After you’ve selected a candle, oil or dress it before burning. This is a method by which you’ll establish a psychic link between you and the candle itself. In other words, you’re charging the candle with your own energy and personal vibrations and projecting your intent into the wax before you burn it.

To dress a candle, you’ll need a natural oil; many practitioners like to use grape seed because it has no smell. Another option is to use special candle magic oils from one of the metaphysical supply stores. 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 towards the middle, ending where the first coating of oil left off. In some traditions, the anointing is done just the opposite way; start in the middle and work your way towards the two ends.

If your working calls for herbs to be used as well, roll the oiled candle in the powdered herbs until it is coated all the way around. It’s important to remember, however, that a candle is just a tool. It is not inherently magical but a way to create magic using the element of fire to set one’s intention into motion. Just as other tools used with magical intent are, candles should be spiritually cleansed before they’re included in a spell.

The most basic form of candle magic uses a piece of coloured paper that matches the intent of your candle. Decide what your goal is, and write it on the piece of paper.

If you’re going to do a money working, you would write down your intent: “I will become financially prosperous.” In some traditions, you would jot down your goal in a magical alphabet, such as Theban or Enochian.

Because this is a money-oriented working, we would select either a gold or green piece of paper and a candle of the same color. As you write down your goal, visualize yourself achieving that goal.

Think about the different ways in which your goal might manifest, such as getting a raise at work. Perhaps someone who owed you money will arrive out of the blue to repay their debt. Or maybe you’ll get a large tax refund check!

Once you’ve written down your goal, fold the paper, concentrating on your intent the whole time. Some people like to say a small incantation as they do this. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You can use something as simple as:

Extra money come my way,
I could use a little cash today.
Extra money come to me,
As I will, so it shall be.

Place one corner of the folded paper into the candle’s flame and allow it to catch fire. Hold the paper as long as possible (without burning your fingers) and then place it in a fire-safe bowl or cauldron to burn the rest of the way on its own. Allow the candle to burn out completely. When the candle has melted, dispose of it, rather than saving it to use again for another working. Usually, there’s not much left of a candle except a stub of wax, and you can either bury it outdoors or dispose of it in whatever manner you choose.