Jessie Taylor
Glass-encased novena candles are used in Catholic religious devotions known as novenas, which are 9-day prayer rituals seeking aid or building a relationship with a specific saint. Novena candles are used in a variety of spiritual practices, including hoodoo, and are dressed with oils and herbs. They are often decorated with colourful paper saint images and labels, and the text and images found on them are typically the same as those used in hoodoo formulae for anointing oils. The process of dressing a novena candle involves using a sharp tool to poke holes or engrave symbols in the wax, drizzling oil, topping with crushed herbs, and praying over the candle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of candle | Glass-encased vigil or novena candle |
| Candle colour | White, red, pink, yellow, orange, green |
| Candle size | 8"-9" |
| Candle burn time | 9 days |
| Candle dressing | Use a sharp tool to poke holes or engrave a name or symbol, drizzle oil, top with finely crushed herbs and coloured glitter |
| Candle use | Draw influences, recite a prayer, spell or request |
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What You'll Learn
- Glass-encased vigil and novena candles are dressed by pokings holes or engraving symbols in the wax
- Drizzle oil, sprinkle herbs and coloured glitter on the candle
- Write a petition and place it underneath the candle
- Trim the candle wick to half an inch to avoid burning too hot
- The colour of the candle can impact its intention
Glass-encased vigil and novena candles are dressed by pokings holes or engraving symbols in the wax
Glass-encased vigil and novena candles are an integral part of hoodoo, witchcraft, and conjure work. They are often used in spell work and dressed with oils and herbs. To dress a glass-encased vigil or novena candle in hoodoo, one must first use a sharp tool, such as a nail, awl, or screwdriver, to poke holes or engrave symbols, names, or words in the wax at the top of the candle. It is important to be careful when adding oil and herbs to a vigil light. Adding too much oil will result in the candle wick drowning, and too many herbs, especially highly flammable ones, can cause the candle to catch fire along the top surface. This can be a fire hazard and may result in an undesirable, sooty burn.
After poking holes or engraving the wax, one should drizzle a small amount of oil into the holes or engravings. The candle may then be topped with finely crushed herbs and symbolically coloured glitter. The time of day the candle is lit is also important. To draw influences, some practitioners prefer to work in the morning, as the sun rises. Additionally, hoodoo practitioners believe that the candle should be lit when both clock hands are rising, in the second half of the day.
The candles are then prayed over and dedicated for use. The prayer or spell is said with the practitioner's power hand (writing hand) over the candle, while the other hand holds it. The candle is then knocked three times on the altar before being lit. It is important to note that novena candles are typically lit for nine days without interruption.
The colour of the candle can also be significant. For example, white is the most classic and used colour, symbolising purification and protection. Red candles are recommended for defence against evil forces, while pink candles are suitable for prayers concerning love and friendship. Yellow candles attract prosperity and success, and orange candles are beneficial for prayers seeking inspiration and creativity.
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Drizzle oil, sprinkle herbs and coloured glitter on the candle
Glass-encased novena candles are dressed by poking holes or engraving a name or symbol in the wax at the top using a sharp tool, such as a nail, awl, or screwdriver. After this, you can drizzle in a small amount of oil, being careful not to drown the wick. You can then sprinkle finely crushed herbs and symbolically coloured glitter on top.
The choice of oil and herbs depends on your intention. For example, jasmine oil is used for love, cinnamon for prosperity, and frankincense for protection. Similarly, rosemary or sage herbs are often used to dress protection candles, while eucalyptus or peppermint herbs are used for healing.
The time of day the candles are lit is also important. To draw influences, some people prefer to work in the morning as the sun rises, and hoodoo practitioners say that the candle should be lit when both clock hands are rising, in the second half.
Novena candles are traditionally burned in a 9-day prayer ritual with the intention of seeking aid and building a relationship with a specific saint, usually for a specific purpose. They are used in candle magic, which involves several steps: writing a petition, "fixing" the candle, setting the candle, reading the candle, and ritually disposing of the candle.
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Write a petition and place it underneath the candle
When preparing a novena candle for a hoodoo ritual, it is important to write a petition and place it underneath the candle. This is a standard step in candle magic, and it involves writing your specific goals or intentions on a piece of parchment paper. The colour of the ink used to write the petition may vary depending on the intention—for example, red for love and green for money or success. The petition paper is then folded and placed beneath the candle.
