Chloe Adams
Candles play a significant role in the practice of Hoodoo, a form of African-American conjure and rootwork. Various types of candles are used in Hoodoo practices, including straight-sided Altar and Offertory candles, Jumbo candles, tapers, and tea lights. While some sources suggest that the colour of the candle is not significant in Hoodoo, others associate specific colours with different intentions, such as red and black for protection and love spells. Additionally, candles may be dressed with herbs, incense, or magical Hoodoo oils to enhance their symbolic meaning. The disposal of candle remnants is also important in Hoodoo, with practices varying depending on the intention and nature of the spell.
Characteristics and Values of Candles for Hoodoo
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Chime, vigil, pull-out, taper, glass-encased, votive, plain, figure |
| Colour | Red, black, white, green, rainbow, yellow, orange |
| Ingredients | Oils, herbs, magnetic sand, lodestones, personal concerns, photos, powdered roots, essential oils, money |
| Use | Love, healing, influence, protection, banishing, uncrossing, money drawing, court cases |
| Ritual | Carving symbols, anointing with oils, burning incense, affixing images, glueing tarot cards, prayers |
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What You'll Learn
Candle colour
Red and black candles are used for protection spells, while white candles are also considered good. A gold candle can attract fortune, and a blue and white candle combination can be used to call on Iemanjá for gentler energy. Rainbow candles are also considered fine, as they have great modern significance and can refer to any orixá/loa or praise them all.
Figural candles, made in the shape of various entities and objects, are also used in hoodoo rootwork. These candles are made in colours that are magically appropriate to the kind of spell being performed. For example, a candle in the shape of a human figure may be used for a spell intended to influence a specific person. These candles are often made of soft wax and can be inscribed with symbols or words.
Candles used in hoodoo can be dressed with conjure oils, herbs, incense, or other magical ingredients to enhance their power and are often burned during prayer or magic spells. They can also be used in the preparation of mojo bags, placed on altars, or employed in acts of religious veneration.
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Candle dressing
After a candle has been dressed, it can be burned as part of a spell. The leftover materials from the spell should be disposed of properly, with good spells' remnants being wrapped and buried in the yard, and negative spells' remnants being thrown into running water or at a crossroads.
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Candle type
The type of candle used in Hoodoo is often chosen based on its colour, shape, and size. While some sources suggest that the colour of the candle is not significant in Hoodoo, others assign symbolic meanings to different colours. For example, red and black candles are said to be used for protection and love spells, while gold candles are believed to attract fortune. White candles are also commonly used and are considered suitable for road opener rituals.
Various types of candles can be used in Hoodoo practices, including straight-sided altar candles, which are typically 4 inches tall, and offertory candles, which are usually 6 inches tall and are often used for prayer, magic spells, and Hoodoo candle work. Jumbo candles, measuring 9 inches, are thicker and have a longer burn time, making them suitable for extended rituals. They come in single colours or double-colour combinations and can be inscribed and dressed with oils to enhance their magical properties.
Taper candles, with their distinctive rounded tip, offer a unique shape that differs from the straight-sided altar and offertory candles. Tea lights, on the other hand, are small, disk-shaped candles that are highly economical and safe to burn. They are commonly used in groups to create community altars or for church services involving multiple participants.
Figural candles, made in the shape of human beings, devils, angels, skulls, and other figures, are another type of candle used in Hoodoo rootwork and spell-craft. These candles are crafted from soft wax and are available in colours that align with the magical intention of the spell being performed. They are designed to burn continually for at least 120 hours, earning them names like "novena" or "seven-day" candles.
Glass-encased candles, also known as vigil candles, are preferred by those who wish to practise Hoodoo discreetly. These candles are often colour-coded to symbolise the intention of the spell and can be dressed with herbs and magical Hoodoo oils. They are sometimes labelled with images or spells, allowing for personalisation and a deeper connection to the ritual.
