Readers Question | Different Candle Names, Same Candle?
Posted by Jacqueline on Oct 16th, 2010 in Readers Questions | Comments Off on Readers Question | Different Candle Names, Same Candle?
Ms. Jacqueline,
I am confused about the different candles you find in the candle shops. I tried calling around, but some stores call then Nobena Candles or Seven Day or Vigil Lights. Are these the same candle? What can I do if I cannot find any of these candles around?
Shermaine
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This is a very good question and I am glad that you asked it. Your answer is: Yes, these are the same candle that is being called different names.In your letter you can change the ‘b’ to a ‘v’ for the Novena word to use. Other names may be 7-Day, Sanctuary or Prayer Candles. These are all terms for the same type of candle – the 9 inch clear glass cylinder filled with colored or white wax and can easily be found with paper labels of Saints and prayers in the Latino foods section of most grocery stores or a store like Walgreens. The ones found in most traditional candle shops have brightly colors labels or a silkscreen of images and prayers in white on the clear glass.
The contents of this candle traditionally used to burn for seven days hence the name ‘7 Day’, but newer candle processing techniques has whipped air and/or other ingredients that make your standard candle burn down in abou 5 days. Most candles you find are made of parrafin, a product of petroleum, but you can find good soy and beeswax candles being made in glass cylinders for spiritual use.
Popularity in burning candles for spiritual use has increased ten fold in the past 50 years. Traditionally associated with African American Hoodoo/Magic culture and also with faithful Catholics, burning candles for prayers and petitions asked and in thanksgiving of blessings received are a way of life in a great number of American homes.
When I write about candles in Free Candle Spells, I call them 7 Day ‘Novena’ type Vigil Candles – this just about covers all regional terminology variations and by doing this, if you were ever to print off an ingredient list from Free Candle Spells, then you would be able to take it into any Hoodoo or Conjure shop, Botanica, or candle shop and get what you need.
You ask about alternative ideas in candle burning that you can use in the event that you cannot find these candles. Let me remind you that most of the candles in shops have not been “fixed”, “blessed” or “anointed”, meaning that the magical herbs, oils and sachets have not been applied. This is one like that I know of, the Seven Sisters of New Orleans line of candles, which are pre-dressed for your candle burning ease.
So if you ever encounter this, you can go to places like the dollar store or the Mexican food store, buy a candle with the appropriate color, anoint it with the proper oils and such, and se it in a pinch. As I am writing this article, it is nearing Halloween, and I am reminding people that it is the time to stock up on black candles for cursing and doing negative work. Subsequently, when it is the Christmas holiday season, gathering up bayberry scented candles is great because bayberry is one of the main ingredients in most money spell work candle oils.
Going to psychic fairs to see the vendors and contacting crafters is also another way to find candles.
If all fails, you can use free standing taper candles and can get them at places like Party City, Target, Walmart and Pier 1 Imports. You can use white emergency type household candles found in hardware stores or in the general merchandise section of the grocers (where all the car need, sewing kits and clotheslines are). You can also use the 4 inch white candles in the Kosher foods section of your neighborhood market.
Thanks for a great question!
Jacqueline
