Candle Magick: Expectation vs Reality
Candle magick is an enticing artform for the practicing mystic. Simple in execution yet magickally potent, there are a few misconceptions regarding this system of spellwork. Here, I hope to clear the air a bit.
- Expectation: Because it uses fire magick, results will be instantaneous Reality: Divine timing is unpredictable and other things need to be factored in
Of all the elements, fire is the most eruptive and volatile. It has the ability to create, as well as destroy. I use fire magick for things like sigil activation, releasing intentions into the Universe quickly, and purification acts.
That being said, Divine Timing must be factored in to any magickal workings, as well as what else went into the spellwork. Now that’s not to discount the power behind fire magick, but it’s not the only element at work when we cast.
So in short, no — your candle magick results will most likely not be instantaneous.
2. Expectation: All you have to do is light a candle Reality: You have to put yourself behind it and into it
For this misconception, let’s take a look at what’s behind magick in the first place. For all intents and purposes, the tools we use aren’t the stars of the show. Instead, think of tools as the bridge between our intent and our desired result. For candle magick, the associated tools are candles themselves, ritual oil, herbs, a boline to carve symbols, matches to light, etc. These items serve us while we serve ourselves.
Having said that, we are the stars of the show. That’s right. Everything we need to practice magick is within us. The tools are wonderful to have and can make the concentration of our intent stronger, can make us more confident in our abilities (especially when first starting out), and can even lend the courage it takes to try something outside of our comfort zone.
So you can see where the simple act of lighting a candle without putting ourselves, our magick, behind our intent will not result in anything other than a pretty flame and a bit of light. Without us, a candle is just a tool.
3. Expectation: The color of the candle doesn’t matter Reality: Color correspondence is real
To begin, I’d like to elucidate something about this expectation versus reality: it’s one thing to not have a certain candle color on hand and quite another thing to believe that color doesn’t play into magick, which is what I’m clarifying here
Correspondence of color is a fundamental pillar in magick and has been for eons. The presence of color in everyday life as well as the mystical arts has lent aid to practitioners of the past and present. Therefore, color correspondence in candle magick is itself a basic tenet of magick.
The Meanings of Each Color
The following color correspondences are generally accepted by the mystic community. However, going back to the tenet that magick comes from within, if you find a particular color speaks differently to you, by all means follow your intuition. We all relate to different colors differently. Experimentation is highly encouraged, especially when a color aligns outside of these parameters.
PINK: Self-love, Friendship, Emotional Love, Romantic Love, Healing, Nurturing
RED: Passionate Love, Lust, Power, Protection, Grounding, Good Fortune, Success, Courage
ORANGE: Business, Celebration, Success, Justice, Opportunity, Ambition
YELLOW: Joy, Comfort, Hope, Reason, Focus, Memory, Learning, Intelligence
GREEN: Money, Abundance, Fertility, Growth, Healing, Nature
BLUE: Inspiration, Traveling, Communication, Creativity, Calm, Forgiveness
PURPLE: Psychic Abilities, Wisdom, Influence, Authority, Hidden Knowledge
BROWN: Animals, Home Protection, Stability, Family, Material Goods
BLACK: Banishing, Protection, Binding, Anti-Negativity
WHITE: Peace, Higher Self, Purity, Spirituality
**In most instances you may substitute a white candle for any other color***
In terms of working with candle colors, why wouldn’t you want to amplify your spellwork? Cast smarter, not harder folks!
4. Expectation: Blowing/snuffing out candle flames removes the magick Reality: To blow/snuff or not to blow/snuff, it’s up to you
The truth is, this one is a longstanding debate with witches, occultists, and mystics taking a stand on both sides. In times like these, I personally like to remember to ask myself, “Who ever said — definitively, with proof — there’s only one way to do things?”
As with any interest, there will be “purists” and “gatekeepers” trying to regulate and admonish others for personal beliefs and practices. I’m with the belief that if it makes sense to you, go for it. (Within the realm of harm to none and for the highest good of all, of course)
But we should explore some reasoning behind these thoughts. The belief that you shouldn’t blow out candles is rooted in thinking that energies are being dismissed disrespectfully. Another take on why it’s frowned upon is blowing out a flame sends air away from you and with it, the magick. And yet another thought is blowing out a spell candle unseals energies created during casting.
As far as snuffing out a candle, the school of thought against it claims the candle can no longer be used as a conduit for energies. By stamping out the flame, any energy or intent introduced into the candle is now trapped. The energies cannot leave and release our magick and in turn our desires will not come true.
On the flip side of these beliefs, others have their own set of theories. Some think that if done with reverence and respect, blowing out a candle can send your energies out into the Universe where they will continue working your intentions. By saying something like, “Lit or unlit, may the magick of this candle always continue. And so it is.” This way you’re stating your intention behind blowing out the flame.
In relation to snuffing out a candle, beliefs for this as a positive move comes from comparing the action to hitting or stomping the floor to signify a circle is closed. In essence, you’re sealing the deal by stamping out the candle definitively.
To reiterate, take whatever resonates and leave what doesn’t. And remember if you experiment and find it no longer resonates, change it up. There’s no harm in learning.
5. Expectation: Candle magick is not powerful Reality: While simple, candle magick is some of the most potent forms of spellwork out there
To this I ask one simple question: How can a form of magick that represents all elements not be powerful?
-The flame corresponds to the element of Fire
-The wick which is necessary for grounding the flame and keeping it lit corresponds to the element of Earth
-The wax which liquifies when heated corresponds to the element of Water
-The oxygen needed to keep the flame lit corresponds to the element of Air
-Our focused intent and infused energy and soul corresponds to the fifth element of Spirit
And for what it’s worth, one more question: How can a sect of magick that most all of us have done at the age of one and beyond not hold power? Blowing out birthday candles to make a wish is, in fact, magick.
In conclusion…
Hopefully this post has cleared up any fog surrounding candle spellwork. Now go and make magick!
***Please take care when burning candles. Trim wicks before lighting. Do not leave candles unattended. It is not my responsibility for any loss or damages. I am not responsible for how the information presented here is put to use. Use best safety practices.***
