Intention candles are used to manifest wishes and desires. They are a way to bring your dream life into reality. It’s all rather simple. When you light it, it illuminates your intentions, and when you meditate on it, it releases a message and sends your energy out into the universe.

On a symbolic level, lighting a candle represents the five elements: earth, water, air, fire, and spirit. The wick and base signify earth and are vital for keeping the flame steady. The wax, which transforms from a solid to a liquid and then to gas, emulates water. Oxygen, representative of air, keep the flame lit. The flame is obviously fire (the element of transformation and rebirth). And lastly, spirit is represented when we focus our intention into the candle and infuse it with our energy.

The ritual is pretty straightforward. First, you cleanse your space and your aura. (You do this by creating a space a quiet in your house and using palo santo or sage to cleanse the energy.) Grab a pen and a notebook. Close your eyes and visualize your goals and what you’d like to manifest. Focus on the feeling you get when you’ve achieved these goals. Do you feel elated? Excited? Let the feelings wash over you. Once you’ve meditated on it for a while, open your eyes and jot down your intentions. Light your candle and send your intention into the flame. Close with words of gratitude and positive affirmation.

It should be noted, that while candles do indeed possess special energy, they are by no means an easy fix for life’s problems. As with any meditation or ritual, what you receive is only reflective of the amount of work you put in to achieving your goals. But intention candles are a great way to get clear about what you want to bring into your life.

Happy manifesting!