameproof bowl or dish

STEPS:

Cleanse your altar space, as per usual, and line up your candles with the red or purple candle in between your white candles. Choose red if the person of influence has controlled you with passion or anger; choose purple if that influence has been more psychological or spiritual. The white candles will pull that energy from the central candle, purifying your intentions.

Write the person’s name on the piece of paper and set it alight while you cast your spell: “I ask that you step away from my life, freeing me from this constant strife. I reclaim my mind and soul, rejecting your influence and becoming whole.”

When your candles and paper have burned, scatter the ashes to the winds, bury the remnants of the white candles somewhere that brings you joy, and send the red or purple candle away in water.

Safe Voyages: A Protection Spell for Travel

This is a quick and easy spell that you can perform whenever you’re going on a trip. I also carry a protection pouch with me, complete with a wooden orange-colored maneki neko cat for luck (I did previously mention that I have a fear of flying, so I cover all my bases).

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

When needed: best on the Wednesday before you embark on your journey

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes the candle to burn down

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 white taper candle

Rosemary essential oil

Rose quartz crystal

STEPS:

Consider smudging your entire house, rather than just your altar for this spell. This will also banish negative energies in your home, keeping everything positive for your return.

Anoint your candle and the crystal with the protective rosemary oil, light the candle, and cast your spell: “I call upon the spirit of the moon, to help me reach my destination soon. I want my trip happy and safe to be, for all involved, including me.” Pass the crystal through the flame three times while you repeat your incantation.

Carry the crystal with you on your journey. Store the remnants of the candle somewhere safe until you return, then bury them close to your home.

Avoiding Accidents: A Prevention Spell

Essentially, this spell teaches you how to make a talisman that you can carry with you for general safety. I keep this pouch of ingredients in my car and thus far it’s worked like a literal charm!

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

During a full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes for the candle to burn

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 black taper candle

Small pouch

Dried sage, rosemary, and salt

Amethyst crystal

Personal item (see steps below)

STEPS:

Cleanse your altar before you begin, and if you have the time, charge the crystal in moonlight before you cast your spell.

Place your candle in the center of your space, and light it while reciting your incantation: “Here I ask that safe I’ll be, no matter how wild and free. Use these things to protect me from harm, infuse them with power to work like a charm.”

As you let your candle burn, fill the pouch with your ingredients: a teaspoon or two of each of your protection herbs, along with the salt; add the amethyst crystal for soothing fear; and put in a personal item that you feel has magical properties to you. For example, I use whiskers from my cats (not pulled out, of course. I collect them as they are shed). But you can use anything you feel is a personal good luck charm.

Keep the talismanic pouch in your car or in your purse or briefcase so that it watches over you at all times.

Legal Relief: A Spell to Win a Court Case

As anyone knows who has ever faced any kind of legal snafu, this can take a toll on your peace of mind (not to mention your time and energy). This spell can help you “sweeten the deal,” as it were, and bring positive results to any kind of court case you find yourself negotiating.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Seven days before the court date

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes for the candle to burn

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 brown tea candle

Small jar

Honey

Black mustard seeds, cayenne pepper, and galangal root

Pen and paper (optional)

STEPS:

Cleanse your space before you begin. You can put this together in your kitchen, if you like, after a good sage smudging.

Pour the honey into the jar, and add a tablespoon of black mustard seeds to confuse your opponents, a couple of pinches of cayenne pepper to ward off negative energy, and three slices of fresh galangal root (or a couple of teaspoons powdered) for good luck and protection.

Light your brown tea candle and recite your incantation: “Keep me grounded and help me win, vanquish my enemies and save my skin!” Let the candle burn all the way down, then place the remnants in your spell jar and keep it in an auspicious place until the results are in.

Karmic Returns: A Spell to Reverse Evil Sent to You

One of the most fundamental tenets of working magic is that you never wish harm on others. If you do, that karmic energy will return to you threefold. If you suspect someone has been engaging in this kind of magic against you, then you can return it to them—and let them rue the day they expelled that negative nonsense!

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Start or end at the full moon

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

About 10 minutes a day for nine days

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 black pillar candle

1 white pillar candle

1 red pillar candle

Cinnamon essential oil

Penknife

STEPS:

Cleanse your space well; this spell requires a lot of power behind it.