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Candle disposal
Disposal Methods for Different Spell Types:
- Good Intentions and Home-Related Spells: If the spell involves good intentions and matters related to one's home, such as blessings, love, money, or protection, the leftover candle wax and other materials can be wrapped in cloth or paper. These packets can then be buried in one's yard or garden. It is important to note that remains from negative spells should not be buried in your own yard.
- Non-Home-Related Spells: For spells that are not specifically related to one's home, or for those without access to a suitable yard, the wrapped packets can be thrown into running water over the left shoulder while walking away. Alternatively, these packets can be taken to a crossroads, where two roads intersect, and thrown into the center over the left shoulder before walking away.
- Negative Spells: After performing a spell or jinx with negative energies directed against an enemy, it is customary to cleanse oneself. This can include a Hyssop bath and reciting the 51st Psalm ("Purge me with Hyssop"). The leftover materials from such spells can be disposed of at a crossroads or in a cemetery, especially if the intention was seriously harmful.
- Spells for Someone to Leave: In the case of spells intended to make someone leave town or leave you alone, the materials can be divided into multiple packets with Hot Foot Powder or Drive Away Powder added to each. Starting at a crossroads near the person's residence, throw out the first packet. Then, travel away from their home, towards where you want them to go, and drop a packet at each crossroads you pass until all packets are disposed of.
General Guidelines for Candle Disposal:
- Respect and Grounding: Many practitioners believe that spiritual tools, including candles, should be treated with respect after use. Grounding, or earthing, is an important practice to help readjust and realign your energy with your mind and body after performing a spell.
- Planning for Disposal: It is advisable to plan how you will dispose of candle remnants and other materials before even crafting a spell. This ensures a respectful and proper disposal process.
- Disposal Options: While some practitioners opt for disposal in landfills or flushing down the toilet, others prefer more symbolic methods. Some people choose to hide petition papers in their shoes, carry them in wallets, or set them loose in running water. Leftover ritual incense, conjure oils, and spiritual powders are often disposed of, while partially used contents may be kept for future work.
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Candle safety
While the choice of candle colour for hoodoo seems to be a matter of debate, with some sources saying that any colour will work, and others suggesting specific colours for different purposes, candle safety is an important issue to consider.
Candles with open flames are dangerous if they tip over or are placed too close to flammable materials. On average, 20 home candle fires are reported each day, and 85% of these could be avoided if consumers followed basic safety rules. Here are some important guidelines to follow when using candles:
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Never burn a candle near anything that might catch fire. Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything flammable, and place burning candles at least three inches apart from each other.
- Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
- Before lighting a candle, trim the wick to 1/4 inch. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping, or flaring.
- Always use a candle holder that is specifically designed for candle use. It should be heat-resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
- Do not burn a candle all the way down. For safety, discontinue burning when 1/2 inch of wax remains in the container, or 2 inches if using a pillar candle.
- Extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly.
- Never use a candle as a night light or when you may fall asleep. Do not use candles in bedrooms, bathrooms, or sleeping areas.
- Use flashlights or battery-powered lights during a power outage instead of candles.
- Dispose of leftover candle materials responsibly, following the appropriate methods for different types of spells.
By following these safety guidelines, you can help ensure that your candle usage is safe and responsible, whether for hoodoo practices or any other purpose.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles play a powerful role in the practice of Hoodoo. Altar candles are 4 inches tall with straight sides. Offertory candles are 6 inches tall, while Jumbo candles are 9 inches tall and thicker, burning longer than the Altar and Offertory candles. Other types include figural candles, tapers, and tea lights.
The colour of the candle depends on the intention of the spell. Red and black candles are used for protection, while red altar candles are used for a protection spell. Gold candles attract fortune, and rainbow candles are also used. White candles are good for road openers, and yellow, orange, or red candles are commonly used for this purpose as well.
The disposal of a Hoodoo candle depends on the intention of the spell. If the spell is good and involves matters around one's home, such as blessing or home protection, the leftover materials can be wrapped in cloth or paper and buried in the yard. If the spell is not centred on matters close to home, the materials can be thrown into running water or taken to a crossroads and thrown into the centre.
