How to Cleanse With a Candle
Cleansing rituals are preformed to purify a space by removing negative energies from that area. In many religious practices across the world, incense is used to cleanse sacred spaces, such as a church or temple. If you are allergic or do not like the smell of incense, you may substitute a candle for a cleansing ritual. Author Silver Ravenwolf notes "used in Magick, religious worship, in community processions, and for daily household needs, the candle has been with us for over 5,000 years."
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Instructions
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Close all windows and outside doors to the space you would like to cleanse. You can choose to keep the lights on or off.
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Meditate on your reasons for wanting to cleanse the space as you dip the candle in a bowl of clean water. This process will cleanse the candle and allow you time to clear your mind of your everyday activities and tasks before preforming the cleansing ritual.
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Light the candle and carry it in a clockwise direction around the room. Focus on the flickering of the flame and the movement of the smoke as you carry the candle. If you have attended religious ceremonies where incense has been used, you can imagine this practice while you carry your candle, as you are preforming the same rite. Neworleansmistic.com suggests that you "fan the rising smoke in all directions. Make sure to outline all windows, doors, electrical outlets, drains & faucets."
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Close the door behind you to each room once you have completed the cleansing. It is best to allow time for the room to become neutralized with the candle's energy without interruption; however this is not required. Do not leave your candle in a room unattended.
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Place the candle in a place where it can extinguish on its own. It is important to keep the candle away from any flammable objects. The University of North Carolina's Candle Magick website advises "It is also best to allow the candle to burn out by itself, as blowing it out may disperse the energy contained within." Keep the candle in your sight until it has extinguished to avoid accidents or damage to your home.
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Tips & Warnings
Using a candle made yourself is preferable, as anything homemade will contain your own positive energies. If you are unable to make your own candle, you can use any candle available to you.
The candle you use does not need to be elaborately decorated. A basic, fragrance-free candle is preferred.
Once you have cleansed the candle, you may dry it off with a clean towel before you start purifying the space.
As you preform the cleansing, be aware of how close you are bringing the lit candle to any flammable object, such as curtains or even hair.
