Candle Magic and Moon Phases: A Practical Guide

You don't need elaborate tools to work with lunar energy.

A candle, your intention, and awareness of the moon phase—that's enough.

This guide shows you how to align your candle work with the moon's cycle, not because the universe demands it, but because working with natural rhythms creates focus, intention, and results.

No mystical jargon. No overcomplicated rituals. Just practical guidance for using candles in sync with the moon.

Why Moon Phases Matter in Candle Magic

The moon doesn't control your magic. You do.

But the moon's cycle provides a framework—a way to organize your practice, focus your intention, and work with energy that's already shifting.

Here's what each phase offers:

New Moon - Beginnings, intention-setting, planting seeds

Waxing Moon - Growth, building, attracting, momentum

Full Moon - Peak power, culmination, release, gratitude

Waning Moon - Letting go, banishing, clearing, rest

Think of moon phases as a rhythm you can sync with, not rules you must follow.

If you need to do a spell during the "wrong" phase? Do it anyway. Intention matters more than timing.

But when you can align your work with the moon, it adds depth and focus.

New Moon Candle Work

Energy: Beginnings, intention-setting, darkness before dawn

Best for:

• Setting intentions for the month ahead

• Starting new projects or habits

• Planting seeds (literal or metaphorical)

• Inner work and shadow exploration

• Committing to change

  
  

Candle Colors for New Moon:

Black - Not "evil" or negative. Black absorbs, protects, creates space for new beginnings by clearing the old.

Dark blue - Introspection, deep wisdom, inner knowing

Deep purple - Spiritual work, transformation, mystery

White (always works) - Fresh starts, clarity, blank slate

Crystals That Support New Moon Work:

• Obsidian - Protection during transitions

• Black tourmaline - Grounding, clearing

• Amethyst - Inner wisdom, spiritual connection

• Hematite - Strength, resilience

  
  

Don't have these? Use what you have or skip crystals entirely.

New Moon Candle Spells:

Intention-setting ritual:

1. Light black or white candle

2. Write intentions on paper

3. Read them aloud to the flame

4. Place paper under candle

5. Let candle burn while you meditate on your intentions

6. Keep paper on altar or in journal

   
   

What to work on:

• New beginnings (career, relationship, practice)

• Breaking old patterns

• Connecting with guides or intuition

• Shadow work

• Planning the month ahead

  
  

Waxing Moon Candle Work

Energy: Building, growing, attracting, momentum

Best for:

• Manifesting goals set at new moon

• Attracting what you want

• Building habits or skills

• Increasing anything (money, love, confidence)

• Taking action toward goals

  
  

Candle Colors for Waxing Moon:

Pink - Self-love, friendship, gentle attraction

Red - Passion, courage, bold action, sexuality

Orange - Confidence, creativity, motivation, joy

Green - Money, prosperity, growth, abundance

Gold/Yellow - Success, clarity, optimism

Crystals That Support Waxing Moon Work:

• Carnelian - Creativity, courage, action

• Citrine - Abundance, confidence, manifestation

• Rose quartz - Love, self-acceptance

• Green aventurine - Opportunity, luck

  
  

Waxing Moon Candle Spells:

Attraction ritual:

1. Choose candle color matching your goal

2. Carve a word or symbol representing what you want (use toothpick or pin)

3. Optional: Anoint with oil (olive oil works if you don't have essential oils)

4. Light candle

5. State clearly: "I attract [specific thing] into my life"

6. Visualize having it

7. Let candle burn for at least 15 minutes

   
   

What to work on:

• Love and relationships

• Money and career opportunities

• Confidence and self-worth

• Creative projects

• Physical health and vitality

  
  

Full Moon Candle Work

Energy: Peak power, culmination, release, celebration, gratitude

Best for:

• Releasing what no longer serves

• Celebrating progress

• Gratitude practices

• Charging crystals or moon water

• Peak manifestation work

• Divination and insight

  
  

Candle Colors for Full Moon:

White - Purification, clarity, completion

Silver - Lunar energy, intuition, divine feminine

Light blue - Peace, communication, truth

Any color - Full moon amplifies everything

Crystals That Support Full Moon Work:

• Moonstone - Lunar connection, intuition, cycles

• Selenite - Cleansing, clarity, peace

• Clear quartz - Amplification, focus

• Labradorite - Magic, transformation, protection

  
  

Full Moon Candle Spells:

Release ritual:

1. Light white candle

2. Write what you're releasing on paper (habits, beliefs, relationships, fears)

3. Read list aloud: "I release [item]. It no longer serves me."

4. Burn paper in candle flame (safely - use bowl or cauldron)

5. Let ashes cool, then bury or scatter them

   
   

Gratitude ritual:

1. Light any color candle

2. Write what you're grateful for

3. Read aloud to the flame

4. Keep list on altar or in journal

5. Let candle burn completely

   
   

What to work on:

• Releasing attachments, habits, beliefs

• Gratitude and celebration

• Psychic work and divination

• Charging magical tools

• Peak manifestation (bringing things to completion)

  
  

Waning Moon Candle Work

Energy: Letting go, decreasing, banishing, rest, wisdom

Best for:

• Banishing negativity or bad habits

• Cord cutting

• Forgiveness work

• Clearing energy

• Rest and introspection

• Preparing for new cycle

  
  

Candle Colors for Waning Moon:

Black - Banishing, protection, absorption

Brown - Grounding, stability, returning to earth

Dark purple - Transformation, spiritual cleansing

Gray - Neutralizing, balance

Crystals That Support Waning Moon Work:

