The Witching Hour

by Silver RavenWolf

  Make sure you have the correct size wick for the diameter of the candle you wish to roll.

  Place your powders (only a little is needed) along the bottom edge of the beeswax before you roll it and after you have softened the wax with a heat gun or hair dryer. This way the load is at the bottom of the candle and is less of a fire hazard.

  Roll tightly for a longer burn.

  Be sure to smooth the outer seam on the candle so that it blends into the layer below. If you don’t do this, your candle will burn too fast.

  By rolling your own candles, you have complete control over the magickal pattern process and, even better, it only takes about three minutes or less to roll your own candle for a specific intent on the fly. Let’s say a friend calls you and asks for healing energy after surgery. It will take you only a few minutes to sprinkle bonesetter healing powder across the bottom of the beeswax sheet, add a dash of magickal oil or a drop of the liquid fluid condenser, and roll it up, chanting as you go. You can do a full process of releasing, setting your hands, setting the field, rolling, and then sealing all in that individual’s name in a matter of minutes.

  The process makes you feel truly magickal because you have created the candle for your intent yourself without hours of pouring wax or having to go to the store to pick up the right color or the right type. By putting your special touch to the candle with herbal powders, the fluid condenser, and so on, you have a fully charged vehicle that matches your energy pattern and the pattern of your intent. I have even taken very tiny strips of paper and written the person’s name on it, then rolled the paper slip in the candle, making sure the paper is at the very bottom. I have never had a problem with this; however, fire safety precautions should be taken just in case. I blow repeatedly on the candle as I’m swiftly rubbing it with my palms, running energy into my hands and then into the candle. I may do this for several minutes until I lose the thought. Then I light the candle and watch it burn to see how the situation might proceed with the work I have done.

  You can also make beeswax petition sandwiches to be burned in outdoor ritual fires. Cut two pieces of colored beeswax so that the sizes are identical; they don’t have to be large. Write your petition (desire) on brown paper and dress with your favorite magickal oil, fluid condenser, perfume, etc. Place the paper on one section of beeswax. Top with herbs of choice and finish with the second piece of beeswax. Squeeze the “sandwich” together as part of your empowerment process. Throw these magickal wax packets into your bonfire at the appropriate ritual moment of your choice. This is a creative way to use leftover pieces of beeswax rather than throwing them in the trash.

  Using Planetary Glyphs as Runes

  and Conduits to Manifestation

  According to Rolla Nordic, a student of Madeline Montalban (sometimes spelled Madelyn Montalbin, a pseudonym for Sylvia Royals), “In ancient times each rune (planetary glyph) was a talisman made on a special day and blessed with a particular spell. Early man used the stones for guidance, inspiration, and warning.”19

  Using the planetary glyphs as rune vehicles is an easy, delightful way to learn the planetary energies and how they apply to a variety of circumstances. They can be employed for predictive purposes or for focusing on a particular energy in a spell, ritual, or meditation. If you need to know what energy to apply to a specific day or event, select a planetary rune! The following information is a brief compilation of my research and experience using the planets for divination and magick.

  Paint the glyphs of the planets on stones or small pieces of wood. You can even use slips of paper to start, and if you really like using the glyphs in your work, you can create a set out of clay, wood, beeswax, or stone later on.

  Cleanse, bless, and empower your planetary runes on a Sunday or a Wednesday, or you can make the glyph on its corresponding day in the planetary hour that best matches each rune—meaning you will be drawing, cleansing, blessing, and empowering one or two runes per day according to the information given in chapter two.

  When empowering your runes, using them for magick, or calling upon the planetary energies for assistance, you may find the following invocation useful in your work:

  The Invocation of the Planets

  Seven planets light the heavens

  Seven metals rule the stars.

  Seven angels stir the magick

  Seven spirits bring the charge.

  Seven beasts and seven birds

  Seven drums beat out the word.

  Seven chakras, seven days

  Seven pillars, seven rays

  Seven powers, force and form

  Come to me, the change is born

  Blend together into one

  Bless this place; my will be done!

  Intone the names of the seven archangels slowly or intone the seven classical planetary energies slowly (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn) in the order that you desire. I have given a selection of angelic names below:

  Michael

  Anael

  Raphael

  Gabriel

  Cassiel

  Sachiel

  Samael

  So be it!

  Note: This angelic lineup was taken from the Conciliator of Pietro d’Abano, written in 1303 but first published at Venice in 1471. The system is from the scholar Averroes (1126–1198).20

  There are several ways to read planetary glyphs—you can choose one at a time from a bag or toss them in the left hand (to learn what is coming toward you) and drop them on a soft cloth (I wrap my glyphs in a soft cloth to protect them and then use the cloth as a divinatory reading surface). If, however, you wish to learn what action you should take on a particular matter, then tossing them with your dominant hand is in order. Only those faceup are often read; however, a full reading can include those facedown as hidden energies that are not in play with the particular question but are active just the same. If you would like to read for an individual other than yourself, you can place their photo or an item that belongs to them on the cloth. If the person is present, they can shake the glyphs and scatter them or you can ask them to place a piece of jewelry or a coin on the cloth so that the glyphs can attune to their energy. As with any divination tool, the glyphs will show the most likely path; you can change what falls if you don’t like it simply by applying the runic energies to spellwork, ritual, or meditation to divert the energy in a different direction. Cleanse the glyphs with salt water, holy water, a crystal gemstone, moonlight, or sunlight after each reading to remove connections.

