Enchantment

"Enchanting" involves chanting or singing as a way of energizing a charm or spell.  To "en-chant" means to chant your intent into something, as is an important method of power raising used in Witchcraft.  To enchant an object is to charge it magically with power raised through rhythmic repetition of a simple phrase in speech or music.  Chanting is often used in Witche's circles as a way of raising energy.  The act of chanting keeps the rational, controlling part of our brain busy, leaving the part, we believe, that governs intuition and psychic power free to do its work.  At the same time, the rhythme of chant lulls the rational side into letting go. 

How enchantment is used in Witchcraft varies from place to place and group to group, and it can be adapted to fit different purposes. Your Magickal Book should contain all of your chants besides rituals and invocations.   If a spell is being cast by a coven, the group may choose to chant together and pass around a particular object to direct the power they raise into it.  Sometimes chanting is used in conjunction with dancing or moving together deosil or widdershins around a circle, depending on the type of magick you are doing. 

Another use of enchantment is to prepare an object to be used in spellwork or circle work by magickally energizing it.  In the case of candles, this can be done for a number of purposes.  Candles can be prepared either for general use in lighting a circle, for element candles or in candles to be used for spells. 

Candles enchanted for general circle use add a special dimension to a circle.  If you have made them yourself, it adds a personal touch.  Elemental candles can be enchanted with the energy specific to the element in question.  For a yellow air candle, you should use a chant associated with air and visualize the magical properties of air as you charge it with that power.  Many Witches dress each elemental candle with oil representing that element. 

How does one enchant a candle?  Quite simply, actually.  One quick and very easy method is to hold a candle in both hands and chant at it, willing the energy raised from the chant to move into the candle itself.  Another way is to know the intent of what you wish and inscribe it on the candle and then chant/raise the cone of power by saying "The Goddess is alive, and magick is afoot" or any other chant you choose.  Start off slow, and then get faster and faster and chanting louder and louder until you think you are going to burst.  What you are doing is building this energy around the candle by using either a wand, a rattle or your hand.  Then, when you feel you are about to burst, drop your tool and grab onto your spell candle which has been dressed with oil and send that energy into the candle.   See Candle Magick for in-depth instructions.   You will be able to feel that energy flowing into your candle.  However, do not throw all of your energy away.  Pull some of it back by bring your arms up to you and cross them on your chess to prevent all of your energy from leaving you.   That is one good way in which to ground yourself. 

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