The History of Oil lamps have been used as a source of illumination since the discovery of fire. A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries; they have guided great passions and stood vigil through the night with lonely thoughts.
The earliest oil lamps were seashells, used in prehistoric Mesopotamia (A common method of lamp making to this day). As humans progressed, so did lamp construction - from simply formed pieces of clay to Victorian-era crystal hurricane lamps. Naturally, the use of oil lamps as lighting became unnecessary with the invention of the light bulb.
Magically speaking, we know oil lamps were widely used throughout the world for centuries. In above pictured Egyptian lamp, the God Hathor is present on the actual lamp casing. Such decoration, logically denotes that lamps were dedicated to the Spirit.
Many great historical texts document the use of lamps in early cultures. Herodotus detailed the use of lamps by Egyptians numerous times in his writings. He confirmed that all over Egypt, "people fastened rows of oil-lamps to the outside of their houses, and the lamps burned all night." This was done at the time of the Winter Solstice to illuminate a path for the Dead but also to provide individual protection of the home from Spirits.
Sacred Tantric texts from India also suggested the use of lamps in ritual
On a Friday, Rishi Vashishtth placed a Lakshmi Yantra before himself and made it consecrated with Shreerodaya Mantra. Then he lit four lamps representing Riddhi (wealth), Siddhi (spiritual powers), Shubh (luck) and Laabh (gains). Then with a Sfatik rosary he started to chant the Mantra. As a tool of magic and ritual, oil lamps have many Biblical references.
Exodus 25:37 "Then you shall make its lamps seven in number; and they shall mount its lamps so as to shed light on the space in front of it. Ancient Pagans used oil lamps in religious observances, a practice which the Roman Christian theologian Tertullian vehemently protested as "the useless lighting of lamps at noonday." Regardless of such protests, by the fourth century, lamps became an integral part of Christian rituals.

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Command the sons of Israel that they bring to you clear oil from beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually.
~Leviticus 24:1
Today, oil lamps are used within a ritual context especially within the African Diaspora, Ceremonial Magick and Jewish Mysticism.
In Judaism, oil lamps are still used in a religious context. Go to any Synagogue and you will see the Ner Tamid , an oil lamp representing the Eternal Flame hanging above the Aron Ha-Kodesh or Holy Ark.
In Haiti, candles are a hard to procure commodity. Vodouisiant use oil lamps as their primary source of illumination and for most spiritual undertakings.
While magical oil lamps may be more difficult to create and maintain than modern day candles, their power and effectiveness is undeniable. In the presence of a simple lamp, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, and the ancestors once warmed by its glow. Oil lamps remain as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer darkness
How to Construct a Basic Oil Lamp
For a Basic Lamp, you will need:

An Appropriate Container or Glass Oil lamp
Cotton wicking or floating cork wicks
Appropriate "fuel" oil for setting the lamp
The Container Oil lamps may be constructed in numerous types of containers. For the novice lamp builder, perhaps the best option is a glass kerosene lamp. These can be found at most Discount stores for about $5-10. You may even have an old heirloom kerosene lamp you are willing to dedicate to personal use.
Using this style of lamp is quite simple. Remove the glass shade and unscrew the metal fittings (that hold the wick) from the lamp base. You should find a nice wide-mouthed opening in the lamp base where you can deposit your ingredients. Reassemble the lamp, light the wick and make you prayers.
Glass kerosene lamps offer several advantages. They are safer because they are designed as lamps - they won't topple on their own and the wick is held firmly in place by metal fittings.

Lamps made in Calabash Gourds with Cotton wicks - Haiti

Many folks however, feel that the container utilized in a magical lamp is as important as the ingredients put inside of it. Throughout the Caribbean you will see different containers used that reflect the purpose of the lamp - or based on what is acceptable to the Spirit or Power to whom the lamp is dedicated.
For instance, a spiritual undertaking that requires one to be tough, commanding or dictatorial might utlilize a tin can or tin plate as the container. Likewise, a lamp made to draw money might be created in a fine china tea cup or crystal bowl. A love lamp might be housed in a hollowed out apple (a symbol of love). A protection lamp is often created in a thick-skinnned, barbed pineapple.
You should choose a container that will withstand being lit for the required number of days. You can also make a wobbly lamp (such as one made in a fruit) more stable by placing in within another container. I buy pineapples that will fit inside of a coffee can. You can also use a basin or baking pan to sit your lamp in and then surround the container with a shallow layer of water.
The Wick There are three types of wicking readily available on the market.
The first is standard wicking material manufactured for oil or kersones lamps. This type of wicking is usually found in flat or round styles. Wicks are woven in natural cotton or hemp. Flat wicking is used in the glass kerosene or oil lamps as pictured to the right (>>).
Round braided wicks may be floated in the lamp container as seen in the above calabash lamps. Or you can use a piece of aluminum foil as a brace for the wick. Simply fold the foil over and over several times. You want to take a piece of foil long enough to span the length of your container opening. Use an awl, ice pick or sharp knife to poke a hole in the foil - thread the round braid wick through the opening and stretch it across your container. This should hold the wick securely above the lamp fuel. Oil or kerosene lamp wicks are available in most craft and discount stores.
The second type of wick is the floating cork wick. Floating wicks, which are called Veilleuses in French, have been used since Antiquity. Today, these small pieces of cork have a metallic film attched on the reverse side. A small length of waxed candle wick is inserted into the cork and the wick is floated on top of the oil fuel. These are great because of ease of use however each wick is good for only one burning session. This may not be the best type to use for lamps that need to burn several days.
The third type of wick is created with rolled cotton. Absorbent cotton is available in the drug store. While you can use cotton balls to make very small wicks, the preffered material is the rolled sheet cotton found in the first aid department.
To use cotton wicking, simply tear off a length of the cotton and gently twist and shape the material into a long wick form. We prefer making our own wicking from cotton because the process is another opportunity to embue a lamp component with prayer. While twisting the cotton, tell your Spirit or Alignments what you will be burning the lamp on!
A similar length of aluminum foil can be folded to create a holder for the wick. Simply punch a hole through the foil and thread the cotton through it. The foil can then be attached to any type of container. A more complete explanation of this technique may be viewed in a photo tutorial.
The Fuel There are two basic types of fuel one can use for a magical lamp. Let's look at the what makes each worthwhile.
The first type of oil fuel we will discuss is called Lamp Oil. You can find this product in craft and discount stores. I typically purchase plain, unscented oil but also see it in a wide variety of colors and scents.
Lamp or Candle Oil is liquid parafiin wax. You can find ultra-pure versions on the market that have no chemical additives. Unscented Lamp Oil is intended for indoor use, and has no odor, no smoke, and no soot. When a lamp oil does have a natural odor, it’s a faint, moderately pleasant scent that can lend a mildly ceremonial feel to your burn.
Lamp Oil is great because it burns slowly and evenly. However, many folks choose to use other oils based on the intent of the lamp.
Some common fuels include:

Olive Oil : Used in lamps for Healing, Blessings, Money Drawing, Success
Sweet Almond Oil : Used in Lamps for Love and Money Drawing
Palm Oil: For Drawing and honoring African Spirits.
Coconut Oil: For Uncrossing Rituals and Protection
Mineral Oil : Used in Lamps for Overcoming Obstacles, Fiery Protection, Compelling and Mastery
Castor Oil: Used in Lamps for Revenge, Crossing, Commanding and Domination
Motor Oil: Used in Lamps for Revenge, Cursing and Crossing .


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