Focus on: Candles

In the northern hemisphere, December 20 or 21 is the shortest day of the year.  Now is the time to bring light into your space.  Candles are an engaging, homey, traditional way to do this.

From the lights on the Christmas tree to the headdresses of Santa Lucia maidens, we have sought to bring a festive air and illumination to this darkest period.  There are many ways to incorporate candles into your lifestyle and magical practices, both every day and on special occasions.

Mini candles are a quick, easy way to do spell work.  Anoint one with oil, moving from wick to base to bring things into your life, from base to wick to move them out.  A gold candle dressed with Money oil is always useful.  Put Health oil on a green candle to help fight the coughs, colds, and tummy bugs that love when we congregate indoors.  A yellow candle with Sun oil is a nice way to let the sunshine in, and brighten up your personal energy, as well as that of your home.

Burn votives for ambiance as well as magic.  A Happy Home candle is just the ticket to make your space warm and inviting.  Health or Tranquility are also wonderful choices to infuse your home with good energy.  Fight those bugs and keep the peace!

Seven day candles are a slow magic option.  The wax insert comes out so you can dress them with the oil of your choice, then they go back into their plastic sleeve and their glass globe, and burn approximately a week.  Put Angel oil on a clear white candle to invoke the angels.  You can even tape an illustration from one of your greeting cards on the outside of the glass.  Divine Love on a pink candle.  We could all use more unconditional love, especially at this time of year.  Yule oil on a green or red candle.  'Tis the season!

Taper candles are a very traditional piece of decor this time of year.  Make yours do double duty by anointing them with oil before placing them in your sconces or candelabra.  Use Money, Health, or Yule oil on your green candles.   Red is for Love, Creative Energy, or Dragon Fire (light it up!).  White is Purification, Angel, Home Blessing, and Divine Love.  Blue works well with Peace, Tranquility, or Lavender, which is calming and healing.

An affordable, easy, pretty way to brighten your home for the darkest period of the year, candles also make great gifts and can be used for magic long after the holidays are gone.