The faint light of the candle's flame grants an enchanting mood to any setting and bring us into contact with the elements of nature. Life as a modern person engaged with computers, artificial light, and artificial stressors takes us away from natural cycles. Candle magick returns us to two of the most basic technologies; fire and attention.
At my altar I often set alight set alight a candle to charge my spells in process and to bring to life the images I have set there. Looking at the drawings of my matron deities they seem to emanate power and influence over my magical workings.
As I mentioned in the previous post in this Daily Witchcraft series, the spells I engage with are simple ones. I use ceremonies to enhance the probability of favorable events, to bring happiness and abundance to my life and the life I share with those around me. In general I am working with the forces of good and light. The lighting of a candle is a symbolic representation of the light and warmth I wish to help bring to the world. This is a form of sympathetic magick which, simply put, is the art of attracting one's desire by simulating a similar energy.
In my eyes, this is how magick works. It really isn't too different than the power of positive thinking and practices of gratitude which teach that the more you are grateful, the more there is to be grateful for. Going with this logic, the lighting a candle is bringing a soft light and subtle warmth to a space. Praying, reading, or sewing by candle light rather than artificial lighting puts us in touch with our ancestral ways. Doing anything by candle light - meditating at your altar or writing in your journal - requires you to focus on that task and nothing more. Focus and attention are key to bringing about any change in the spiritual or physical plane.
These days there are constantly pull on our attention in every direction. And I really do mean constant. From cell phone sounding off, familiar obligations, chores, to the constant news cycle - the distractions make it very challenging to focus on our goals.
Focus - total attention to a singular objective - is what gives it psychic power. That is why meditation, prayer, and ceremony are such integral parts of most religions and spiritual paths.
Lighting a candle, saying a short prayer, then gazing into the flame as the candle burns while imagining my desired goal is one of the important ceremonies I include in my regular spiritual practice. Beyond attracting my life goals, candle spells are a way to center myself in the present. I throw to the side (momentarily) the chaos of modern life to instead spend some time tending to what I want to cultivate: a life of peace and presence. And candle magic is my favorite tool on the path to both.
