What Do Black Candles Mean in Magical & Spiritual Practices?

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How to use black candles for protection & banishing negative energies

Co-authored by Stina Garbis and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: July 17, 2024 Fact Checked

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Black Candle Meaning

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Historical and Cultural Uses

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Black Candle Spell

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Candle Color Combinations & Meanings

When you see black candles, you may think of witches and spooky Halloween nights. But did you know that they also have the power to absorb negative energies and shield you from malevolent forces? If you want to learn more about black candles and their uses in candle magic, look no further! We’ve compiled a complete guide on these powerful candles, including their symbolic meanings and how to perform a spell with them. We’ll also cover other candle colors and combinations, so that you can create the perfect personalized spell for your situation. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

What do black candles mean in candle magick?

Black candles bring spiritual protection and banish negative energies. They can break hexes or curses and fortify you against future magical attacks. Black candles are also associated with change and transformation, so they can help you let go of negative emotions, past traumas, and bad habits.

Section 1 of 4:

Black Candle Meanings & Uses

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Protection, transformation, & banishing negative energies In the practice of candle magic, black candles are used to break hexes and protect against future attacks. They have the power to absorb and clear out negative energies, so they can help you let go of past traumas, end relationships that no longer serve you, and break bad habits. This makes them a powerful tool for change and personal transformation.^{[1]
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Research source} Here are some examples of when to use a black candle:
- You want to banish negative energies, hexes, or curses (and shield yourself from these things in the future)
- You feel like someone has ill will toward you, and you want to protect yourself from any moves they may make against you
- You’re going through a major life change (a breakup, leaving a job, ending a friendship) and you want to clear out old negative energy
- You want to let go of past traumas or negative emotions in order to welcome a fresh start
- You want to develop inner strength and willpower to break unhealthy habits and become the best version of yourself that you can be

Section 2 of 4:

Black Candle Historical & Cultural Meanings

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They were used to honor and communicate with ancestors beyond the grave.^{[2]
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Research source} They also played a role in Samhain (or Halloween), which marked the end of the harvest season and the start of the darkest part of the year. Black candles were lit at Samhain celebrations to honor departed loved ones and guide their spirits to the festivities.^{[3]
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They were used in spells to ward off negative energies and malevolent spirits. Because of this, black candles came to be associated with mystery and the occult, which likely played a role in their modern-day associations with witches and Halloween.^{[4]
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Perform a Black Candle Spell

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Decide what you want to achieve with your spell. Before you begin, think about your specific goal. Do you want to banish negative energies or unhappy emotions? Protect yourself from someone’s ill will? Break a curse or release a bad habit? Whatever you decide, try to sum it up in one sentence. Having a clear, specific intention will help you manifest it successfully.^{[5]
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- For example, your intention might be, “I release my attachment to my ex and welcome a fresh start,” or “I banish any negative energy around me and surround myself with protection.”
- You can hold your intention in your mind as you perform your ritual, or you can write it down on a piece of paper if you find this helpful.^{[6]
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Prepare your space for the ritual. Choose a quiet, peaceful place to perform your candle spell.^{[7]
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Research source} To clear out any negative energies in the space, light a bundle of sage or palo santo, then blow out the flame and waft the smoke around. If you don’t have either of these on hand, you can also open up the window and let in some fresh air. Next, arrange any meaningful objects you want to use, such as crystals, herbs, or photographs, around your candle.
- Some crystals with healing properties that combine nicely with a black candle spell include:
  - Obsidian: Protects against negative energies and acts as a shield against ill will or psychic attacks
  - Black tourmaline: Heals negative emotions and bad moods, helps you feel grounded and safe, protects you from negative energies
  - Onyx: Helps you conquer fears, heal old wounds, and make it through difficult or traumatic periods^{[8]
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Dress your candle. Using your fingers, rub an essential oil into your candle. You can also use common household oils, like olive or coconut oil, if you don’t have any essential oils on hand. This process is called dressing your candle, and it amplifies the power of your spell.^{[9]
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- If your intention is to let go of something (like past emotional wounds or traumas), rub the oil into your candle from the top downward.
- If your intention is to attract something into your life (like protection, strength, or willpower), rub the oil into the candle from the bottom to the top.^{[10]
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- Lemon and wintergreen essential oils work well with protection spells.
- Nutmeg and sesame essential oils work well for releasing and banishment spells.^{[11]
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Take a moment to visualize your intention as vividly as you can. For example, if your intention is to protect yourself against negative energies, picture a shield of love, positivity, and safety surrounding your body. Then, once the image is clear in your mind, recite your intention aloud (“I manifest protection against negative energies”), and light your candle.
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Study and interpret the candle’s flame. Assess its size, strength, and intensity, and make note of any popping or sizzling. Different flame behaviors can reveal whether or not your spell was successful.^{[12]
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- A steady, strong, tall flame: Your intention is clear, and you’ve successfully performed your spell.
- A weaker, smaller flame: Your intention may have been unclear, making the spell less strong or less effective. Refocus your energy and visualize the thing you’re trying to manifest.
- Hissing, popping, or sizzling: Some kind of entity or spirit may be near, and they may be trying to communicate with you through these noises.^{[13]
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When you’re ready to end your ritual, use a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame, or use your fingers to pinch it out. Don’t blow it out, as this can blow away your intention and make the spell unsuccessful. You can also wait for the flame to go out on its own.^{[14]
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Section 4 of 4:

Candle Color Combinations & Meanings

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Black candles help you let go of things that don’t serve you, and white candles light your way to a positive new path. As a result, this color combination can be a powerful force to welcome new beginnings and encourage personal transformation.^{[15]
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Black candles absorb negative emotions, and yellow candles enhance clarity and promote mental health.^{[16]
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Research source} This color combination can help you clear mental blocks and embrace a more balanced, healthy, and positive perspective.
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Add other colored candles of your choice to combine their effects. This can expand the scope of your spell and make it truly personal. A pink candle, for example, is associated with love and romance. If you’ve just ended a toxic relationship and want to let go of the past while welcoming a new connection, a spell with both a black candle and a pink candle could be just what you need.^{[17]
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Research source} Here’s a list of the different candle color meanings, so you can create the right spell for your unique situation:
- Red candles: passion, sensuality, lust, courage, vitality
- Pink candles: romance, friendship, self-love, compassion, tenderness
- Orange candles: energy, enthusiasm, creativity, success, change
- Yellow candles: abundance, charm, happiness, intelligence
- Green Candles: prosperity, money, luck, fertility, growth
- Blue candles: wisdom, communication, clarity, calm, trust
- Brown candles: grounding, stability, balance, earth magic, animal magic
- White candles: peace, serenity, renewal, clarity, cleansing, optimism