Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.

– William Arthur Wad

There are certain key factors that have moved the progress of human evolution along throughout the course of history.

Stone tools, discovering how to turn raw metals into all manner of implements and adornments, the shift from hunter-gather cultures to agrarian ones, and scores of others.

One of those, unquestionably, was humankind’s ability to create and control fire.

As quickly as a warm spark hitting tinder, we forever changed who we were as a species and, perhaps moreover, what we would be able to accomplish going forward when this capability was discovered and utilized.

Evidence from locations such as Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa points to our distant ancestors harnessing the power of fire for their own purposes about one million years ago. Both there and at a handful of other sites around the globe, it thought that the purposeful use of fire may potentially stretch back as far as two million – or more still – years into the past.

There are various theories and schools of thought regarding how and when we stopped viewing fire chiefly as a threat in our environment (i.e., a blazing wildfire headed towards your small communal group’s present living or hunting area) and realized that we could not only use it for such revolutionary concepts as cooking food, but that we could – with a small number of essential components – create it on demand.

The hominoids that are believed to have first intentionally used fire were Homo erectus.

It would be a good many generations and developments on the journey to our present species (Homo sapiens), however, before we branched out from fire on the ground to taming this mighty force all the more and creating ways to generate light (and by extension a measure of warmth) in smaller, arguably more controlled, iterations.

It is likely that relatively soon after our ancestors discovered and began to make fires, they created and used torches not only to start new fires or rekindle those that were waning but to light their way through the dark.

Conceivably, creating torches or similar means of transporting fire (for example, by “collecting” a flame on a piece of wood, dried planet matter, etc from a small bushfire) may actually have led to the creation of things like fires on the ground that could be used to help keep wild animals at bay, roast a meal, or warm chilled bodies that were never far away from the elements.

It is almost impossible to adequately stress just what a profound turning point in our species’ history taming fire and putting it to work on our behalf was. Had that not happened, it is exceedingly likely we would not be even a fraction as advanced on countless fronts as we were today.

Fire not only blazed a path forward for our forebearers, it quite literally lit our way straight on until the development of artificial light sources such as gas and electric lighting.

In the interim, we came up with concepts such as lighting various oils as a means to create small, contained fires that could be used more flexibly than stationary fires.

We put flame to reeds and rushes, sometimes combining materials such as these with sources of fat from animals, seeds, and plants (including creating a product called rushlights that were used for many thousands of years in various parts of the world).

In many respects, rushlights and their kin were the precursors to candles. Though the two were often used concurrently in various locations throughout history.

We are unlikely to ever know who made the first product that we would today readily call a candle.

Historians debate when candles blazed their way onto the scene, but we know that cultures such as the ancient Egyptians were using rushlights and oil lamps at least 5,000 years ago.

Meanwhile, a touch later on in human history, the industrious Romans are often credited with being the first to create candles with wicks.

They did so by repeatedly dunking or dipping materials such as papyrus into heated and melted beeswax or tallow.

It is important to keep in mind that numerous other cultures – from China to India to some of the indigenous peoples of North America – also developed candles or products similar to candles as well. (In China, for example, rice paper was a key comment in their early candle-making process.)

From the distant days of those cultures and numerous others onward, many societies around the world have continued to utilize candles.

Even today, when a sizable percentage of the world has at least one form of artificial lighting in their home, a good many of us still adore, buy and/or make, and use candles for myriad different purposes.

The Pagan sabbat of Imbolc will soon be upon us again.

While it is safe to say that candles are a mainstay for many who observe the sabbats all throughout the year, perhaps no other sabbat is, in the Western Hemisphere, more associated with candles than Imbolc.

Yule, its immediate predecessor is another heavily candle-focused sabbat, as is Samhain at the end of October. Again though, it is Imbolc that is perhaps most closely linked to candles.

As I talked about in my recent Elegant Winter Meets Spring Colour Palette Imbolc Card post, though Imbolc may transpire when winter is still going strong in many locations, it is a celebration of renewal, rebirth, light, warmth, and the journey to spring’s majestic return.

Even many of the colours – white, cream, ivory, yellow, orange, and gold – linked to Imbolc relate back to the traditional colours of candles and of flames the world over.

At the beginning of February, those who observe Imbolc often chose to focus on the importance of light and warmth in our world.

We may live in homes that are heated by things such as electricity, coal, gas, and wood, but we are not so far removed from nature that we cannot appreciate the profound importance of light and warmth in the ever-turning Wheel of The Year.

In this post, beyond the brief overview of the role of fire in the development of our species, we are going to take a peek at what candle magick is and then delve into an extensive list of books on the subject of candle magick.

What is candle magick?

Humans have involved candles, rushlights and the like in religious and spiritual contexts for thousands of years.

Whether to light temples or churches, to burn offerings to deities, in ritual ceremonies or for various other reasons, something called to our ancestors to hold the power of a flame in great reverence and to combine that with the respect (and sense of awe) they often held for the gods, goddesses, or source of Spirit that they believed in.

Much as we do not know with exact certainty when the first candle was invented, it is as good as impossible to speculate when candle magick burst on the scene.

