Candle Magic

When using candles to perform magic we are setting up a visualization process. Of course there are traditional patterns that most people follow who are involved with almost any system of magic that has its roots in Western Europe. I will give a short list here, but I advise everyone to use what feels most natural to them and to remember that the magic lies in the soul of the practitioner and not in the color of the wax that you are burning. Magic, like beauty, lies in the eye of the beholder.
~lmb~

Books to help you on your quest

Colors

Types

Altars

Red…
A candle of this color might be used for works that deal with Passion, The element of fire itself, Scientific inquiry, and a need for immediate knowledge.

Blue…
A candle of this hue would be employed for healing work, shaping things to your own needs, looking into mysterious events, and delving into the future.

Brown…
A candle of this color reminds us of the quality of Earth itself, growth and the process of rebirth and reincarnation.

Green…
A candle of this color should be used when you are doing work for money, or with a situation that involves fertility, your present life path, and healing.

Orange…
This candle isn’t used a lot by most people and when I do use it I keep it for special favors and things that deal with the Gods themselves.

Black…
This is an absence of color rather than a combination of color, it is often used for protection, and to dispel negativity or to turn evil away.

The Definition of Black & White that we use.

White…
This is the amalgamation of color, much as the range of light through a prism containing all frequencies of color. It represents purity and can used in place of any other color, and at all times.

Yellow…
This color represents the quality of air and intellectual pursuits, as well as philosophy, and the acquisition of knowledge, and clearing of vision.

Violet…
This is used as a representation of the power of the spirit and increases psychic abilities since it carries the same connotation as the 3rd eye.

Silver & Gold…
These two colors are normally assigned as being related to the Goddess and God respectively, because of their relationship to the Moon and Sun.

One must remember that as in all things that are magical or prayer inspired the true work is done on the plane of the soul and the color of a candle is a focal point that helps us to concentrate our energies on a particular site or goal.

Types of Candles for Special Occasions
There are many types of candles available for use now. They come in the shape of animals, people, skulls, hands, genitals, and other things. If I were going to do a healing ceremony for a friend I would most likely use a blue votive in a nice holder. I know that doesn’t sound very snappy! But it's what I would use. There are times when I will look for the most gracefully shaped colorful candle I can find in order to build a lovely spell. My point is that the deed is done in the mind and not in the reality of the moment. First one must accept magic for what it is, then you may learn to employ it as needed.

Below are listed a few types of candles and possible uses: (Have Fun!)

Man and Woman Candle Male and/or Female Figures…
Relationships, Healing, Protection, desire, lust, and affection.

Skulls, Witches. Hands…
Personal magic, ceremonies for fancy Altars, almost any magical purpose that requires and intense emotional field.

Tallboys in glass containers…
Great for outdoors and I use them at the points of
the circle to help reinforce the picture of the direction in every ones minds. Another reason to use these is to protect nosy animals that just can’t resist the pretty dancing flame.

Color layered candles in glass containers…
Can be nice when only using a bit of needed candle each night. In some cases you might wish to perform a rite that will go over several days, and/or separate lunar occasions. This affords you the chance to do a lot of work and not having to buy so many separate candles.

Knob candles…
These are great for continuing spells like a 7 day money spell I would burn one knob each night for the 7 nights.

Magic is the art of shaping your reality in such a way as to bring about change in the sphere of your existence. This must be done while being fully mindful that it is your responsibility to bring about this change without harming another being or by denying them there right of free action and choice. As wielders of these powers we are bound to keep our actions non-violent and non-restrictive. Magic is the birth rite of each of us and I believe that all people are capable of utilizing this capacity for change and growth. One must first consider if the magic is necessary, if it something that you are unable to achieve through normal ways of action, then use your magical abilities for your own growth and protection. -lmb-

Some Variations In An Altar Setup For Your Candles
Traditional Three Candle Altar:
Two of the candles are used to represent the female and male forces of energy that flow through the universe. The third candle, (or readers candle) is either white for use in a general purpose, or it can be keyed to the type of work the celebrant is doing. It could also be used in conjunction with the celebrants astrological sign.

Sabbat Altar layout:
Again two of the candles are normally used to represent the male and female force of the Gods. Then their would be a readers candle that can be moved in case the celebrants need to read anything. Whatever color is being used as a background for the Sabbat decor might be used on the Altar in back of the representation of which ever Gods and Goddesses you might be using.

Participants Carrying Candles:
In some cases people might choose to carry candles if they are going to be walking to a place for a circle. If you choose to burn candles in honor of people that have passed before you make sure that there is somewhere to set them other than the place where you will be sitting or standing.

Blessing Candles for Sacred Space Altars:
In some cases people may wish to bring items to be blessed at a given holiday or rite. If there are a lot of things it is all right to set up a separate Altar for this purpose. The Scribe or Maiden may set up this Altar and do the blessing on it for the celebrants to place their things. This can work out nicely if you have chosen to do an activity that produced things to be used ceremonially . Use a large 3 wick candle or even two rather large candles for the God and Goddess that will burn for a long time on the Altar.

Stake Type Candles:
You can make a great circle using candles in the votive style or it is possible to buy candles that can be put directly in the ground they tend to burn for less than an hour but they are nice and can be found in the colors of the four directions.

Birthday Type Candles:
If I need to use candles that are representative of a certain type of work and I really don’t have the time to watch a regular size candle I will use a small birthday size candle and do a very heavy meditation during the brief time the candle burns. It gives you the advantage of the candle as a focus but the quickness needed.