Chloe Adams
The colour of a candle and its intended use are deeply personal and vary depending on the practitioner's beliefs and intentions. For example, while some Wiccans associate white candles with the Goddess, others associate silver or green candles with the feminine and red with the masculine. In general, however, white candles are used to invoke female deities, and silver candles are used to tap into astral energy and female energy. In addition to these, other colours such as black, pink, and red are also used to represent different goddesses and their domains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hecate, the Goddess of the Crossroads | Black and silver candles |
| Greek Goddess of death and rebirth | Black and dark brown candles |
| Greek Hearth Goddess | Red candle |
| Sumerian Goddess of love and war | Red candle |
| Greek Goddess of wisdom and the arts | Purple and white candles |
| Egyptian Fertility Goddess | Red, green and white candles |
| Japanese Buddhist Love and Femininity Goddess | Pink candle |
| Celtic and Neo-Pagan Goddess of fire, wisdom, and poetry | N/A |
| Female Deities | White candles |
| Wiccans Goddess | White, silver, or green candle |
| Moon Goddess | White candle |
| Greek Goddess Selene | Ivory/Cream candle |
| Spiritual Awareness | Purple candle |
| Creativity | Orange candle |
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What You'll Learn
Silver and black for Hecate, the Goddess of the Crossroads
Silver and black are the colours most commonly associated with Hecate, the Goddess of the Crossroads. Hecate, a Greek Moon Goddess, is also known as the Goddess of Darkness and Death, the Queen of Ghosts, and the Queen of the Underworld. She is a triple goddess, representing the feminine maiden, mother, and crone archetypes. Her presence in October and early November is closely tied to the temporary nature of change, visible and felt through the changing seasons and the liminal spaces that autumn brings.
As a goddess of magick, Hecate is a guardian of the mystical and the unknown. She can guide you through the transitions in your life and offer wisdom as you navigate your own crossroads. Calling on Hecate is no small feat, though: she takes her magick very seriously and expects you to as well. Her specialty is guiding people through transitions, often through difficult perspectives and shifts through shadow work.
Silver and black candles are said to be used for different types of spellwork, and their colours are not associated with "good" or "evil". The colour silver is said to be neutralising, while black symbolises protection. Deep purple candles, symbolising spirituality and the third eye, are also said to resonate with Hecate's energy.
Some sources suggest that Hecate is also associated with the colour white, and that a combination of black and white candles might be beneficial when invoking her, given her association with crossroads. Red is also a colour that is sometimes used to represent Hecate, particularly when invoking her triple nature.
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Purple and white for Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom and the arts
Purple and white are the sacred candle colours that best represent Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom and the arts. She is also the goddess of war, handicraft, and practical reason. In ancient Greek religion, she was believed to be the protector of heroes and warriors, and the patroness of spinning and weaving. She is also known as Parthenos, meaning "'virgin', as she was believed to have remained perpetually a virgin.
Athena is often depicted wearing a helmet and holding a spear, with a shield and a long robe. She is associated with the colour purple, which is a royal colour, reflecting her status as a powerful goddess. Purple is also a colour that represents wisdom and righteousness, qualities that Athena embodies. The colour white is also sacred to Athena, representing the purity and goodness that she stands for.
Athena is also known by several other names and epithets, including Atrytone ("the Unwearying"), Promachos ("she who fights in front"), Polias ("of the city"), and Ergane ("the Industrious"). She is closely associated with the city of Athens, from which she likely received her name. The Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens is dedicated to her, and she is regarded as the patron and protectress of various cities across Greece.
In terms of symbolism, Athena is often associated with owls, olive trees, snakes, and the Gorgoneion. She is also known for her wisdom and good counsel, and is regarded as a symbol of freedom, democracy, and classical learning. As such, the colours purple and white are highly significant when invoking and honouring Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom and the arts.
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Red, green and white for Bast, the Egyptian Fertility Goddess
The use of candles for spiritual purposes is a common practice in many cultures and religions. In the context of invoking goddesses, white altar candles are typically used to summon female deities. However, employing a candle in a specific sacred colour associated with a particular goddess is believed to yield better results.
Bast, the Egyptian Fertility Goddess, is one such deity with her sacred candle colours being red, green, and white. Bast, also known as the Lady of Light, is the daughter of Isis and bestows health while symbolizing sexual passion. In ancient times, she was worshipped in the form of a cat and later envisioned as a woman with a cat's head. Bast remains one of the most popular ancient Egyptian goddesses in modern-day Witchcraft and sex magick cults.