That said, it too almost certainly dates back for thousands of years.

As with many components of witchcraft, today’s candle magick may share points in common with that of earlier humans, but we cannot make any solid claims that the two were unwavering the same by any means.

Candle magick is one of the most commonly employed, best-loved, and easy to utilize forms of magick.

So much so, in fact, that candle magick has frequently been the first type of purposely undertaken magick utilized by many who are new to areas such as Wicca and Witchcraft.

Candle magick is inviting. It can also be peaceful, zen-like even at times – as can be the act of burning candles in general (aka, both inside and out of a magickal capacity).

Candles are an extraordinary representation of the Elements, as each is present in a candle’s form and function.

Fire, the most obvious of the Elements involved with candles, is there in the initial spark, the burning flame, and both the heat and light generated by candles.

As well, fire is one of the most powerful representations – and in some instances, literal forms of – transformation. This in turn is often the catalyst for important changes, personal growth, achieving our goals, and many other positives that we are well served by throughout the course of our lives.

Air, that most ethereal of Elements, enters the picture via the oxygen that is needed to both keep the candle lit and, if blowing it out, to extinguish it when the time comes to do so.

Earth, stable, ancient, malleable presents itself via the wax – as well as the wick (particularly if it is made from a natural material).

Lastly, while the Element of water might not be the first that one associates with candles, it too joins the team and is represented by the melting wax (a solid rendered in liquid form by the addition of heat) as well as utilized, in some instances, to put out a candle’s flame.

In addition, I personally feel that Spirit / the divine is present in candles as well. It is there in the history of this important source of light and warmth. In the connection to deities and Source that countless cultures and belief systems have long associated with candles (and fire in general), and in that enchanting element of mystery and magick inherent to candles the world over.

At its core, candle magick really just requires one or more candles, a heat source to light them with, and a specific intention or desired outcome that you wish to have come to fruition.

Beyond that, one can utilize candles for endless purposes when working magick.

They can be anointed with oils and/or herbs and/or spices (cinnamon, for example, is a much loved warm or “fiery” spice on this front), combined with small crystals (chips, tiny stones, etc), woven into colour magick, utilized as offerings, situated on one’s altar or other sacred space, used to represent fire as a whole, placed in windows to light the way for ancestral spirits, the fae, and many others, as well as being a common component on sabbat tables – including during dumb/silent suppers.

Some who employ candles in their magickal workings believe that candles used in such a context should be snuffed or doused out (with water) instead of extinguished with one’s breath. The logic behind this is that you may risk blowing away the intentions and/or energy of the spell that you have just undertaken.

I feel it is up to each practitioner of candle magick to determine if they sense this holds true for them personally or if they are okay with blowing out spellwork candles.

Candle magick also has the wonderful benefit of being a form of witchery that can be done quite discreetly. This may be particularly important to those who reside in environments where they want, or need, to keep their craft private.

After all, countless millions of people – a sizeable percentage of whom are not witches or Wiccans – the world over enjoy burning candles for a wide array of reasons, so this act is not overly likely to arouse suspicion in many types of settings.

In addition, one can involve candles as part of their meditation practise or for fire divination (for example, carromancy, which is divination involving melted wax), and you can even use a candle’s flame as a method of scrying.

I have a theory that part of the reason why we as a species have not parted ways with the use of candles even in the (glowing) face of artificial light sources is that there is something inherent to us as species that enjoys – and perhaps even needs – to retain the ability to create and safely keep fire in our homes.

Witches, Wiccans and others of our ilk are no different on that front and it is not the least bit surprising to me that candle magick is one of the most popular types of magick in the 21^st century.

Other components contribute to its widespread use as well. For example, many of us grew up in environments where candles were routinely utilized – be it decoratively, functionally or both.

We may associate candles with special occasions and settings. For example, the candles on a birthday cake, the small votives or tealights we ignite and place inside carved jack-o-lanterns, or elegant taper candles set out for a romantic dinner.

Candles are readily available in many parts of the world and while some high-end luxury brands cost well into the three figures apiece, many others can be had for less than the cost of a Starbucks coffee (and everywhere in between those two points).

As well, candles have a perpetual sense of mystery to them.

Even though in the modern era we understand the science behind how candles and fire in general work, they still continue to have an air of the unknown and of things both of and beyond this realm.

Indeed, in some respects, candles are liminal entities. The small space separating the flame and wax is an in-between realm that works as a conduit between the magickal worker’s intentions and the solidity of that desire (hopefully!) manifesting into being.

Naturally, candles are adored by countless individuals across the world. And while they are by no means the sole domain of witches, Wiccans, and Pagans, those of us who identify as such do often have quite the propensity for candles.

And, by extension for candle magick and candle spellwork.

In addition to the ways mentioned above to take candles beyond their basic state, one can also carve signs, symbols, words, numbers, and signals into the wax of candles before setting them alight.

Candles can be used (employing the utmost of fire safety at all times) to concentrate, cleanse, and symbolically burn away or banish unwanted elements from one’s world.

So long as safety, speaking of such, is employed (including keeping lit candles away from flammable materials, kids, and pets if there is even a minute chance that injury and/or the uncontained spread of fire could occur), there is pretty much no right or wrong way to work candle magick.

