Ask a Bruja: On Anointing Candles and Cultural Appropriation
Okay so this isn’t an explanation on how to Anoint your candles. These type of Novena candles are typically what I work with. I use regular single stick candles as well but usually only along with Novena candles.
I’m not going to teach you how to anoint a candle in this post. It’s just an opinion post.
I learned how to anoint my candles from various teachings growing up and making it my own. There are rules to anointing candles, steps that can’t be skipped but there is also a lot of room for creating your own anointing ritual.
This is where I think the Cultural Appropriation comes into play. If someone who isn’t familiar with The Craft buys a novena candle it can obviously be used for prayer but standing alone aren’t Brujeria candles.
Now I’ve seen and been gifted candles for my altar with Morticia Adams and the Bride of Frankenstein pictured on them but they don’t go on my altar because they aren’t going to be used for Brujeria. I use them like regular candles because that’s all they are.
ALL my candles on my altar are anointed, placed, and used following Brujeria traditions. Placing a Saint in the wrong place, or lighting the candles in the wrong order and more can impact your results.
Cultural appreciation of Los Santos ends when you start thinking your candles are brujeria ready without any of the ritual involved. Without Los Antepasados, without the offerings, without the petitions in my opinion all you have is a candle with a picture on it (like morticia).
The connection to your candles is also built while anointing candles. You work your own magic into their being. Into the glass, into the wax, into the image. When the candles are all lit, you can smell the sweet oils and protection powders you used. It’s a feeling of finally being home. My altar is a part of my being, and I light up when it’s lit. It invokes all your magic as it connects to all your senses.
Do I think that Brujeria is strictly initiated like Santeria or Voodoo? No, but it’s a branch on the same tree. There are things you learn from others, elders, and whatnot and you can’t necessarily find it all online because it is so closely protected by those who practice it. In the Latinx community there is a lot of anti-blackness that condemns Afro Caribbean culture, including Brujeria. Many Latinx Catholics shun those who follow the old traditions while also turning to Brujas in times of need trusting our powers entirely. There is very much a dynamic of fear of Brujas and our power which is why many of us have turned to Catholic magic.
So yeah, I think you can appreciate Brujeria and candles but it’s like ordering from Taco Bell, it’s nice but it’s not authentic and there’s clearly a difference between Taco Bell and hand made tacos from someone who has been making them for years.
