Embedded Files
Timing, Duration and the Altar
In Anna Riva's words:
After a candle has been lighted toward a certain objective, it should not be used again for a new or different intention even if it is not fully burned out.
It is all right to burn the same candle any number of times as long as the purpose is the same, but if the aim of the ritual changes, start with new candles.
DURATION
The length of time a ritual should take is a decision which must be made based on the petitioner's goals and commitment.
Small goals do not require as much concentrated effort as larger or more important ones. The simple act of igniting the candle in itself sets up a field of energy which can be sufficient to cause one's mind powers to become focused on the problem at hand. A brief moment's meditation, or the repetition of a short prayer or affirmation, may be all that is necessary to bring about a successful solution.
For more serious or complicated situations, longer and more concentrated attention is usually required before results are obtained.
A candle may be lighted and allowed to burn until it is consumed. This method is most often employed when the purpose is for healing of the sick or for restoration of one's health. As one candle dies down, the next is lighted from the flame of the first, and a perpetual candle vigil is kept until the recovery is complete.
Once the outcome of the situation is clearly in mind, light the candle and allow it to burn for about an hour. During this time period, sit quietly and meditate upon your ritual's purpose and contemplate its successful ending.
Timing
There are general guidelines about scheduling which are considered to contribute toward the success of the spell, and this section will cover these various factors to be considered before the ritual is begun.
Your Best Day
Since certain days are considered more favorable to certain people than to others, it is most appropriate to begin a ritual on the day which is believed to be sympathetic to your particular astral sign.
Lunar Timing
The Waxing Moon
The period of time between the new moon and the full.
Best spells during this time: Attracting, uplifting, drawing, improving, increasing, reuniting, or restoring
The Waning Moon
The period from full moon to dark.
Best spells during this time: Banishing, driving away, destroying, rejecting, dispelling, defeating, reversing, or punishing
The Full Moon
The period of time when the entire moon is illuminated
Best spells during this time: Health or Power
The Dark of the Moon
The three day period just before the new moon appears
Best spells during this time: No spells of any kind should be instigated
Days of the Week
Each of the days of the week are ruled by a particular planet, and each planet affects certain matters. Therefore, to begin your ritual on the day of the week which is governed by the planet which influences those matters involved in the spell can be of benefit.
For instance, almost everyone is familiar with the belief that the planet Venus affects love and other matters of the heart-and Venus rules Fridays, so rituals relating to love, sex, and marriage could commence on a Friday so that Venus' vibrations are added to the elements already in the spell.
Here are the days, their ruling planet, and some matters which are best suited for that day.
And do keep in mind that, as in all things, each planet has both positive and negative qualities.
SUNDAY
Ruling Planet: Sun
For acquiring renown and riches
To free oneself from prison
For dealing with government or authority
To repress others
For spiritual enlightenment
To dissolve hostile feelings
To make friends
For gaining hope
MONDAY
Ruling Planet: Moon
For safety in travel
To bring rain
To acquire merchandise
To receive answers in dreams
In matters where children are involved
For reconciliations
TUESDAY
Ruling Planet: Mars
To acquire courage
To overthrow enemies
For self preservation and insure survival
Obtain military honors
Cause hostility among others
To wound others
WEDNESDAY
Ruling Planet: Mercury
For seeing into the future
All matters concerning the intellect
To influence the written word
Open closed doors
Acquire knowledge and understanding
Pass examinations
Settle quarrels
Concerning reason and sensibility
Communication
Eloquence
Divination
THURSDAY
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Gain peace of mind
Expansion of interests or holdings
Buy or sell real estate
Acquire money
Humanity
Honor
Health
Friendships
Tranquility
Generosity
FRIDAY
Ruling Planet: Venus
Form friendships
Beauty
Love
Creativity
Sex
Kindness
Joy
Travel
SATURDAY
Ruling Planet: Saturn
Success in business
Impose your will on others
Concerns with food or agriculture
Make others to be possessed by demons
Restrictions
Commune with the dead
Sow seeds of discontent
CANDLE BURNING ALTAR
An altar is a platform used for religious or magical rituals. It does not have to be elaborate, and your altar for candle burning rites need not be anything you specially purchase for this purpose.
