during the witch-hunts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance by townspeople to protect themselves and their livestock from being injured or taken by witches.
It was a common belief that witches used candles in history to put curses on people. An English work, Dives and Pauper (1536) reveals, “it hath oft been known that witches, with saying of the Paternoster and dropping of the holy candle in a man’s steps that they hated, hath done his feet rotten of.”
Candles made from the fat of humans were believed to contain the life energy of the owner. This made these candles perfect for use in Black Magick rituals.
Treasure seekers of the 17th amd 17th centuries used what was called a “Magic Candle”, made of human tallow, to find buried treasure. It, along with a lantern with a consecrated candle in it, would then conjure the spirits of the guardians of the treasure.
There is a history of candles being used in an old Jewish custom of lighting candles for the dying so as to stave off demons. Also, the keeping of a candle lit for a week in the room where a person died is said to purify the air.
American superstition also says that keeping a candle burning in an empty room will result in the death of a relative. A candle that is dying out means someone in the house is about to die, and if a candle has a blue flame, it means that there is a ghost nearby.
The history of candles being used in rituals and superstitions has given rise to Wiccans, Pagans, Christians and even Atheists viewing candles as having seemingly mystical qualities.
Michelle A. Hoffmann is a Work at Home mother of 4, author, website designer, internet marketer and ezine editor/publisher/owner. You can read more of her articles at www.24karatmarketer.com.
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