You can purchase small candles that are often called chime candles or spell candles in a multitude of different colours, use the largest pillar candle your town has for sale, create your own candles, source local beeswax offerings from artisans in your area, pick up a wide array of candles from dollar stores, shop for endless varieties (and scents!) of candles online, receive candles as gifts, and more.

As well, there is no shortage of candles on the market today that are specifically sold as “spell candles”. Premade creations that have been crafted with the intent of using them for a specific kind of spell or other type of magickal working. For example, love spell candles, money spell candles, good mojo spell candles, sea magick candles, and many others.

There are also zodiac sign-specific candles on the market, too, such as those from the immensely popular Etsy shop, The Madam Phoenix. Just as there are candles pertaining to things such as the sabbats, moon phases and esbats, different planets, ancestor work, chakras, handfastings, and various other witch/Pagan-centered purposes.

Much as with other types of candles geared towards witchy folks, places such as Etsy, metaphysical shops, Instagram and TikTok sellers, and in-person public witch/Paganism centred gatherings can be great places to find spell specific candles.

While some types of candles are, objectively, better suited to certain kinds (and durations) of spells, by and large, there are no set-in-stone rules. It is often the intention brought to, and energy created/strengthened during a magickal/spiritual working, that matters more than the colour, size, scent, etc of a given candle.

Indeed, many witches and Wiccans keep a healthy stock of neutral coloured candles (such as white or cream) on hand to use both in situations when they are specifically desired and for those when one might not have a certain colour or type of candle to hand.

White and cream colours are viewed by many as being universally acceptable for nearly all types of candle magick.

Beyond that, those wishing to engage in candle magick may want to pick up an array of different colours, including – but not limited to – pink, red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, black, silver, and gold candles.

Multicolour candles can be great too, especially if all of the colours they house correspond to the magickal working and desired outcome of one’s candle magick spell.

Many creative souls sell handmade candles, including plenty aimed at witches, Wiccans, and Pagans. Sites such as Etsy, various online and real-world metaphysical stores, and some craft fairs can all be excellent places to source candles that have been created with magickal folks squarely in mind.

Most, understandably, cost more than your average dollar store, big box, grocery store, or chime candle. The candlemaker needs to not only cover the cost of the materials involved and their time/labour, but to make a reasonable profit in the process.

Whether mass-produced or handmade, many people prefer to use plant-based and soy-based candles. These types of candles are sometimes more environmentally friendly (and potentially – though not always – contain less undesirable chemicals such as parabens and phthalates) than certain other types of wax such as paraffin.

Beeswax is another naturally sourced material that is popular for spellwork and witchy candle-related purposes in general.

Understandably, those who are vegans or otherwise prefer not to use candles made from animal-derived sources will want to forgo genuine beeswax candles.

Ultimately, you do not want to break the bank when buying candles. It can be lovely to splurge on candles made from high-quality ingredients, but at the end of the day, a plain white $1.00 votive candle can work every bit as effectively in a witchy context as a scented $50.00 wood wick soy candle.

And on that note, if you are sensitive to scented candles, opt for unscented ones or those that you have not experienced negative reactions to in the past.

By the same token, if you are sensitive to the burning of even unscented wax, LED candles can be used in some instances in lieu of wax candles.

Naturally, however, LED candles do have their limits in terms of candle magick. For example, they do not (or at least, they should not!) generate enough heat to burn anything involved with a given spell such as bay leaves or small pieces of paper.

On the plus side, they carry much less risk of fire, often have batteries that long outlast the burn time of a wax-based candle, and do not generate any smoke or discernible heat.

Another point in favour of candle magick is that it can be undertaken quite quickly in many cases and in turn, the outcome of one’s magickal working may make itself known fairly speedily as well.

Not always, of course, but certainly at times – especially if the spell pertained to something quite immediate.

Before beginning a candle working, it is generally a good idea to cleanse both the space that the working is being carried in out as well as the candle itself.

If you made the candle from scratch, the latter may be unnecessary, as far fewer hands – and in turn, other peoples’ energy, will – have come in contact with that candle. Though you can do so all the same either way. There is rarely such a thing as over-cleansing when it comes to magickal workings.

Given the widespread availability of candles, the fact that plenty are available for very reasonable prices, and the love that witchy folks tend to have for things with a sense of mystery to them, it is no surprise that candle spells rank amongst the most popular types of magick practiced in today’s world.

In turn, it should not shock many folks to learn that a decent number of books about candle magick have been penned over the years.

Most of these books delve into the spiritual significance of candles, ways to involve them in your magickal workings, and provide various candle magick spell recipes for readers to either follow to the letter or use as a jumping-off point for their own take on a certain spell.

In the spirit of Imbolc (and its Southern Hemisphere partner, Lammas) – when candles are lit to symbolically represent the sun and its radiant light – let’s take a gander at a considerable number of the books that have been written to date on candle magick.

Naturally, as with most lists of books, I am not claiming that the following selection includes every title on candle magick ever created (be it in English or any other language). And, of course, it stands to reason that more will hit the shelves in the future.

