Dressing Candles for Ritual & Release

1.  Select: First, choose a candle of an appropriate color that meets your intentions. Each color is associated with different energies, so it's important to choose the right one. For example, white candles are often used for purification, while red candles are used to attract love & money.
2. Cleanse: Before starting, you'll want to cleanse the candle to remove any negative or unwanted energies. You can do this by passing the candle through incense smoke or sprinkling it with salt.
3. Carve: Using a sharp knife or a pin, carve symbols, words or numbers into the candle that represent your intentions. For example, if you're doing a money spell, you might carve the word "abundance" into the candle.
4. Anoint: Next, anoint the candle with oil. Starting at the top of the candle, draw the oil down, toward you to call in or begin at the bottom and apply the oil up and away from you to release or banish. This helps to direct the energy by clarifying your intentions.
5. Herbs, Flowers, Crystals: You can also add herbs or crystals to the candle to amplify its energy. Sprinkle a small amount of dried herbs, flowers or powdered crystals onto the candle, or affix them to the candle with melted wax.
6. Set your intention: Finally, set your intention as you light the candle. Focus on your desired outcome and visualize it coming to fruition as the candle burns down. Allow the candle to burn all the way down, or snuff it out and relight it in future spell work until it's completely burned down.

Remember to always practice fire safety when working with candles, and never leave a burning candle unattended.