An altar candle

Supplies

• One small white pillar candle, or a white votive candle (unscented is recommended)
• One larger black pillar candle (mine is three inches in diameter)
• One multi-colored "dripping" candle (sold at Hot Topic, and other stores)
  Or, at least three individual colored, drip-type candles
• A small metal pentacle or other spiritual symbol
• Optional: glitter (loose, glitter glue, or glitter paint)
• Oil to anoint the candle, when you complete it (I use almond oil)

Directions

Light the black candle, and let it burn for at least half an hour, probably longer. There should be a good, soft puddle of very hot wax. (Do not touch this. It can burn you.)

Extinguish the flame, and--when the wax is cool enough to touch, but while it is still soft enough to bend--carefully roll down the top edges of the candle. (They should be fairly soft and pliable from the melted wax.)

While the wax is still very warm, place the white candle on top of the black candle, in the center. As the wax cools, the white candle should become firmly attached to the black candle.

After the candles have fully cooled, heat the metal pentacle (or other symbol) in the flame of a candle until it is hot. (Use heat-safe pliers or cooking tongs. Do not burn your fingers.) This will only take a couple of seconds--don't melt the pentacle! *grin*

Using pliers to hold the hot pentacle, press the pentacle into the black candle, at a point approximately halfway from the top of the black candle. This doesn't have to be precise; place it where it looks best to you.

Wait. As this cools, the pentacle will become firmly set into the candle.

Light your drip-style candle, holding the black-and-white candle at an angle, so the melted colored wax drips down it, not puddling but not running right off it either.

While the wax is hot and soft, you can drizzle glitter on the candle. Or, you can finish dripping different colors of wax on it first, and then apply the glitter later.

On the black candle, you can use wax or glue to adhere the glitter. Or, you can use glitter glue or glitter paint from the crafts supply store.

The entire process takes about three or four hours, total, including the time you'll wait for the candle to melt enough to use. It's lovely to make your magickal tools as part of a special ritual, but since this is such a slow process, I recommend setting up a well-protected table in front of the television to banish boredom while you work.

To anoint, or "dress" the candle

Most people like to do something special to endow their tools and altar decorations with unique power and personalization. Of course, it may be enough that you've made the candle yourself.

However, if you choose to anoint it, you might want to use an oil--I like almond oil, but this is a matter of personal preference. Dip your finger or fingers in the oil. Start at the mid-point on the candle, and wind your finger(s) around the candle, like a snake climbing it, leaving a trail of oil as you bless the candle. Then, do the same in the opposite direction, starting at that same mid-point and winding your finger(s) towards the base of the candle.

If this seems too complicated, in Buckland's Practical Candleburning Rituals he suggests simply drawing your oiled finger in a straight line from the midpoint up, and then from the midpoint down.

For a blessing, you may have a favorite anointing ritual, or you can make one up that suits your tradition. The elements to include in the words might include terms of empowerment and blessings. Several books include more specific instructions for this, if you prefer prepared spells, including Corrigan's The Portal Book.

To use the candle

This is a basic candle, sometimes called a "mother candle," "altar candle," or similar name.

It is the candle you light before your rituals, and leave burning until you extinguish all of the other candles on your altar. It has no significance in itself, except as a symbol of the sacred and powerful nature of what you are doing at the altar.

The balance of black and white is symbolic of the opposing forces in Nature.

The white candle is the only one you'll actually burn; the black candle should never be allowed to burn or melt.

When your white candle gets low, simply replace it with another white pillar or votive candle. This can be done indefinitely. It's up to you whether or not you choose to anoint (or "dress") the candle each time you add a new white candle.