~ Lighting, Flames, Extinguishing and Disposal~

Robin Baker

How to light a candle. 
In the strict use of candle magic, it is a taboo to use matches. Matches use phosphorous and sulfur, and we all know what sulfur means.....eeeee-vil. The ideal way to light your candles (and it’s a lovely one) is to “Draw done the Sun” on Midsummer and keep a vigil candle burning all year to light your candles from. (Again great, if you have the money and a permanent altar.) Since most people do not have permanent altars, the books advise that you go into another room away from you sacred space, light a “lighting candle” with a gas lighter, carry it back into your sacred space and light your candles from that…. (Apparently the gods don’t like gas either. Since I do not believe that anything in nature is inherently evil and I happen to like the smell of matches…I use matches. 
Before you start to prepare your candles, you may prepare yourself in the any ritual way that is familiar to you. With a bath, sacred garments, incense, candles, meditation or just taking three good deep breaths to purge yourself of the day’s tension...whatever is purifying and respectful. If nothing else, I wash my hands and feet, I light incense, and strike a bell thrice to open and close my meditation

About Signs 
Not all magickal traditions give credence to the manner in which a candle burns or seeks to divine the success or failure of a spell by observing patterns left in wax residue. When I was a new student to the craft, that is Wicca, none of my teachers at the time taught about these concepts at least none that I am aware of. When the subject was broached it was usually vague or concerned itself with the practice of Ceromancy, the art of divination by melting wax in cool water. 

Some of the topics that will be addressed in this entry will include:
The Behavior of the Candle-Flame 
Signs Left by Vigil Lights 
Symbols in Left-Over Wax 
Things to Keep in Mind 
The Behavior of the Candle-Flame 

Just like God spoke to Moses in the form of a burning bush, your candles are speaking to you each time you light them to attract or dispel certain influences. Granted they may not speak in a voice that you can hear with your ears (although it has been known to occur) but rather with the movement of the flame. Some of the signs through which a candle may be trying to communicate with you are given below. These signs presuppose that you have already ruled out any mundane factors which may give the appearance of a positive or negative sign, such as a candle which has been left in a draft, an improperly made candle, too much oil used, etc...and have made the necessary corrections. 

Weak or Low Flame- This is a sign that you have not accumulated sufficient power to accomplish your desired goal or that another is working against you. Watch the flame to see if it grows stronger as it burns, if not, this means that your desire may not manifest and if it does it will take a long time. When this occurs you should re-evaluate your goal or continue burning candles until you see improvement. 

Strong or High Flame- A strong flame indicated a great amount of power or energy is being spent to achieve your goal. A flame which burns abnormally high is indicative that God has heard your petition and this is generally taken as a sign that your work will succeed. 

Flame Goes Out- A candle that will not burn or whose flame goes out is trying to tell you that there are strong energies working against you. When this occurs you have three choices. They are 1) Dispose of this candle and start over with another. 2) Re-light the candle and refortify it with fervent prayer. or 3) Dispose of the candle and re-evaluate your goal. 

Flame Relights Itself- A candle whose flame appears to become extinguished and which then begins burning again is a sign that there are energies opposing your work but that your candle is fighting back to keep working for you. 

Flaring Flame- When the flame flares up and down this is a sign of opposition and that you are in an active struggle with the subject of your spell. It could be that someone is working against you or that someone is working for the same goal as you (i.e. casting spells for the same promotion, lover, etc...) Pay attention to how the candle continues to burn for additional signs. 

Crackling Flame- A candle which snaps, crackles, or pops is generally believed to be a sign of the language of spirits (ancestors, angels, etc...). It is believed that the spirits are either talking to you or to each other. 

Fast Burn- A candle which burns down quickly and leaves little to no residue is given as a sign that the work will 
be successful but that perhaps the results will not be lasting. 

Slow Burn- A candle which burns down slowly or slower than other candles of the same type previously burned is given to indicate that 1) the goal of the spell will take some time but that the results will last or 2) there is 
resistance to your spell. 

