Candle Ritual for Sun and Moon

A Candle Ritual for Sun and Moon

 

Whether we are working in the fertile darkness with the Moon, or we are welcoming the cyclical warmth and light of the sun, I offer you this candle ritual to use in sacred space, or quiet times, or celebrations with friends.

 

You’ll need paper, a pen or pencil, your candle plus other candles for sacred space, oil (either essential oil, olive oil, or some other oil), a tissue for wiping your fingers, other objects of power you would like in your space (crystals, tarot or animal cards, stones, herbs, incense).

 

Create your sacred space – set up a circle or altar with the candles, lay out your objects and cards.  Open your ritual with words, prayer or invocation and light the candles, except the ritual candle.  Take your paper and pen and begin to write about whatever you envision blossoming for your heart, for your life, or for this coming year.  Write as much as you would like to write.  Then, when you are done, circle the key words or phrases – the ones that are most potent for you.  If you can choose 3-5 key words or create symbols that represent these key thoughts. 

 

Take the candle, and using the pencil, carve these words or symbols into the candle as your heart-vision.

 

Take the candle in your dominant hand.  Using the non-dominant hand, dip one or two of your fingers in the oil and stroke the oil onto your candle from the bottom to the top in one single row, without lifting the fingers (the direction IS important…).  Turn the candle and dip your fingers in and stroke again from the bottom to the top on the next row.  Do this over and over until you have covered the entire candle.

 

Now, place the candle on top of your paper, and wipe your hands with the tissue.  If you are using cards, you may wish to choose a card now to act as a guide for your journey of your heart-opening…  Once you have completed this, pick up your candle (keep it on the paper to avoid getting the oil all over you), close your eyes, and each time you inhale imagine drawing in the light and power of the sun or moon to help you open to your intentions, and each time you exhale, imagine sending this golden or white light into your heart and then into your candle.  Do this for as long as you like, and when you are ready, take a deep breath in and feel the light of the sun or moon shining within your heart and belly, and as you exhale, open your eyes slowly and give thanks to Life.

 

Now take the candle, place it in a holder and light it.  Note the time.  You may want to invoke a spirit guide or helper at this point or say another prayer.  Let the candle burn for as long as you will attend to it (please do not leave burning candles unattended).  When you are ready, snuff the candle out.  The next night/day, at about the same time in the evening/day, light the candle and let it burn for as long as you will attend it.  As it is burning, sit and look over the words you have written as your heart-intention.  Feel these words, imagine them, become them…  Continue this process, and to burn the candle each day/night until your candle has completely burned.

 

Take whatever wax is left over and bury it outside in the snow or into the earth, or offer to running wild water, giving thanks for the guidance and help you are receiving from Life in manifesting your intentions.

 

In Earth Blessings!

Nikki