Magic in Many Forms
Lucya Starza wove a fine little grimoire in Pagan Portals Candle Magic: a witch’s guide
to spells and rituals published by Moon Books. Candle Magic jumps right in from the first page supplying the
reader with hands on teaching about spelling with candles. All my favorite
spells are in there: money, love, health, happiness. She encourages the readers
to trust their instincts and to use colors and scents that are meaningful to
the practitioners. I think that is important. For example, she typically uses yellow and
gold candles to symbolize wealth since the pound coin is gold color. She
acknowledges many people use green, perhaps because US money is green. She’s right, but there is something so fitting
about a gold candle and a money spell. I fortify mine with a little vial of
gold flakes on the altar. Now I’m going to add citrine and a gold candle with
the green.
Starza says she writes for the beginner. In many ways she
does. Her style is upbeat and readable. She levels her information and sends it
directly to the reader with a clear shot to the soul. Yet even an old
experienced witch like me can find a new idea. I was particularly pleased to
read about the fondue pot spell. You anoint the warming candle; write your
group wishes on it, perhaps for harmony, healing or a decision that needs to be
made together. Then you prepare the fondue chocolate, supply the long forks,
strawberries, bananas or marshmallows and dip away together. All the while,
everyone focuses on the wishes for the spell. When the food is gone and the
candle burns down, the spell is done. I’m teaching a Wicca I class this spring,
and this feels like a good opening or closing ritual. I think they will love it
too.
Candle Magic
provides more than spell formulas. The reader learns color correspondence,
gemstone significance, herbs and aromatherapy uses. Starza packs a lot of
information about magic in a little book. In addition she holds to a
responsible ethical standard, directing people to add “an’ it harm none” when
formulating spells. She’s not afraid of a hex now and again to bring back
stolen goods and take justice to a thief. I general discourage new witches from
doing that, but the truth is they do it anyway. All in all there is much to
admire in this book. I’m adding it to the reading list for my next class, Wicca
II: To Will the Magic coming this autumn. I recommend Candle Magic that strongly.