  Generally, runes that fall on top of each other or right next to each other indicate a particular theme or event. Runes to the right of the center object speak of the past; to the left, the future; above, conscious mind; and below, subconscious mind. The farther away the rune is to the center indicates the level of power it has at this moment.

  Commanding Planetary Energies

  Your planetary runes can also be commanded to work for you in ritual, spellwork, and daily life. The process is very easy and improves the more you use it. Simply visualize the glyph of the planet in your mind and connect with the planetary energy, then apply that energy through spoken command and visualization to do what you wish. I first learned to do this with the planet Mercury. I live in a rural area, and I was constantly having problems with the internet and my computer. One day, deep in winter, I couldn’t get either the internet or the computer to work properly. I was extremely frustrated as at the time, I had an Etsy business and was trying to take care of my orders. I walked outside, held my right hand up to the sky, and called out Mercury’s name three times. I envisioned the sigil of Mercury glowing in the air before me. Then I said, “I conjure thee, Mercury! By thy power, I command thee to swiftly fix my internet and computer problems without costing me any more money or time! I know you will do this for me!” I said both statements three times in a loud and booming voice (because I was an
gry) and then went back in the house, had a cup of coffee, and returned to my office. I sat down at the computer and figured, “Well, I will try this one more time!” And it worked.

  About a week later it happened again, and I did the same thing. Once more I grumbled back into the office and the problem was fixed. I actually went through this process several weeks in a row; each time I was able to get the equipment to work. Then I thought, if I can do this with Mercury, what can I do with the other planetary energies? I began experimenting with each one with great success.

  In the meantime, after analyzing what my internet problems might be, I called the company handling my service and told them that the dish was misaligned. Sure enough, it was, and it was fixed for free. As to the computer problem, my husband went to work and asked the IT fellow in the office what the error message I kept getting meant. It was a simple fix. No money involved.

  In my planetary experiments I would always sync myself with the planetary energy first. For example, I would think of the sigil of the planet and what its powers were that I knew of. Then I would visualize the glyph shining out in front of me as I commanded it. If I were working with a magickal powder or candle, I would sink the glyph image held in my mind into the powder or candle, allowing it to glow as long as I could embrace the visualization. Right before I knew I was about to lose the image, I would imagine it melting into the object.

  Sometimes I would say, “Universe! I command the power of Mercury to [add intention here]. I know you will do this for me!” That works too.

  General Planetary Rune Meanings for Divination, Spellwork, and Daily Life

  In chapter 3 we covered the basic energy patterns of each planet (under the planetary hours section), giving correspondences and associations. The information presented below is a keyword version that you may find useful in your work. The first word in all caps is a keyword for easier learning.

  Sun: success—aggression, authority, confidence, courage, determination, dignity, faith, individualism, leadership, loyalty, optimism, poise, power, reliance, vitality, will

  Moon: feelings—birth, creativity, domestic, flexible, food, growth, imagination, intuition, kindness, magnetism, maternal, matter, mother, peace, protection, psychism, receptivity, sympathy, women, visions

  Venus: magnetism—adult women, affection, art, beauty, blending, consideration, cooperation, courtesy, devotion, evasion, education, feminine, friends, gentle, group work, harmony, love, originality, refinement, social activities, vacillation

  Mars: action—adult males, assertion, beginnings, combat, construction, courage, defiance, destruction, energy, force, independence, leadership, movement, passion, self-reliance, sex, speed, spontaneity, violence, winning

  Mercury: communication—adaptability, agility, analysis, awareness, brilliant, changeable, children, critical, discriminatory, efficient, intelligent, messages, paperwork, reason, siblings, versatile, written communication, young males

  Jupiter: expansion—benevolence, charity, confidence, dignity, expansion, extravagant, faithful, generous, government, growth, humor, kindness, mercy, optimism, philanthropic, poise, religious, travel

  Saturn: limits and rewards—antiques, authority, crossroads, defense, diplomacy, justice, patience, responsibility, restraint, reward from hard work, rules, senior citizens, serious, sincere, structure, thrifty, time

  Neptune: illusion—addiction or mental illness, angel work, channeling, dreams, fantasy, imagination, instinct, meditation, mystical work, listening, lying, psychism, purification, spirituality, spiritual healing, wisdom

  Uranus: innovation—astrology and planetary work, charm, clarity, divination, eccentric, equality, freedom, good outcome, group work, humankind, internet, inventive, imagination, networking, new trends, objectivity, originality, technology

  Pluto: change—banish, blackmail, compulsions, crisis skills, debts, destruction, dissolution, empowerment, exorcism, inheritance, intensity, investigative, lies, magick, power, secrets, self-mastery, transformation, wills

  Astrological Significator Candles and Powders

  Astrological significator candles (sometimes called astral candles) represent the individual that is the focus of a magickal working. This candle is the center point to which various activities can be directed (healing, protection, success, etc.). Ideally, the candle should correspond to the individual’s astrological sign according to their birthdate through both color and ingredients either already in the candle or placed upon the candle (fragrance, magickal oil, herb or gem inclusions). When you ritually bond an individual to a significator candle, it is believed that a pathway is formed that connects the energy you are manipulating in the working to that individual in a clear, unblocked way. Unlike other magickal candles, a significator candle can be used repeatedly as long as it is employed for the same person. This means you can use a container candle or large pillar in repeated workings for the same individual.