Signs Left By Vigil Lights 
Unlike free-standing candles, Vigil Lights are candles which are encased in glass and which are designed to burn anywhere from 7 to 9 days. Due to the fact that they are encased in glass, many auguries have been ascribed to condition of the glass as a result of burning a Vigil Light. Some of these signs include:

Clean Burn- It is given as a good sign that what you wish for will come to pass with little to no resistance if a Vigil Light burns without leaving behind any wax residue or marks on the glass. 
Soot on Top- If the top portion of a Vigil Light is blackened from soot, but otherwise clean as it burns down, this is given as a sign that your spell got off to a bad start (i.e. it initially faced some negativity or opposition) but that it worked past those negative energy and worked well for you. 
Soot on Bottom- If a Vigil Light burns clean in the beginning but later leaves a black soot on the bottom portion of your candle, this is a sign that your spell got off to a good start but ran into opposition before completing its work for you. When this occurs you should back up the work by lighting another candle and continuing to do so until you get a candle that burns clean. 
Soot All Over- A Vigil Light that burns completely black is a definite sign that a strong enemy is working against you. 

Cracked Glass/Explodes- As in the case with many of the signs mentioned, the signs given for a Vigil Light that cracks or explodes largely depends on the the goal of the spell. Generally speaking a cracked/exploding Vigil Light can indicate 1) Breaking through an obstacle such as another person's defenses 2) Breaking a spell such as a hex that was placed on you or 3) Your candle broke because it took a 'hit' for you or 4) The person is actively working against you and broke your spell before it could have an effect on him or her. 

Symbols Left in Residual Wax 
Sometimes a candle will melt down and drip wax in puddles as it burns. These puddles are often searched for signs and symbols which will give an indication of the success or failure of the work. Some common symbols include Hearts, Faces, Tears, Eyes, Circles, Genitals; some individuals have attempted to assign specific meanings to commonly occurring symbols which have often found in these drippings. However, I feel that although there are universal meanings to some such symbols, but that they are also very subjective. 
For example, it has been said that wax which forms droplets down the side of a candle are called tears and that they represent that someone will cry before the spell is complete. This is usually interpreted as tears of sorrow, regret, or grief. However, tears can also be interpreted as joy and happiness. 
For this reason I will not presume to tell the reader what a certain symbol means, but rather would instruct him or her to define for themselves what a symbol represents. 

Things to Keep In Mind
This entry is not intended to cover every aspect of signs found in candle-burning, but rather to give a brief overview of the subject. Many of the signs given are subjective and largely dependent on the goal or intention of the spell. 
As you practice candle-burning, I suggest that you observe your candles closely and take notes as to the behavior of the candle and how they burn. When your spell is complete, pay attention to what does or does not happen next and write this down as well. With practice over-time you will begin to understand how your candles speak to you and what they are trying to tell you.

LIGHTING, EXTINGUISHING AND DISPOSAL
Light all candles with a lighter or another candle. Never use matches, as the sulphur will disrupt magickal workings.

To extinguish a candle, use a candle snuffer, or wave your hand over the top of the candle to create enough draft to extinguish it. If you plan to use it again, store it carefully. If the spell calls for a virgin candle, bury it off of your property for spells involving the movement of things away from you and on the property if you wish to draw something toward you.

Keep candle drippings from all rituals, except those where you are repelling. You can add drippings to healing pouches (if the spell was for healing). Remelt them on a talisman consecrated and empowered during the same ritual, or keep them simply in the bottom of a purse or coat pocket for good luck, fertility, romance and fortune.

How to put out a candle. 
If the spell requires you to put out the candle before it has burned fully, the books say, “Never! Blow out a candle! Pinch it out with your finger.” From the beginning, I felt this was wrong for me. Breath is sacred. Prophets and Sages have used their breath in blessing since the beginning of time. The Dali Lama still does. Years later, I learned that the Wind was my spirit guide. Instinctively, I knew that I should blow candles out or snuff them with a snuffer, if the spell is to be restarted at another day or time. When I blow out a candle(s) I always say: 
This (These) goes out, but not the sun. 
It does not end, what is begun.

Disposing of Magical Remains 

Many people think that a spell is complete once the candle is spent, but this is not the case. A spell is not complete until its magical remains (i.e. candle wax, petition, herbs, etc...) have been properly disposed of. This is especially true in the folk-magic tradition of Hoodoo where disposal of magical remains has a direct symbolical bearing on the work at hand. 
Some of the topics I will cover today include 
Disposing of Candle Wax 
Disposing of Used Vigil Lights 
Disposing of Your Written Petition 
Disposing of Candle Wax 

As stated earlier the intention of your spell often has a direct correlation on how you dispose of magical remains. Below you will find a general guide-line grouped by intention/goal to help you determine how best to dispose of magickal leftovers. 

