I was asked “If all aspects of Magickal rituals are filled with symbolism, what is the symbolism of using a candle?” …*
Candle Magick is possibly one of the most popular forms of spell work/ritual available with many books published on the topic. Including two very popular ones from the same author “Practical CandleBurning Rituals” and “Advanced Candle Magick” both by Raymond Buckland.
Beyond all the colours, smells and symbols there is symbolism in the lighting and burning of the candle itself. Please note however, this is my personal opinion and symbolism of my own creation. It is not universally accepted and I have not seen anything published publically about it at this point. However, the symbolism is rather simple so I am sure something similar would already exist.
Lets assume you have already began your ritual, you have a black candle setup and all your initial work such as charging the candle (filling with energy) has been complete and you are about to light it. This is where this explanation of the symbolism kicks off. (I recommend using “Black” candles by default when charging with energy, this is because of blacks receptive nature. However, feel free to use any symbolic colour you prefer. I also use other symbolism depending on the ritual, for example: White to light the working area, and black as the charged candle and vice versa. Black to light the working area, to absorb any negative energy that would attempt to move in and interfere with the ritual, and white because it represents “Light” and does not so easily absorb energy, which would include energies which would interfere with the energy you have moved into the candle.)
These three aspects combined create the symbolism of the Candle and its flame.
1. The Colour: Simply, black absorbs energy. Its use in this explanation is for the feminine principle in its “Receptive” nature (gender principles do not refer to actual physical genders… an explanation of this would require its own blog. If you get all anti as a few have in my experience, you are not yet ready to be working any of the material in my posts and I suggest more theory work).
2. The Candle: The candle represents “stability” and “form” and is also feminine in its principle. It also represents “Earth” and the “dark” creative womb of the Mother.
3. The Flame: The flame represents the counter part (some Wiccans would describe this as the “Consort”) of the Black candle: Light of the Flame – Black of the Candle. It represents the masculine principle in “Force”. It also represents the element of “Fire” and the flame of spirit.
The Lighting of the Candle:
When the candle stands alone, uncharged, before you being to “impregnate” it with your will. It represents the Dark void – nothingness. It represents “Form” without “Force”.
Once the candle has been charge with your “Will” and filled with “Energy” it now has a force dormant within it. “Impregnated” with your will.
Lighting the Candle represents the “Force” which puts motion and action into the form. The flame represents the life force of the candle. From its birth into life at its lighting, to its death when its physical matter is destroyed and the flame extinguished.
In the lighting and burning down of the candle, one does not destroy the other. Rather they unify to create. Bring into being the “Will” or “goal” which the ritual was directed toward. For a simple example, you can liken it to the Phoenix, which destroys (burns) itself and from the ashes a new phoenix arises. The physical being of the candle once lit can be liken also to some theories around what happens after our lives, while the flame of life burns within us, we are learning and working toward our spiritual goals. While the flame of the candle is burning, it is working toward the goal with which we have charged it. Once completely burnt out, its energy is then release, as our spirit is released from our physical body, to complete its “spiritual” work.
The energy impregnated into the form and given purpose through our will is released upon the destruction of its physical form. It is “Passive” in its form (charged candle), “Active” in its release (lit candle) and is “Formative” as a result.
The destruction of one form to build anew the next.
*… And I answered: “In candle magick; we Destroy to Recreate”.
Wiccan Witchcraft 