Pagan Blog Project - Candles

With all the great postings we're seeing, I’m sure there will be a wealth of information on working with candles for spells.  I've chosen to guide you toward affordable sources.  In addition to needing them for spellwork and daily circle casting, I love to use candles to light my home for family gatherings – they cast a spell of warmth and love.

World Market is my go-to store for candles and incense.  They sell a set of 6 long-burning tapers for $7.99.   If you sign up for their emails, you will receive enough $10 off coupons to keep yourself well-supplied year in and year out.  They also are a good place for seasonal candles - last year I found these bunny holders and tapers for Oestara at about $1 each.

Target is another good source that frequently puts their candles on clearance.  That's where I found the owl above as well as this beautiful carved green pillar.

Kohl's was the source for this silver candle which is perfect for esbats and Mondays (moon days).  Now that the center has burned down enough, I just insert a tealight so the main candle can be used indefinitely! 

The candle with the starfish charm (also from Kohl's) was a fun case of serendipity – I received it as a Christmas present and noticed later that the starfish was a pentacle!  (Let people know you like candles and see what shows up for your special occasions!)

The Hispanic section of the grocery store is an excellent source of colored votives and candles dedicated to a particular saint or angel.  Use these to represent the god or goddess on your altar.  The one pictured above is the archangel Michael, who has the "swift ability to cleanse away negativity and create the most positive atmosphere possible."  (Magical Housekeeping, Tess Whitehurst)

Hancock Fabrics is another fun place to pick up seasonal items for your altar.  I use this little harvest votive holder from Lammas through Samhain.

I use these tiny channukah candles from Amazon.com to fill in colors I couldn't find elsewhere.  They are too tiny for any of my holders so I simply use a few drops of wax to secure one to the top of an inverted votive.

Have fun with your candles!  Use earrings or broken jewelry as charms; simply stick the post into the candle (or glue it on if there is no post).  Use your boline to carve symbols into them.  Charge them by rolling them in oil and herbs for specific spells. Meditate on the flame.  Candles are one of the best tools we have for everyday magick!