What is Setting Lights?
Setting Lights, or
candle-altar service, is a service offered by many spiritual-workers and owners
of candle-shops. The setting of lights entails the burning of a fixed
Vigil-Candle on top of a client’s petition for a period of 7 to 9 days.
Typically, the client will speak with the worker about their issue or problem. Sometimes a reading on the issue will be performed, but not always. The worker will often have the client write out their petition on a piece of paper, however, sometimes the worker will write the petition themselves. The worker will take the petition from the client and set about fixing a vigil light for the client’s goal. Fixing a vigil light entails choosing an appropriately colored candle, corresponding herbs, as well as oils.
The candle is often ritually lit with appropriate prayers pertaining to the client’s goal. The worker will carefully observe the candle each day making notes regarding how the candle burns. When the candle is spent, the worker will usually prepare a candle-burn report explaining how the candle burned and what that means in relation to the client’s wish.
Typically, the client will speak with the worker about their issue or problem. Sometimes a reading on the issue will be performed, but not always. The worker will often have the client write out their petition on a piece of paper, however, sometimes the worker will write the petition themselves. The worker will take the petition from the client and set about fixing a vigil light for the client’s goal. Fixing a vigil light entails choosing an appropriately colored candle, corresponding herbs, as well as oils.
The candle is often ritually lit with appropriate prayers pertaining to the client’s goal. The worker will carefully observe the candle each day making notes regarding how the candle burns. When the candle is spent, the worker will usually prepare a candle-burn report explaining how the candle burned and what that means in relation to the client’s wish.
Marking Your Vigil Lights
You don’t have to buy your Vigil-Lights with ready made labels. You can easily mark your own Vigil lights by buying plain white Vigil-Light and creating your own labels for them. This can be done by manipulating images with a computer program, printing them out and gluing them to your Vigil Light.
Alternately, you can cut images out of magazines, old art books, etc… and tape or glue them to the vigil light; or you can write or draw your own images on the vigil light with art pens.
Whatever you choose to do, be sure to cleanse your Vigil light by wiping it down with a bit of ammonia and a clean cloth before you mark it with your intention.
Alternately, you can cut images out of magazines, old art books, etc… and tape or glue them to the vigil light; or you can write or draw your own images on the vigil light with art pens.
Whatever you choose to do, be sure to cleanse your Vigil light by wiping it down with a bit of ammonia and a clean cloth before you mark it with your intention.
How to Prepare Vigil Lights
Begin by gathering all the equipment and materials that you will need. Make sure you have everything you need before you sit down to make your candle. I was taught that once you sit down to start the process of fixing up your candle, you don't get back up till you're done. If you find that you've forgotten something you either leave it out, or don't do the spell or make the candle at that time. Combine your herbs in a mortar and grind them to a coarse powder.
Use a tool such as a screw-driver or ice pick bore four holes at equidistant point around the center of the candle four being a number of stability. You don't have to use four holes, this is simply my preference. Some workers use six holes owning to the six points of the Star of David, and some workers use three holes (for manifestation), and still some workers use only one hole. Whatever you decide to do, I suggest that you use the same number of holes each time as it will become a part of your personal ritual.
Place three drops of condition oil in each hole and then carefully fill each of the holes with your chosen herbs. In addition to herbs, you can place the personal concerns of the person the candle is to effect in the holes as well. From time to time you will have to push the herbs down further into the hole. When the holes are about halfway full, I place another three drops of oil in them, and another three drops when the hole is filled for a total of nine drops of oil in each hole.
Once the holes are filled, I then use something to anchor the herbs with. In the case of a Money Drawing Candle , for example, I may use a whole dried chamomile flower or a small piece of lodestone grit pushing one in each of the holes sealing in the herbs and oil.
Finally I anoint the rim of the candle and the wick with my chosen oil while making my prayer or petition. The candle can then be lit and burned on your altar or shrine.
What You Can Expect
Before you decide to have lights set for your goal, you should have a realistic expectation of what the process can do for you. First of all having a light set for you is not the same as hiring a worker to do a full-on spell or ritual on your behalf. Spells often take more preparation, time, and energy to perform and will be more expensive.
Many spiritual workers believe that setting a light for your goal is an excellent way to begin work on a particular goal. The process is more economical and once completely burned a divination on the light will give you an indication of your success or failure as well as any additional steps which may need to be taken.
Depending on your situation or problem, a single vigil light may not be enough to get the job done. However, having a light set for your goal will often open doors and get movement on your particular issue. That being said when having a light set, you are making a commitment to achieving a goal. You cannot expect the candle to do all the work for you and you will be expected to do your part. For example, if you have a light set for you to obtain work, you must make an active search for work, apply for jobs, send out resumes, show up for interviews, etc….
Backing Up the Work
This refers to when a person is performing spiritual work on their own behalf and they also hire a spiritual worker to burn a vigil light for their same goal. Sometimes the worker and the client will work in tandem, meaning that they will time the lighting of their candles so that both parties are working at the exact same time depending on their geographical location.
How Often Should Lights Be Set
Often a client will ask to have lights set in runs, which means that they wish the worker to light a new candle for the same goal as soon as, or shortly before, the old one burns out. Before deciding to have lights set in runs for you, you should at least wait for the first candle to burn out and consider what information the divination of the candle tells you.
Many spiritual workers adhere to the adage 3 days for a sign, 3 weeks for movement, 3 months for completion. Therefore, it usually takes about three weeks before you will begin to see movement on your issue, if at all.
If the signs are positive and you see movement on the issue within three weeks, you probably won’t need to have another light set. In some cases, the divination may indicate additional work that may need to be performed such as a ritual bath, or a honey jar.
If the signs are negative and there is a noticed lack of movement on your issue, it could indicate strong obstacles which will have to be dealt with before you can accomplish your goal. However, one must always consider the possibility that one’s goal simply isn't’ meant to be.
