Gerina Dunwich - 27 Nov

Witch Candles

To make homemade Witch Candles, you will need the following items which are obtainable at most hobby and craft stores as well as candle shops: candle wicking, wick tins, fireproof candle molds, wire rods, equal parts paraffin and pure beeswax (amounts depending upon how many candles are to be crafted) and a double boiler for melting the wax.

Place the end of a metal core wick (pre-cut to fit the size of the mold and allowing at least one extra inch of wick above the top of the mold) through the star-cut stamped in the center of a wick tin and then bend the tips of the star down to hold the wick in place.

Place the wick tin and wick in a candle mold with the wick centered by a loop in a wire rod placed across the top of the mold. (Candle molds, plain and fancy, are also available in most of the shops that sell crafts and candles. Ordinary household things such as empty waxed milk cartons, plastic bottles, paper towel rolls, paper cups and metal cans make wonderful molds that are inexpensive and disposable.)

Non-disposable candle molds such as muffin cups and fireproof tumblers can be made stick-proof with special candle spray, silicone sprays or non-stick sprays for frying pans. Another (and more old-fashioned) method to prevent candles from sticking to the molds is to grease and then dust the mold with flour or talcum powder.

Cut the paraffin into small pieces with a sharp knife and place them inside the top of the double boiler. (A large tin can placed in a pan of boiling water may be used in place of the double boiler.) Partially fill the bottom part of the boiler with warm water and then place the top part with the cut-up wax inside of it. Add the beeswax to the paraffin and place the double boiler over low heat to melt the wax. (Never attempt to melt the wax directly over fire!)

Scent the melted wax with an aromatic herb oil appropriate for the type of magick spell the candle will be used for. For instance, scent the candle wax with oil of cloves if the candle will be used for divination, exorcism or rituals involving spiritual purification; frankincense oil for love spells, consecration, healing, protection and rituals to banish evil and negativity; lavender oil for love spells; lemon oil for healing rituals and spells involving clairvoyance and prophetic dreams; mint oil for exorcism and healing rituals; musk oil for love spells, sex-magick and fertility rites; patchouly oil for love spells and invocations of elemental powers; pine oil for spells to attract money and success; rose oil for Goddess invocations and spells to increase good luck, courage and love; sandalwood oil for purification rites, healing and protection against evil influences.

To make colored candles, melt a colored wax crayon in the paraffin. (See Chapter Three for the symbolism of candle colors.)

After the melted wax has been scented and colored, remove the double boiler from the heat and slowly pour the wax into the mold(s). Allow it to solidify.

After the wax has cooled, a conical cavity may form on the top surface around the wick. Pour enough melted wax to fill the cavity and provide a level surface to the candle.

Remove the candle from the mold only after the wax has cooled and hardened thoroughly.

Before burning the candle in a magickal ceremony, anoint it with a small amount of oil to put your psychic vibrations into the candle, magnetize it and transform it into an extension of your mind power. (See Chapter Two: Consecration.)

Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles are tapers fashioned from the honeycombs of bees and used in special magickal spells and rituals that require that no tallow (animal fat) be burned.

To make beeswax candles, wrap or roll a honeycomb sheet of beeswax around a candle wick. (Artificial honeycombs of beeswax are obtainable from beekeepers, waxchandlers, honey wholesalers and hobby shops.)