Prepare your candles: pick out some runes to carve into each candle. A pentacle is a banishing rune, which can work, or the algiz for protection in general (when rendered upside down, this rune also constitutes a warning), or the eihwaz for defense. Depictions of all of these can be found online. Alternately, you can carve your own symbology onto the candles, according to what works best for you. This can be as simple as carving your name into the white candle, your opponent’s name into the black candle, and the offending deed into the red candle.

Arrange your candles in a triangle, with the white candle at the apex and anoint with cinnamon oil, which brings both energy and protection to your spell.

Cast your spell: “I send back evil your way, three times three. Your bad intentions won’t stay with me, as I return them to you, three times three.” Recite the incantation three times, then snuff the candles.

Repeat the spell each day (ideally at the same time) for nine days.

Magicking Away Misfortune

This is a very basic banishment spell to clear your space and life of negative energies that cause misfortune. If you feel that recent events haven’t been going your way—the little irritations keep piling up—then this spell can reset your aura.

WHEN TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

When needed

HOW LONG IT TAKES:

As long as it takes for candles to burn

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 white taper candle

1 black taper candle

2 purple taper candles

Incense (optional)

STEPS:

Cleanse your space well before beginning, and consider burning some incense for an added boost of energy (sandalwood, with its powers to bless and to heal, is a good choice here).

Arrange your candles according to the four cardinal directions, with the white candle (representing the purification of the self) and the black banishing candle at opposite energies (either north and south, or west and east). The two purple candles, which are to bring about psychic healing, should be at the other two opposing points.

Light your candles starting at the north and moving clockwise, as you recite your spell: “Increase my power and let it grow, so I am free from the misfortune that has been sown.” Continue to repeat your spell until all candles are lit.

As the candles burn, imagine all of your misfortune wafting away on the smoke, dissipating into the air. Breathe deeply and envision peacefulness and happiness in your life.

Be sure to dispose of the waxy remnants according to what they represent to you, either burying them close by or releasing them in water to send them far away.

Final Words

At this point, you have likely cast many a crafty spell to improve the quality of your life. From love relationships to friendships, prosperity and career goals, overall health and well-being to protection from any number of misfortunes, your candle magic has certainly illuminated the many pathways to success and happiness that is within your power to direct. I hope that you have seen and felt your powers grow alongside your confidence and knowledge of how to practice this simple magic with great success.

My greatest hope is that you use these explanations, interpretations, and magical templates to cultivate your own special brand of candle magic. There is nothing so potent as discovering your own particular talents and personal correspondences that will enable you to take control of your own destiny. Just about any branch of magic, including candle magic, lends itself to personalization and improvisation—that’s why we practitioners are often called crafty! As you begin to trust your own intuitions and get better at identifying your particular intentions, return to the correspondences listed in Chapter 2 to structure your own successful spells. While I have found success with a handful of magical objects and other tools, you may find that some other items mentioned in that chapter work better for you. Once you get the hang of what intention corresponds with what item—be it candle or color, herb or stone, moon phase or day of the week—you will grow more and more adept at customizing your own special spells, to be brandished for your own precise purposes.

Inevitably, as you develop your magical skills further and discover the many potent energies that are available for your own empowerment, you will move beyond the basic candle magic that you find in this book. But never forget that the candle, even if it is not central to the casting of a spell, is a magically, spiritually, historically, and culturally significant object that contains layers of meaning and symbolic import, reminding us of the wondrous world in which we reside. A candle represents the all-consuming powers of the fire element—destructive and regenerative at the same time. The fire element, and its attendant tool, the candle, can evoke the warming comforts of hearth and home, affirming our connection to loved ones and larger communities; this is why the candle is central to so many love and friendship spells. It can also remind us of the purifying forces of the flame, as we are reborn from the ashes, which is why candles are often used in both protection and healing spells. The spells in this book are all about the ways in which the flickering flame of the candle can enhance your life, attracting good fortune, great love or grand passion, prosperity and well-being, while also warding off negative energies and events.

In that mesmerizing spark, you can focus your energies and bring about positive change that will reverberate throughout your life. Channel your intentions through that flame, its wisp of smoke telegraphing your message to the fundamental elements, the natural world, and the ethereal plane. The candle itself represents a convergence of all of these magical realms, allowing you the opportunity to enhance the power of your intention, of your needs and desires, gently nudging those dreams into fruition. Use the light of the candle as your beacon of purpose, signaling your intention to build your best and most beautiful life!