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Archive for the ‘Candles’ Category

Peace and tranquility are two things many are unfamiliar with considering all the daily hassles and stress one has to deal with on a daily basis.

Trying to maintain a harmonious environment whether it be at home, work or just within yourself in general, can at times be a daunting task. This is where you can start putting to practice the power of your intentions to work in conjunction with candles, colors and of course your mind. White is a color that is heavily associated with peace, tranquility, purification and renewal. However any color can represent this for you. Each color has it’s own vibration and the way you perceive that vibration is unique to you so basically any color should work to help materialize your intent for peace and tranquility.
But for the sake of understanding I will use white for its standard meaning as a color that represents peace and purification. Everyone is familiar with candles in terms of setting a mood. When working with candles you are basically doing the same thing but this time you will focus and gear that mood toward your desired intent.

  Purifying your mind of negative thoughts can be rather liberating. For example, putting yourself down, constantly in conflict with yourself and others, or just simply lacking confidence can be stagnant and non productive energies that exist because usually our negative ways of thinking let them strive and become a part of our daily existence. 
Your intent, visualization and the candle are the three main things you will be focusing on.
Many are truly unaware of the latent powers their mind can have. What your mind puts out into the universe in the form of actions, spoken words and your most intimate thinking can influence your surroundings. Like a magnet the mind pulls all the scattered fragments existing in the universe and creates a reality by way of your thoughts, intentions. That is why it is very important to consider the way one thinks about not only others but most importantly oneself.
If you have belief in the power of your intent you automatically set your energy into positiveness. If however you are doubting that this will help you before you even buy the candle nothing will become of it. Because it is not the candle that will manifest but your thoughts, belief, faith, in yourself and what you are about to do. The real power lives within you. The candle is just a mere tool used to speak, awaken, focus and center your subconscious mind.
When I feel that things in my house are a little shifty, a lot of stress at work or I just need to purify my thoughts I usually grab a white candle. Candles can be a great medium for meditation. This helps you quiet your mind and pay attention to those things that may be causing disturbances in your life. With the rushed lifestyle many tend to live, there is little time to sit and thoroughly think things through which usually leads to unfulfilled decisions time and time again.
There are many ways you can enhance your intent not only by using candles but also essential oils can be a great tool in addition to candles. Essential oils are not merely just limited to aromatherapy. Essential oils actually are a magical system unto themselves as well. One of my favorite Essential oil to use for purification and peace is hands down Lavender oil. Just putting a drop or two into your candle can instantly transform the mood and air in your room.
Lavender oil is pretty much the oil to use when seeking out peace and tranquility. Whether it be for yourself or your environment, Lavender oil by far is my favorite oil for rest and relaxation. Incorporating Lavender oil to your candle or even on yourself as a scent, can help ease stress, tension, headaches, insomnia just simply a great oil to purify and uplift your energy.  Lavender oil has many protective qualities against negative vibrations and situations surrounding you as well.
The point is visualizing your intent for peace and tranquility. Creating an atmosphere of quiet thinking for yourself is important with or without the aid of a candle. Organizing and helping bring your thoughts into manifestation can help you go through things with ease and focused intent.

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Herbs: Rue, Ruda

(Image clovegarden.com)

Ruda, also known as rue, ruta graveolens, herb of grace, common rue, Rue 21 ( my favorite clothing store lol ) and many more names, is native to countries along the Mediterranean sea from northern Africa and throughout southern Europe. Spreading into Asia, Mexico and basically around the world ruda is a very popular herb. Aesthetically Ruda can make a great addition to any garden with it’s deep green and abundant leaves serving as a great back drop for the beautiful yellow flowers Rue produces. Not only can rue be visually appealing it also helps keep those pesky stray cats out of your garden. It is said that most cats can not tolerate Rue.

Rue has several health, culinary and esoteric uses known since ancient times. Parts of the plant, in high doses can be poisonous and may cause skin irritations on some people. Health wise Rue is known for treating digestive issues, the nervous system, joint and bone problems, parasites along with respiratory to menstrual issues as well. Ruda has a very strong and musky scent which is perhaps one of the main reasons why rue is known to be an effective insect and cat repellent as well as in magic, repelling negative vibrations and thoughts.

(Ruta pro-ecuador.com)

“Magically” Rue is a protection herb and has been said to be used by priests to sprinkle followers with holy water, to also protect against demons, negativity and the evil eye as it was known to be used in ancient Rome for this very purpose, as well as in Mexico, Brazil and throughout the Caribbean today. As a protection herb you can use Rue in baths, candles and pouches you can carry, to help empower and protect your aura, promote health, love, mental powers, concentration and many more self cultivating abilities latent within us. Rue has also been known to work well with prosperity, money and career situations. As a love and balancing herb, Rue works great with your desired intent to promote an environment free of negative thoughts and energy. Ridding you of bitter and sorrow feelings, Rue takes charge in protecting you from suffering heartaches and guilt and helping you to concentrate on positive options to overcome such emotions.

