Candle Magic 101: An easy introduction to candle magic for beginners

Candle magic has been used for centuries. Here is why you should incorporate candle magic into your everyday life.

Today, we are going to learn a brief history of candle magic, why you should be incorporating candle magic into your daily routine, and we are going to talk about some of the physical and energetic safety of burning candles. Whether you are brand new to the magical world or whether you have been on your path for most of your life, you will learn something new here today.

Hi, I'm Jen, and I have a a candle problem.

I have been working with candles for over 30 years.

Sometimes, though, I get a headache from the candles I use, or they aren't quite right for what I am trying to accomplish. Many have been made of inferior materials.

What things in candles cause headaches?

• artificial fragrance – fragrance oils and synthetically made scents are a major culprit in getting a headache from a candle. There has been a bunch of research done on how scented candles negatively impact the indoor air quality of your home. Yet fragrance derived from actual plants is much less likely to cause headaches and irritation. 

• Artificial colors – candle dyes can also cause a headache. They contain phthalates and deteriorate your indoor air quality. This is why we simply don't use them.

• Paraffin and other waxes that harm the indoor air quality of your home. Make sure your candle's are dinosaur-free. Side note, what is your favorite dinosaur? 

• Certain wicks – wicks always affect the burn quality of your candle and some are better than others for your health. the US Consumer Product Safety Commission outlawed the use of lead in wicks back in 2003 - yet wicks with metal are still allowed to contain trace amounts of lead. When you use an all-cotton or wood wick, you remove the possibility of having lead in your candle.

I wanted to create a candle that solved all of these problems, so I did. And I firmly believe that you deserve better candles.

Some house rules:

Rule #1: Don't be a jerk (this applies to your life way beyond burning a candle)

Rule #2: Physical safety

• Never leave a burning candle unattended

• Always burn the candle all the way across and until the melted wax pool is an inch deep. This prevents ruining your candle by tunneling it (where just the center of the candle is burned)

• Always burn candles away from drafty areas and things that can catch fire (like curtains)

• Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets. Jackson used to dangle his tail over the candle and frequently singed his fur.

• There are other rules for candles that differ by candle type – we will be focusing on container candles because that is what we make.

• One of the best pieces of medical advice I ever received from a doctor is, If it hurts, don't do it. We can apply this rule to candles – if you are allergic to something in the candle, don't burn it. If the candle gives you a headache, don't burn it.

Rule #3: Energetic safety:

This deserves its own post and will be coming soon.

What is candle magic?

Candle magic is a form of sympathetic magic—using a small, symbolic tool (the candle) to represent and influence something bigger (your intention, a situation, or energy).

• Fire has been used in ritual across all cultures: from the hearth to bonfires to sacred flames.

• Candles are portable flames, little fires you can work with safely and personally.

• Candle magic is accessible: you only need a candle and a clear intention.

• You are not invoking outside forces—you are activating your will and aligning your energy with your desires.

This is a practice of connection, focus, and transformation. The flame is your partner, not a tool to control. It's your intention that matters most.

Let me give you an example.

If you are in my candle of the month club, you would have already received your Mabon candle.

This candle is the candle of the month for September. Mabon is the Pagan name for the fall equinox, happening in just over a week.

This candle is made with cedar, chamomile, and more essential oils, and embodies the coziness of early fall. It smells like you are sitting on a flannel blanket at the edge of an apple orchard on a beautiful sunny fall day.

It sells really well all autumn long, and it is the coziest candle that I make. I am shipping it all month long, even after the fall equinox.

There are two ways to get your hands on this candle: you can just buy it on our website, or you can join Flame & Flower and I will automatically ship it to you, along with another new candle every month. 

Now, if you are here, I am guessing that you want more than just a new candle every month – but if you just want a candle without the woowoo, you can also sign up for The Candle Society. With The Candle Society, you don't have access to Illuminating Intention, my full course on candle magic for beginners on my website. For access to that, you would need to join Flame & Flower. 

If you are ready to embrace this type of work and connection, be sure to follow along on this journey.