How to Dress a Wiccan Candle
Candles are a versatile tool found in just about every Wiccan's supply cabinet. They can be used in Wiccan ritual to represent one's God and Goddess, placed in the quarters of a ritual to represent the four elements or they can be used for magic. Any candle will suffice, whether bought at a specialty shop or a supermarket. To properly prepare the candle, it should be dressed for the occasion. In Wicca, the term "dressing a candle" means to anoint it with oils aligned with your ritual purpose.
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Instructions
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Choose a candle such as a pillar or taper. Choose one in a color aligned with your purpose, such as yellow to represent a sun god or green for candle magic to draw money.
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Choose an oil aligned with your purpose. You may choose an earthy essential oil, such as patchouli for a candle representing the element of earth, soothing lavender oil for a healing spell or you may choose an all-purpose oil like olive or jojoba.
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Place your candle and oils on the altar. Prepare your sacred space and begin your ritual or rite in your usual way. This may involve casting a circle, calling the quarters and invoking your Gods, or it may be a very simple prayer, depending upon your tradition.
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Cleanse and consecrate the candles and the oil in your usual way. You might cleanse them by drawing the symbol of the pentagram in the air above them and asking that they be blessed for ritual use. Depending upon your tradition, go about this in your usual way.
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Pour some oil in one hand and touch it to the other hand. You don't have to rub it in, just don't let it drip. Visualize your intent for the candle.
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Grab the candle and begin rubbing it with oil in a repetitive motion. There are two different schools of thought on how to do this, so it is up to you to do it the way that feels more comfortable and effective. With one method, you rub from one end to the other using a hand over hand motion. You start at the wick and rub down to the base when you want to bring something toward you, and start at the bottom and rub up toward the wick to send something away from you. The other method is to go toward or away from the center, one hand at a time. Use both hands starting at either end and rub them to the middle of the candle to bring something to you, or start in the middle and rub outward toward either end to send something away.
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Mentally pour your intent into the candle. Continue rubbing the candle with oil in the appropriate direction for the method you have chosen. Repeat the action over and over again for a minute or two until you feel you have charged your candle and aligned it with your purpose.
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Place your candle in a candle holder and light it when the ritual you are doing calls for you to do so.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful with essential oils. Some, such as cinnamon or clove, can be a skin irritant. Dilute strong essential oils with a neutral oil like olive oil.
References
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