The Ultimate Guide to Intention Candles

What They Are, How They Work + How to Set Intentions

i'm sure by now you guys have heard about my non-toxic intention candle line, Celestial Soul Candle Co. i have been talking about intention candles on my instagram page since 2019 and although they have gained popularity over the years, i don't think their powerful properties have been articulately translated properly to gain enough understanding. most people see them adorned with crystals and herbs and are aesthetically attracted to them. while they are very beautiful to look at, it's important to notice there are specific reasons as to why they have their chosen crystals and herbs! so i'm going to share with you exactly what intention candles are, how they work, and how to use them for your self-care and spiritual rituals. let's dive in!

what are intention candles?

intention candles are crafted candles that are created to embody a specific purpose or energy to help manifest desires, set goals, uplift energetic frequencies, and create shifts in one's life. they are most commonly made with intentional ingredients such as herbs, crystals, and (sometimes) essential oils that align with a particular intention. for example, celestial soul candles are designed to help with stress-relief, tranquility, self-love, rejuvenation, and interconnection.

when lit, they serve as a tool or ritual for meditation, visualization, and affirmation, helping one to channel energy toward a desired outcome. the act of lighting an intention candle is a symbolic way of sending a request to the universe/source/God/creator (whichever term resonates with you).

there are many cultures and religions that practice this ritual such as catholicism, christianity, judaism, hinduism, buddhism, and so many more. think about it, we even use intention candles when it's our birthday! we light a candle, make a wish, and blow the candle out. no matter how you slice it, that is considered candle magic.

these candles are used to serve a purpose for reinforcing a prayer, personal goal, desire, and creating a sacred ritual for manifestation and self-care.

how do they work?

intention candles utilize the power of the elements—fire, water (wax), air, and earth (essential oils, herbs + crystals). when all elements are used in combination with one another, their properties become heightened which assist in bringing your focused intention into fruition. the flame represents transformation, the wax holds the intention, and the scent + added elements (herbs, crystals, oils) align with specific energies.

let's use my candle vivid dreams as an example, the oils are lavender, chamomile + vanilla, the herbs are lavender, chamomile + mugwort, and the crystals are amethyst + rainbow moonstone. when you break down and understand the properties of each of these ingredients, you'll understand that all of their properties are in alignment with one another. they harmoniously work together to bring forth the energy of peace, tranquility, calm, and with the help of the mugwort + rainbow moonstone, help you tap into your subconscious mind to literally have vivid dreams and understand the meaning behind your dreams.

this process and ritual is rooted in the idea that energy follows thought—when you set a clear intention and channel your focus during a candle ritual, or upon lighting the intention candle, you amplify that energy and send it out into the universe. focusing on your intention while lighting the candle helps to program your subconscious mind and the universe to support your desire. additionally, speaking or thinking affirmations while the candle burns reinforces your desired outcome. the heat + smoke are believed to carry your intention into the spiritual realm!

the more consistently this ritual is performed, the more you'll create a habit that strengthens your ability to manifest quickly, with efficiency and clarity.

how to use them:

1. when using intention candles, the first and most important step is choosing a candle that aligns with your intention or what you need in this moment, which is generally associated with the scent, herbs, and crystals that it's created with. keep in mind, your intuition usually tends to draw you to the one you need the most. so follow your gut instinct on this step and see what calls to you.

   **for non-toxic options- opt away from colored candles. colored candles do tend to carry specific intentions based on their color. however, the dyes are extremely toxic to inhale so choose dye-free candles instead!

   
   

2. set your intention! hold the candle in your hands, take a deep breath, visualize a white light connected between you and the candle, and clearly state your intention. you can speak it out loud or silently to yourself.

   **for example: with the i am enough candle you could say, "i invite self-love, self-nurturing, and self-worth into my life. fill my home and spirit with confidence, acceptance, grace, compassion, and love for myself." or "i am worthy of peace, joy, happiness, and love. i am deserving of receiving the love i desire. i openly and freely give myself the love that my heart desires."

   
   

3. before lighting your candle, cleanse and clear your space! i love getting the room tidy before lighting my candle. it frees the energy of chaos, clutter, and lingering negative energy. you can light sage, burn palo santo, play cleansing sound frequencies, or use florida water. this helps to cleanse the space from any dwelling energy that doesn't serve your intention.

   
   

4. to amplify the intention, you can write it down on a piece of paper and place it under the candle while it burns! i do this ritual often. it allows me to get really clear on my intention by thoughtfully articulating + writing out my desires.

   
   

5. when lighting the candle, visualize your desire as if it has ALREADY come true! if your intention or desire were to happen right now, how would you feel? embody that feeling! this is the most crucial step and where you'll experience the most impact energetically.

   
   

6. when using large intention candles, snuff it out rather than blowing it out (blowing the candle symbolizes blowing your intention away!). use the candle lid or a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame. relight the candle daily or when you need it most while repeating your intention!

   
   

7. release + trust the process! trust that the divine is always working in your favor.

   
   

8. if your candle contains crystals, collect them after the candle has finished burning. dispose of your candle with gratitude or repurpose the jar for a new use!

why i make intention candles:

candle rituals have been apart of my spiritual and self-care routine for 6 years now. i fell so deeply in love with this practice and later became inspired to create Celestial Soul Candle Co. i noticed the lack of clean, non-toxic, luxury intention candles on the market and knew i could bridge that gap. it was important to me as both the creator and maker of the candles, to fill the candles with both cleansing energy AND ingredients to set your intentions up for the most success. i truly hope this ritual supports you in the many ways it does for me!

sending you love + grace,

xx vanessa