practices:
Candles
Spell candles are frequently used on a workspace or altar to represent the presence of a deity such as a god and/or goddess and in the four corners of a ritual circle to represent the presence of the elements: fire, earth, air and water. From a secular perspective, spell candles are often used to enhance a spell or ritual. They are burned at ceremonies, and the lighting and dimming of the candles marks the opening and closing of the ritual.
Spell candles can be charged with magical energy like many other tools. They can be cleansed by anointing it with a small amount of oil during the waxing phase of the moon. It can also be carved with various symbols to further empower the candles with those energies. They are often used for magical meditative purposes, healing rituals, to increase a spell’s power and influence a particular power. They are believed to absorb personal energy and release that energy as it is burned. Altar candles are thick tall candles of long tapers in many colors. Ideally, spell candles that are home-made from beeswax using natural dyes and essential oils are used.
The different colors of spell candles are significant since each has its own energy, attribute, symbolism and influence. Different colors represent different signs of the zodiac, different days of the week, and different Wiccan Sabbat celebrations. Main color symbolism and associations are:
Red
Sexuality; strength, physical health and vigor; blood, birth and death; passion and fertility; protection; healing neuralgia and exhaustion; used in defensive magic
Orange
Courage, strength and authority; concentration and encouragement; solving legal problems; healing coughs, colds, asthma, arthritis and exhaustion
Blue
Psychic and spiritual awareness; wisdom, harmony and peace; prophet dreams; protection during sleep; promoting happiness, laughter and joviality; treating insomnia, high blood pressure and minor wounds
Purple/Violet
Ambition; mysticism, inspiration, wisdom and idealism; purification; reversing a curse; aid in meditation, sensitivity and higher psychic talents; speeding healing during illness; treatment of allergies, sleep disorders and stress-related disorders
Brown
Protecting pets and animal healing; solving household problems; attracting money, financial success and help in financial crises; eliminating indecisiveness and improving powers of concentration; finding lost objects
Gold
Intuition; persuasion, charm and confidence; protection; attracting fast luck or financial benefits; used in rituals solar deities
Gray/Silver
Stalemate, neutrality and cancellation; helping develop psychic abilities; removing negative energy, or influencing and encouraging stability
Black
Evil and discord; loss and sadness; opening up the deeper levels of the unconscious; absorbing and destroying negativity; protecting against retribution
Pink/Rose
Love and friendship; spiritual awakening; healing of the spirit; femininity; entertaining; morality; overcoming evil; treating anxiety and depression and ailments of the heart
White
Spiritual truth and strength; peace, purity and innocence; breaking of curses; exorcism; meditation; household purification
Yellow
Persuasion; creativity, confidence and charm; aid to memory and studying
Green
Nature, fertility, and rejuvenation; healing; money, prosperity and good fortune; fertility; emotional soother and balancer; used to counteract greed and jealous
Quick Learning
Becoming a Witch
Learn about the general principles and thoughts behind becoming a witch and practicing witchcraft.