The act of writing a petition is a powerful way to set your intention and focus your energy on your desired outcome. It is important to be as specific and clear as possible when writing your petition. Vague intentions may lead to unclear results. You may also want to anoint the candle with spiritual or conjure oil, drizzling a small amount on top of the wax, to further amplify your intention.
In addition to placing the petition underneath the candle, you may also want to surround the candle with herbs, crystals, or salt to enhance its energy. For example, dried rose petals can be used to create a circle of love, while dried basil leaves can add an extra layer of prosperity energy. Sea salt can also be used to create a protective barrier and shield you from negative energies.
The petition serves as a physical representation of your intentions, and by placing it underneath the candle, you are symbolically infusing your desires into the ritual. As the candle burns, your intentions are released into the universe, and your wishes are drawn closer to you. It is important to visualise your intentions and trust that your desires are manifesting as the candle burns.
The combination of the written petition, the dressed candle, and the symbolic items surrounding it creates a powerful ritual that harnesses the energy of fire and the magic of intention. This traditional practice has been used for centuries in various cultures and spiritual traditions to seek aid, build relationships with saints, and manifest desires. By following these steps and setting your intentions with clarity and focus, you can perform a meaningful hoodoo ritual using a novena candle.
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Trim the candle wick to half an inch to avoid burning too hot
When preparing a novena candle for use in hoodoo, it is important to trim the candle wick to half an inch to avoid it burning too hot. Trimming the wick is a crucial step in candle care, as it helps to extend the life of the candle and ensures a clean and even burn.
To trim the wick of a novena candle, start by extinguishing the flame and allowing the candle to cool down to room temperature. This is an important safety precaution, as working with hot wax can be dangerous. Once the candle has cooled, use a wick trimmer, a sharp tool, or a butter knife to trim the wick. Aim for a height of about half an inch (or 1/4 inch, as some sources suggest) above the wax, as this will help prevent the wick from mushrooming and producing excess soot.
It is also important to trim the wick before dressing the candle with oils and herbs. Dressing a novena candle involves poking holes or engraving a name or symbol in the wax at the top, adding a small amount of oil, and then sprinkling crushed herbs and glitter on top. By trimming the wick first, you reduce the risk of the candle burning too hot and causing a fire hazard.
Additionally, trimming the wick of a novena candle can help to prevent problems like black flames, tall flames, and smoke stains on glass candle holders. It also helps to prevent the wax from burning too quickly, ensuring that your candle lasts longer. Remember to always practice fire safety when working with candles and never leave a candle unattended.
By following these steps and trimming the wick to half an inch, you can ensure that your hoodoo novena candle burns safely and effectively, enhancing your spiritual or magical practice.
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The colour of the candle can impact its intention
- Red: love spells, affection, passion, bodily vigour, fast action, and serious harmful intentions.
- Pink: attraction, romance, tenderness, and clean living.
- Orange: change of plans, opening the way, and prophetic dreams.
- Yellow: devotion, prayer, money (gold), cheerfulness, and attraction.
- Green: money spells, gambling luck, business, good crops, fertility, health, and growth.
- Blue: peace, harmony, joy, kindly intentions, and healing.
- White: spiritual blessings, purity, healing, and rest.
- Purple: mastery, power, ambition, and command.
- Brown: court case spells and neutrality, and matters of the home or animals.
- Black: repulsion, dark thoughts, freedom from evil, and grave illness.
It is important to note that the colour associations may vary among hoodoo practitioners, and some may not follow any colour associations at all. Additionally, certain spirits, angels, and saints traditionally have their own colour associations, which may take precedence over the colour symbolism mentioned above.
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Frequently asked questions
Novena candles are used in a devotion that is practised over nine days. They are used for requests, thanksgiving, wishes, bereavement or simply gratitude and prayers.
To dress a novena candle in hoodoo, you can use a sharp tool to poke holes or engrave a name or symbol in the wax at the top and then drizzle a small amount of oil. You can then top it with finely crushed herbs and symbolically coloured glitter.
Novena candles come in a variety of colours, including white, red, pink, yellow, orange and green. Each colour has a different significance. For example, white is used for purification and protection, while red is recommended for defence against the forces of evil.
