It is best to set up your general altar (see this page) and
meditate there before you ever begin to do candle
magick. This helps to build up an atmosphere of power
around your altar, an atmosphere that will enhance your
spellwork and make it more effective.
Choose a table, chest, or shelf that is not in the central
living area and is in a place where it will not be
disturbed. Also check for anything nearby that might be
a fire hazard.
You will need either a white pillar or seven-day
candle to set in the central back portion of your altar, or
one white pillar candle and one black one, one to set on
each end of the altar toward the back. Traditionally, the
black candle sits on the left side of the altar, the white
on the right. If you use the two altar candles, you can
place an image, picture, or symbol of a deity between
them, in the central rear portion of the space.
Have a lighter and a plain white candle available at
all times for lighting the other candles; never light the
other candles with the lighter. You will also find it
convenient to keep nearby a nail or other sharp
instrument for carving names onto candles, a supply of
small squares of papers, and a metal cauldron or bowl
for burning them. Put the incense holder on the left side
of the altar. If you want to burn a candle to symbolize
the powers of a particular day, place it in a holder on
the right side. This leaves the center of the altar open for
your candle-burning spells.
Use metal or nonflammable holders for all your
candles, especially the ones you leave to burn out
completely.
If you want to place a picture of a person or pet (such
as for healing) on the altar during your rituals, you can