Re-Using Candles in Magick

[EternalRos3]

I've been coming across a common concept where candles are concerned in spells; that they should be burned all the way down.

My collection of candles isn't exactly fit for this, and even the small ones I have, I do not wish to see used up so quickly just for a spell.

Does this matter?
If not, is there a way to 'seal' a spell from the candle after it is finished and then recharge it for new use?
If so, could I direct the use of the candle into wax that I drip onto a dish, instead of using the whole thing?

[Firebird]

Yeah, unfortunately they really should be burned all the way down.
You might want to try tea lights you can get a whole pack for a dollar in some places. Or birthday candles and Chanukah candle work well for a quick candle spell.
Many blessings, Firebird

[Xiao Rong]

That sounds kind of impractical, yeah ... Even my little tea lights would burn for several hours.

I don't think it's necessary, strictly speaking, but if it's something that appeals to you, you could try cutting the candle very small (my boyfriend and I celebrate Hannukah because he's Jewish, and for the menorah you're supposed to burn down the candle all the way. The candles are a bit bigger than birthday candles, but we just cut them down to little nubs so they burn faster - maybe an inch-long, tops). You can also reuse the wax to make a new candle - just collect the wax, take out the remnants of the old burnt out wick, and use a double-boiler to melt the wax down again, pour it into a mold, and add a new wick to it.

[DPhoenix]

I don't mean to offend you when I say this but when you say you don't want to waste a whole candle just for a spell... it says to me that you don't put much value on your Craft. I'm not saying you need to go out and spend lots of money on tools and materials but $0.30 - $1.00 a candle for a spell isn't much at all. And when you think about it, in the long run it's really an investment in yourself and your personal development. Spending $2.50 on candles instead of a cup of coffee or a red bull is going to add more value to your life in the long run then that little rush of caffeine.

I completely understand living on a tight budget. When money is sparse for me I go to the Dollar Tree Store, get a 6 pack of white utility candles for $1 then cut each candle into 3rds so I have a total of 18 candles. I use 6 candles per spell (one of God, Goddess and the 4 elements) so that $1 gets me 3 spells or rituals. You can also find unused candles at yardsales and flea markets for literally pocket change.

The whole idea behind not reusing spell candles is because of the residue energies left over from the spell. It can have different effects. Some believe that it can make your spell impotent, it can become an energy beacon and draw entities to you that you don't want, some even believe that it can even cause backlash or even accidentally curse yourself. That's why most witches teach their students to throw the candles away when you're done.

I personally never keep used candles. I either cut them smaller before using them or throw away the excess. I don't recommend reusing them either.

Of course, how you practice magick is your business and you can do it however you want. If you do reuse the spell candles I advise keeping a book of mirrors to journal the spells, record the results of the spells, when you reuse candles and any side effects you experience. A book of mirrors is a good idea for every witch. It helps you learn which types of tools and materials resonate with you the most so you can take that information and maximize your magickal potential.

I hope I didn't come off as preachy, if I did I didn't mean to. I truly wish you the best!
Goddess Bless! <3
DPhoenix

[Xiao Rong]

DPhoenix, you make great points about the fact that one can come by a lot of candles very cheaply. However, I think I'm coming from an entirely different angle than you ... To begin with, my personal practice puts very little emphasis on energies; I primarily use candles in rituals/spells to actually burn things or to meditate. I have no need to light them for longer than I need to. Secondly, (in my humble opinion) I think it's wasteful to consume an entire candle, especially since most cheap and commercially available candles are petrochemical byproducts (since they're made of paraffin wax. I suppose one could try to substitute all beeswax candles, but they're much harder and much more expensive to come by - although they do smell amazing!). In this sense, I absolutely think reuse and recycling are appropriate for candles, and I believe that being environmentally conscious should be a part of practice (although I do need to work harder on that myself!). Finally, I want to point out that it's often simply impractical to leave candles to burn for hours and hours at a time, as a fire hazard (and I imagine that would be especially true if there were small children about).

[Alura Noel]

'

Could they be spiritually cleansed? Sage or maybe Salt wash?

Would that work?


'

[North Star]

It depends on the use, for me. I may use some again, and I have a way of 'cleansing' and 're-charging' them... almost like crystals or any other magickal tool.

I have a few that I keep on hand or will purchase specially knowing those are the more special candles, the ones for a big intent or ritual, usually pillars. I dont burn those all the way down of course, but they do stay on the altar and get lit to reinforce the spell or to work on the intent again later. They do not get used for any other purpose though. Those are my special candles

Others, some of the more everyday kind of stuff, I have no problem using again for a variety of needs. Usually I use votives or tealights for those but I do reuse votives a lot of the time. Like I said, it depends on my need to have a special candle or not... but I don't worry about the energy leftover I guess, I feel like I know what I am lighting the candle for and that is what is important. Like Xiao said, I do things a little different also. I also feel it is a little bit too dangerous to have to leave a candle burning for a long length of time, I do not like to leave a candle unattended no matter how careful I am... so it is more dangerous to me to keep it lit then to worry about any leftover energy.

