Magical Oil Lamps
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Ancient
Hathor Lamp circa 300 AD - Egypt
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At the Mistic, we sometimes prescribe the use of oil lamps as
a means to perform spiritual work. Often our clients give us a shocked or surprised
look when we tell them to set a lamp on a situation.
The creation of Magical Oil Lamps is a lost art form. A very few,
select rootworkers who shop at the store for supplies still use oil lamps for
all of their spiritual undertakings. Many folks within the Afro-Caribbean
Diaspora however are quite aware of the power of magickal lamps. Old timers know
that that the Spirit seems to respond better and work manifests more quickly and
thoroughly when using a lamp over candles.
There are several reasons oil lamps produce better results and
are therefore one of the most powerful means of performing magic:
- An Oil Lamp is an 100% natural creation. It does not carry the vibrations
of candle factory employees, truck drivers, shop keepers and other customers who
have touched on the candle you are burning. When you focus on your intentions
during oil lamp creation, the only energy present is yours!
- You can add larger amounts of ingredients to an oil lamp. Especially in the
case of glass encased candles, you can only add a few drops of each oil to the
candle. Adding too much oil will make it difficult to keep the wick lit. Adding
too many herbs or powders in the top of the candle can be a fire hazard! With
oil lamps, you may add entire bottles of oil to the lamp and the wick actually
uses these magical blends as fuel! The more herbal material you can add, the more
of their vibration they lend to the work.
- Lamps can be mounted by Spirits. When you recite a Saint's novena or utter
the secret words of a Spirit over the lit lamp, you draw that Spirit down onto
the work. This process is called mounting the lamp. Yes, candles
may also be mounted by Spirits, however lamp flame is much hotter than
that produced by candles.
- Remember, even Spirit is composed of Molecular energy. So scientific law does
apply to the Spirit. The Laws of Physical Science state when you provide
extra energy to an object, you cause its molecules to speed up. Those molecules,
in turn, can cause other molecules to speed up. The sum effect of the speed or
energy of these molecules is called heat. The Molecular Theory of Matter
shows when molecules are heated, they move faster. Metaphysically, because the
mounted lamp is hotter than the mounted candle it will cause more rapid movement
of molecular energy or Spirit energy.
- Oil Lamps have been used in Ritual since antiquity. The Spirit is familiar
with the lamp and immediately recognizes the call when you light it.
The History of Oil Lamps
Oil lamps have been used as a source of illumination since the
discovery of fire. A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself,
lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries; they have guided
great passions and stood vigil through the night with lonely thoughts.
 The
earliest oil lamps were seashells, used in prehistoric Mesopotamia (A common method
of lamp making to this day). As humans progressed, so did lamp construction -
from simply formed pieces of clay to Victorian-era crystal hurricane lamps. Naturally,
the use of oil lamps as lighting became unnecessary with the invention of the
light bulb.
Magically speaking, we know oil lamps were widely used throughout
the world for centuries. In above pictured Egyptian lamp, the God Hathor is present
on the actual lamp casing. Such decoration, logically denotes that lamps were
dedicated to the Spirit.
Many great historical texts document the use of lamps in early
cultures. Herodotus detailed the use of lamps by Egyptians numerous times in his
writings. He confirmed that all over Egypt, "people fastened rows of
oil-lamps to the outside of their houses, and the lamps burned all night."
This was done at the time of the Winter Solstice to illuminate a path for the
Dead but also to provide individual protection of the home from Spirits.
Sacred Tantric texts from India also suggested the use of lamps
in ritual
On a Friday, Rishi Vashishtth placed a Lakshmi Yantra before
himself and made it consecrated with Shreerodaya Mantra. Then he lit four lamps
representing Riddhi (wealth), Siddhi (spiritual powers), Shubh (luck) and Laabh
(gains). Then with a Sfatik rosary he started to chant the Mantra.
As a tool of magic and ritual, oil lamps have many Biblical references.
Exodus 25:37 "Then you shall make its lamps seven in
number; and they shall mount its lamps so as to shed light on the space in front
of it.
Ancient Pagans used oil lamps in religious observances, a practice
which the Roman Christian theologian Tertullian vehemently protested as "the useless
lighting of lamps at noonday." Regardless of such protests, by the fourth century,
lamps became an integral part of Christian rituals.
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Command
the sons of Israel that they bring to you
clear oil from beaten olives for the light,
to make a lamp burn continually.
~Leviticus 24:1 |
Today, oil lamps are used within
a ritual context especially within the African
Diaspora, Ceremonial Magick and Jewish Mysticism.
In Judaism, oil lamps are still used in a religious context. Go
to any Synagogue and you will see the Ner Tamid , an oil lamp representing
the Eternal Flame hanging above the Aron Ha-Kodesh or Holy Ark.
In Haiti, candles are a hard to procure commodity. Vodouisiant
use oil lamps as their primary source of illumination and for most spiritual undertakings.
While magical oil lamps may be more difficult to create and maintain
than modern day candles, their power and effectiveness is undeniable. In the presence
of a simple lamp, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, and the ancestors
once warmed by its glow. Oil lamps remain as an enduring symbol of man's desire
to conquer darkness.
Let's look at basic oil lamp construction ideas on the next
page.
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