Candle Dressing: 3 ways

Witches and candles go hand in hand. Candles in magic are used as a tool in spellwork: To manifest or to meditate.

Dressing a candle allows you to charge it with your energy and intention. Every step you work with your candle you are doing just that! In addition to having a beautiful tool.

Do you need to dress a candle? No, you do not need to do this. Your will and intention when you do a ritual or spell is still the same with or without, dressing the candle.

Adding oils and herbs, amplify the intention. Before using any herbs, be sure to research them ensuring that they are safe for you and any fur babies you may have. When picking herbs, you can use whole dried herbs that you can crush in a mortar/ pestle or you can use the spices in your pantry.

Is there a right or wrong way to dress a candle? Everyone dresses their candles according to their needs and what type of candle they are using. You can use Chime candle, tea light candles or a 7 day candles.

The steps are simple: Cleanse, carve, apply oil, roll in herbs. However, the process is a little more involved than the simple steps mentioned. With the oils and herbs it’s always advised to make sure that the ones you choose correspond with your intention.  If you’re doing a protection spell you may use clove, for money you may use cinnamon, to speed up a spell use chili flakes. Many herbs have multiple correspondences and can be used interchangeably if you don’t have a herb you wanted to use.

Cleansing a candle is dependent on how you practice. Smoke cleansing is a common option; but if you are unable to smoke cleanse, moon water, sound or crystal cleansing will work just as well. . If you are just starting out I recommend trying different ways to cleanse till you find one that feels natural to you.

These next steps are for dressing a chime candle, or any other loose candle you would like to use for a spell

When you go to carve your candle, you can use sigils that you made, runes, symbols, names. Anything that Is related to the reason you are dressing a candle. Depending on the size of the candle is what determines what sharp object will be needed. You can use a thumb tack, a pencil/pen, or a blade. I view this step as a way to bind your intention into the candle. If your unable to carve the candle, a good alternative is to write it on a piece of paper placing it under the candle.

When choosing an oil to use you have a few options. You can select a plain carrier oil, an essential oil that has been mixed with a carrier oil, you can make your own oil blend or a pre made oil that has been created by a shop. Use what you have available and what aligns with your intention. There is no need to run and buy a specific oil, unless you want it.

Placing the oil on the middle of the candle and with your finger spread the oil in one direction, be sure to lift your finger between each sweep. Do not run your finger up and then down and back up on the candle. Spread the oil from the wick down to the base to draw in energy; spread the oil from the base to the wick to get rid of energy. Anointing the candle will also help the Herbs cling to the surface.

Some practitioners use glitter when they dress their candles. If you choose to do this, make sure that your glitter is biodegradable. I do use glitter in my spell work, but  I don’t dress my candles in it because glitter gets everywhere, and I don’t want the glitter that was infused with an intention to be all over my alter space or house. This is a personal choice.

When selecting your herbs, finding their correspondence should be the first step. I personally use two to three different herbs. You can use whole herbs, lightly ground herbs, or finely powdered herbs (these are normally spices found in the kitchen). If using whole herbs be mindful of how much is applied, you don’t want to put so many herbs that your spell becomes a fire hazard.

These next steps are for dressing a 7-day candle,

7-day candles can be found at many stores. They are sold with candles fused to the glass, however I have seen candles dressed then put into a tall glass container. How ever the magic flows throw you and plays out in your hand is how its meant to be for that moment.

Always start by cleansing your candle and tools.

In order to “carve” the 7-day candle, take a sharpie and write/draw on the outside your intention. Since you are using ink, use a color that corresponds to the spell.

Next take a wooden skewer and pierce the wax. Pushing the skewer about ¾ the way of the candle. You will need to make a few holes, I normally use 3 in representation of Heckate. Take the oil of your choice placing a few drops into the holes. (to avoid causing a fire hazard, use a small amount of oil). Once all the oil has funneled into the holes you are ready for the next step.

Last step is the herbs. Take the ones you have chosen and combined. Sprinkle on top of the candle. Use a heat gun to melt the wax allowing the herbs and other ingredients to combine.  Save the extra herbs to add to the candle if you need to re-light the candle for any reason. Simply add a tiny pinch of  herbs to the top of cooled candle before relighting.

These next steps are for dressing a tea light candle

Tea light candles are easy to store and use for a quick spell. For this method finely ground herbs are what is referenced in this section. Since the candle is smaller, the steps are backwards slightly.

Normally they are to small to carve, but if you feel confident enough not to hurt yourself go ahead an carve the candle. If you are more practical, then you can write your intention on a paper and place It under the candle.

Remove the candle from the aluminum casing. Take the herbs from the kitchen cabinet and sprinkle into the tin. Replace the candle back into the aluminum tin.

 Place a few drops of oils onto the top of the candle.  Light the candle.

After you finish dressing your candle, allow it to sit overnight. When you are ready to light the candle, be sure to stay near the candle. While the candle is burning you can always check the flame to see how it is going. If the flame is tall and strong: the spell is working; if the candle starts to crack and pop; spirits are trying to communicate with you; if the flame is small;  something is trying to stop the spell.

Once the candle has burned down there are a few things you can do with the remnants. You can dispose of them how every you see fit or you can do a wax reading before disposing them. A wax reading is a form of divination when you see if there are any shapes in the wax.

There you have it 3 different ways to dress a candle.