Growing up in such a versatile community (NYC) I have always seen ruda mingling with a wide variety of dried herbs in Mexican produce shops, Asian specialty shops and in African oil stands, mostly used to promote positive energy while at the same time abolishing negative vibrations that can sometimes hinder self development and progress. Ruda also grows in harsh places and where any other plant wont, symbolically representing it’s ability to withstand and thrive through difficult terrain and circumstances. Certain Swallowtail caterpillars and butterflies are actually dependant upon Rue, which makes for a great butterfly haven in your garden as well as representing renewal and transformation.

I first encountered ruda not as the herb but as a candle. I was browsing my local produce shop one day and came across this ruda candle. This candle caught my eye in particular because it was the first time I have come across an herb based candle. Usually I always see deity candles, solid colors but never have I seen an herb based candle. The candle is as deep green as the ruda plant leaves themselves and has at first a very strong scent which when lit, lingers for about a day or so. On the label you see a couple and the herb rue. This candle can be used for a variety of purposes so long as your intent is defined. Many use it to work with their heart chakra, for money, prosperity and to just simply create a quiet soothing vibration in your home, business,work area, study area, meditation room, etc.

 Despite Ruda being known for it’s bitter strong smell this ruda candle actually has a light sweet scent but at the same time very strong. The first time I lit it, my room had this very soft evergreen aroma lingering for a day or two. Which helped enforce my intent every time I would smell it. Below is a photo of a vase I like to fill up with water halfway and place my candle in.
This is not only to enhance the water element but also to prevent fires. These candles are seven day candles (they last 5 days really), most people leave them on for that length of time so it is always best to use precaution when using candles. so I always place it in water just in case. You should try to have a space for you and your candles, free of noise, frequent movement, loose clothing, drapery etc.

Candle in vase with water
This is great because not only can you use it as a safety measure but you can always add essential oils to the water like petals, honey, anything you desire to help enhance your intent. Candles can be a great form of meditation, helping you focus and center your thoughts and intentions.

For more info on Ruda you can check out these very interesting books:

-Essential Herbal Wisdom: A Complete Exploration of 50 Remarkable Herbs By Nancy Arrowsmith

-Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs By Scott Cunningham

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Candles and magic are two of the most ancient practices known to humans and both aspects have been used to manifest an array of powers latent and existing within ourselves and the planet. Candles are primarily used to create an environment, an ambiance or to the most basic, in case the lights go out. But little do people know the great powers your mind coupled with your intentions, a few candles and colors can achieve.

Attraction is a powerful potential and we use it everyday in the ways we speak, think, dress and express ourselves. When working with candles intent and attraction are your two main goals. The candle is what you are going to use to focus your intent and manifest the energy you intend to put out. The mind if you (Real eyes) attracts many things whether it be negative or positive it is ultimately up to you as to how you may want to direct that energy.

Just like you light a candle to attract peace, love, health, and, prosperity and it comes back to you in abundance, so can negative thoughts and intentions manifest itself and find its way right back to its originator. Just remember that energy cannot be destroyed whatever you intend to put out will find its way right back to you be it good or bad.

Magic should always be used to benefit you and your surroundings. Never harm anyone. If someone or something is causing imbalance in your life , whether it be a gossiping neighbor or a conspiring co-worker look into yourself and ask what is it about YOU that attracts these type of people and/or situations.

This is where candles and magic becomes a great self help tool. A great tool because like meditation, what you are trying to do is focus your intentions, manifest them, and ultimately achieve results. What may be results for you may not become results for me. For me results may be a candle for my aura, health or peace. Whatever your intent it is unique to you. Basically what you are doing is attracting good and positive things relative to you.

 It has been understood that colors, symbols and aromas are all magical systems unto themselves waiting to correspond with your intent, what you desire to attract. Colors are present in our daily lives and most of the times we dress in colors based the way we may feel on a certain day or what kind of mood you feel in. So it can be very interesting to notice what colors correspond for what aspect of your intent and how we can use them to benefit our everyday lives.

Red promotes courage, strength, enthusiasm, love, sex

Orange Promotes, honesty, integrity, attraction, adaptability

Yellow represents friendship, communication, strength

Green promotes fertility, healing, happiness, money

Blue promotes honesty, sincerity, thoughtfulness, spirituality

Purple power, spirituality, ambition healing

White purity, honesty, truth,innocence
Pink love, romance, hope, marriage

Gray wisdom, maturity, common sense

Brown practicality, feet on ground, steady progress

The candle also represents all four elements:

Flame = fire

wax = symbolizes water

smoke =air

candle= symbolizes earth

There are many ways you can use and work with these elements.

There are also hundreds of types of candles from plain ones to decorated ones, to scented candles and pull out candles. There are many varities in which you can experiment with in terms of the candles, scent and purpose you wish to use it for. You can also use essential oils to “dress” or anoint your candles with your desired intent and aroma relative to what you wish to achieve.

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