Silence covers me like a blanket in the dark stillness of my sacred space. Is it just after midnight or just an hour before dawn? It is hard to tell. Time seems to stand still within the light of the candles. The flames that dance and flicker coax me to breathe a little deeper with each breath. I oblige and find myself gently slipping into a reflective peace. It is a peace that I gratefully welcome. With another deep breath, I allow myself to open my heart, letting go of the noise in my head. Gently I slip into a place where I am safe to explore my inner realms. As my breath releases, I walk the inner pathway that spirals in deeper and deeper and deeper into my soul. Guided by candlelight, I embrace my own inner light.
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One of my favorite things to do as a part of my practice is lighting candles. They are one of my favorite magickal tools. A candle contains all the elements, just as we do. The wick is of the earth; the bones of our steady foundation. The flame is of fire and the spark of our soul. Air is needed to sustain the flame. It is the sacred breath that inspires us. As the flame burns, the hard wax melts and turns into its flowing, watery lifeblood. Brought all together, the candle’s spirit sets the room aglow, offering the quiet space we crave as we settle into its sacredness. It is a reunion with our own spirit in that special golden light. The candle is a reminder of the physical world around us. It also represents who we are on the inside as well. With everything that goes on in our lives, we can forget these simple truths. I think it is important for us to remind ourselves that we need to tend to our inner light as well. But how?
For thousands of years, humans have lit candles as an act of devotion, love, remembrance, and necessity. This simple act connects us in ways we have only begun to explore. For many witches, we light a lot of candles during the Imbolc season. As we approach mid-winter, we light candles for the Goddess Brigid who slumbers now, deep within the earth. Soon she will awaken, and the earth will become green once again. Lighting a candle for the Goddess is an act of devotion, magick, and love. Many years ago, Brigid reminded me that I can also light a candle for myself as well. There is ice and snow within me that is asking to be melted away. I carry energies longing to be purified by the sacred fires. My creative side cries out for inspiration when I struggle to see or accept the beauty within me. By offering myself a candle’s flame, I willingly tend and feed my own fires, soothing and sustaining me in my own time of need. It is an act of magick that I do for myself. Perhaps it is something that you can do for yourself as well.
In addition to any other candles that you light, get a candle that represents only you. It can be any color you like. It can be any size you like. What matters is that this candle will offer you what you need. Cleanse and bless the candle. State your intentions with it. Pour your energy into it. Write your name upon it if you would like. Envision yourself at your best – full of life, embraced by love, strengthened by the nurturing, balancing, enriching, and healing energies of the divine. When you are ready, light that candle. Allow the energies you intended for yourself to be released into your space, filling you with all you need. Thank the candle and offer gratitude. You can light this candle whenever you want. Extinguishing the physical flame as needed yet, carrying that astral flame within you at all times. See what changes you can feel and experience. This is one of the many ways to strengthen your own inner light.
I take comfort in lighting candles. There is a soothing energy that comes from their soft glow. It reminds me that I can exhale and release my troubles and worries that weigh me down. Persuaded by their slow dance, I allow to myself to ease back into my own skin and slip off the cloak of the intense energy that was woven upon me. Some days are better than others. I know I allow the intensity to continue and constrict me sometimes, creating that cloak. I found that by leaning into my practice helps ease me back into my body and gives me the strength to move forward. Is it easy to do? No, I’m an over thinker. However, what I have learned is that when I am off center or not at my best, taking a breath, stepping back for a minute, and refocusing does help in the moment. Yet, there are days that need more than that and what we do in the aftermath of a difficult day matters. That is one reason why I light candles. They offer a sacred space to help lift me up, burn away the tension, doubt, anger or whatever may be weighing me down. Candles offer a special kind of magick. It is true. However, I am the one that must strike the match for the candle’s light to guide the way back into myself. I am the one who must choose to shift my energy. Again, there are days that it is not easy to do. Yet, the actions we take set the stage for us in order to create our experiences. Once I see that golden light, I know the way is open. The question is am I willing to take the steps to get there and if so, I am ready to see where it leads?
Be well today,
With love,
Renee Bedard, The Whispering Crow
The Whispering Crow 