Dressed Intention Candles

What you'll need

• A plain unscented pillar or jar candle (pillars are easier to dress) Affiliate placeholder
• A carrier oil such as olive or sunflower oil, or a few drops of moon water
• A pinch of dried herbs or petals that match your intention (see the intention jar table) Affiliate placeholder
• A toothpick or wooden skewer for carving
• A heatproof plate or candle holder

Step by step

1. Choose a color that suits your intention (white for anything, pink for love, green for growth, gold for confidence) and a moon phase to match (see moon rituals).
2. Carve a word, a symbol or a rune into the side with a toothpick.
3. Rub a very thin layer of oil on the outside of the candle: traditionally upward toward the wick to draw something in, or downward to release something.
4. Roll the lower part of the candle in finely crumbled herbs, keeping the top 3–5 cm (1–2 in) clear. Alternatively, scatter herbs around the base on the plate instead.
5. Set the candle on a heatproof plate, light it, and spend a few minutes with your intention. Journal or pull a tarot card.
6. Snuff the candle when you're done (don't leave it), and relight it on following evenings until it's finished.