Candle magick is such a beloved and frequently used element of many witches’ and Wiccans’ practices that it is highly unlikely interest in this type of magick is going to be snuffed out anytime soon. (Pun intended. )

Candle Magick Books

Like a lot of us who came to witchery in the latter decades of the 20th century or start of the 21st, I cut my teeth in regards to candle magick largely based on personal experience, nuggets of how-to wisdom gleaned from various books on witchery and Wicca, and in the earliest years of the 2000s, Raymond Buckland’s now-classic offerings on the topic.

Other early entries in the field included D.J. Conway’s “A Little Book of Candle Magic” and Phillip Cooper’s “Candle Magic: A Coveted Collection of Spells, Rituals, and Magical Paradigms“. Both of which remain wonderfully informative and solidly useful decades after they were first released.

The sphere of books about candle magick and candle spells has grown considerably since I was budding witchingly. Today, those looking to learn the fundamentals or explore more about the topic now have a fantastic selection ready and waiting to meet that need.

Below you will find a roundup of a good many books on candle magick and candle spells. Most are still in production, but the small handful of them that are not can often be found for sale secondhand on sites such as Amazon, Thrift Books, and Better World Books.

Advanced Candle Magick: More Spells and Rituals for Every Purpose

A Little Book of Candle Magic

Candle Burning Magic

Candle & Fire Magic: a Practical Guide Book to Rituals, Spells and Divinations

Candle Magic: A Coveted Collection of Spells, Rituals, and Magical Paradigms

Candle Magic for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Discover the Secrets of Candle Spells and Rituals to Attract Healing, Abundance and Love in Your Life

Candle Magic for Beginners: Spells for Prosperity, Love, Abundance, and More

Candle Magic for Beginners: The Simplest Magic You Can Do

Candle Magic for Beginners: Tips, Tricks, and Candle Spell Secrets for Love, Prosperity, and Abundance in Life 

Candle Magic the Basics: Transform and Manifest Your Life by Utilizing the Power of Fire

Candle Magic: Working with Wax, Wick, and Flame

Exploring Candle Magick: Candles, Spells, Charms, Rituals and Devinations

Fire Magic

Lighting the Wick: An Intuitive Guide to the Ancient Art and Modern Magic of Candles

Magical Candle Crafting: Create Your Own Candles for Spells & Rituals

Mastering Candle Magick

Pagan Portals – Candle Magic: A Witch’s Guide to Spells and Rituals

Practical Candleburning Rituals

The Big Book of Candle Magic

The Big Little Book of Magick: A Wiccan’s Guide to Altars, Candles, Pendulums, and Healing Spells

The Book of Candle Magic

The Book of Practical Candle Magic

The Candle Magic Spell Book: A Beginner’s Guide to Spells to Improve Your Life 

The Candle Magick Workbook

The Enchanted Candle

The Witch’s Book of Candle Magic: A Handbook of Candle Spells, Divination, Rituals and Charms

Wicca Candle Magic

Wicca Candle Magick

Do you know of any other candle magic/magick books that are not listed here? If you do, please feel free to share them in the comments below and I will update this post to include your suggestions.

By the same token, I will keep my eyes open for future candle magick and candle spellwork books and aim to add those that I encounter to this list as well.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

(The fact that this line comes from a gospel song called This Little Light of Mine is not lost on me. I believe that one can enjoy and appreciate music of all kinds, regardless of their spiritual path and though an ardent witch, I have long enjoyed this beautiful Christians tune.)

Candle magick is a welcoming, versatile, effective, and often enjoyable form of witchery.

It does not have to give your wallet a workout, can be done (weather and setting permitted) both indoors and outdoors, taps into humankind’s long-standing utilization of fire for a wide range of purposes, has a great deal of versatility to it, and can be a very welcoming way for those who are new to spellwork to cut their teeth, so to speak, in this area.

Though it is, of course, not necessary for witches and Wiccans to undertake candle magick or to otherwise use candles in any capacity, a good many of us delight in doing so.

We could scarcely imagine our practice without at least a few basic candles at the ready. Just waiting for their moment to quite literally shine in a magickal context and to, in the process, keep the age-old act of utilizing fire in spellwork and/or spirituality shining brightly.

This Imbolc, why not treat yourself to a new candle, book on candle magick, or the materials required to make your own candles?

Or, simply take some time to gaze at a lit candle and reflect deeply on what the remainder of winter + spring’s upcoming return mean to you, your life, and your own beautiful spiritual path.

May you each have a glowingly warm and wonderful, Imbolc, dear friends!

Is Imbolc the sabbat that you most associate with candles? Do you involve candle magick in your practice or otherwise use candles in a spiritual context?

The post The Big List of Books About Candle Magick + What is Candle Magick? appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

And, generally, that is true. I started to have that train of thought myself when the idea for today’s entry hit me, then I had to laugh. Sure, I could hold off, but I’d be doing so for another four years!

You see, we’re just nine days away from February 29^th, which makes 2020 a leap year. And while I consider myself a patient soul, four years is just a tad too long to wait on such a fun, date-specific post.

