Lucky Mojo Forum

[Ashley]

@starsinthesky7: I have just read your reply to the topic "What do you do while candle burning?", which post long time ago. You mentioned we should keep the mood while the candle burning. I would like to confirm, if I need to sit in front of my candle, pray over and over while the candle burning, when I light it till it runs out? Is it the longer I keep my focus is the better? Or I can say my petition, pray for a while and then keep my mood but doing something else? It is different from taper candle and candle for Saints?

Another question, my friend has a question, if the time he focuses is the same, what is different between using a 6" long and a 4" long candle? A longer one is for us to have a longer focus time or a longer time to keep the heat of the spell?

[jwmcclin]

Its your choice in work Ashley, workers choose what works best for their situations. Heat is kept on the spell when working it over a number of days.

[starsinthesky7]

@ Ashley,
For the mood, I mean if you are doing love work try to "feel the love", if you were doing crossing work or break up work then we should feel the conviction and anger in you. This is apart of focusing, and is just my personal preference when I do the work. Other people may do it another way, but I find that when I am angry trying to do a love spell or something else is on my mind, or its full of worry...thats communicated in the energy of the work. So if I am doing a love spell, I try to feel loving, and really FEEL what I am doing. I believe in it.

You dont need to pray on the candle for the entire time it is burning. Focus as long as you can even if that is for a good 10 seconds. Just BELIEVE, and feel the strength of what you are saying out loud whether it be a prayer or petition. You dont need to keep focusing on the work all day or while you do something else. So you may want to pray or say your petition after you feel you have focused long enough, and then let it burn for the rest of the night. Or let it to continue to burn for the time you have alloted, and then move on to something else. That is up to you.

For saint work, you can still feel the power and conviction of what you are saying. I like to spend time talking with whatever saint I am working with, and/or I will say their prayer.


The length of the candle has nothing to do with the actual focus. Not everyone can focus for 5 minutes at a time. Its not really about the TIME you focus. It is about the QUALITY in which you focus. I mean whats the point in trying to focus for 30 minutes if your mind is wandering, and you are restless. Some people speak a what is in their heart, and others may simply read the prayer, psalm or petition.

The length of the candle depends on how long you want to work with it, and/or your preference. Some people work with 4 inch candles because they are easier to burn in the time they have alloted. In addition, some people cant leave candles burning while they are out. Longer candles burn longer amounts of time. So if you wanted to work a spell that requires 7 full days to work the spell, then you may decide to work with a 7 day vigil candle. OR you may choose to work with 7...4 inch candles. Its really your preference and as you continue to do candle magic, then you will learn your preferences.

[Michael B]

Hello all... this is my first post here, so I may as well "take the plunge" and display some ignorance and confusion. (sigh).

Despite having read almost every candle thread on here, I'm still not clear on a few points concerning carving names on candles and which direction to do so in. For instance: say I wanted to write my full name on a candle to draw money to me.... I read that "upwards", draws... does this mean that I would start my name at the base of the candle and work my way toward the wick - ignoring the halfway point of the candle ?
Raymond Buckland makes references to the top half of the candle and the bottom half - with an imaginary line around the halfway point to distinguish between the two. Needless to say, writing my full name pretty much requires the entire candle's length - and this just serves to confuse the issue.

Thoughts ?

Thanks !!

Michael

[jwmcclin]

There are several methods used to personalize a candle. Writing upward (drawing to you) by starting at base and writing toward you is one. Also, you can write in a spiral to get your entire name on candle (like peppermint stick strips); Alternatively, you can write a petition and place under the candle.

[starsinthesky7]

Hi Michael B,

Welcome to the forum. Its okay to ask "ignorant" questions. Lucky for you most people have asked all kinds of questions so you have a lot of material to learn from.

Now all of the methods you and Jwmcclin have mentioned are correct. I think you should try out all the methods and see what works for you. I did this when I first started learning. I personally do not do the mid way point method Buckland mentions along with others. I have always liked the base to wick for drawing, and base to wick for removing.

