Cleansing And Blessing Your Candles: A Simple Guide

how to cleanse and bless a candle

Candles are used for a variety of purposes, from aromatherapy to spellwork. When used in magic, candles are powerful tools that can help manifest intentions, transform energy, and send desires into the universe. Before engaging in candle magic, it is important to cleanse the candle of any previous energies attached to it. This can be done through various methods, such as using salt, smoke from sacred herbs, sound, or moonlight. Once the candle is cleansed, it can be dressed with oils and herbs to amplify the spell's intentions. The type of oil and herb used depends on the purpose of the spell, such as pleasure, abundance, creativity, or protection. After the candle is dressed, it can be carved with symbols or intentions to further charge it with energy. Finally, the candle is lit with a flame, and the magic is set in motion.

Characteristics Values
Cleansing methods Salt, smoke, sound, or any other cleansing tool that feels good to you
Cleansing herbs Rosemary, sage, lavender, or a bundle of dried herbs
Cleansing oils Uncrossing Oil, Success Oil, Van Van Oil, or essential oils
Cleansing chants "I channel the clearing properties of this herb to cleanse this candle of all stagnant energies. I command that these energies return to the Earth so that they may be cycled into loving compassion."
Blessings Gratitude for the element of fire, honouring the Universe, Earth, and Mother Nature
Spellwork Pleasure, abundance, creativity, intuition, protection, releasing, and love spells
Spell colours Red, orange, green, brown, gold, dark blue, pink, black
Spell herbs Clary sage, lavender, sandalwood, rose petals, ginger, calendula, basil, cinnamon, frankincense, tangerine, peppermint, verbena, bay leaves, angelica, myrrh, mugwort, chamomile, cloves, cypress, juniper, bergamot, geranium, rosemary
Spell oils Sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, essential oils
Carving Carve symbols or intentions into the wax with a ritual blade, pin, nail, or wooden skewer

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Cleanse with salt

Salt is a powerful tool for cleansing and blessing a candle. It is believed to create a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, offering a tangible way to cleanse spaces, objects, and oneself of negative energies.

To cleanse a candle with salt, you can follow these steps:

Selecting the Salt

Begin by selecting the appropriate salt. Sea salt or rock salt are commonly used, but specific traditions may call for particular varieties.

Setting Your Intention

Before beginning the ritual, it is essential to clear your mind and set a strong intention for the cleansing work. You may choose to perform the ritual during specific moon phases or at dawn, as these times are believed to align with the natural energies of purification.

Creating a Sacred Circle

Using the chosen salt, create a sacred circle by moving clockwise to establish protective boundaries. As you do this, focus your energy on releasing stagnant or negative forces and inviting in pure, positive vibrations.

Incorporating the Four Elements

You can amplify the salt's natural purifying properties by incorporating the four elements:

  • Add a pinch of blessed herbs to represent Earth
  • Include a drop of holy water for Water
  • Pass the salt through incense smoke to symbolize Air
  • Hold it near a candle flame to represent Fire

Burying the Candle in Salt

Place your candle in the centre of the sacred circle. Now, bury it in sea salt and allow it to rest for 24 hours. During this time, the salt will absorb any residual vibrations or negative energies that may have been present in the candle.

Optional Prayer or Visualization

If you wish, you can say a prayer or psalm, such as Psalm 51, to further enhance the cleansing process. Alternatively, you may visualize the candle being purified and transformed into a vessel for your spiritual purpose.

After completing these steps, your candle will be cleansed and blessed with salt. You may now proceed with any additional steps, such as anointing the candle with oil or carving symbols, to align it with your specific intentions.

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Cleanse with smoke

Smoke cleansing, or "smudging", is a practice used by many religions and cultures around the world to purify or cleanse a person, place, or object. It is believed that smoke cleansing can help to remove negative thoughts and energies, as well as bring focus and ground oneself.

To cleanse a candle with smoke, start by placing your candle in the centre of your workspace. You can use the smoke from a bundle of dried herbs such as sage, palo santo, or incense, or even from a candle, to cleanse your candle. As the smoke starts to flow, pass the smoke around the candle, or use a feather or your hand to waft the smoke. You can also speak an intention or a chant as you do this. For example, you could say:

> "I channel the clearing properties of this herb to cleanse this candle of all stagnant energies. I command that these energies return to the Earth so that they may be cycled into loving compassion."

Visualise a bright, white light emanating from the candle and spreading throughout your surroundings, removing any negative energies attached to the candle.

If you are smoke cleansing a room, make sure to get the smoke into the corners and open the doors and windows to let the energy escape. You can also smoke cleanse yourself by passing the smoke over your body from head to toe.

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Cleanse with sound

Sound cleansing is an effective way to rid your candle of physical and energetic impurities. It uses the vibrations from instruments to break up and disperse negative energy. To cleanse your candle using sound, you will need a bell, a singing bowl, or a tuning fork.