So without further ado, let’s hop right into and get to working some Leap Year Magick!

Why do we need Leap Years?

Perhaps no other day is more mysterious, unique and even chic than February 29^th. It’s like that ultra-cool, super elusive celebrity – or relative – who only makes rare guest appearances once in a great while.

Yet what is a Leap Year and why do we need one?

Thousands of years ago, the ancient Egyptians (though I personally suspect even earlier societies took note of this fact as well) observed that it actually takes the earth a tad more than 365 days to revolve around the sun.

How much longer, you may ask? Roughly 1/4^th of a day per longer per year.

The earth circles the sun once, approximately, every 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds. The technical term for the duration of the year when it is measured this way is a Solar Year or a Tropical Year, which astronomers measure beginning on the spring equinox.

Hence, in the context of the current Gregorian calendar that much of the modern world uses, we need leap years to help ensure that earth’s revolutions and our calendar itself remain in synch.

If we didn’t add an extra day into the calendar every four years, we would lose about six full hours from our current calendar each year.

That might not seem like too big of a deal at first glance, but over time, the missing hours would quickly compound into days and weeks. In fact, it would only take a hundred years for the Gregorian calendar to end up about twenty-four days short! (In other words, the better part of a full month.)

The extra day – which is technically called an intercalary day – that we require to help keep our calendar system working effectively is tucked onto the end of every fourth February, as February is the shortest month of the year.

It is generally believed that the ever-industrious Roman general Julius Caesar was the first person to introduce the concept of a leap year into the calendar system, though the process involved with the frequency of said leap years would take many hundreds of years more to develop more closely into that which we now use today in the 21^st century.

And did you know, those who are born on February 29^th are known as Leaplings? These folks only get to technically celebrate their February 29^th birthday every time a leap year appears, but many opt to observe it on either February 28^th or March 1^st on leap year-less years.

February 29^th is a liminal day

Occurring as it does once every four years, February 29^th is a rare day. It exists, that much is true, but the fact that it does so on such an infrequent basis makes a highly charged, unique and powerful day that exists both in situ and betwixt the realms.

It is a liminal time, not completely unlike periods such as those surrounding Samhain and Beltane, respectively, when the veil is especially thin.

February 29th is a day and time on the edges and periphery. A brief period of once-ever-four-years time that quickly transforms into the more commonplace occurrence of March 1st.

What kind of magick should you do on the Leap Year?

Any kind your heart desires! Though, that said, now is a phenomenal time to set long-term spells, manifestations, and plans into place.

Some examples of these kinds of long-term magickal workings include the following:

-Banishing work.

-Beginning a new journal, Book of Shadows, Grimoire or other personally meaningful spiritual or magickal related record.

-Breaking bad/negative/unwanted habits.

-Bringing your deepest, most poignant dreams into reality.

-Burry, in either a more literal or a figurative or representative way, aspects of your life, magick practice, and spiritual journey that no longer serve you well or which are holding you back from blossoming in the ways that you need and want.

I am especially fond of doing banishing work involving written messages or intentions and burying them outdoors at either 4 am or 4 pm on February 29^th (the hour of four-o-clock corresponding to the fact that leap years generally transpire once every four years).

-Committing yourself to thoroughly learning a subject, art, technique, etc that pertains to your magickal practice.

-Engaging in long-term shadow work.

-Fertility magick.

-Health, wellness, and fitness-related workings and goals.

-Launching new projects, such as a business, blog or website, volunteer endeavour, or doing home renovations.

-Long-term goal setting, specifically if you have any goals or plans that may take up to four years to complete (though this is not mandatory and shorter, though still significantly lengthy goals can be set into motion now as well).

-Love magick to help you find, if desired, a long-term partner (you can also perform friendship magick to help bring new long-term friends into your life as well – keep in mind that love magick does not have to strictly be romantic by any means; plutonic love is highly important in most peoples’ lives as well).

And speaking of love and romance, historically, in certain parts of the world – particularly in Ireland, was an old tradition that women could reverse the standard practice of the day and, on February 29^th, ask their beloved to marry them instead of waiting for their honeys to do the proposing (as seen in the vintage image above).

-Planting/starting a new garden or a brand new section of an existing garden.

-Starting something new that will require one or more years of your life.

-Workings pertaining to courage, tenacity, bravery, and fortitude.

Shorter-term magick for the leap year

With February 29^th being such a relatively rare day, it is an ideal time to engage in magickal workings of any length.

If you’re feeling drawn towards shorter-term magick and spiritual undertakings, here are some useful suggestions that you may wish to put into practice specifically on the last day of this February.

-Astral projection and lucid dreaming.

-Courage magick to help you do something that you’ve been struggling to muster the gumption needed to undertake.

-Curse and hex breaking (or placing, if that’s up your alley).

-Doing twelve-month tarot and oracle card spreads to help provide you with a clearer picture of your life over between now and next February.

-Ethically gathering/sourcing natural materials from the outdoors to use in your witchy workings for the coming year.

-Finding lost objects. February 29^th is “hidden” for a few years at a time, when it reappears, jump at the chance to use its powerfully unique energy to aid you in locating missing or lost items.

