Remember that time you wished for a shiny new Schwinn when you blew out the candles on your birthday cake? Well, that was a simple form of candle magic! Candle Magic is one of the most basic forms of spell casting, and can be practiced by anyone, regardless of your expertise in the art of Witchcraft. Maybe you didn't get that shiny new bike? Well, you're older now and better able to consciously name your intents and goals.

One of the reasons that casting spells with candles is so easy and so successful is that it doesn't require any special ingredients or tools. A simple spell can be cast with only a candle, a piece of paper, and YOU! Once you get the hang of it, though, you may want to try increasing the potency of your spells by including special herbs and oils to help increase your bond between your spirit and the spirit of the candle. Burning incense also helps as it lifts your spell higher into the atmosphere and helps carry it on it's way.

The most important thing to look for when selecting your candles is to make sure the color is solid all the way through the candle. You don't want a white candle that's been dipped in pink paint. Choosing a candle made from an organic material such as soy or beeswax is also helpful for it's connection to nature. But wax and paraffin candles work equally as well. Try to find a smallish candle when working with a spell that requires you to watch the candle burn until it's burned out. Or you could be sitting for days!

If you're going to be a serious spell caster, you'll want to be sure to have several colors of candles on hand at all times. You never know when you might meet a certain someone and want to take the relationship to the next level. Here are some of the candle colors and their meanings: Red - Courage and health, sexual love and lust Pink - Friendship, Romantic love Orange - Attraction and encouragement Gold - Financial gain, business success Yellow - Persuasion and protection Green - Financial gain, abundance, fertility Light Blue - Health, patience and understanding Dark blue - Depression and vulnerability Purple - Ambition and power Black - Negativity and banishment White - purity and truth Silver - Reflection, intuition

Next comes dressing, or charging, your candle. This establishes and increases the connection between you and the candle and helps combine your spiritual energies. Use a natural oil to dress your candle. If your spell calls for a specific oil, then you must use that. If not, use any oil of your choice. Begin at the top of the candle and rub the oil down to the middle. Then, begin at the base of the candle and rub the oil up to the middle, overlapping where you left off. Rub in one direction only, not back and forth, as this negates the charging.

The most basic candle magic spells call for you to use a piece of colored paper that matches the color of your candle. Simply write your goal or intent on the piece of paper while focusing and concentrating on your desired results. Then simply fold the paper and burn it in the candle flame, holding on to it as long as possible without burning yourself. Let the paper finish burning in a fire-safe container and allow the candle to burn out completely. After the candle has burned out, burying the stub outdoors is best, but, if that isn't possible, dispose of it and do not try to reuse it.

Within 3 days you should know if your spell is working. If you've cast a love spell, perhaps you'll start bumping into that person on the street. Or, if it was a money spell, maybe you'll win $5 on a scratch-off card. If, after one month, you see no signs of success, perform a different spell with a new candle. Do not re-use the candle and use a new spell, too.

When practicing any type of Witchcraft, even simple candle spells, remember The Rule Of Three - The energy that you put out will be returned to you threefold. If you do a positive spell, asking for a positive or helpful result, then positive energy that's returned to you will be tripled. But if you perform a negative spell, meant to hurt or harm someone, well....let's just say - Be Careful What You Wish For!