Candle Magick

I realize it is Thursday, and today is supposed to be Goddess Bio day. I will probably, hopefully, get around to that later. Knight and I have his nephew here, and man is it hard to keep that kid away from my altar in the living room, and keep him away from any other magickal stuff I have around the house. I feel like I'm constantly chasing him around, returning stuff to it's rightful place, picking trash up off the living room altar, picking up his dirty dishes off the altar, and trying to explain to him that, no, the xbox controller does not belong on the altar either. Of course, it doesn't help that Knight's family doesn't know what my religion is, since it's such a weird mishmash of Christian/Pagan/Wiccan/Voodoo beliefs, so while Knight understands that the altar is not to be messed with, I can't really explain to his nephew what it is. Knight took him to work with him, and I now have a moment of time today, and really wanted to discuss candle magick. So, that's what we're gonna do!
I've practiced candle magick for years. It was one of the few things I could do, before I announced to key people that I'm a witch, that didn't give me away instantly. Candle magick is practiced in almost every single religion. And if you're still in the broom closet, which I'm not coming down on you for, there's all kinds of reasons for a person to keep their religious beliefs to themselves, so candle magick is the perfect closety practice for you! Regardless of what some people may think, candle magick is not a passive form of magick. Some of my biggest magickal feats have been accomplished through candle magick and the deity/spirit/orisha/loa that I decided to work with for those feats. We won't go over the basics just now, because I want to save that for a Witchcraft 101 post, but I want to talk about simple ways for you to introduce candle magick into your life. 
I've become addicted to candle magick. In all honesty, if I don't have at least one candle burning on my altar at all times, I don't feel right, my home doesn't feel right. The most important candle on my altar is a large white candle. I like using pure white novena candles in a clear jar. That one white candle represents the God and Goddess. I reuse my novena jars, and refill them here at home. Once it has burned down, I clean out the jar, replace the wick, refill it with white candle wax, and as soon as it is "cured" I relight it. I try to keep one premade, while refilling the other, so that I never have to go without my deity candle burning. Like I said, without at least that one candle burning, my home doesn't feel right. I can almost feel the absence of the God and Goddess. That may sound strange to you guys, because in all honesty, the God and Goddess are always around, whether there's a candle burning or not, but to me, without my deity candle burning, it feels like they are a bit more distant. So, my white candle never goes out on my altar. If you aren't able to have an altar, just having a special shelf where nothing else it put, placing a white candle on the shelf, and lighting it will make a huge difference in your life. 
Other than my deity candle, I usually have at least one prayer/spell/intention candle burning as well. These candles are all slightly different. I still use the glass jars from novena candles, but while some of them are novena candles bought from the store, others are specifically colored, hand poured, Witchmade™ candles that I make for specific intents and spells. Currently, I have my deity candle burning, which will need to be replaced soon, and I'll be making a new deity candle later today. I also have a St. Jude candle burning. I had an interview with a business close to home that will have good hours, be fulfilling, fairly good pay starting out, and great benefits. I am hoping to hear back from them tomorrow so I can start training on Monday, so the St. Jude candle is to help things along. 
One thing I find interesting is the difference in how store bought, and Witchmade™ candles burn. Those that I create myself, focusing on my intention while preparing the wax, pouring, etc., seem to burn longer, cleaner, and much brighter, than the ones bought from the store. For example, my deity candle, which I poured here at home while meditating and talking to God and Goddess is burning much higher than the St. Jude candle I bought at the store. The flame is rather high, very cheery, and extremely comforting. It lets me know for sure that God and Goddess are within my home. The flame on the St. Jude candle on the other hand, while burning brightly and cheerily, is not anywhere near as tall as my handmade one. I've also noticed a difference in the results received from Witchmade™ candles, and store bought candles. You add more magick to them when you make them yourself. Now, this isn't to say that store bought candles won't work, because they absolutely do. I fix mine with oils and herbs, whether Witchmade™ or store bought, and do deep prayers and cast a lot of energy into them. 
So, what kinds of candle magick do you do? Have any of the saints helped you out? I know that St. Jude has been an amazing help around this house!

