Or that will at least be really pretty and nice!
Early-ish last Saturday morning I walked to Enchantments, New York's oldest witchcraft supply store, and probably the best store I've ever been to, witchcraft supply or not.
The shop offers a few classes and events per month, and I'd signed up for one called "Introduction to Candle Magick," which I was drawn to because I love a good candle and I love when magic is spelled with a k on the end. MagicK, a version of a word that looks like it should be pronounced differently but isn't, like when "shown" is spelled "shewn" in Jane Austen novels. These are a few of my favorite things!
Maybe you, too, have a soft spot for old-timey spelling, or maybe you have some money- or love-related problems (or both, am I right), or maybe you think it would feel nice to hack away at a wax candle with a knife for a while. Here is how to make your whole life better by carving pretty designs into a candle and coating it in glitter.
Pick a color.
What To Do: You can buy special-made candles (ideal for carving) from the Enchantments online store, but many other varieties will work. Cat, our teacher, suggested using tea lights. You can use the chart above to help pick a color.
Our class is led by a young woman named Cat who has worked in the store for eight years. She asks each of us to describe, in front of the class, our "intentions," or what we want our candles to address. This is mildly embarrassing. For my purposes (which are a secret!!!!!), Cat gives me a large white candle (said to remove obstacles and negativity) and a small yellow candle, which she calls a "solar burst." The idea is that I'll burn the white one first, to "uncross" or cleanse myself, and then I'll burn the yellow, to inspire confidence, success, and, my favorite, generalized "glory."
Cat tells me that my intentions make her think of Jennifer Lopez. "She's an example of someone who worked so hard and got what she wanted," she says. These candles are going to help me become like Jennifer Lopez, which is something I hadn't even realized I wanted.
I am mildly disappointed I am not given a black candle, because I would have probably liked to banish someone. But Cat makes it clear that using candle magick for evil purposes is discouraged, and also a bad idea in terms of karma.
Pick a seal.
What To Do: You can find a number of intricate seals designed for candle magick purposes in The Enchanted Candle by Lady Rhea. You can also use simpler, intuitive symbols: a heart for love, a dollar sign for money, an eye for clarity, etc. Cat recommends sealing the top of your candle with a pentagram for protection, and adding your name somewhere on the side.
Once we all have our candles, Cat draws our designated seals on a white board at the front of the room. They're fairly elaborate, and it's hard to etch into something round and waxy, but Cat says artistic outcome matters much less than intent.
I am determined to make my candles the most perfectly sealed candles that have ever been made by anyone.