In this case, I would try the base to wick to draw something to you. See how this works for you, and make note of it. Then next time do something different. In addition, if your entire name doesnt fit you can say Michael B. and then when you write out your name paper or petition you can use your entire name.

[ConjureMan Ali]

The mid-way point on a candle is first mentioned in Henri Gamache, though he undoubtly picked up from practices he observed. This method is often used for dressing a candle. The candle is dressed from the center to each polar end in turn. However, this is but one method for dressing a candle.

Like dressing a candle there are various traditions for carving a candle. A few of which were mentioned by Jwm and Starsinthesky. For those who dress from bottom to top for drawing and top to bottom for removing they view the candle not unlike a person doing spiritual baths.

To learn more about these traditions check this out: http://www.luckymojo.com/candlemagic.html

Like Starsinthesky said, learn these different methods and find one that resonates with you.

[Michael B]

Thanks for the very informative replies ...
Very much appreciated !

Michael

[Michael B]

For the record, I am going to be the "recipient" of the bulk of my upcoming candle work. To this end I have purchased several dark blue/purple candles to represent myself (as I am a Sagittarius poster child). Since I will be using these exclusively for the above purpose, is there any reason that I cannot dress and carve my name in advance and perhaps keep a supply of these together in a box for future use (adding to them as needed)?
I typically use planetary hours as a basis for my timing, and to have at least some of the work done in advance sounds like a good idea. Such as it is, in addition to my regular shenanigans, I'm awaiting my first order from LM: Jupiter and Sagittarius vigil candles, Henri Gamache's book, Jupiter and Sagittarius oils, and Lucky 13 oil - along with both sets of Seals/Pentacles on parchment. I'm very much looking forward to fine tuning my candle work, which has thus far been mostly done using gut-level intuition - I guess it is time now to "study up" a see about getting more professional in this area

Many thanks ! I'm having a great time reading the wealth of information here too, btw !

Michael

[sunstallion]

1) When I dress a candle, I put oil around it and put incense around it, then burn it. But when it gets to the bottom, not everything is burned and some wax and incense are left over. Can I just put a match or two inside the candle holder to support the fire on the wick to burn everything to the end or it will ruin the magick ?

2) While the candle is burning, and I have to go somewhere, after stopping the fire, do I have to wrap the whole thing included the candle holder in something tight like a plastic wrapper or aluminum fold or I can just have it sit on the altar ?

Thanks

SS

[jwmcclin]

on Question (2): Make sure you do not blow out the candle, extinguish it with a wet finger or a candle snuffer. ...and you can leave it out on your altar (uncovered) or cover it with plastic wrap. I wouldn't cover it with aluminum foil. Lucky Mojo includes plastic wrap very nicely and they can be reused for that purpose.

[corazon]

your question (1) doesn't really make sense to me, why would you put matches at the end?

when the candle burns out at the end the spell is done.

if the candle goes out and there is a tiny piece of the candle left due to the type of candle holder, then burn the candle in something else to see if more of the candle burns. Use tin foil on a brass plate, melt the candle bottom a little bit so it stands up straight. thats how I burn my candles and they go out evenly..

[sunstallion]

when the fire stops after the wick is burned all the way down to the bottom; however, there are some wax left over all around the holder, and the incense is deposited to the bottom of the holder; but the incense couldn't catch the fire to burn it.

I just want all the incense and wax to burn out, so can I strike a couple matches and put them in the holder to burn off the incense and wax completely ? I hope you can get an idea of what I am asking by looking at my ugly drawing below.


**[wax *incense* wax]
***[waxincensewax]
****[bottombottom]

[corazon]

you could burn the incense in an incense holder instead of around the candle. if you put a lot of incense in with the candle,then as the incense burns ash will be left in its place and it could put out the candle flame.

if burning the incense separately, put only the candle with some oil rubbed on the candle in the candle holder. don't put too much oil either, that will cause the candle to go out.

hope this helps.

[sunstallion]

I am putting incense around the candle and it will stick to the candle, the way herbs stick to a candle, because I rubbed the candle with oil first, this is what someone taught me since the beginning and I have been doing it. As the candle burns down, and wax melts and it flows the incense down as the candle burns. Until the wick burns out at the bottom, the majority of the incense never catches fire and never got burned (look at how I drew it on my ugly picture above).

