Selecting candles for magickal use

Modern witches & pagans have an enormous amount of different types of candles to choose from. Some types are common, inexpensive, and easy to come by. Others are more costly, or less easily obtained. Perhaps this list will shed some light on the subject!

Dinner Tapers

- these slightly tapered candles are readily available in several colors and lengths. They are generally made of an oil-based wax called stearine, and start with a white or uncolored core. The various colors of dinner tapers are usually only a thin shell. Inexpensive.

Traditional

- these candles are similar to dinner tapers, but have straight sides and a fluted base. Nearly as common as dinner tapers, but slightly more expensive. Colors are generally solid to the wick.

Household Candles

- small and inexpensive straight sided candles, 4-6 inches long. colors are solid, but limited range available. White is the most common and least expensive.

Pillar

- These large, solid color candles come in many sizes and shapes. some of the largest sizes have multiple wicks. Many are fragranced. Moderate to expensive.

Beeswax & Blended

- Beeswax candles are easily available from ecclesiastical supply companies, but are costly. 100% Beeswax candles have a warm golden color and smooth, sweet natural fragrance. Beeswax candles are among the most expensive, but worth the price if you enjoy their special warmth. They are available in many styles and sizes, from rolled 'honeycomb' sheets to mammoth cathedral candles. Some colors are available, especially in the rolled style candles. A less expensive option is a beeswax blend candle, the most common being 51% beeswax and 49% stearine or other material. These candles are whiter than 100% beeswax (when color is a deciding factor) and more economical, but still have some of the same pleasing aroma as their more costly cousins.

Votive, food warmer or tea lights

- These small, oil-based candles must be burned in a container, as they liquefy when burning. They come in several sizes, from a 3-hour burning time to a 15-hour. White candles will remain the least expensive, with many colors and fragrances available. These are generally inexpensive candles, and can be used for many different purposes.

Candles in containers

- There are many sizes of 'jar candles' also known as 'religious', '7-day', 'novena', or '14-day' candles. The most common being the 7-day or novena candle. For magical use, the best choice is a candle in a clear glass container with the color in the wax itself. These candles liquefy when heated, so care should be taken in their storage and transportation.