Cat candle, 5 1/2″

Depending on whom you ask, a black cat is the luckiest creature alive or the worst omen on the road; this candle works with both reputations.

Origin & Traditional Use

Cat-shaped candles are a modern candle-shop form drawing on two strands of cat lore: the Egyptian reverence for cats, and the American and European beliefs about black cats and luck. In hoodoo, the black cat is a symbol of gambler’s luck and of crossing an enemy. White is used for clean, protective luck, red for passion and boldness, green for money.

Uses by Tradition

Hoodoo & Rootwork

• Gambler’s luck: dress a black cat candle with a lucky oil and burn it before a game, carrying a little of the wax in your pocket.
• Crossing: a black cat candle carved with an enemy’s name is burned to give them bad luck and misfortune.
• Uncrossing: a white cat is burned to turn a run of bad luck around.

Witchcraft & Folk Magick

• Familiar work: set the candle on the altar to honour a living or departed cat, or a spirit familiar.
• Money: a green cat is dressed with a money oil and burned on a Thursday.

A Simple Working

• Choose a black cat for luck at cards or dice.
• Carve your name and the word “luck” along the base.
• Dress the candle with a drop of olive oil and a pinch of ground nutmeg.
• Light it on the night before you play.
• Ask the cat to land you on your feet.
• Let it burn for an hour and snuff it out.
• Carry a fragment of the wax in your pocket when you play.

Pairs Well With

• Nutmeg: a classic gambler’s spice.
• Lucky oil: for dressing luck work.
• A lodestone: to carry with the wax for drawing luck.
• A carving tool: for names and marks on the base.

Lore & History

Cats were sacred to Bastet, whose cult centre was Bubastis in the Nile Delta. Herodotus describes her festival there as one of the great celebrations of Egypt, with boatloads of pilgrims, music and more wine drunk than in the rest of the year; huge cat cemeteries holding mummified cats have been excavated at the site.

What You Receive

A 5 1/2″ cat candle in black, white, red or green; white is also available in a larger size. Moulded candles vary slightly and may need levelling at the base.