Rubbing the oil around the candle won't make the flame go out either, because as the wax melt, it will mix in with the oil. Therefore, the oil is always down at the bottom of the wick.

My only problem is when the wick burns all the way down and out, the incense deposited around the wick and some wax left over around the wall of the holder (like in the picture) never got melt and burned. I just want to burn everything.

[corazon]

I've never heard of putting the incense on the candle.

I don't understand putting incense on the candle. Lucky Mojo's incense is self lighting. You're going to melt the sides of the candle and could possibly start a fire. You could grind some herbs and roll your candle in that if you like - but again less is more.

Try putting one drop of oil and rubbing it into the candle and burning the incense separately.

[Miss Tammie Lee]

http://www.luckymojo.com/candlemagic.html
link to Lucky Mojo Candle Magic
candles-trim,-carve,-load,-petition,-pray,-dress,-light-t9108s150.html
This is a really good one too.
Great advice by those above and hopefully these two links will help, too!

[sunstallion]

I have that yellow book [Master Book of Candle Burning) and four other books about candle burning. I also did search on internet, also learned from a local psychic. So, I did not invent any systems of my own. I just learned it from other sources, but I do the simplest way. I do not have time and space to do a long one.

[jwmcclin]

So, you are dressing your own candles? As previously mentioned I wouldn't add incense to a candle. When the candle is done it is done; and adding a match sounds kinda awkward, because you may cause a fire hazard (making the glass to hot and it will crack)

[sunstallion]

I have been dressing my own candles, and never bought a kit before. The kits are too complicated for me and I can't do things like taking a shower, getting personal items from a lover or hater or going into their houses to put sache there, putting water at the crossroad, putting powder all over my body, too complicated for me.

I just bought the oils and incenses from Lucky Mojo and work on my own.

I have been striking matches and put it in the holder to burn up the rest of the wax and incense. It rarely cracks because I put the holder inside a larger holder or a metal container, pray for my angels and guides to watch over it, so I never had a problem that it burned down my house. I only worry if I put striking matches in to burn the rest of the incense and wax, would I ruin the magick that I have been working ?

[Joseph Magnuson]

I have been striking matches and put it in the holder to burn up the rest of the wax and incense.

I have at least 5 books on candle burning and a true love of the work. I want to dedicate a large part of my life to working candles for others. I have never heard of the above method being used in candle work.

-Joseph

[catherineyronwode]

Sorry i did not see this thread and step in far earlier. I have deleted a bunch of totally off-topic posts.

(1) Long answer to a short question:

Those who have taken my course are referred to Lesson 16, pages 130 ("Dressing and Fixing") and 132 ("Oiling and Powdering") for references to the use of "powders" (powdered herbs, sachet powders, and incense powders) as candle dressings.

Those who have worked with free-standing candles or who are students of mine should know that what Sunstallion is asking makes very good sense.

The problem is that Sunstallion did not mention at the outset that these are free-standing candles, not vigil lights. For those raised on vigil lights, or who have not taken my course, or who have forgotten their course lessons, allow me to explain: It is very common to heavily oil a candle and coat it with powdered herbs, sachet powder, or powdered incense. This is done ALL THE TIME by many practitioners. It is not unusual or unique to Sunstallion.

Due to this basic misunderstanding, the thread gave rise to repeated posts of confusion (most of which i have deleted) -- folks assumed (wrongly) that the candles were vigil lights, and thus told Sunstallion that too much oil would drown the flame, too much incense would create ash that would suffocate the wick, etc. I deleted most of those comments because they are not true of freestanding candles -- and, just as Sunstallion described, the oil and incense will roll down the candle sides and accumulate in a pile.

So, to my reply:

Yes, it is fine to touch off the remaining incense with a match or a taper-light in the bottom of a brass or other metal candle holder. Do NOT do this in a glass holder, of course -- but, Sunstallion, you seem experienced enough not to be using glass holders in the first place. Setting off the incense as a last offering is fine -- but emptying it out and scattering it or burying it (according to the nature of the work being performed) would also be okay.

