Candle Magick By Color & Candle History

The history of candlemaking is one of spontaneous development in many different cultures across the earth, as every culture needs portable light, and every culture that had candles used them for magical purposes. The earliest use of something resembling a candle is commonly attributed to the ancient Egyptians. This precursor to the modern candle, called the rush-light, which was made by soaking the pithy core of a reed (a marshland plant) in household grease.  The ancient Romans started dipping scrolls of papyrus repeatedly in fat or wax around 500 BCE. These methods evolved into cotton threads being dipped in tallow, and with the advent of a technique of alternate dipping and cooling, the candle was born. Most ancient Roman homes still used oil lamplight, but candles were a popular Saturnalia gift. The origins of our modern birthday celebrations started with ancient Greeks celebrating Artemis by making ammilos votive cakes and adorning them with lit candles, to make them glow like the moon. These cake offerings were taken to her temple and presented between burning torches that represent the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. The candles that were placed in the cake were to glorify the Goddess and represent the moon and stars. When the brilliant and blazing candles went out their prayers were carried by the smoke up to Artemis. I’ve seen conflicting accounts as to whether these cakes were lit by lamp or candle, but Xenophon briefly weighed the merits of candles vs lamps in The Symposium, which he authored in the late 360’s BCE, so the Greeks definitely had access to candles at this time.

The Hindu Dharmasastra forbade the use of animal fats for lighting of lamps and candles. The text instructed the use of ghee and oil and the wick made from lotus threads, and at this time wax was extracted by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree for temple candles. The very earliest evidence of candlemaking goes back to the Chinese Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE) with candles made from whale fat. Candles were brought to Japan from China along with Buddhism, and methods to extract wax from plants and nuts were discovered. Candles using lacquer tree seed wax and rice bran wax were essential to religious practices, because like Hinduism in ancient India, it was prohibited to take animal life according to Buddhist beliefs. These candles called warosoku were used as early as the 7th century, and were a very important part of offering prayers in temples, home altars (called Buddhistans), as well as gravesites.

In the early 1800’s the whaling industry helped to give candlemaking a push with the discovery of spermaceti, an oil that comes from a cavity in the head of the Sperm whale. This was the first substance to become available in mass quantities for the purpose of candle fuel, with each whale yielding up to 500 gallons. Like beeswax, it didn’t create a repugnant odor when in use and gave off even more light. Due to its brittleness the spermaceti had to be blended with beeswax. Many other options that didn’t require whale hunting were discovered in the decades after, such as a derivative of turnip oil and rapeseed called colza, and James Young’s discovery of refining paraffin from coal. Most candles nowadays are made from beeswax, paraffin, or soy, and the wicks are greatly improved over the days of using rags and papyrus. They come in all shapes, colors, sizes, and scents. You can even buy pre-adorned spell candles with herbs and crystals included. Just keep in mind that none of these things matter as much as the energy you are putting into your own work. 

Just like everything else in your magic practice, the colors you associate with the candles will be personal to you. Everyone’s got a slightly different perspective on the world, so everyone defines things slightly differently. For example, green candles are the best for abundance, but in China the color red is associated with abundance. I know red to be associated with passionate physical desire, and would never use red candles in a money spell! What works best for me may not be what works best for you. Practice is personal. Do what’s intuitive for you.  Also, keep in mind that in all of the thousands of years of candles existing, we didn’t have the option for colored waxes until very recently. White candles can truly be used for any intended purpose. 

Yellow is best for joy and happiness, some associate it with abundance. Great for boosting social situations, for manifesting deeper friendship, and opening new doors in your career. Heavy Air and mercurial energy.

Orange is for creativity, communication, and broadening horizons. It is the color I associate with Mercury because copper is a planetary correspondence. It is especially wonderful for clearing writer’s blocks.

Red is appropriate for love and sex spells. Heavy Venusian energy. The color of burning desire.

Pink is also good for love magic, though it is gentler and more romantic. Best for self love and nurturing. 

Purple is for intuition, heightening psychic abilities, encouraging the path to spiritual enlightenment, and physical healing.

Green is proper for money drawing and prosperity. Helps bring ideas to fruition, encourages growth.

Blue for peace, clarity, and drawing on emotional or water energy. Chakra connection and healing of emotional wounds.

Brown is heavy earth energy and is perfect for everything within your material world, such as legal matters, health, energy, possessions, pets, endurance, and courage.

Black candles are for protection, uncrossing, psychic shielding, or clearing ugly energy. “Black magic” superstition surrounding black candles stems from ignorance and racism after white people were exposed to the African traditions that came to America along with the people who were kidnapped and brought here to be enslaved.

White candles are cleansing and purifying. Enhances personal strength and insight. They also can be used for any kind of spell and usually you can find one in a pinch. If you’re using it as a stand in for another color you can always glitter the candle in that color to draw in that energy. 

Choose the color of the candle based on your intent. Etching it with a symbol (like something as simple as a dollar sign, planetary symbol, or heart) or a sigil you create for this purpose (instructions follow) adds to that intent. If the candle is encased in glass, you can draw your symbol on with a permanent or paint marker. You might also anoint the candle with oils and herbs according to your intention (instructions follow). Sesame oil (door opener, draws new directions and new hope, and draws in abundance) is my choice for intention setting at the new moon. You may also want to melt a little wax over the candle to get the herbs to stick. Sometimes I dust them with glitter for a little extra dazzle, but try to choose an edible or biodegradable glitter that is non-plastic for your workings. You could add gold leaf, crystal fragments, mica, whatever feels luxurious to you. Birthday candles are actually a great choice for spell work; they burn all the way out super quickly. Chime candles are small taper style candles that you can find at most magic shops, they last about an hour, and they work just as well. The small boxes of plain white menorah candles that are sold at most grocery stores are also pure perfection to use for spellwork. If the candle is too large it can make quicker spell workings difficult, because if your mental energy should remain intently unbroken and you select a 7 day candle that can be very easy to get distracted before the candle is done. Even so, any kind of candle can work, and there are many to choose from. When using candles or open flame please take great care to keep pets and children and curtains and anything else flammable away from the area where your candle is burning. Herbs inside the candle can change the temperature of the burn, and can be extremely flammable if soaked in wax. Use the utmost caution! Burning heavily dressed candles can be dangerous. Glass can crack, shatter, or even explode.