M is for Making New Beginnings

This post is a little late, but at least it's still Friday. We're still on M with the Pagan Blog Project. So today's post is about making new beginnings.

Life is full of seasons. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring. But humans have seasons too. We go through what people call "phases", some good, some bad, but because of these phases, we have to have new beginnings, too. You maybe, like me, at a point in your life where you feel that it's time for a change, or something may have happened in your life that is making you change.

These are all normal parts of life, and I'm learning that change isn't a bad thing. When you're at a point like I am, knowing that's its time for a change and wanting to begin anew, there are many things you can do to help things along. The most important thing to do, when needing a new beginning, is start looking for ways to create that new beginning. If it has to do with your job, finds ways in the mundane world to help with that. 

For example, there was a time in my life where I didn't have to work, so I never actively looked for a job, but now Knight and I have found ourselves in a situation where neither one of us is able to bring in enough money to handle the things we need to handle. So, we obviously need a new beginning.

On the mundane side, we are both actively looking for jobs, applying where we can, following up on applications, and doing the normal job looking things. But there are magickal things you can do to help things along. I have two candles burning at all times, as prayers to the gods to help us with our job searches. I have done a full "help me get and keep a good job" ritual. 

For those that just feel its time to start over, a wonderful way is to do a road/door opening spell. Light a black candle with the intention of ridding yourself of blockages. Light a yellow candle for strength and confidence, and light a green candle for money and success. Invoke any goddess that is known for rebirths, because that is in all honesty what is happening, you are going through a rebirth stage in your life. Visualize yourself and your life the way you want them to be. For yourself, you may imagine being different than you are now. For example, I aspire to be as loving, giving, and trusting as Cassie Nightingale on the movie The Good Witch. So I envision myself being that way and try to implement those things into my life now. For your life, you might envision yourself having enough money to purchase a new car, or going on a family vacation, or whatever. You might visualize happy, smiling content faces in your home. 

Even though magick will help things along, you still have to do the work. You cannot ask for change in your life, without changing yourself.

Herbal Tuesday: Adam and Eve Root

Photo found at Rita's Spiritual Goods
Welcome to Herbal Tuesdays, my lovelies! Today's spotlight herb is Adam and Eve Root (Orchis Spp). Pictured above, Adam and Eve root is said to help you find love, and to keep a lover faithful. Also, if given to a couple, it will promote continued happiness. Use it in mojo bags, or carry it alone in your pocket, but do not burn it or ingest it as it is poisonous. It's energy is feminine and it is ruled by Venus. It's element is water. True Adam and Eve root is now considered endangered and Orchis Spp is substituted in it's place.
To keep your lover true, one partner should carry the "Adam" root, and the other partner should carry the "Eve" root. The concept is that the roots will be drawn back to each other, thus keeping the lovers together. To attract a new love or a marriage proposal, carry both roots together in a red mojo back, and anoint the bag daily with any form of attraction oil. 
When purchasing herbs, always look for a reputable company. Places on Etsy can be great, because these people usually are very dedicated to their craft, and as such would never do something to detract from that, but always be careful, ask lots of questions if you have any doubts. Even on Etsy, there are swindlers that would sell you something different, just because they can. 

Spell Candles

I've always loved dabbling with making candles. In the past I tried selling them, but I usually bit off more than I could chew and ended up closing shop. I've been struggling here lately to find a job. It seems like everywhere I've put in an application has over looked me. There are a couple places I've tried calling and nothing seems to work. So I decided since I don't have the money to go to town and pick up a handful of 7 day candles, which I love to keep around, I'll just make them myself. I had 10 pounds of sparkle light container palm wax that I had never even used, so I decided, why not use it up. That's enough for 10 7 day candles, and with it being palm wax, I suspect they might burn even longer. Here are a couple of pictures of the one I made specifically for myself last night.

I used the last bit of green candle dye I had to color this candle, but thankfully I made too much, and have enough for a second candle. 

I was trying to show off the feathering effect that palm wax is famous for, but couldn't get a good angle. I'll take another picture outside in sunlight when I get a chance.

I've been toying with the idea of possibly selling these on etsy, but I'm not sure if I would have a market for them. Would any of you buy handmade palm wax 7 day/novena candles?