Candle magic starts with the candle, but it relies heavily on your intent. If your will and desire is strong enough, it will transfer to the candle and help move the magic along. If you are working a spell half-heartedly, then the likelihood of it being successful is slim. As with other forms of spell work, candle magic can be as grand and flamboyant or as simple as you want to make it. It is one of the easiest types of spell work: all you need is a candle, intent, and matches—yes, it really is that simple! You can increase the power of the spell by bringing in colour magic and adding layers via herbs, crystals, and other magical ingredients.

Candles also employ the element of fire. Once you light a candle, you set the spell in motion using the power of that element. Fire is powerful and must be respected. It brings transformation in many forms, along with the power of change. Fire can be destructive, but from that destruction comes rebirth and new opportunities. After all, the flame of a candle also brings light to the dark.

When you look at a candle more closely, it brings together all four elements: the flame is fire, the wick is earth, the wax is water, and the element of air is needed to allow it to burn. It is important to remember that a candle and any other items you add to your spell work are just tools—tools used by us to direct and focus our intent. Ultimately, the power of a spell is within you. If your will and intent are strong, that will translate in the energy of the magic and lead to the success of the spell working. If you go into it half-heartedly or not committed to the outcome, then the spell will likely fail. You are the magic; the candles and all the other additions are merely tools.

Most importantly, relax! If you trust your intuition when creating and working a spell, it will not let you down. There is no right way or wrong way to do spell work, and although spells do not always work in the way we expected, they do work. Trust in your own abilities.

When I work a spell asking for some help, guidance, or assistance, I always make sure to give an offering. An offering could be saying a simple thank you aloud, feeding the birds or watering the plants, pouring a libation of wine or bread onto the earth, or leaving an offering for deity on my altar. It can even be giving up your own time to help a friend or neighbour. No matter how you choose to give thanks, you must give something back in some form.

Don't take my word for it—give it a try! When you work a spell asking for something (because, let's face it, every spell is a request to receive, whether it is for healing, prosperity, love, protection, or another member of the band), try giving an offering as soon as you have worked the spell. If you called in deity to help, then make an offering to them. If you are asking for healing or prosperity, then give something in exchange: feed the birds or donate something to charity; be kind to everyone you meet when out and about; bring your neighbour's dust bins in off the curb; help someone put their shopping into their car…You get the idea. Offerings can also be in the form of words, song, or dance. Write a poem for your deity, sing a song to the nature spirits in your garden, or be creative in another way.

Get into the habit of bringing about balance. When you ask for something in a spell, give something in return. In a way, it is a form of sacrifice, similar to what our ancestors did when they put in a request to the gods. (Although I wouldn't suggest throwing a goat on your altar!)

When working candle magic (or, indeed, any spell), one of the main tasks is to use visualization skills. Some of you will already have mastered visualization; for others, it may come naturally; for some, it will be a work in progress. Visualization may require a bit of extra effort on your part. Super-sharp visualization skills take practice!

Visualization is a little like daydreaming. I set the scene in my head and watch it play out, with the goal or desire happening as if it is a motion picture. However, I want to add a little disclaimer here: gaining this type of detailed visualization skill can be difficult for some, and that is absolutely okay—it really is. Practicing visualization exercises does help, but even then, not everyone is able to see a complete scene unfold. Don't be disheartened if you don't get a 360-degree, full-colour, high-definition visualization—very few people do! Just visualizing the general idea of whatss happening or what needs to happen is all you need to do spell work.

The following is a visualization exercise that can be adapted to suit any kind of magical practice. While I wrote it about a candle, you could visualize any object, such as an apple or a plant. Keep working with this exercise to increase your skill set. The idea is to hone your visualization skill, so add to the visualization each time you do this exercise to challenge yourself. Being able to visualize your goals and your completed desires really helps boost your magic.

Visualisation for Candle Magic
For this exercise, you will need a candle (it doesn't matter what size, shape, or color) in a safe holder and a lighter or matches.

1. Sit quietly and set the candle in front of you. Light the wick.
2. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Focus on your breathing until you feel calm and centered.
3. Now look at the flame. Watch it move and notice all its colors. Next, take in the candle itself: the shape, the size, the color.
4. Once you believe you have all the details locked in, close your eyes.
5. Try to recreate a detailed image of the candle in your mind's eye. Visualise the size, the shape, the color, and the flame. Can you see the flame moving?
6. When you have had enough, slowly open your eyes and snuff out the candle.

You can recreate this exercise with any item, such as a piece of fruit or a flower. It is the recreation of all the details that hones your visualization skills. All types of candles can be used for working magic; here I share my thoughts on using tea lights.

Tea lights are commonly used in magic. A tea light is wax and a wick held in a small metal tin. They come in a variety of colors, and in different scents, too. They usually burn for around four hours. You can sprinkle herbs or essential oils on top of them or draw sigils on the base of the tin. They measure just under 4 centimeters (1½ inches) in diameter and 2 centimeters (¾ inch) in height. Tea lights are available at a wide variety of stores and often come in packs. Tea lights can be used for spells, but are best for candle and crystal grids, in storm lanterns, and as altar candles.

Benefits of Tea Lights

• Inexpensive to purchase
• Can be personalized by adding herbs or oils to the top
• Sigils can be drawn on the base of the tin
• The candle can be lifted out so that small petitions or herbs can be placed in the tin, with the candle then replaced on top
• Stand on their own, without the need for a holder (although I would recommend setting something heatproof underneath if using on furniture, as the tin gets hot)

Tea Light Candle Spell for Peace
Tea lights lend themselves to spell workings that take a bit of time and patience, such as a spell for peace.

You will need:

1. Two tea light candles
2. Lavender essential oil
3. Lighter or matches
4. Dried thyme
5. Marker pen

Set your ingredients out in front of you and charge the candles, oil, and herb with your intent.

Slip the candle out of the metal container. Using your marker pen, draw a circle inside each container, then slip the candle back in.

Put two drops of lavender oil on the top of each tealight. As you do, say:
Lavender to bring peaceful energy

Put a pinch of dried thyme on the top of each tealight and say:
Thyme, bring your magic of peace

Light the candles. Sit and watch the flames while visualizing a peaceful and calming energy surrounding you and filling your space.

Tea lights take a while to burn, so I like to sit with them for a while before snuffing them out. I relight them the next day and keep doing so until they have burned out. I recommend lighting them before you start your day or at the end of the day, as this brings peace to you and your home.