Candle Magic~Scott Cunningham
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:20 am
It stands there in cold silence. A hand clasps it.
Human energy flows into its mute form, lending it power.
A magic spark blossoms and forms a dancing flame.
Fire meets Earth, producing Water and Air.
Wax melts.
The power is sent forth.
Every year, millions of candles are used for a variety of purposes. They shine from restaurant tables, flicker on altars devoted to "conventional" religious paths, light the homeless in secret rooms of abandoned buildings, provide a firey glow to birthday cakes, and are urgently lit during electrical power outages.
Candles are also used for magical purposes.
The reasons for this are clear:
Candles are available in a wide range of colors, and colors are directly related to specific magical energies.
Candles absorb personal power.
When burned, candles release this energy over a period of time.
Indeed, the changes that occur when fire is touched to wick are extraordinary. The candle itself, unlit, represents the element of Earth. When touched with Fire, the candle melts, producing liquid wax (representing the element of Water) and smoke (the element of Air). This seemingly miraculous process is another reason why candles are an accepted part of folk magic.
(The above text is from the book, 'Earth, Air, Fire & Water' by Scott Cunningham.)