The first step in preparing a candle is marking it. Marking
involves inscribing the candle with real or symbolic instructions of its spiritual
intention. You might carve the candle with the name of the target you are working
on, or inscribe sacred symbols of Spirits, Planetaries or Elementals to boost
its power.
Ideally, you will begin working on your candle at your altar.
I recommend you have altar candles lit and a spiritual incense burning. Remember,
the energy you put into preparing the candle is just as important, if not moreso,
than when you are burning it. If you are going to do the job- just do it!
A candle can be carved with something as simple as a toothpick,
ice pick or knife. However be creative in your work. I know many who carve love
or sex candles with a rose thorn. Many use a rusty nail or broken glass to carve
candles for crossing or revenge.
NAME CARVING - WHEN AND HOW DO I NEED TO DO IT?
It's my belief that in cases where you are working on a specific
person, you should carve the name of that person into the candle. Just as in the
application of spiritual oils to a candle (see dressing
a candle), there are a variety of methods you might choose from. Remember
to begin with clean and dried candles.
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Barber
Pole Method of Inscribing a Candle
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The rule of thumb we use at the Mistic is to carve the name in
the same manner in which we apply our oils.
So, if we are trying to draw someone, we carve the name
from the bottom of the candle to the top.
If we are trying to get rid of someone, we carve their
name from the top to the bottom.
If we need to control, compel or otherwise manipulate
a person, the name is carved in a twisting manner - much like the lines
on a barber pole or candy cane. For this type work, the target's name should be
carved a number of times which is appropriate (see numbers
in spellcasting).
Male and female image candles, skull candles, pullout candles,
jumbo candles, offertory candles, the mummy or witch candle, and praying hands
candle are designed for work on an individual. So, one person's name should be
on each candle.
If you are working multiple persons, each one should have their
own candle. The Lovers and Marriage candles are designed to work on a pair of
folks. The man's name should be carved into the male image of the candle and the
woman on the woman's image. If you are working the number nine, each name is carved
nine times - not nine times all together.
I advise my clients to take their time doing this. The target's
name should be called out loud each time the name is carved and a command
should be issued to them - to resonate through the universe.
CARVING SYMBOLS, SIGNS AND SIGILS
Many books tell you to carve your own name into a candle when
working for yourself - say to draw more money or a new love. This is okay but
I really think the Spirits and Energies realize you are working in your own behalf.
If you write a petition as the last step of candle
preparation, it is sufficient reinforcement of who the work is being done for.
At the Mistic, we advise clients to use sigils or symbols on their
candles when they are burning them for themselves. For instance, in a work designed
to draw money, you might carve seven (7) dollar signs into the wax. Or, you could
carve the amount of money you need seven (7) times. Another option would be to
carve the planetary symbol of Jupiter into the candle. Jupiter is the planet of
expansion and wealth so its energy would be appropriate for the type work you
are doing. If you were performing a job to draw a new love into your life you
could use hearts instead of dollar signs - or the symbol for Venus instead of
Jupiter.
If you have trouble finding symbols to carve into your candle
for a desired purpose, you can carve your name. Just use the same format described
above.
Once your candle is carved, the next step is to apply the herbal
materials you are working with. This topic is covered on the candle
dressing page. >>
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