I generally do exactly as you propose: i touch it off with a light. But instead of using a series of short matches (which tend to build up the stink of sulfur as they are repeatedly lit), what i use is a long wooden fireplace match, ignited from the last of the flame of the candle. The fireplace match will burn for a long time. Whatever i cannot set alight, i just dispose of in the normal way.

2) Since the issue was one of free-standing candles, the suggestion to re-use the plastic wrap we send out with vigil lights, though accurate and well-intentioned, is not relevant.

Again, in answer to the question, insofar as it regards free-standing candles, i was taught to use a brown paper bag to wrap a candle that was to be put away or hidden between sections of burning -- but if the candle can remain on the altar, then there is no need to cover it, and it can remain in place.

The way you choose to work this -- hiding the candle versus leaving the candle on the altar, would merely be a reflection of your living circumstances, and thus would not affect your magical work, in my opinion.

Good luck!

[ConjureMan Ali]

I sometimes dust my candles with a "second dressing" of powders after I've oiled them, so no issue there. You do however indicate that you are using a glass holder that "rarely" cracks. Well stop using a glass holder, even if it rarely cracks, it is unsafe and not wise to use.

[Joseph Magnuson]

Thanks for cleaning this up Cat! I do roll my freestanding candles in oil and herbs but have never used a match to make sure that all the "left-over" wax burned away! Usually it is pretty well gone on it's own!

Thanks again!

-Joseph M.

[wraithklewn]

i have a bought a few LM break up vigils and have never made petitions for hem yet. im still new to using vigils and have burn a few but not break up ones. ive done other forms of break up work but i was wondering how some of you actually go about making the petiton? this is only for on a vigil.. i know theres a few ways to do them but what is typically used for this?

[Miss Bri]

There is no one way to do petitions for break up candles. The most straightforward is the couple's names written down and then crossed with the words "Break Up!" and affixed to the candle. One traditional way is to take a picture of the couple and tear it in half, then write a petition for them to break up on each half and put them on opposite sides of the candle. Of course, anoint any petition with break up oil prior to fixing it to the candle.
Blessings,
Bri

[starsinthesky7]

I agree with Miss Bri. I like to get a piece of paper, and write one targets name going one way, and then a zig zag line (for separation), and then write the other target's name the opposite way, then write break up across both names. I really like the picture method that miss bri speaks of as well. I will put a big x with permanent marker over the person I am trying to get rid of if I am trying to bring the other target to me.

[catherineyronwode]

At Missionary Independent Spiritual Church we use one (or both) of two ways:

1) Names written on paper, going in opposite directions with commands, cut a zig-zag between the names. The practitioners folds the unwanted person's name away from the twice while cursing them off, and fold the wanted person's name toward herself while asking for that person to stay close. The two papers are taped on opposite sides of the candle where they cannot touch.

2) If we have a picture of the two together it is torn or cut apart and may also have X-outs on the unwanted person(s), and it is taped over the front label of the candle, with an area of separation between the two halves. This too is accompanied by commanding prayers.

Please be aware that just inscribing, cutting, and taping pieces of paper, no matter according to what pattern you follow, is external evidence that a work of conjure is being performed, but in and of itself, it is not the entirety of the work, which also includes the use of spiritual supplies such as herbs and dressing oils, as well as curses and prayers, and a great deal of mental and mystical focus and attention upon the desired outcome.

[wraithklewn]

I thank everyone for their advice. it is much appreciated and i will gladly use this knowledge for future use.

what i did before i got the replies was..err different. i used 2 pictures wrote one with black and the others in red. both were put on the bottom but not touching eachother. that the one in black was set so that their face was upside down to the others. i did fold both pictures away but called out that the one in red break away from the other. i feel like i made a mistake in how i did the petition..but not enough to really worry as i called my intentions outloud and the prayers were very focused. i didnt dress the pictures this time but there is always another time

Ah well live and learn...

[starsinthesky7]

I think that you did it just fine. Have confidence in your work as there are different methods to getting to one objective.