Choose Your Altar
Any sturdy, flat, smooth surface will do, a chest, box, table, counter top, or even a wide board laid on the floor. It should be a designated place set aside for the particular purpose for which it is to be used, and of a rectangular shape if possible.
Place Your Altar
A quiet out-of-the-way place should be selected so that the rites do not have to be disturbed. Also, those who believe in burning candles to achieve their objectives find they are using the altar for one purpose or another most of the time and it will be inconvenient to interrupt the proceedings to move the altar's location.
Clean Your Altar
Once the altar's place is decided upon, it should be cleaned thoroughly to remove all foreign matter. Use any soft, clean cloth or sponge and a pure soap or detergent. After the surface is clean, wipe it over with a new cloth saturated with Holy Water.
Cover Your Altar
The altar should then be covered with a Cloth-any clean cloth is acceptable. Some persons use very elaborate embroidered or lace altar cloths, but these are not necessary to the success of the ritual. Any color can be chosen which is pleasing to the petitioner, and white is always in good taste and appropriate.
Altar Set-up
Some purists believe that the altar must contain all of the four elements earth, fire, water, and air.
The candle is the fire, the incense fumes are air, so small bowls of water and earth may be added so that all elements are represented.
The position of the earth and water containers is not important, so place them wherever it is convenient.
Incense is placed at the center of the altar. Any type of burner is correct, so find one you like and large enough to hold about one-half cup of incense powder.
If you wish to include readings from the Bible as part of the rites, the Book of Psalms or the Holy Bible can be placed in the front left hand corner of the altar so that it will be convenient.
If altar candles are to be used, they can be the Cross-Shaped ones (often called Crucifix Candles, though this description is not accurate), or any regular candle.
Two are usually used, one placed in each of the back corners of the altar.
White is the proper color for all rituals concerned with attracting, drawing, spirituality, luck, safety, protection, etc.-all the white magic objectives. Black altar candles are used for black magic rites, and these do not have to be rituals intending harm to another person. Any rite which is designed to dominate, control, or change another's will or intentions is considered to be black magic. (see also: Candle Color)
The candle which represents the person working the spell should be placed to the left side of the incense burner. The candle representing the objective of the spell, or the purpose which is to be accomplished, is placed to the right of the incense burner. When there are two or more persons involved in the objective, place their candles side by side or one below the other.
Any other objects you wish to include on the altar can be placed at the front right hand corner.
These items should be to enhance the objective of the spell-a photograph of the one you wish to attract, a piece of clothing, nail or hair clippings.
If the objective is not a particular person but is an intention such as luck in games, use your imagination for the objects to be added-a pair of dice, your special lucky talisman, a magnetic lodestone, or a rabbit's foot.
If the rite is of a spiritual or religious nature, you might wish to use the statue of a favorite saint, a cross, crucifix, or a rosary.
While other authors have made requirements about the kind of clothes to wear while conducting the rites, or specific requisites as to the size and shape of the candles, Anna Riva believed that the ceremony itself should be kept as simple as possible so that all the mind powers can be directed completely into the objective to be accomplished.
Few results can be expected without the petitioner's faith in the undertaking, and no book can instill into the ritual the commitment needed for success-this only comes from the one actually doing the work.
THE CANDLE LIGHTING
Repeat an affirmation as each candle is ignited.
Allow the candles to burn for an hour, during which you will meditate upon the objective for which the candles are being burned.
When the allotted time is over, conclude the meditation with the Lord's Prayer or other meaningful recitation.
Then snuff out the candles in reverse order - the Object Candle first, then the Personal Candle, the right Altar Candle, and lastly the left Altar Candle. The incense should be allowed to burn until consumed if possible.
Repeat the ritual daily until the purpose is accomplished. Depending on the type or size of the candle used, replace them as necessary. Simply light a new candle of the same type from the light of the old one.
When the ritual is concluded, the unused portion of the candles, the incense, and any other paraphernalia on the altar should be cleansed to use at another time, or disposed of in a proper manner.
The candles along with any incense residue can be wrapped and cast out in the garbage. Any other objects used-such as nail clippings, a piece of clothing, hair cuttings, seals, etc., are destroyed. Burning is the best method of disposing of these symbols, but if that is inconvenient, wrap them well and place them in the garbage. Objects of sentimental or monetary value, such as photographs, a Saint's Statue, or Bible, are wiped clean and may be used again.
Page updated
Report abuse