Candles are necessary tools for the witch, and they are not to be chosen arbitrarily. The type of candle is important, as well as any colors, scents or additives used. For a long time, I used paraffin candles. They are inexpensive, hold scent well and are fairly easy to make. They are very popular with many witches and pagans who use them when casting spells and or any kind of ritual work. You can get them in a multitude of colors, shapes and sizes. Many consider parrafin candles to be ideal. But are they really? For certain purposes, perhaps. Scented candles can make your house smell good, and they create a nice ambience when you have company. They’re aesthetically pleasing, to say the least.

Would I use paraffin candles for magical purposes? Definately not. In fact, it’s probably best not to use them at all. Parrafin candles are made from petroleum by-products, and release numerous chemicals and toxins into the air when burned. More of these harmful substances are released if synthetic fragrances and artificial dyes have been added to the candle. Paraffin also emits many carcinogens. In fact, the toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes and are linked to asthma and lung cancer. The environmental impact of paraffin should also be noted. Crude oil, being the origin of paraffin wax, is considered highly unsustainable, being a non-renewable resource.

What about soy wax? Many witches choose candles with this type of wax, made from soybeans, as a more natural alternative to parrafin. However, soy wax will spoil without preservatives and often contains chemical additives, hardeners and bleach. If you look at a soy candle that has been sitting on a shelf for a long time, you will see how it is beginning to break down.

Several years ago, I decided to use beeswax candles exclusively, for a number of reasons. Beeswax is 100% natural. When burned, beeswax produces negative ions which bind with air pollutants, thereby cleaning the air. Beeswax is completely biodegradeable and compostible. Beeswax candles burn brighter and longer than paraffin and soy candles. They emit very little soot or black smoke. Votives and pillars made from beeswax drip very little, however, I have noticed that the taper candles do tend to drip. Be careful if using fancy or expensive candleholders with beeswax tapers, because when they drip down it can be difficult to clean up.

If you make your own beeswax candles, as I often do, there are things you can add to them for spellwork. Pure essential oils can be added to the wax, just remember that beeswax doesn’t often hold scent well, so add a little more than you would for parrafin or soy candles. Make sure you are using 100% pure essential oils and not a chemical candle fragrance. The idea is to use only natural materials in your candle. You can also add a pinch or two of dried plants, according to your magical purpose for the candle. You can either add it to the wax or sprinkle a little on top of the candle while it is still warm and cooling. You only need a little. If you add too much, the wick could ignite it and your candle will burn too quickly. Some like to roll it in dried herbs that stick to the outside of the candle, and these are quite lovely and Old World. You may also choose to carve magical symbols on the side of the candle. Another practice is to dress the candle with oil, using a specially chosen pure essential oil. Traditionally this done from the middle upwards, and then from the middle downwards.

Some people like to add colors to their beeswax candles. My view is that this introduces an unnatural material to the candle and is not really necessary. A possible exception would be to use natural dyes, which is something I’ve never tried with beeswax. My belief is that beeswax is already so pure and natural that adding a chemical or some unnatural substance will make it less effective for spellwork and magical ritual.

You can program a beeswax candle with a magical charge using the following simple method.

• Hold the candle in both hands.
• Close your eyes and take several deep breaths until you reach a meditative state.
• In your mind’s eye, visualize the candle bathed in a brilliant white light.
• Say three times: “I charge this candle to be an instrument of (healing, protection, peace, etc) for the highest good, with harm to none”.
• Light the candle and let the magic begin.

Beeswax candles hold a magical charge quite well, and are strong conduits for magical energy. They help us tap into the magic of the Old Ways, when witches of ancient times used them in their spells and enchantments. For witchcraft, beeswax is the perfect choice.