When I'm planning a ritual I usually follow this basic outline. I like this because I pick and choose from my list here, sometimes I do it all if I feel the need. Other times maybe just incense or a candle is all I need. Your ritual can be as complicated or as simple as you wish :)
Basic Ritual -
1.Ritual bath or hand washing with purification sachet or soap, or bath that corresponds to intent(optional)
2.Light altar candles (optional)
3.Bless yourself, altar and space with holy water, invocation, or other ritual blessing to clear evil or negativity (optional)
4.Light incense appropriate to intention or altar incense (optional)
5.Anoint yourself with an oil appropriate to intention. Envision white light coming down on you, filling the entire room (optional)
6.Concentrate on and visualize intention, then get to work!
7.Mix and empower herbs, crystal or stones etc... appropriate to intention(optional)
8.If creating a mojo bag, amulet or talisman, do so now. Skip steps 9&10 if desired. Hold bag and visualize light surrounding it and your need met. Charge, anoint and activate in whatever way is appropriate to your tradition
9.Anoint candle with oil appropriate to intention. Envision your need already met.
Sprinkle empowered herbs around base of candle if using. Light candle. Prayer/chant/psalm to your deity or saint. Visualize the energy of the herbs joining the candle and flowing up the flame, then joining your prayers and carried off to God, saint or helper spirit.
10.Meditate and envision your need already fulfilled.
11.Leave appropriate offering and give thanks to God, saint, universe etc.. For hearing you.
12.You may add more incense and extinguish the altar candles if desired.
Candle Spells -
I love candles and pretty much all of my spells involve them. I like simple rituals and candles are perfect for that :)
Here are some simple candle rituals that can be used for any working.
1. Rub a candle with appropriate oil. Pray over it. Light it. Done. Simple. This can be used for anything. If you like, you can write out your petition on parchment paper and place under the candle. You can also inscribe names or intent on the candle with a nail or pin. Burn incense if you like (I always do) Frankincense is a good all purpose incense.
2. Take a thicker candle (votive or small pillar) carve a shallow hole in the bottom. Anoint your candle with oil, then roll in herbs that are appropriate to your working that you have blessed. Mix some of the herbs with a few drops of your oil and stuff the bottom of the candle as well. This is called a "Loaded" candle. This is visually appealing as well as very effective.
3.Drawing spell- This is for when you wish to bring something to yourself (love, money, luck, happiness etc...) In these types of spells I usually use colored candles, its easier to maintain your visualization and keep track of, when each aspect has its own color. Place a candle that represents you in the center (your astral color) then place one or more candles that represent your intention, a short distance from your candle (in the proper colors). Anoint all candles with oil and name them for your intention. Pray over them and light. Allow to burn 15-30 minutes then extinguish. Repeat each day, first moving desired aspect closer to your astral candle, until they touch, then allow candles to burn out. Here's an example of a money spell- your candle in the center, green candles dressed with money drawing oil placed a few inches away. Each day move the green "Money" candles closer to your candle until they touch.
4.Banishing spell- same as drawing spell, only start with candles touching, then bad aspect is moved away from your candle.
5. Vigil or Novena candle- these are burned for a particular saint or spirit. Basically, you light it each day and say an appropriate prayer to your saint or spirit for your intention. A novena, as the name would suggest, is worked over nine days (or sometimes, nine hours). Usually an altar is set up for your saint and offerings such as cake, wine, water, coins, shells etc.. are placed on it with your candle, as well as a statue, holy card or image of some kind. Novenas are one of my favorite ways to work. When you work novenas often, you develop a certain bond with your saints and spirits. You come to feel like they are "Your" special saint :)
6. My daily ritual - I light altar candles, bless myself and my space with holy water. I light altar incense. I pray for whatever it is I need that day (peace, guidance, patience etc..) light a tea light and meditate on my life for a few minutes. After meditating, I give thanks and extinguish the altar candles. I usually let the tea light burn out. I do this each day to help center and prepare myself for whatever the day holds.
Candles can be used for simple fire spells such as - write your petition on parchment, then burn it in the flame of a blessed and anointed candle. Thus releasing your intention to the universe. You can also purify amulets and talismans by passing them through the flame of a blessed and anointed candle or incense smoke.
Candles are super versatile and I'm sure with a little creative thought you can expand on these ideas and come up with your own meaningful rituals. The possibilities are endless :)
Peace and abundance,
Lavinia