Sometimes though, I will buy a new votive for whatever reason that just feels like I may need to. I also have tapers on my altar that I NEVER burn. I never thought about the different and weird ways I feel about my candle use until now, lol.

I have to agree though with DP, saying 'just a spell' is not a good way to think about it. 'Just a candle' though... that's a little better. The candle does not hold the magic, it is merely a tool. Your thoughts and energy are the spell, so don't put so much thought into the energy of the candle. It wont work for you no matter what candle you use or how long you burn it if you do not know how to use it.

[Firebird]

Yeah, the candle is the catalyst to the magical end, if you are using them to work a spell, it needs to burn all the way down, so using short ones are an excellent option. Some candles could be considered "lamps of art", which are mainly to illuminate your Altar, or represent the God and Goddess and can be used over and over, or you may have one for meditation, that also can be used over and over.
As a witch that advocates reduce, reuse and recycle, I am all for saving candle scraps, melting them down to make new candles. Consider that when you melt them they are being transformed by heat, and any energy attached to them can be released through that process.

Chant something like:
candles of my workings,
release residual energy lurking...
melted down now by fire,
made benevolent my desire!

Many blessings, Firebird

[SnowCat]

I have used candles in spellwork without burning them all the way down. I have had no problems with unused energy lingering. I make a point though, of snuffing the candles, rather than blowing them out. I stopped letting candles burn down all the way after a fluffy gray cat I used to have tried to torch his tail. He hopped up on the altar, walked across, as I was trying to react, and very calmly looked at his long fluffy tail fur going in up in smoke. He didn't get hurt, but I decided to err on the side of caution after that.

Frosty

[raynelae]

I reuse candles for magick all the time with good results. However, I don't use magick a lot, so it's not like I use a lot of candles. It is a good idea to cleanse your candles if you reuse them for different purposes. For example, you wouldn't use a green candle for a money spell and then cast a fertility spell with it without cleansing it. This is just how I feel. The Craft is a very personal spirituality. Follow your intuition and do what feels right to you! I've never met two witches who are the same.

[Holdasown]

If your concern is fire you can place your tea light in a fire proof bowl with a bit of water. A lot of conjure and hoodoo have candles and burning them down is a must. You always do a jar candle just for money or love or curses and burn it for those spells only. You can get the jars and then pic your color. They are called seven day candles I think.

[DPhoenix]

Yeah, the candle is the catalyst to the magical end, if you are using them to work a spell, it needs to burn all the way down, so using short ones are an excellent option. Some candles could be considered "lamps of art", which are mainly to illuminate your Altar, or represent the God and Goddess and can be used over and over, or you may have one for meditation, that also can be used over and over.
As a witch that advocates reduce, reuse and recycle, I am all for saving candle scraps, melting them down to make new candles. Consider that when you melt them they are being transformed by heat, and any energy attached to them can be released through that process.

Chant something like:
candles of my workings,
release residual energy lurking...
melted down now by fire,
made benevolent my desire!

Many blessings, Firebird

LOVE IT! Excellent idea!

[EternalRos3]

Thanks for the information guys!

Sorry if my wording was off-putting. The main reason I am interested;
I don't typically work candles into my spells, just with them lit for the duration.

However when I search examples to create my own spells from, a lot of material I find wants the candles incorporated more intricately.

I hadn't thought of buying candles in bulk specifically for rituals, though due to money being a slight issue as well as timing or need, I tend to think in the sense of what I already own - mostly obtained for emergency use, decor, or simply to fill my apartment with the scent.

On the note of fire hazards - my biggest concern are my cats. My altar is also in a part of the apartment where I can't keep a consistent eye on the flame, and may well forget I even have something burning when I have someplace to go right after.

[MelanieGabrielle]

I do like using candles when casting. I tend to have cast outside with the backyard door shut because of my dog. When I use candles to represent the elements it helps me visualize the magick circle better. Just I did learn my lesson with fire before. I was casting in my room and the candle, it's holder exploded and the table top was chard. Nothing else happened thank the powers at be. But I do have a connection with fire and air so I have a feeling maybe my emotions somehow contribute to that accident.

[North Star]

A candle on a plate exploded once with my mother and aunts. They were chanting and the plate was in the center of them and it ended up cracking in 3 perfect pieces. My mother looks scared to this day when she talks about it. The plate was not at all warm either.

There was a cat that had its tail torched another time by their candles. They didn't know until they smelled the hair burning! Pretty sure wine was involved that time...

Oh, our family memories are wonderful. lol

Seriously though, lots can go wrong with unattended candles. My daughters have always had a desire to blow them out, and I have caught them nearly missing the flame with their hair. I respect the view that they should be burned all the way down, but I never notice a difference myself. I agree with snuffing, NEVER BLOWING... and for a specific spell it should not be reused for other purposes. I believe a way of not losing the energy by snuffing it is to relight to reinforce your intent later. I just find it helps. I agree the energy is strong when the candle burns all the way down, but I also feel there other ways to achieve the same kind of energy you need from a candle.

Best advice if you feel you have to let it burn down is to use tealights, only burn while you are performing your spell and snuff it out, be done with it. Cheap and safe and effective for what you need it for. Tealights are great for special intents (spells) and rituals.