• Smoky quartz - Clearing, grounding, protection

• Apache tear - Grief, forgiveness, release

• Black obsidian - Shadow work, protection

• Fluorite - Mental clarity, focus, cleansing

  
  

Waning Moon Candle Spells:

Banishing ritual:

1. Light black candle

2. Write what you're banishing (addiction, toxic relationship, fear, self-doubt)

3. Say firmly: "I banish [thing]. It has no power over me."

4. Burn paper

5. Snuff candle (blow or pinch out - don't let it burn completely for banishing)

6. Dispose of wax and ashes away from your home

   
   

Cord cutting ritual:

1. Light two candles (representing you and what you're releasing)

2. Tie them together with string

3. State: "I release this connection. I am free."

4. Cut string between candles

5. Let your candle burn completely

6. Dispose of other candle away from home

   
   

What to work on:

• Breaking bad habits or addictions

• Ending toxic relationships

• Releasing resentment or anger

• Clearing clutter (physical or emotional)

• Forgiveness (of self or others)

  
  

Making Your Own Moon Phase Candles (Optional)

You don't need to make candles. Store-bought work perfectly.

But if you want to craft your own:

Basic process:

1. Melt wax (soy, beeswax, or paraffin)

2. Add color (crayon shavings work)

3. Optional: Add essential oils (3-5 drops per small candle)

4. Optional: Add dried herbs to wax

5. Pour into container or mold with wick

6. As it cools, carve symbols or words into wax

7. Charge with intention

   
   

Herbs for moon candles:

• New moon: Mugwort, sage, bay leaf

• Waxing: Cinnamon, basil, rose petals

• Full: Jasmine, chamomile, lavender

• Waning: Rosemary, cedar, pine

  
  

Don't have specific herbs? Skip them. Intention is what matters.

Practical Tips for Candle Magic

If You Don't Have the "Right" Color:

Use white. White works for everything. Always.

Or use what you have. A blue candle works for a love spell if that's what you own. Your intention matters more than the color.

Dressing Candles (Optional):

"Dressing" means anointing with oil.

For attraction: Rub oil from bottom to top (drawing energy in)

For banishing: Rub oil from top to bottom (pushing energy away)

Oils that work:

• Olive oil (kitchen staple, works fine)

• Coconut oil (solid at room temp, melts with body heat)

• Any essential oil aligned with your intention

  
  

Don't have oils? Skip this step. Not required.

Carving Candles:

Use a toothpick, pin, or knife to carve:

• Your intention in one word (LOVE, MONEY, HEAL)

• A simple symbol (heart, dollar sign, etc.)

• A sigil you created

• Initials

  
  

Don't want to carve? Don't. Still works.

Burning Your Candle:

Ideally: Let it burn completely in one session

Realistically: If you need to snuff it out (sleep, leave house), that's fine. Relight later.

Safety:

• Never leave burning candles unattended

• Use fire-safe holders

• Keep away from flammable materials

• Trim wick to ¼ inch before each use

  
  

When to Light It:

Perfect timing: During the actual moon phase

Real timing: Whenever you can focus and won't be interrupted

The moon doesn't punish you for imperfect timing. Do the spell when you can do it well.

Moon Phase Quick Reference

Phase	Energy	Candle Colors	Good For
New Moon	Beginnings, darkness, potential	Black, dark blue, purple, white	Intentions, starting fresh, shadow work
Waxing Moon	Building, growing, attracting	Pink, red, orange, green, gold	Manifesting, increasing, attracting
Full Moon	Peak, culmination, release	White, silver, light blue, any	Releasing, gratitude, peak magic
Waning Moon	Decreasing, banishing, rest	Black, brown, purple, gray	Banishing, clearing, letting go

The Minimalist Approach

If you only have white candles and matches:

You can still do effective moon magic.

New moon: Light candle, set intentions

Waxing moon: Light candle, visualize goals manifesting

Full moon: Light candle, release what doesn't serve you

Waning moon: Light candle, banish what you're done with

The moon phase provides the energy. Your intention directs it. The candle focuses it.

Everything else—colors, crystals, oils, herbs—enhances but isn't required.

A Note on "Rules"

There are no cosmic laws demanding you work with the moon.

These are guidelines, not requirements.

If you need to do a banishing spell during a waxing moon, do it. If you want to manifest during a waning moon, go ahead.

The moon cycle is a tool for focus and intention. It's not a rule book.

Work with it when you can. Ignore it when you must.

Your magic is yours. The moon is just one rhythm you can choose to dance with.

Getting Started

This month:

1. Check the current moon phase (Google "moon phase today" or use timeanddate.com/moon/phases)

2. Choose one spell from the relevant section above

3. Gather what you need (probably just a candle)

4. Do the spell

5. Track results in your practice tracker

   
   

Next month:

Try working with the full cycle:

• New moon: Set intentions

• Waxing moon: Take action toward goals

• Full moon: Release and celebrate

• Waning moon: Clear and rest

  
  

After a few months, you'll have a sense of the rhythm. It becomes intuitive.

Closing

Candle magic aligned with moon phases isn't complicated.

Light candle. State intention. Focus. Let it burn.

The sophistication comes from consistency, not from perfect timing or elaborate rituals.

Track your practice. Notice what works. Adjust as needed.

The moon will keep cycling whether you work with it or not. But when you choose to align your candle magic with lunar phases, you're working with a rhythm older than written language.

That has power. Not because it's mystical, but because it's intentional.

Want to track your candle magic and moon work?

Get the free Simple Practice Tracker - a Notion template for logging your rituals, moon phases, and results.