Candle Alchemy uses the magic behind every part of a candle. In magical practice the candle is “sympathetic magic,” as it takes nothing more than your chosen candle, a flame, and the power of your intention to invoke its power.
Fire Element:
The fire element is the element that represents willpower, manifestation, is linked with the sun, and ego. It is the energy and force of both good and evil. Fire element in witchcraft is the use of fire for magical purposes. This includes the use of candles, incense, fireplaces, torches, fire pits, bonfires, campfires, and any other form of fire used for magical purposes. Fire gives life, and when you work with candle magic, you invoke the energy of the fire element, combining it with the energy of intention, as well as the element of air. Just as fire gives life, it can also destroy, as it consumes anything in its path such as a wildfire.
Fire Gazing:
Trataka Meditation or Flame Gazing Meditation connects us with the fire element. When we practice Trataka Meditation or Fire Gazing Meditation, we are harnessing the energy of the element of fire.
In Ayurveda, the fire element is associated with the eyes and sight. That is why Trataka Meditation is a practice done with the eyes open.
Trataka Meditation involves you using a candle flame as a sensory focus. You will gaze at a candle flame. Allow your mind to merge into the flame. Become one with the flame. Becoming one with the flame means, absorbing your inner light with the outer light of the universe. This can enable the truth of the universe to unfold itself to you. You can see how your individual consciousness is made up of the same matter and elements of cosmic consciousness. You are a divine being. Filled with beauty. Filled with light. Trataka Meditation also allows you to offer your negative karmas, samskaras, and repetitive thought patterns to the fire for purification and transformation. This will help you to end the cycle of negative thoughts.
Divination:
Candles can serve as an easy and convenient introduction to the whole subject of pyromancy, or divination by fire. Known technically as lychnomancy, candle divination requires one or more candles, matches, a flat, stable surface to burn the candles on, and a meditative frame of mind. If you are using a multiple-use candle, it is best if you keep the candle for divination use only.
Interpreting candle signs is a broad folkloric practice that encompasses at least three types of divination: Pyromancy (divination by fire), ceromancy (divination by wax) and capromancy (divination by smoke).
Aromatherapy:
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts such as essential oils to promote health and well-being.
The chemical compounds in essential oils trigger smell receptors in the nose that send messages to the part of the brain. Aromatherapy is believed to improve psychological and psychical well-being.
Beeswax:
Traditionally, ceremonial candles were made out of beeswax. It is reported to be the best wax for manifesting one’s intentions. In recent years, beeswax has been substituted due to its high cost and the popularity of container, and scented candles. Pure beeswax is difficult to blend with essential oils, and pulls away from the vessel it is in, which is why you typically find it mixed with coconut oil or soy wax if it’s in a container.
Fun fact: Bees need to pollinate over 2 million flowers to produce less than 1 pound of pure beeswax.
Beeswax is remarkable and leaves little to wonder why it was used historically in ceremonial rituals instead of the cheaper alternative of animal fat. Aside from its light honey scent compared the stench of animal fat, beeswax emits negative ions when burned or diffused which are scientifically proven to clean your air of dust, mold and pollen, pet dander, smoke, odors and even bacteria and viruses.
Beeswax burns 2 to 3 times longer than your regular paraffin candle and emits no harmful substances into your air.
Beeswax burns brighter and cleaner than any other candle, and the light it casts is said to have qualities comparable to that of the sun’s spectrum. Due to its comparable illumination to the sun, beeswax has been reported to stimulate the pituitary gland which increases creativity, intuition, and dream activity.