-Hedgeriding.

-Negative energy reversal work.

-Protection and invisibility/cloaking magick.

-Realign – or begin realigning – areas of your life that may be off-kilter, out of whack, topsy-turvy or otherwise not aligned as you’d ideally like.

-Seeking spirit allies, both animal and non-animal related.

-Shamanic work (done respectfully and mindfully of the traditions and beliefs of the culture whose practices you are enacting or drawing inspiration from).

-Strengthening psychic abilities.

-Take a leap of faith in yourself, your abilities, a new job, someone you trust, a new opportunity – just about anything, really. If ever there was a day for such a leap, February 29^th is definitely it!

-Work with the current astrological chapter of the year, Pisces, a water sign, and the twelfth sign of the zodiac (the annual cycle of which begins anew with Aries, which generally begins on or right around March 20th).

-Working with the faery folk in your immediate area and letting them know that you’re thinking of them at on this naturally enchanted day.

Are leap years lucky or are leap years unlucky?

Some people, both inside and out of the Pagan and witchy world, believe that February 29^th is a wonderfully lucky day.

Just as, others – perhaps more so in the past – such as the Scottish and Greeks of yore, saw it as an unlucky date. Indeed, the Greeks thought it was unlucky to marry point blank during a leap year, but especially to do so on February 29^th itself.

I’m always leery of dubbing a particular date as being inherently lucky, but can’t help thinking that the rarity and charged liminal energy of February 29^th lends itself to potentially increasing one’s luck, good fortune, and all-around positivity on that specific date.

Leap year magickal correspondences

Generally speaking, a lot of the correspondences that apply to February 29^th are ones that hold true for the month of February as a whole.

As well, you may find that things and correspondences which are especially rare or hard to come by – much like the rarity of leap years themselves – feel right for your workings and sacred space on this special day.

The following is a list of magickal correspondences for February:

-Trees: Cedar, pine, rowan, cypress, and laurel.

-Herbs, spices, and flowers: Hyssop, bay leaves, anise, myrrh, sandalwood, frankincense, pine needles and pine resin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ylang-ylang, mint, rosemary, balm of Gilead, sage, thyme, basil, tansy, wisteria, jasmine, heliotrope, palmarosa, lemon balm, primrose, heather, snowdrops, and patchouli.

-Colours: White, blue, violet, purple, grey, light yellow, pale green, pink, red, brown, silver and gold.

-Crystals and stones: Clear quartz, diamonds, rose quartz, citrine, amethyst, fluorite, silver, pyrite, angelite, aquamarine, ruby, garnet, jasper (including dalmatian jasper), ammolite, bloodstone, turquoise, black tourmaline, onyx, and selenite.

-Animals: Sheep, cows, foxes, rabbits, hares, bears, deer, otters, groundhogs, prairie dogs, eagles, robins, owls, chickadees, blue jays, and unicorns.

-Gods and Goddesses: Brigit, Kuan Yin, Diana, Eros, Persephone, Aphrodite, Demeter, Venus, Selene, The Muses, Mars, Pan, Boann, Shakti, Branwen, Parvati, and Bast.

Nature spirits: The fae, including faeries who are connected to the home, one’s property and garden.

-Foods: Those associated with Imbolc and the end of the winter, with an emphasis on warm spices, fresh citrus fruits, grains, seeds, breads, potatoes, and most types of fresh and dried green herbs.

-Magickal supplies: Candles, salt, dried herbs (including those listed above), tools made out of silver and silver-tone metals, altar tiles, crystal wands, and ogham runes.

-Elements: Air and water, though fire is an important element for February as well, particularly as it relates to Imbolc.

-Astrological sign: February 29^th falls during the time of Pisces, whose ruling element is water. Pisces is ruled by Neptune and is represented by a fish.

A leap year spell to help you get over hurdles in your life

What you’ll need

-A large bay leaf (use more than one leaf if needed) or another type of dried leaf that is suitable for writing on

-An environmentally friendly writing material, such as Natural Earth Paint or vegetable ink, or if that is not possible, a permanent marker in the colour of your choice (I’d suggest picking one that aligns with the intentions behind your spell)

-Optional, an eco-friendly offering to leave in the area where you perform the working outdoors. Things such as lovely rocks, attractive leaves, springs of herbs, and pieces of fruit are often good choices.

How to perform this spell

Select a natural spot that safely allows for you to throw something into it without damaging the natural environment. (I CANNOT STRESS THIS POINT ENOUGH – PLEASE BE SUPER SAFE!)

This could be a small hill, a river, a gully, an abandoned/no longer used well, or another suitable spot in your area.

If possible (though it is not imperative), prior to 4 am on February 29^th, gather the materials listed above and visit the spot you’ve selected. Ensure that you are dressed warmly, if the weather is less than favourable.

Arrive at the spot a little before 4 pm (if possible), take several deep, soothing breaths in and out, and focus on your surroundings. As you do so, think about an area in your life that you’ve been struggling to overcome or more past.

This could be just about anything. From ditching an unwanted habit to working up the courage to ask for a raise at work to finally standing up for yourself with your in-laws.

