I would also like to know if it matters if i dont have "special" or cleansed candles. I am kind of at a disadvantage being a 16 yr old girl who lives with a Catholic family practicing witchcraft. I cant just go to a store or a witchcraft store and buy everything i need. I have to use candles i find around the house. I can only work with what i have. There was one point i was found with a book of shadows i had started working on and they threw it in the fireplace, calling it the devils work, in which i really disagree with. I have been studying for a yr now but dont know enough.
A lot of people only work with what they have as there aren't many Occultist stores that are popular - for those of us who are secretive or just haven't collected path specific items, we make do with nature and what simply looks normal. You can also cleanse the candles you find in your house, if you'd like.
For people that visit my home who aren't privy to what I do, I simply say I have an active interest in decor, art, and culture. Most people leave it at that, don't care, or don't even bring it up.
Also, you can craft spiritual tools as mental constructs and go through the motions with them. So long as you're not practicing traditional, it should have a similar effect (I say similar and not same because I do not know your preferences).
As for your example of candles, unless the spell/tradition is specific in colours etc. any candle will do. If it is the symbol of fire or symbolic flame which matters any candle will do.
For general work I have two altar candles which are plain white and are the sort you would buy for an ornament in a home.
You can always cleanse and bless them yourself. Purify them with charged water and consecrate with incense, and then bless and charge them to their purpose or to the deity you will be working with.
White candles can be vey good because they can substitute for any color. You can use just about any type of candle for your magick. It never needs to be a special candle, can be a simple white candle. You do what's needed wether it be cleansing it, or programing it with your intent. Some other ideas for you in your sittuation. If your family uses herbs and spices you can use kitchen spices and herbs to use in magick, colored string or cord, things you find outside that you find appropriate for the work you need, even a piece of paper and pen will do for a spell. The possibilities are endless. I hope this helps you c:
Most things one would need can be found in just about any decoration or thrift shop, or simply in nature if you don`t live in a city and even if you do most herbs you could need can be easily enough be home grown and have plenty of benefits on there own without there use in magic simply because they are mostly spices, medical herbs and teas.
I myself also do this in secret so most of my equipment and ingredients and from said locations.
As for cleansing its a pretty simple and fast procedure.
Thanks. To everyone. I also want to put out there that I am not religious. I was born a Christian. I studied Wicca for a while but I realized religion wasn't for me. I respect everyone's beliefs. I honestly have so many questions about the universe that its hard for me to practice a religion. But I do like witchcraft. I find it relaxing and interesting. I know in my heart that there is magik out there. I am not trying to offend anyone. I am simply stating how I feel. It just feels like a calling. And I like practicing it. I understand when casting selfish, harmful, and evil spells there are consequences. I try to cast only spells that are good and help others. Again. Thank you.
Lets just say that when you born, people stamped you with a religion to define you in their society, But you have right to choose, For soul cannot be stamped and be bound to any perticulat religion, also religion means Dharma, your duty, your deeds according to your beliefs, morals, experience and ethics becomes your religion, and religion is the base of true spirituality.
Realigion Means to follow set of morals, ethics and beliefs..
can be own or adopted.
Spirituaity means the quality of the spirit, Spirit + Quality = Spirituality , To acknowledge self and explore self , discover the quality ad truth of self ad growing in wisdom via any mean of any religious way (set of morals, beliefs and ethics) can be called spirituality.
you are free to choose and be what you want, just be sure to keep yourself safe, for some freadom comes with a cost in society~