First, hold the candle and set your intention. You could say something like "I cleanse this candle with sound". Next, use your chosen instrument to create a continuous sound. If you are using a bell, ring it. If you are using a singing bowl, gently strike it and then circle the rim. Move the candle through the sound waves, ensuring the vibrations pass through it.

Visualisation is a powerful technique that relies on the power of your mind and intention to cleanse and purify objects. Visualise the sound vibrations purifying the candle. You could also visualise a bright, white light emanating from the candle and pulsing into your surroundings, removing anything previously stuck to the candle.

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Carve symbols into the wax

Carving symbols into the wax of a candle is a powerful way to charge it with energy and purpose. This practice is known as "dressing" a candle, and it is a sacred tradition that helps connect you with the universe to achieve your desires.

To begin, choose a quiet time when you can concentrate fully. If you're working with astrological transits or moon phases, time your carving accordingly. For example, carve during a waxing moon if your intention is attraction, or during a waning moon if you wish to release something.

Next, select an appropriate carving tool. You can use a ritual blade (athame), a pin, a nail, a wooden skewer, or any other item that you designate as your carving tool. Warm the tip of your chosen tool with a lit match if needed.

As you carve, speak your intention aloud or focus intently on your desired outcome. Be as specific and heartfelt as possible, as the strength of the charge embedded into the wax will be influenced by the intensity of your words and visualizations.

When carving symbols, remember that the direction of your carving matters. Carve from bottom to top when drawing something towards you, such as money, love, blessings, or opportunities. Conversely, carve from top to bottom when pushing something away, such as negativity, bad habits, curses, or toxic relationships.

By engraving your intentions and charging the candle with energy, you are preparing it for spellwork and manifestation. This practice is a powerful way to connect with your desires and focus your energy on achieving them.

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Dress with oil and herbs

Dressing a candle with oil and herbs is a sacred tradition that helps you connect with the universe and achieve your desires. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Choose the Right Oil

You can use neutral oils like sunflower seed oil or coconut oil, which act as a vehicle for your herbs. Alternatively, you can use essential oils, which bring their own amplifying qualities. For example, rosemary has been traditionally used as a powerful cleansing agent, while lavender brings a calming and uplifting spirit.

Cleanse Your Candle

Before dressing your candle, it is important to cleanse it of any previous energies. You can do this by passing it through the purifying smoke of sage or incense, or using cleansing herbs. Place your candle in the centre of your workspace and light your bundle of dried herbs or incense. As the smoke starts to flow, use it to cleanse your candle. You can also chant: "I channel the clearing properties of this herb/incense to cleanse this candle of all stagnant energies. I command that these energies return to the Earth so that they may be cycled into loving compassion."

Once your candle is cleansed, you can dress it with oil and herbs. As you rub the oil onto your candle, focus on the intention of your spell. Visualise your goal clearly and feel the outcome as if it has already been achieved. The more emotion and clarity you pour into this step, the more powerful your spell becomes. After applying the oil, roll your candle in herbs, continuing to direct your energy towards your spell's intention. Remember to stay present and focus on connecting your intention to your candle.

Carve Your Candle

Before or after dressing your candle with oil and herbs, you may wish to carve it with a symbol or words of intention. Use a ritual blade, pin, nail, or wooden skewer to carve from bottom to top if you want to draw something towards you, such as money or love. Carve from top to bottom if you want to push something away, such as negativity or bad habits. As you carve, speak your intention aloud to charge the wax with energy.

Fire Safety

It is important to always exercise fire safety when working with candles, especially freestanding candles. Ensure you never leave a burning candle unattended.

Frequently asked questions

Candle magick is a sacred tradition that helps you connect with the universe to achieve your desires. It is believed to have been used by many ancient civilizations and is a part of many witches' rituals.

Everything has an energetic field. Anything you bring into your home or place on your altar has energetic remnants of wherever it has been. It is important to clear these remnants and begin your ritual work with a clean slate so that your intention can be more easily bound to the candle.

There are many ways to cleanse a candle, including:

- Using salt: Cover your candle in sea salt and wait 24 hours before removing it. The salt will absorb all the energy stuck to your candle.

- Using smoke: Light a bundle of dried herbs or incense and use the smoke to cleanse your candle. You can also burn loose herbs or use essential oil incense candles.

- Using sound: Sound cleansing can be a wonderful companion to your herbal practice.

- Using moonlight: Placing a candle in the light of the moon will remove any unwanted energy attached to it.

After cleansing your candle, you can dress it with a specific oil and herbs. You can also carve symbols into the wax to charge it with energy.

Commonly used oils include uncrossing oil, success oil, and van van oil. Herbs such as rosemary, lavender, and sage are also used for their cleansing properties.

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