Ember Grant
Imbolc is an ancient Celtic celebration believed to have been celebrated around the first or second day of February. At Imbolc, we celebrate the stirring of new life that is soon to emerge in nature. This is a sabbat believed to be associated with birth and lactation due to the lambs born at this time of year.
Spiral Spell for Growth
One of the symbols associated with birth is the spiral; it represents endurance and the continuation of the cycle of life. Spirals have been found in ancient art of many cultures including Celtic, Hindu, Aztec, Maya, and native North American nations.
One meaning ascribed to the spiral is that it represents the origin of the universe; it can also illustrate a coiled spring filled with energy. Spirals are found in nature in the shapes of shells and in the patterns of growth in seeds and petals. Many ancient peoples noticed these patterns and incorporated spirals into their art. It stands for possibility, expansion, and evolution.
In addition to spirals, plants are the perfect analogy for the Wheel of the Year. They either endure by root systems and seeds or they complete their life and return to nourish the earth—either way, they are an ideal symbol for the Wheel of the Year and for the life cycle. We, too, leave something of ourselves in a variety of ways when we depart. This is different for everyone, but we must not forget that we’re part of the cycle. We will use the spiral symbol and plant imagery in this spell to stimulate regeneration and growth for whatever goal you have in mind.
You will need white candles (any number, any size, but keep them uniform and use all of one type: tea lights, votives, tapers, or pillars) and a piece of paper approximately 6 X 8 inches.
You can use this spell to simply honor the sabbat or focus on a specific goal that you wish to manifest. Write your goal on the paper. Roll the paper and flatten it into a strip. Then roll the strip the other way to make a spiral shape. Make it small enough to hold in your projective hand. Wrap your fingers around it. Project your will and energy toward the goal. Focus. Visualize your goal as a seed growing into a strong and sturdy tree. Seeds are pure potential—and so is your intention.
Place the paper on a secure surface and arrange the candles in a spiral moving outward from the paper.
Chant as you place the candles:
Resting roots and sleeping seeds
beneath the soil and snow,
waking up and reaching out—
to grow and grow and grow.
Allow all the candles to burn out. Unfold the paper, expand it, and keep it somewhere safe as you work toward your goal.
Candle Anointing Ritual:
Preparing Candles for Magical Use
A common part of spiritual and religious practice is that of anointing. Many people anoint themselves in order to prepare for ritual or ceremony—this is typically done by using oils or perfumes, water, incense, or other substances. The process of anointing something is to consecrate it, prepare it for a special experience, and put ourselves in a state of mind beyond the mundane. In magical practice, we create sacred space for ritual, and our tools should be sacred too. This includes candles. This is a practice you can use for any spell or ritual at any time of year.
Preparing a candle for ritual depends on the candle—did you make it yourself or buy it? Chances are, if you created it, then it’s ready to be anointed for a specific magical use. If you purchased it, you may want to cleanse it first. The act of cleansing and clearing removes unwanted energies. The anointing process is a bit different. This act makes the candle “sacred” and ready for magical use. It’s a way of designating it for a purpose—similar to the way you “charge” a crystal, for example.
To cleanse a candle, you can purify it with incense smoke, let it rest on a bed of salt, or use salt water. Misting with salt water is a quick and easy method. Simply add warm water to a clean spray bottle and dissolve a few grains of sea salt in the water. This is a great way to cleanse and clear a candle before anointing it.
A common practice for anointing or “dressing” candles is to use essential oils. It is recommended that essential oils be diluted in carrier oil since some of them can be harmful to the skin. You can also dilute essential oils in a bit of water. Once diluted, the oil mixture can be applied with your fingertip. If you prefer to use full-strength oil, apply it with a small brush that you reserve for this purpose. (And be sure to rinse the brush after each use.)
You can simply touch the oil to the candle’s surface, top, or bottom, or you can “draw” a simple symbol with the oil. Some people trace a circle around the candle’s surface. It’s up to you. It also depends on the type of candle. These methods work well for votives or pillars, but for candles poured into containers, you can just apply the oil to the top. Use the candle immediately after anointing it. Large pillar and three-wick candles may benefit from repeated anointing if you only burn them occasionally.
There are other benefits to anointing your candles. Using essential oils can also add an extra layer of intent and effectiveness to your purpose if you choose oils based on the specific ritual or spell you’re performing.
In this case, the act of anointing is the ritual itself. You can easily integrate this into your creation of sacred space, or just perform this simple ritual before a candle spell.
Here’s a simple chant to use for your anointing process:
This candle is no more mundane; it’s magic fire, sacred flame.
Reference
Nozedar, Adele. The Illustrated Signs and Symbols Sourcebook. New York: Metro Books, 2010.