A happy candle doesn't flicker. Candles burning in a place with no wind shine with a light as steady as an incandescent light bulb. Or at least they do normally, so, when I had different candles burning in various places in my home during the 12 Days of Yule and one of them consistently guttered no matter where it was placed, it felt like a sign that the power associated with that particular candle was unhappy for some reason. The photo illustrating this blog is that candle, a red pillar candle nestled in a circular candle ornament of plastic mistletoe, an old family decoration I've seen my whole life. As I learned more about heathen mythology I came to associate mistletoe with Baldur so this became the Baldur candle.
Now there are many possible reasons Baldur could be unhappy, starting with, he's dead, and awaiting rebirth into the next universe, which will be better than this one. Like many of the residents of the quiet realm of the goddess Hel, he may not want to be bothered with human concerns and attempts at Yuletide cheer. Perhaps he just wants to be left in peace. I have certainly encountered human dead who don't want to be bothered by the living, even with small sacrifices of candles or toasting. My mom reached that stage fairly quickly, having already reincarnated, and having satisfied herself that I knew that. (See prior post on Reflections on Spiritual Changes Since My Mom's Death.)
Perhaps you are in a long distance relationship with someone speial who lives many miles away Long distance magic can be quite effective so try this ritual which has worked well for my circle.
Nature is the ultimate creator. At a nearby gardening or hardware store, get an assortment of seed packets to plant newness into your life. If your thumb is not the greenest, try nasturtiums, which are extremely hardy, grow quickly, and will spread to beautify any area. They also reseed themselves, which is a lovely bonus. Light the following candles, charging them with appropriate gems and stones:
This list can be useful when choosing candles for magical rituals or spells, tinting bath salts, or designing entire rituals around herbal products. Some differences of opinion do exist, and color itself is a magical system. Use your instinct. Here is what each of the colors represents so that you can select the right ones for your magical ritual.
Recently, I have been wishing and hoping for peace in this world of ours, as have most of us. I have been making, burning, and giving away candles with the word “peace” written with crystals embedded in the soft candle wax. If possible, perform this spell during a moonlit night for the greatest effect. Place your peace candle on your altar and light rose incense, which represents love and unity. Light the candle and chant:
Perhaps you have been overwhelmed recently by the daily news, or a series of unfortunate events – problems with work, finances etc. –seemingly beyond your control. Do away with these burdens as quickly as possible. This spell requires paper, a black candle, a flat rock with a hollow in the center to set the candle into, a black ink pen, and a “cancellation” stamp, readily available at any stationary store. Anoint your candle with a drop of peppermint oil. Dress your altar with a peony blossom, the luckiest of the flower family.
The consummate time to release bad luck is immediately after the full moon. Write on a piece of parchment or stationary what you wish to be freed from; this is your “release request.” Write this same request onto the candle, as well. Ideally, this is scratched into the candle with the thorn of a rose you have grown yourself. Light the candle near an open window so the negative energy will leave your home. While the candle burns, intone:
We all have unexpected expenses that come out of the blue- car repairs, medical bills or helping a loved one in need. I had the latter with my family and had to reach deep into my coffers to heed the call.When you need to quickly recover financially, this coin spell will fill the bill, literally.
Meredith Everwhite
This was delightful and very refreshing, thank you! This is the kind of insight and thought process more modern pagans need to have, to the point that...
Steven Posch
Back in the Paganolithic Era--as you may remember--we used to sing:
I circle around, I circle around/the boundaries of the Earth/the boundaries of th...
Anthony Gresham
The only song that comes to mind is America the Beautiful. There should be a special song to sing when seeing an eagle but I'm not musically inclined...
hmm interesting thought.
4. Someone else identified with mistletoe; Hodur perhaps, is trying to get through to you.