Once you clearly know what you’re focusing on, write the name of that issue on the leaf or leaves that you brought with you. A single word or just a few words will likely suffice here, no need for lengthy paragraphs in such a small space.

Hold the leaf (or leaves) in your hands and (if doing so is safe in the area that you’re visiting) close your eyes. Focus your energy on the leaves and envision the strength that you need to overcome this issue in your life entering your body, as you transfer the energy, fear, stress, anxiety, and so forth from yourself that may be holding you back into the leaf or leaves.

Safely approach wherever you are going to throw the leaf/leaves. Right before you toss this trouble away from yourself, say the following words (or ones of your choosing):

“I am projecting that which holds me back away from my body, my spirit, and my life. I tap into the energy of this liminal, rare leap year day and ask that it help give me the courage and strength to overcome this hurdle that I’ve been dealing with once and for all. So mote it be.”

Scrunch up the leaf/leaves and throw them away from you. As they weigh very little, they may not travel far, so you might have better luck dropping them, rather than throwing them.

Step back, take a few more deep breaths, and concentrate on the natural energy of your surroundings, as well as that of February 29^th. When you feel ready, thank the environment and Leap Year for assisting you (if you brought an offering to leave, do so now) and carry on with the rest of your day.

What does the leap year mean to modern witches and Pagans?

Like so much in our individual practices, this will vary from person to person. For some, it may just be an extra day at the end of February. For others it is a time to engage in long term magickal workings, take chances and proverbial leaps in our lives, focus on the magick of a day whose presence is only felt and experienced once every four years, and celebrate the rarity of February 29^th.

I get downright giddy when we get treated to an extra day. It feels so deliciously secretive – even if most people know about leap years. Perhaps then, it is one of those secrets that we wear on our sleeves. They’re private, but not as concealed as we might have the rest of the world believe.

Whatever the case, I’m on board with the leap year big time and am delighted that the idea for this post struck me just in the nick of time (and that I jumped on the opportunity to pen it when I did).

I encourage you to look for ways to tap into the energy, strength, unique qualities, and hurdle busting properties of the leap year on this special day that we won’t experience again for another four years.

What are your magickal plans for February 29^th?

The post Leap year magick, correspondences, and a spell for February 29th appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

If you’ve been following me on Instagram for a while now, you may know that I love to share, review and discuss books pertaining to areas such as Paganism, witchcraft, magick, folklore, traditional knowledge, herbology, and many other similar topics.

While Instagram is a wonderful platform to do just that (as the thriving community of “bookstagrammers” there clearly demonstrates), I’ve long yearned to have more than just 2,300 characters for some of my book reviews. I’m elated that Witchcrafted Life now provides me with that ability.

Book specs

Name: The Book of Dog Magic: Spells, Charms and Tales

Authors: Sophia and Denny Sargent

Page count: 264

Publisher: Llewellyn

Binding: Hardcover

Finally, a book about dog magic!

While numerous books, many charming and worth reading if the subject interests you, have been penned over the years about cat magic (magick), cats as familiars, and the historical connections between cats and magickal folks, far fewer have yet to emerge about dog magick.

As a lifelong dog lover and current dog mama, I was elated to see The Book of Dog Magic: Spells, Charms and Tales by Sophia and Denny Sargent hit bookstore shelves back in June of 2016.

I purchased my copy a little over a year later and just had the chance to dive into it at the start of this winter.

It’s high time we have a book about dog magic, but is this the title many magickally inclined canine lovers the world over have been waiting for?

What is Dog Magic about?

This book aims to cover elements of the longstanding history between dogs and magickal practices, connections to various deities from around the world, and their meaningful presence in the lives and spiritual workings of those in the 21^st century.

Woven through the myriad topics covered in Dog Magic, one finds dozens of different spells pertaining to dogs and dog magick. Most are fairly straightforward to carry out, generally requiring relatively commonplace ingredients.

The book is divided into the following ten chapters:

Chapter 1: The Magickal Dog & Dog Spells – An Introduction

Chapter 2: Your Spirit Dog – Invoking and Finding Your Dog Familiar

Chapter 3: Dog Love – Bonding With & Loving Your Dog

Chapter 4: Dog Healing – Healing & Being Healed Through Your Dog

Chapter 5: Dog Protection – Protecting & Being Protected By Your Dog

Chapter 6: Dog Guide Magic – Tracking & Finding Valuables, People & Your Dog

Chapter 7: Dog Fidelity – Invoking Devotion, Loyalty & Obedience

Chapter 8: Dog Omens & Totems – Your Spirit Dog Totems & Dog Fortune Telling

Chapter 9: Dogs & The Afterlife – Letting Go of a Beloved Dog & Dog Spirit as Psychopomp, or Guide of the Dead

Chapter 10: Dog Stars: Dog Star Magic & Astrology for You & Your Dog

Throughout Dog Magic, the authors – who clearly adore and respect dogs immensely – discuss their own cherished dog (who sadly passed away at the age of 17, before the writing of this book was complete) on many occasions. I found this deeply heartwarming.

