Candle dressing is a process in which you prepare your candle for a spell or ritual. This helps you compose your thoughts and energies and focus your powers.
Candle dressing adds strength and powerful energy to the candle that adds to the intention of the spell. Oils, herbs, and spices make wonderful dressings.
We have provided lots of information, charts, and video examples to get you going!
What is a Candle Dressing?
A candle dressing is oils, herbs, or adornments that are applied to a candle's sides, top, and base. It is used to create a greater effect and energy output during burning. Most often this is in preparation for a spell or ritual.
There are spells and rituals where the candle is the focus and others where it forms a team with other ritual objects.
It can also be used environmentally (burned in the home, on the alter, or around the casting circle for background energy). For instance, you may rub a blue candle with basil oil because you are feeling anxious and want to create a calming atmosphere.
Candle color is also important when planning your spell.
It is essential for a candle magick practitioner to understand the types of dressings, techniques for applying the dressings, and how to create appropriate dressings for certain candles and goals.
This is the candle Ame dressed in the video below. Photo by Ame Vanorio
Dress Your Candles Methods
Dressing candles can get a tad messy especially when you are working with oils. I dress my candles at the kitchen counter since it makes cleaning up easier. I also wear old clothes because I'm a bit messy!
Techniques for Dressing Candles
There are many ways to dress a candle, and arguably no one way is more right than another. , so long as the technique involves coating a candle in a safe oil or rub, adding spiritual adornments to the candle, or carving symbols that provide added value.
These are the most common ways practitioners dress a candle. You will most likely be combining two or more of these methods to get the effects you desire.
The Finger Rub
In this method, practitioners use their fingers to rub the dressing onto the candle directly. It can be messy, so bring a moist towel to wipe your hands off. I personally love this method because I am in direct contact with the candle and oil which enhances the experience.
I will say it is important to facilitate a clear open mind while doing this so as not to influence the candle's natural energies.
You can also make your own oil using virgin olive oil as a base and add a few drops of whatever essential oil or herbs you desire.
There are also many prepared oils on the market. I have only used these infrequently as I prefer to make my own.
Dressing Brush
This method means applying oil using a pre-consecrated dressing brush. This can simply be a watercolor paintbrush. I like using a brush on candles that are textured such as beeswax.
Typically this means meditating with the brush ahead of the ritual and following any other consecration rituals which are relevant to providing the brush the appropriate, needed strength.
Soaking the Candle
Some practitioners will create a small bath of diluted oil, which forces the candle to be partially submerged (everything but the wick). This candle bath allows the candle to absorb the potency of the oil and usually only takes a few hours. Then allow the candle time to dry off naturally on a clean white towel. The candle must be dry before burning.
Adorning Objects
A non-oil-based dressing would be affixing spiritual objects to the candle (even Christians do this by adding crosses to the sides of their candles). Though it is not an oil or herbal rub, it is still considered a candle dressing.
Remember that while the candle is burning these objects will also burn and may cause the candle to burn faster or unevenly.
Carving Symbols
This method literally means carving symbols of value into the candle. Any implement with a round or pointed tip may work including a pen or artist tools.
A love spell candle might include a heart and the initials of the two individuals being targeted. A money spell might literally have a money symbol carved and the initials and date of birth of the target. Carvings create intent and that energy is powerful.
Check out our video below for some examples and subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Selecting the Right Dressings
It is imperative to understand the various oils and their constituents and how their energy interacts. This means a practitioner of candle magic benefits greatly from having a basic understanding of herbology and alchemy.
The chart below lists carrier oils that you may wish to use to dress your candle. You can match the carrier oil to the type of spell you are doing. Also, you can use olive oil for any type of dressing.
The chart below lists some common herbs and spices you can use to dress your candle.
Overall Goal
The oil combination and herbs used to produce the essential oil, the rubs used on the candles, and any adornments and symbols, all need to cooperate with the overall goal or desire.
It is possible to use more than one dressing, even more than one oil, so long as they properly interact and will produce the appropriate energies for the desired candle output.
Personalize and Experiment
Obviously, there are many ways to dress your candles. Feel free to experiment and try new things. As you feel more comfortable in the art of candle magic, you will develop your personal favorites.
Tip: When dressing candles cleanse the area first. During the dressing process, focus on your intention. For instance, if you are preparing candles for love spells envision the air filling with love and romance.
Tips for Stronger Candles
Remember, it is okay to dress a candle multiple times. It is also acceptable to use multiple dressings. Some practitioners begin by carving symbols into the candle, rub oil upon the candle several times, then affix a few relevant adornments, before they consider it strong enough to use in a ritual or for any spiritual purpose.
It is also possible and encouraged to re-dress candles that are being re-used for a different purpose.
Selecting the right candle for a ritual or purpose is definitely still half the job.
Taller candles will require more dressings but will be more appropriate for longer-term goals or more serious spells. Shorter candles might be dressed multiple times to build up a potency that is equivalent to a taller candle.
Depending upon a practitioner's supplies and abilities, there may be any number of options to produce adequate dressings and candle strengths.
Author, Imani Williams, is a college student studying social work. She has been a kitchen/cosmos witch for four years. Imani is very interested in divination and spell casting.
Another great way to bring magic into every day is by combining spells and rituals with the days of the week. Each day of the week has colors, crystals, and herbs associated with it as well as a ruling planet.