When
I think of Imbolg, the first thing that comes to my mind is- candles.
Its alternate name, Candlemas, indicates the importance that candles
play at this time of the year. This is the first of our Fire Festivals
and the light of the candle reflects the returning warmth of the sun
that we all wish for. It is a time of renewal and new beginnings in the
cyclic pattern of our year. Our Goddess image is often shown crowned
with candles, this is the time of Her renewal as well, as she begins
her journey back from the Underworld (in some traditions).
These days, many people don’t have the time or the space to dip their own candles. It’s worth the effort if you ever get the chance. Since describing the process for making candles would take up more space than I have here, the next topic that came to mind was anointing candles. We can still experience the blessing of our ritual candles on this night. You may even want to anoint some candles in batches for the type of work you frequently do.
Anointing candles is a very simple process. It is the act of consciously applying oil to a candle to charge it with energy and align it to the purpose at hand. There are two common methods to anointing a candle. I recommend you choose which ever feels most natural to you. For either process, one must first get into a relaxed mental state. To do this, get yourself comfortable and calm your mind. Breathe deeply, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Think of what you want to accomplish. Hold the candle in your receiving hand and concentrate on the purpose. With your sending hand, dip your index finger into the oil and use one of the following methods,
Method 1
To bring something to you: Run the oil from the wick end down to the stub end in one long motion. Focus on drawing what you deserve towards you and repeat this all around the candle, turning the candle clockwise until you’ve covered the candle in oil.
To get rid of something: Use the same process but instead start from the stub and go upward to the wick in a counter clockwise direction.
Method 2
Run your finger (while concentrating on your intent) around the middle of the candle in a clockwise direction. From there, either:
To draw towards you: First run the oil from the center to the wick all the way around the candle. Then starting back at the center, draw the oil from the center to the stub.
To banish something, reverse the pattern. Go from the center to the stub first, and then, from the center to the wick. The candle is turned clockwise for either process, again concentrating on the purpose while anointing.
Once you are finished with either method, you give the candle a final charge. Hold the candle and focus your mind on sealing the intent and energy into the candle. It is now ready to use right away, or to be wrapped and saved for later. If used later, energize the candle momentarily before using.
Here are a few Anointing oil recipes for you to try. Mix the proportions according to your scent preference.
Money
Peppermint
Patchouli
Scrying
Wisteria
Mugwort
Purification
Sage
Lavender
Peace and Happiness
Orange
Vanilla
Love
Violet
Orris
Musk
Male Attraction
Almond
*Cinnamon
Vanilla
Allspice
Female Attraction
Sandalwood
Vanilla
Protection
High John
Frankincense
Rosemary
Holy Anointing
Tea Rose
Garden Sage
Pc. Of Copal
Healing
Eucalyptus
Myrrh
Psychic Dreams
Mugwort
Mistletoe
One final quick tip, if you wish to slow down the burn time of your candles, store them in the refrigerator.
Happy Imbolgc!
*Cinnamon is particularly irritating when it comes into contact with the skin (most everyone will get a rash temporarily). Use a very small quantity in your recipe, or cut the finished combination with a carrier oil such as sweet almond, safflower, or other unscented oil. When using essential oils you can do this with any of them, a little will go a long way!
These days, many people don’t have the time or the space to dip their own candles. It’s worth the effort if you ever get the chance. Since describing the process for making candles would take up more space than I have here, the next topic that came to mind was anointing candles. We can still experience the blessing of our ritual candles on this night. You may even want to anoint some candles in batches for the type of work you frequently do.
Anointing candles is a very simple process. It is the act of consciously applying oil to a candle to charge it with energy and align it to the purpose at hand. There are two common methods to anointing a candle. I recommend you choose which ever feels most natural to you. For either process, one must first get into a relaxed mental state. To do this, get yourself comfortable and calm your mind. Breathe deeply, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Think of what you want to accomplish. Hold the candle in your receiving hand and concentrate on the purpose. With your sending hand, dip your index finger into the oil and use one of the following methods,
Method 1
To bring something to you: Run the oil from the wick end down to the stub end in one long motion. Focus on drawing what you deserve towards you and repeat this all around the candle, turning the candle clockwise until you’ve covered the candle in oil.
To get rid of something: Use the same process but instead start from the stub and go upward to the wick in a counter clockwise direction.
Method 2
Run your finger (while concentrating on your intent) around the middle of the candle in a clockwise direction. From there, either:
To draw towards you: First run the oil from the center to the wick all the way around the candle. Then starting back at the center, draw the oil from the center to the stub.
To banish something, reverse the pattern. Go from the center to the stub first, and then, from the center to the wick. The candle is turned clockwise for either process, again concentrating on the purpose while anointing.
Once you are finished with either method, you give the candle a final charge. Hold the candle and focus your mind on sealing the intent and energy into the candle. It is now ready to use right away, or to be wrapped and saved for later. If used later, energize the candle momentarily before using.
Here are a few Anointing oil recipes for you to try. Mix the proportions according to your scent preference.
Money
Peppermint
Patchouli
Scrying
Wisteria
Mugwort
Purification
Sage
Lavender
Peace and Happiness
Orange
Vanilla
Love
Violet
Orris
Musk
Male Attraction
Almond
*Cinnamon
Vanilla
Allspice
Female Attraction
Sandalwood
Vanilla
Protection
High John
Frankincense
Rosemary
Holy Anointing
Tea Rose
Garden Sage
Pc. Of Copal
Healing
Eucalyptus
Myrrh
Psychic Dreams
Mugwort
Mistletoe
One final quick tip, if you wish to slow down the burn time of your candles, store them in the refrigerator.
Happy Imbolgc!
*Cinnamon is particularly irritating when it comes into contact with the skin (most everyone will get a rash temporarily). Use a very small quantity in your recipe, or cut the finished combination with a carrier oil such as sweet almond, safflower, or other unscented oil. When using essential oils you can do this with any of them, a little will go a long way!