  Originally, correspondences for astral significator candles were established by blending the energy patterns of colors, herbs, and fragrances with the mathematical positions of the stars in the heavens, specifically the twelve astrological signs and their planetary rulers. It was felt that by combining these items, a synergy was created that would heighten the focus and power of the working and create a stronger connection to the individual in need of assistance. Historically, the sign placement of an individual was based on his or her rising sign (not the sun sign). Eventually, the focus shifted to the sun sign as the individual’s significator. For a complete ritual, three signs can be used—the sun sign, the moon sign, and the rising sign. Most practitioners only use the sun sign when choosing the significator candle, saving the other two signs for use if the situation is severe.

  Currently, when you search astral candles on the net, you will find a list of colors and instructions for pouring one color over another to create an astral candle. This practice dates back to a chapbook entitled A Candle to Light Your Way, published in 1941 by Mikhail Strabo, a pseudonym of Sydney J. R. Steiner, the Jewish American proprietor of Guidance House Publishing based out of New York. Steiner wrote several books on Hoodoo and Spiritualism. The author does not give a reference to the origin of these correspondences or color practices in the book. Keep in mind also that the range of colors for candles in 1941 was significantly less than it is today.

  Because astral significator candles are formulated on correspondences based on the astrological signs, they also can be used when doing a working when the moon or the sun is in that sign. For example, if you wanted to work for financial stability, you would burn a Taurus astrological significator candle dressed with a money oil when the moon is in Taurus. To fine-tune the ritual, you would burn that candle in the hour of Venus (the ruler of Taurus). If you wanted to learn a secret, you would burn a Scorpio astrological significator candle when the moon is in Scorpio and in a Mercury (information) hour. If you needed to do a working for healing a female friend but have no idea when she was born, you would burn a Cancer astrological significator candle on a Monday in the hour of the moon. Beside the significator candle you would burn a candle that contains healing herbals or fragrances, or is dressed with a healing correspondence magickal oil. Alternatively, you could burn the candle when the moon is in the sign of Cancer.

  Astrological Signs

  Aries: 21 March to 20 April

  Taurus: 21 April to 21 May

  Gemini: 22 May to 21 June

  Cancer: 22 June to 22 July

  Leo: 23 July to 22 August

  Virgo: 23 August to 23 September

  Libra: 24 September to 23 October

  Scorpio: 24 October to 22 November

  Sagittarius: 23 November to 21 December

  Capricorn: 22 December to 20 January

  Aquarius: 21 January to 19 February

  Pisces: 20 February to 20 March

  Colors Associated with Astrological Candles<
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  Aries: red

  Taurus: green

  Gemini: light yellow, light blue, or silver

  Cancer: pink or aqua

  Leo: gold or harvest gold

  Virgo: blue or bright yellow

  Libra: lavender or purple

  Scorpio: dark red, burgundy, or very dark blue

  Sagittarius: orange

  Capricorn: brown

  Aquarius: electric blue or pink

  Pisces: aqua or purple

  Simple Astral Candle Protection Spell

  Choose the astral candle appropriate for the individual for whom you are working. With a stylus or nail, write the person’s name on the astral candle if you can. Wrap their picture in tinfoil. If you don’t have a photo, use their name written on a piece of paper to encase in the foil. Choose a second candle associated with protective correspondences and set that candle beside the astral candle. Cast a protective circle or intone a prayer of cleansing and protection. Hold the astral candle in your hands and concentrate on the individual it represents. See a silver line of energy extending from the candle in your hands to the third eye of the person. Hold this visualization for as long as you can. Repeat the person’s name nine times, making it rhythmic and singsong. Place the astral candle on top of the tinfoil packet and beside the protection candle. Encircle both candles with an unbroken line of salt. Hold your hands over both candles and specifically instruct them to work for you:

  Scent and color, wax and wick

  Blend together, make it stick

  Fill thee now with harmony

  As I will, so shall it be.

  Light both candles. Take several deep breaths, allowing yourself to relax. As you breathe in, fill yourself with energy from the field around you. Connect with Spirit to heighten the experience. Move from that connection while breathing to connecting to the person you are working for, visualizing that you are breathing protective energy into them and around them. See this energy as white or golden light. Hold the visualization as long as you can. Add a protection chant of your choice or repeat “Protection for (person’s name).” When you lose focus, the work is done. Seal the working by drawing an equal-armed cross in the air over the candles. Finish with “I know you will do this for me!” Allow the candles to burn at least ten minutes. Light the candles every day until you feel the working is no longer necessary. Refresh the packet and candles whenever you feel necessary or at least every thirty days.