Description

Origin & Traditional Use

An herbal votive is a small candle, about two inches tall, blended with herbs and oils chosen for its intention and made to burn for around ten to fifteen hours in a holder. The word votive comes from the Latin votum, a vow, because votives were lit before saints and gods to carry a prayer. Protection candles are burned to guard the self, the home and the temple from harm, hostile spirits and magic sent against you.

Uses in the Work

For protection, to raise a ward around the self, the home and the temple against hostile spirits, people and magic. Burn it at the center of the house with black salt at each corner, or carry its flame to each threshold. Renew the ward at the dark of each Moon. Black belongs to Saturn and the night: banishing, binding, protection, adversarial and shadow work, and the darkness from which light emerges. Burn it on a Saturday, in the hour of Saturn.

Pairs Well With

Black Salt – 1 oz; Black Tourmaline – 1 lb Tumbled; Banishing Oil – 1 oz

Lore

Rue (ruda) is the herb of grace in European folk magic and a fierce protector in Mediterranean and Latin American traditions. It was hung by doorways against the evil eye.