The colour red is a common thread among goddesses of love and fertility, such as Ishtar, Inanna, and Freya, whose sacred colours include red. Red is often associated with passion and love, which aligns with Bast's role as a symbol of sexual passion.
The colour green is also associated with fertility and health, as seen with the goddess Asherali, whose sacred colours are green and white. Green may represent Bast's connection to nature and life, as well as her role in promoting positive emotions and health.
White is a colour often associated with purity and innocence, as seen with the Greek Goddess Astarte, whose sacred colour is white. White is also a common colour for altar candles used to invoke female deities, suggesting that it is a colour that represents the divine feminine. In the context of Bast, white may symbolise the purity of her light aspect or the cleanliness associated with good health.
While the colours red, green, and white are considered sacred to Bast, some sources suggest that she also appreciates other colours, including black, silver, blue, brown, and purple. These colours may reflect the diverse aspects of her character and the various forms of magic associated with her.
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Pink for Benten, the Japanese Buddhist Goddess of love and femininity
While white altar candles are commonly used to invoke female deities, lighting a candle in a specific goddess's sacred colour is believed to bring better results. In the case of Benten, the Japanese Buddhist Goddess of love, femininity, music, literature, and the sea, her sacred candle colour is pink.
Benzaiten, or Benten, is an East Asian Buddhist goddess who originated from the Hindu goddess Saraswati, the patroness of speech, the arts, and learning. She is also associated with the Indian goddess Sarasvatī, who is also a patron of literature and the arts. Benten is one of the Shichi-fuku-jin (Seven Gods of Luck) and is worshipped in several Shinto shrines. She is often depicted near bodies of water, such as rivers, ponds, or the sea, and is frequently accompanied by a sea dragon. According to legend, she married a sea dragon and is often shown playing the biwa, a kind of lute.
Benzaiten's worship became integrated with native Japanese beliefs, including serpent and dragon symbolism, as she was originally a river goddess. She is also associated with wealth, fortune, protection from disease and danger, and the protection of the state. In Japanese mythology, she is the Buddhist patron goddess of literature and music, as well as wealth and femininity.
Using a pink candle to invoke Benten can be a powerful way to connect with her energy and to honour her sacred colour. It is believed that using the appropriate candle colour when invoking a particular goddess creates a stronger connection and brings better results.
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White for invoking female Deities
In some forms of modern Paganism, including Wicca and NeoWicca, practitioners may use a goddess candle on their altar during magical workings and rituals. The purpose of these candles is to represent the deities of the individual's belief system. While white altar candles alone can usually be used to invoke female deities, using a candle of the appropriate sacred colour when invoking a particular goddess will bring better results.
For example, the Greek Goddess of wisdom and the arts, Athena, is identified with the Roman Goddess Minerva, and her sacred candle colours are purple and white. Bast, the Egyptian Fertility Goddess and daughter of Isis, is also known as the Lady of Light. She bestows health and symbolizes sexual passion. Her sacred candle colours are red, green and white. Benten, the Japanese Buddhist love Goddess, is also the Goddess of femininity, music, literature and the sea. Her sacred candle colour is pink.
Brigit, the Celtic and Neo-Pagan goddess of fire, wisdom, poetry and sacred wells, is also a deity associated with prophecy, divination and healing. Her sacred candle colours are red and white. Ce-Aehd, the Celtic Goddess of Nature, has the sacred candle colour of green. Chloris, the Greek Goddess of flowers, and the equivalent of the Roman Flower-Goddess Flora, has the sacred candle colours of white and all floral colours.
There are many ways to use a goddess candle. One method is to use a plain candle and either inscribe it or paint it with symbols of the deity it represents. For example, a candle used to represent Athena might have an image of an owl carved into the wax. Another method is to place a plain candle in a jar decorated to represent the deity in question.
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Frequently asked questions
White, silver, green, pink, and red candles are all used to represent the Goddess. White is commonly used to invoke female deities and connect with lunar and Goddess energies. Silver is also used to invoke the Goddess and is associated with astral energy and female energy. Red is used to represent Inanna, the Sumerian Goddess of love and war, and is also used to represent the Greek Goddess of wisdom and the arts, Athena. Green is used to represent Bast, the Egyptian Fertility Goddess, and pink is used to represent Benten, the Japanese Buddhist Love Goddess.
In the Fall/Winter, black candles are used to represent the Goddess, specifically, her Crone aspect.
In the Spring/Summer, silver, white, pink and red candles are used to represent the Goddess. White and silver are used to represent the Maiden aspect of the Goddess, while red is used to represent the Summer, particularly Lammas/Lughnasadh.
