The Purpose of Ritual Tools in Witchcraft and Spirit Readings
How to Cast Spells, Effectively: Best Practices for Candles, Conjure Oils, and Other Ritual Tools
The Purpose of Conjure Oils and Magic Candles in Witchcraft and Spirit Reading (Mediumship)
In both traditional and contemporary occult work, ritual tools act as technology—deliberate interfaces that structure and anchor the practitioner’s will, intention, facilitate altered states, and mediate spirit contact. Materia magica such as plants, minerals, body fluids that are then made into oils, candles, and effigies (I’ve written a dedicated post about effigies) serve multiple functions: focusing the practitioner’s intention, marking liminal thresholds, storing energetic charge, and offering a “body” through which spirits or energetic currents can be attracted, contained, or banished. Their use is especially pronounced in witchcraft, where precise handling of energy is critical through a spell. Effective mediumship or “good psychic readings” also are dependent on careful and thoughtful choice with ritual tools.
Conjure Oils: Energetic Correspondences and Methods of Application
I’ll speak on Ceremonie’s Hexagram Conjure Oils, which are compounded blends that animistically reference the I Ching’s 64 Hexagrams, the Chinese Five Elements (Wu Xing), and work directly with magical plants in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western herbalism traditions. Each oil is created with a specific intention, drawing upon planetary hours, lunar phases, and elemental correspondences. That said, any conjure oil that is made in magical tradition often has some aspect of these in application:
Energetic Layering: Oils are chosen based on the intended outcome (e.g. opening the path for opportunities, spells for money, love attraction). For example, a conjure oil keyed to Hexagram 33 (“Retreat”) may be used in banishing, return to sender work and protection.
Anointing: Apply to ritual paper for your petitions, doors and windows, your wallet, the crown of the head, or directly to ritual tools (such as to dress candles or talismans), or the perimeter of a ritual circle. The act of anointing creates a subtle but tangible circuit, almost like wires to the Unseen so the spirits can be receptive to the spell’s directive.
Spirit Mediumship: Oils can be used to modulate one’s energetic “scent,” signaling openness to certain classes of spirits while shielding from others, a technique referenced in traditional Daoist and shamanic lineages.
A note about maintenance: Store away from direct light and ritually cleanse the bottle between uses to prevent energetic “cross-contamination.”
Candles for Magic: Tips and Protocols
Candle magic are specialized candles for used for spells. Whether the magic candle is employed in love spells, road opening rituals, money magic, or return to sender spells, their efficacy relies on both materia and precise ritual process:
Candle Preparation: Dress candles with oils, sigils, and herbs associated with the intended spell working. For instance, a reversal spell could call in agrimony, rue, black salt. Carve identifying marks or names, if ethically justified.
Consecration: Before lighting, consecrate the candle by passing it through the smoke of incense or briefly through the flame of another dedicated candle, invoking the element of Fire to activate, purify, and charge the working, as well as the wax itself.
Protocol: Always establish clear boundaries when invoking spirits; some traditions may cast a physical or energetic circle, and no matter what witchcraft tradition, to define the intent. In the context of mediumship, candles are often used to open spirit space, serve as beacons or offerings to invite benevolent spirits, and provide illumination or protection during communication with spirits.
Timing: Optimal results align with moon phases, planetary hours, or other auspicious days traditionally assigned to the energy of the working.
Observation: Monitor burn patterns (ceromancy) for diagnostic insights. For instance, in a return to sender spell, rapid burning may indicate weak opposition; sooting or resistance suggests ongoing spiritual interference.
Aftercare: Dispose of candle remains appropriately, sometimes offsite (depending on the nature of the spell), and follow up with grounding and cleansing practices.
Best Practices for Integrating Ritual Tools
Discernment: Not every working or mediumship occurrence requires every herb, candle, or oil; select intentionally, in alignment with the energetic signature of the work. Good psychic readings depend on ritual tool choice to most optimally reach the intended spirit.
Safety: In both spell work and psychic work, close ritual space deliberately and dispose of any spent materials with respect to local land spirits.
Ethics: Consent, clarity of purpose, and respect for both spirits and human participants are paramount, especially when performing reversal or protective workings.
Documentation: Record outcomes and observations in a magical diary to track efficacy and refine technique.
If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of ritual tools and develop a skilled, rooted witchcraft practice, consider joining my Crafting the Arcane witchcraft course series. This program blends practical technique with esoteric theory, guiding you through the foundations and advanced applications of spellwork, spirit communication, and energetic protection. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned magic practitioner, Crafting the Arcane is designed to refine your craft, expand your confidence, and empower your magic.
Following the spirits,
Mimi
Spirit medium and occult educator