Setting Lights for Magical Goals

Setting lights is actually one of the more recent additions to conjure work and yet is one of the easiest, most reliable and popular forms of working magic. Candle shops can be found all across the south where folks can come in, talk to the rootworker behind the counter and explain what they want to "set a light for" and lickety-split, they are handed a slip of paper to write their intent on, the worker grabs the needed candles off of the shelf and sets it to burn on the spot. This time-honored tradition is so popular because it is convenient and consistent in its results.

The Master Book of Candle Burning

Burning candles for magic really grew into popularity with the publishing of Henry Gamache's book The Master Book of Candle Burning (available from Amazon.com.) In his book, he described using candles alone, or in multiples, along with reading of psalms, burning incense and the use of hoodoo condition oils to work spells for love, money, getting rid of an enemy, protection and more. I still highly recommend this book to give one a good foundation for how creatively candles can be used in conjure.

Light Setting Basics

When setting a light, there are a few things to consider. First, consider what it is you want to accomplish. Certain color candles are used for certain spells. Typical examples include using red candles for love, green candles for money, black candles for cursing, white candles for blessing or protection, pink candles for reconciliation of relationships, etc.

Secondly you need to consider the magnitude of the spell and what your working will consist of. For example, if you are simply needing a little fast luck, then you might want to use a smaller, quicker burning candle to get quicker results. By contrast, if you have a long term goal, like a Secure Finances spell, you would want to use a large jar candle that would burn for a long period of time. If your spell requires you to watch the candle burn, then you wouldn't want a jumbo candle that could take most of the day to burn, you'd want a quick burning smaller option.

Third, think about the kinds of imagery you could incorporate into your candle spell. If you are doing a love spell to attract a mate to you, you could use two separate candles, one for you and one for your perfect mate. You could dress them with Perfect Mate Oil, and slowly over the course of 7 days move the candles closer and closer to one another until they are burning right up against each other, and their wax drippings merge. Or, what if you're doing a spell to shut up an enemy? You could use a black candle with your enemy's name enscribed in the wax with a nail, and dressed with STFU! Oil. Allow the candle to burn half way down then snuff out the candle in a plate of Slippery Elm to shut her mouth.

Figural candles are another fun option in spells. You can get male or female candles, or even couple candles and use them where appropriate. There are also genital shaped candles for love spells, or spells to tie up a man's nature. And there are even cat shaped candles for luck spells! Let your creativity go wild!

Preparing a Candle

It's not simply a matter of grabbing a candle off of the shelf and burning it when it comes to setting lights. The simple and mundane candle needs to be made into something sublime and powerful.

First, make a name paper for your magical intent. Take a 3x3" square of paper and write your magical goal across it either 3, 7, 9, 11 or 13 times (depending on your goal). Then turn your paper 1/4 turn and write your name across it the same number of times - thus making you stand on that goal or dominate it. Anoint the corners of your paper with a Hoodoo Condition Oil that is appropriate for your goal. Then fold the paper in half, turn it 1/4 turn, fold it in half again, and repeat one more time. If you are attracting something, fold the paper TOWARD you. If you are repelling something, fold the paper away from you. Place the paper under the candle holder while the candle burns.

Next, take your candle and inscribe your magical goal in the wax with a nail. For example, on one side of the candle you could write "Money Comes to Me!" and on the other side you would inscribe your full name. Similarly if you were working with multiple candles you could inscribe the names of those they represent on the candles.

Then dress your candle with a Hoodoo Condition Oil that is appropriate for your goal. Put a few drops on your fingers and stroke the oil on the candle TOWARD you to attract things, or AWAY from you to repel things.

Finally, hold the candle in your hands, visualize what you want to happen and pray with great conviction and increasing intensity, what it is that you desire to occur. Push all of that conviction and power into your candle. Place it in the holder on top of the name paper and light it. You have just set a light!

There are many more workings of varying complexities, but I wanted to cover some of the basics. So many folks want to perform these kinds of spells for themselves, but are unwilling to give it a shot. If you are unable to set a light in your own home for whatever reason, or simply want me to do it for you, I also provide a service where I will set a light for your magical goal, dress and prepare the name paper and the candle and watch it burn. I then provide a report of the way the candle burned and interpret its behavior or candle drippings for signs - in the traditional way they've done it in candle shops for years.