Types of Candles

Candle magick is probably one of the simplest forms of magick to perform.

Types of Basic Candles

TABLE

• The most easily available candle, they are ideal for many of the spells.
• They usually burn for between six to eight hours and do need to be properly seated in suitable candlesticks.
• All colors can be used, but they should not be dipped, except in exceptional circumstances, and should be of the best quality possible.
• It is sensible to keep a ready supply at hand.

PILLAR

• This is a free-standing candle.
• It is usually in the shape of a simple pillar, although it can sometimes be made in other shapes which can be used as part of the spell, i.e. heart shapes for love spells.
• This type of candle is best burned on a flat holder since it usually takes some time to burn out.

TAPER

• candles are tall and thin and need a particularly stable candle holder.
• They are either made in a mould, or by the traditional method of dipping a length of wick into hot molten white or colored wax.
• For magical purposes they should be colored all the way through.
• They can often be used when a quick result is required.
• Because they are quite fragile, you need to be careful not to break them when anointing them.

VOTIVE

• These candles come in an assortment of symbolic colors and they will fit in most sizes of glass or ceramic votive candle holders or can be used as free-standing “stubbies”, which will make for a shorter burn time.
• A typical votive light is 2 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
• When in a holder, such a candle may burn for 10 – 15 hours.

TEA LIGHT

• Note: Tea light candles are also votive candles
• Tea Lights are very small votive candles poured into aluminum cups; originally designed to be used at the table to keep foods and drinks warm (hence the name “tea light”), they make great refills for glass votive candle holders, are extremely economical, and are relatively safe to burn.
• Their small size is also an advantage for busy people who wish to do continuing candle magic on successive days without leaving large candles unattended.
• Depending on their size, they usually burn for approximately four hours

Candle Sizes

• 3″ Candles
  • Normally seen in Thailand Temples
  • Great for casting spells that take 15 mins to 1 hour
  • Used for offerings etc
• 4″ Candles
  • Great for use with honey jars, bottle spells, and altar candles etc
  • Easy to dress with oils or to roll in an herb mix.
• 6″ Candles
  • Used for candle magick spells and rituals
• 9″ Candles
  • Used for longer rituals or multi day spells
  • Popular size with multi action candles
  • Reversing candles are 9″ long jumbo candles that consist of a red core and a black outer layer. The red shows through only at the tip. These candles are only found in red and black, and they are a very old style, still quite popular for reversing enemy work, breaking tricks, and uncrossing crossed conditions.

Figural/Figure candles or Human Shaped Candles

….are preferred by many practitioners when working unusual or extremely strong spells, because their visual symbolism is easy to see and by carving names or other features in them, they can be personalized to represent individuals.

The most popular are:

• “Skull Candle” — black for meditation on death or for gambler’s luck.
• “Seven Knob Wishing Candle” (flattened spheres stacked seven-high) — burned on seven days, for seven different wishes or for seven-fold strength on the same wish — white for healing, black to do evil, green for money spells, red for love spells.
• “Black Cat” — black for gambler’s luck.
• “Bride and Groom” (man and woman side by side with two wicks) — red for passion, pink for reconciliation, white to attract new love or sanctify married fidelity, black to cause harm or damage to a couple, blue for peace in the home.
• “Lovers” (nude embracing couple) — red for sexual passion, white for new love.
  “Divorce candle” (man and woman back to back with one candle wick between) — black, to cause a couple to separate.
• “Lady” (a clothed female figure) and “Gentleman” (a clothed male figure) often used when performing spells related to job, school, or career — white to meet someone new; pink for reconciliation or friendship; red to foster love; blue for peacefulness, health, or peace on the job; black for harm or revenge.
• “Adam” (a nude male figure) and “Eve” (a nude female figure) — white to meet someone new, pink and red for love spells, blue for peacefulness at home or to bring about faithfulness, black for harm or revenge.
• “Adam and Eve” (a nude couple) used for drawing an ideal love — green for prosperity, pink and red for love spells.
• Penis and Vulva (Vagina candle) — relating to the sexual behavior; white to attract a new sex partner and to purify the genital organs, pink for romantic sex or to turn a friend into a lover, red to induce lust and passion, blue to bring fidelity or limit their sexual interest to the practitioner only or to bring healing to the genital organs, black to control a person’s ability to perform.
• “Cross” or “Crucifix” candles: keys and a book on a flaming cross (“Master Key Crucifix Candle”) or four-leaf clover on a cross (“Lucky Clover Crucifix Candle”) — white for spiritual purity and insight, black for personal power and conjure work, brown for court cases and legal matters, green for money spells, red for love spells, orange for change, yellow for devotion, pink for romance.
• “Devil” — red for commanding lust and sex, green for collecting money owed or for gambler’s luck, black for doing harm to an enemy.
• “Baphomet” or “Sabbatic Goat Candle” — red for lust spells, black for worship of bestial or Satanic forces.
• “Master Hand Candle” (hand holding a pillar candle) — burned to gain control over a situation. Green and yellow for control over finances, pink and red for control over love situations, blue and white for healing and blessing spells.
• “Eye in Pyramid Candle” burned for money spells such as money drawing.
• Double Action:

Double action candles are 9″ long jumbo candles that have been poured in two stages, so that they are half black and half another color, according the usual color symbolism of candles — red for love, green for money, white for peace and spiritual blessings.

They are used to reverse troubles back to the person who sent them and are called “double action” because they both repel jinxes and crossed conditions and attract what is desired in the way of happiness and luck.

The name of one’s enemy is carved backwards in the black half and one’s own name is carved normally in the colored portion.

One or more candle dressing hoodoo oils to reverse bad luck back to the enemy is applied to the black end, stroking away from oneself, and a dressing oil to draw what one wants is applied to the colored half, stroking toward oneself.

Jar/Glass Encased Candles

Botanicas typically offer a variety of jar or glass-encased candles, each designed for specific purposes. Here are some common types:

1. Saint Candles: These candles feature images of saints and are used for prayers and petitions to specific deities.

2. Condition Candles: These are labeled for specific intentions, such as love, protection, money, or success. They often come in various colors corresponding to their purpose.

3. Spiritual Candles: These are often used for general spiritual work, cleansing, or protection.

4. Devotional Candles: Candles dedicated to specific spiritual practices or rituals, often used in altars.

5. Figural Candles: These candles are shaped like people or objects and are often used in spells aimed at specific desires, like attracting love or gaining influence.

6. Goddess or Deity Candles: These candles feature images of various goddesses or deities and are used for invoking their energy.

7. Money Draw Candles: Specifically designed to attract wealth and prosperity.

8. Cleansing Candles: Often used in rituals for purification or removing negativity.

9. Hex or Curse Candles: Designed for darker intentions, these candles are used in baneful magic.

10. Custom Candles: Some botanicas may offer candles that can be personalized with specific intentions or names.