To Attract Influences- If the work was done to draw something to you such as prosperity, a new lover, or good health, the remains are buried on your property, often near your front door or under your front doorstep.
To Keep and Maintain- If the work was done to keep something with you indefinitely such as a straying lover, the remains are buried in your backyard. 
To Move Away- If the work was done to move something away from you such as a jinx, an enemy, or a negative condition, the remains would be buried off of your property. Choices for burial include 1) tossing in running water or 2) burying at a crossroads. 
To Increase- If the work was done to create or increase a condition such as prosperity or good health, bury or throw it toward the East so that its strengthen with the rising Sun. 
To Decrease- If the work was done to end or weaken a condition such as an enemy's good luck, ill-health, etc. bury or throw it towards the West so that it will diminish with the setting Sun. 

Disposal of Used Vigil Lights 

Vigil Lights are typically 8 inch tall Pillar type candles which have been encased in glass. They usually burn anywhere from 7 to 9 days. When a Vigil Light is spent there is always the question of how to dispose of them. Your choices include:
Burying/Disposal- Depending on the actual spell, some workers have been known to dispose of used vigil lights in the same manner as other magical remains. 
Trash/Recycle- Some workers have been known to simply toss them in the trash, while others choose to clean them out and place them in the recycle bin. 
Reuse- Again, I have known some workers to clean them out and reuse Vigil Lights around their home as storage for incense sticks, as vases, or filled with decorative items such as marbles. 

If you want something to come back to you or come to you, you bury it near your home - unless it is his underwear, and that you place UNDER your mattress. The theory here is that whatever you are doing as a candle spell, then those remnants of wax, burnt ashes of petition papers, incense or herbs and sachet powders, will be the ‘attracting’ scent, or ‘magnet’ to your door.

This goes for fast luck, more business, steady business, lover come back or here, kitty kitty spells. Now, if you do not have a source of dirt (like a planter bed or grass) near your door, then get a terra cotta pot, pour in a couple of inches of dirt, place items there, cover with more dirt or potting soil and get a live plant, silk or artificial bush or just some rocks over the dirt (to keep kitty from using the potty there) and leave as close to your front door or porch as possible.

Now, if you want to get rid of something, throw it into moving water, like a river or fast moving creek. Don’t throw it into a pond, as your eyes will always gravitate to the spot when you drive by in the future. If you are trying to damn someone up, take it to the cemetery and leave it at a grave site, along with a small bottle (half pint) of whiskey and a cigar. Maybe some candy or gum. If it is to punish or get someone thrown in jail, go leave it at a policeman’s or war veteran’s grave. they will do justice work for you.

Disposal of Written Petition
Procedures for disposing of written petitions such as prayers, name paper, or petitions for specific goals often follow the same guidelines for disposal as other forms of magical remains. Typically, petitions are either 1) Burned or 2) Buried. However even with these two choices there are variations and choices to be made. 
Burning
If the candle was free-standing, the petition may be burned and its ashes mixed with any left-over wax to be disposed of in the manner described above on disposal of candle wax. 
If the candle was a vigil-light, the petition may be burned inside the glass and the ashes 1) Tossed out with the glass 2) Washed down the drain 3) Scattered to the Winds 4) Disposed of in the same manner as candle wax described above. 
Alternately, the petition can be burned along with incense or powdered herbs with prayer as an offering to deity. 
Burying 
The petition can be wrapped up with left-over candle wax, herbs, etc. and buried 1) near your front door to attract influences 2) in your backyard to maintain conditions 3) tossed in running water to move something away from you or 4) at a crossroads to disperse energy. 
If the petition was part of a working to hurt or jinx an enemy it can be burned and the ashes mixed with any leftover wax, or any type of crossing herbs or powder and 
1) buried in the individuals front yard 
2) buried under their doorstep 
3) hidden in a tree on their property (usually on the western side), 4) hidden in their car
5) buried where they are sure to step over it, etc....