Skull Candle Santa Muerte Magick

Center image from CatfishCreekCandles on Etsy.

Primary Use:

​Skull shaped candles work great on their own as offerings for your Santa Muerte altar, but preparing a skull shaped candle in the manner described here will give you a powerful poppet you can use to influence the thoughts and actions of another.

You Will Need:

​Herbs:

• ​Calamus Root - to gain control over another person or situation. Calamus doesn't turn people into zombie-slaves, but it can ensure that your target sees you as positively confident, charming, and charismatic. This will make it much easier for you to get what you want or need from them.
• ​Licorice Root - to change the thoughts of another person, to push another person's mind in the direction you choose, to make your target more receptive to your ideas, to keep something on someone's mind.

Other Ingredients: 

• 1 Skull Candle - to serve as the magickal representation of your target. Try to obtain a color associated with the goal. For example, gold candles will help change someone's mind on matters of business, red for love, blue for acceptance and open mindedness, etc. See a list of color correspondences for Santa Muerte magick by clicking here. A white skull candle can always be used as a substitute for any other color.
• Almond Carrier Oil - corresponding to matters of the brain and mind, used here to coat the candle and strengthen the connection between your magick and the target's mind.
• Personal Items of Target - to cement the magickal connection between your skull candle and your target. Nail and hair clippings would be great but can be difficult to get, a photo will also work, and a piece of paper with your target's name and any other identifying information you know may also be used.
• ​Mortar and Pestle - for grinding your herbal ingredients into a powder. ​
• ​Thin Etching Tool - like a pick or pin, to etch into the outside of your skull candle.
• ​Burning Plate or Bowl - to hold your skull candle while it burns.​

Candle Preparation:

At your Santa Muerte altar, place any personal items of your target onto the center of your burn plate or burn bowl. Set aside.

Etch the name of your target and, in as few words as possible, etch the ultimate goal or desire you want to achieve into the surface of the skull candle. If you want a business contract, etch the name of the ultimate decision maker along with the words "Award me the contract". If you want a date, etch the name of the person you want a date with along with the words "Date me".

Place this candle on the burn plate or in the burn bowl, directly over the target's personal items.

Now grind approximately equal parts calamus root and licorice root. Both of these herbs are typically sold whole or as broken chips and may be difficult to grind in a mortar and pestle right out of the package. I recommend cutting or shaving the roots into pieces as small as possible before trying to grind in a mortar and pestle. You can also make grinding easier by ensuring that the roots are thoroughly dry before introducing into your mortar and pestle. You ultimately want enough ground calamus and licorice root to cover the outside of your candle.

The mixture is complete when you're happy with its consistency.

Next, lightly coat the outside of your skull candle, top to bottom, in almond carrier oil, then sprinkle your herb mix over all areas of the oil coated candle.

​Throughout the process of creating your candle, hold the image of your target in your mind's eye, and repeat the Skull Candle Santa Muerte magick prayer (see below).

Using Your Skull Candle

Light your prepared skull candle and recite the "Skull Candle" Santa Muerte magick prayer below. Let the candle burn all the way down on or near your altar.

Optional

While your skull candle burns, take time to talk to and pray over it throughout your day. Talk just like you would if your target was right in front of you and giving you all the attention in the world. Make your case, present your argument, and then command the skull to see things your way with the magick prayer below.

Disposing of Your Skull Candle

​​​When you've worked your magick with a skull candle and it's burned all the way to completion, you may dispose of what remains from your petition using the instructions outlined in my post How to Dispose of Magick Trash.

Skull Candle Santa Muerte Magick Prayer

"Santa Muerte, Santa Muerte, Holy Saint Death,
Put me inside TARGET'S FULL NAME's head.
May s/he see as I say to see,
​May s/he do as I say to do.
​TARGET'S FULL NAME
​STATE YOUR DESIRE!*
​STATE YOUR DESIRE!*
​STATE YOUR DESIRE!*
and get no rest until you make it true.
​Santa Muerte, in your name, Amen."

*award me the contract!...date me!...pay me! etc.
​Whatever your ultimate desire, keep it short, sweet, and to the point.