Just as I did the fact that the authors (both of whom have published other magickal and spiritual related books prior to this title) make a point of mentioning that dog ownership is something that must be given serious consideration before one takes on the long-term commitment of bringing a dog into their lives.

Dog magick is a sweet book written in a friendly, approachable tone. The historical and spiritually centered information it houses are fascinating, the plentiful spells are sure to appeal to many, and the general premise of the book is apt to speak to a lot of dog lovers.

I appreciate that this book, when looking at historical, cultural, religious and spiritual topics did a fairhanded job of including information and legends/myths from a wide range of cultures around the world.

It is not uncommon for magickal books that are intended to cover a broad topic to focus exclusively, or nearly so, on European history and lore (perhaps with a wee bit of Asian thrown into the mix), so it was refreshing to see references to cultures the world over, from Africa to Australia, India to America.

However, the fact that the authors also suggest working with and/or invoking deities from many different cultures and their respective pantheons may not sit entirely well with all readers, especially those who prefer to work with a specific pantheon or group of deities from one particular part of the world.

I feel that Sophia and Denny put thought and research into the choice of deities that they partnered with their spells. While such is not explicated stated in the book, it’s fair to say that you can opt to invoke the deity of your choosing or to preform non-deity related magick altogether, if you prefer.

How feasible are the magickal workings in Dog Magic?

The spells and workings in this book are a combination of those that ask the practitioner to involve their own dog (if they have one) and others that are done without direct involvement from a living animal.

While there are certainly some calm, easygoing, very well behaved dogs out there that may happily take part in their owner’s magickal workings, at the end of the day, there are plenty of dogs that will try to chew your candles, want to play tug-o-war with your altar cloth, and try to run off with your crystals to bury them in the backyard.

In other words, as endearing and appealing a thought as involving your dog directly in your magickal workings may be, the reality is that this isn’t possible for everyone – at least not in regard to every spell laid out in this book.

I do feel though, that some of the spells which involve common acts such as petting, talking to, and feeding your dog may be possible for quite a few dog owners and their canine companions.

It is worth noting that some people make take issue, as well, with the wording of some of the spells, calling into question if the free will of the animal at the heart of the spell is being maintained at all times.

If the wording of a given spell does not sit well with you, but you’re drawn to its general concept, consider rephrasing and/or reworking the spell so that it better aligns with your personal beliefs and practices.

As to the effectiveness of the spells themselves, that will, of course, vary from person to person, dog to dog, and circumstance to circumstance.

For example, as much as the thought of using a spell to help find a lost dog is appealing and while employing one may help, there is, of course, no guarantee that magick alone will return a pup that has run off.

As in many situations in life, it is important to balance magick with pragmatic actions specific to what it is you want to accomplish or have happen.

That said, I think that the approachable nature of most of the spells in Dog Magic will help with their success for those readers who opt to follow these workings either to the letter or who adapt them to their own needs and lives.

Is Dog Magick a good book for beginner witches?

This is not, let’s make no bones about it (dog pun intended), this is not what some might dub an “advanced magickal book”.

It is extremely beginner friendly, in my opinion, guiding the reader through each of the spells, often explaining various relevant points, and providing general witchy knowledge amongst the doggy related info.

By the same token though, it is not so entry level per se, so as to automatically put off all veteran witches, Wiccans, and other magickally guided folks.

Yes, some people will be quick to decry Dog Magic as cutesy, silly, or “fluffy bunny” (a term that I personally dislike and generally avoid using, but that is a topic for another post).

In doing so, however, I feel that one may be missing the bigger picture of this book.

Even if you were to remove all of the spells and “feel good” elements from it, the historical and cultural information relating to dogs and ancient peoples, dogs and the gods, and the importance of dogs in the lives of countless millions of people the world over today, all combine to make this an endearing and informative read.

How Dog Magick rates with me

I have a soft spot in my heart for books pertaining to animal magick, animal familiars, and animal spirit guides/allies. I’m a born animal lover and animal empath who has been working with animal magick since childhood, so I’m quite partial to books like this one.

Aside from the authors’ love and respect for their own dog and pups in general, my favourite part of this book was the fact that the subject of pet loss was discussed and treated with reverence, understanding, and compassion.

As anyone who has lost a beloved dog (or pet of any type) will tell you, having to say goodbye to an animal you cherish is one of the most excruciatingly painful and difficult things many of us will ever endure.

I wholeheartedly appreciate that the authors made a point of covering this aspect of life with a dog, devoting chapter nine to the topic.

Overall, I enjoyed Sophia and Denny’s Dog Magic. It was a quick, enjoyable read that I dove into during the Yule season. I can easily see myself returning to this book in the future – including adapting some of the spells to align with my own magickal practices.

Working on a scale of 1 – 5, with five being the highest possible rating, I would give this book 4 stars out of 5.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

It is a lovely read, a welcome addition to the field of books about pet and animal magick, and a great gift for yourself or a witchy dog fan in your life.

And, of course, it gets two paws up from today’s birthday girl, Miss Annie – who is curious to know, have you worked puppy magick before?

And if you’ve read Dog Magic, what are your thoughts on this book?

The post Book review: The Book of Dog Magic by Sophia and Denny Sargent appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.