and symbolically delivers us from darkness.
There should be two candles on your altar: one
on the right to represent the masculine/God
powers, and one on the left to represent the
feminine/Goddess. Candles of various colors
are used for different kinds of spells, as ex-
plained elsewhere. Otherwise, you can burn
candles according to the colors of the sea-
son (orange and black for Samhain, red and
green for Yule...), or any colors you hap-
pen to like at the time. Many people burn a
black and a white candle for normal use, or two
white ones. Small votive candles in little glass
jars are very popular, and I recommend them
especially if your space is limited. Taper
candles in fancy matching candleholders
are also nice, and more traditional, if you
have plenty of clearance for them. If you
do get such candlesticks, here are the tradi-
tional magickal runes you can paint around their base.
Or, if you prefer, you may just write your magickal
name in Theban runes.Thurible or Censer (Air)
The thurible (THUR-i-bull) or
censer is a container in which incense
is safely burned to represent the Ele-
ment of Air. It can be anything from a
simple incense burner or chafing
dish to an ornate swinging brass
censer on a chain. In magickal
terminology, a thurible is
an open dish, usually set
upon three legs, while a
censer has a cover with
little holes in it to let the
smoke out. Censers are
often fitted out with chains,
so they can be hung or
swung, like those used in
the Catholic Church.
Such censers are almost
always made of brass.
If you cannot find a suitable thurible, you can
easily make one. Any small metal or ceramic bowl or
deep dish will do. This should be large enough to also
burn a small piece of paper in as an offering when
required. It should have a wide opening at the top to
allow circulation, made of fire resistant material, and
also have a pleasing appearance. It is recommended
to place some sand and /or ash in the bottom of the
thurible. This will absorb the intense heat of the char-
coal and protect the thurible and the surface it rests
upon. Earth, salt, sand, or small rocks may also beused for this purpose. It is nice to use some kind of
sacred earth such as sand from a favorite beach or
desert location. After many uses the sand can be
stirred to mix it with the ashes, keeping it clean and
fragrant. The sand may also be carefully rinsed to clean
the ash and debris from it. A trivet or heat resistant
base is also recommended to be placed under the
thurible so it will not scorch your altar or altar cloth.
When the Moon is waxing, consecrate your
thurible by burning a little dragon’s blood incense
in it, saying “Blessed be thou Censer of Air.” The
traditional thurible runes from the Greater Key of
Solomon are shown here. Paint them around the base,
or, if you prefer, just inscribe your magickal name in
Theban runes. Either way, finish off by saying “So
mote it be!”
This is your completed thurible or censer.
With it you are able to consecrate, bless and pu-
rify anything you pass through the smoke of burn-
ing incense.NOTE: Incense used in magickal rituals is an
art in itself, and special formulas are given for
different spells. Stick or cone incense can be
used, but most Wizards prefer the raw or granu-
lated incense that is burned on self-igniting
charcoal blocks, available in all metaphysical
shops and many health food stores. To com-
pound your own incenses, you will need a mor-
tar and pestle (see next...).Mortar & Pestle
A small mortar and
pestle can be pur-
chased at any occult
shop and many health
food stores. These are
essential for grinding
up herbs, seeds, etc. in
the compounding of in-
censes. However, these
items need not necessarily be kept on your altar. I
keep mine in a drawer of my magickal cabinet, along
with containers of various herbs and incenses, spare
candles, extra tools, and many other items I may not
want to have out at that time.Salt & Water bowls (Earth & Water)
Little cups containing salt and water are useful
for all rituals for purification and consecration. A fa-
vorite salt cup among modern Wizards is a hollow
geode, cut neatly in half to make a little crystal bowl.
Likewise, sea snail shells—particularly those with aCourse Three: Practice 109
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