Color is the easiest correspondence to use. A candle, a ribbon, a piece of cloth, or a pen in the right color brings its meaning into a working at once. This page lists the associations most often used in modern witchcraft. For how to use them, see candle magick.
The meanings of colors
| Color | Associations | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| White | Purity, peace, truth, the full moon | Cleansing, blessing, and as a substitute for any other color |
| Black | Protection, endings, the new moon, the fertile dark | Banishing, absorbing what is unwanted, and setting boundaries |
| Red | Life, courage, passion, strength, the element of Fire | Energy, confidence, and protection through strength |
| Pink | Affection, friendship, gentleness | Self-kindness, reconciliation, and new friendships |
| Orange | Creativity, enthusiasm, success | Motivation, opportunities, and getting unstuck |
| Yellow | Intellect, communication, joy, the element of Air | Study, exams, writing, and clear thinking |
| Green | Growth, prosperity, health, the element of Earth | Money, work, gardens, and steady improvement |
| Light blue | Calm, patience, healing, the element of Water | Peace in the home, rest, and soothing strong feelings |
| Dark blue | Wisdom, truth, protection, depth | Honest communication, justice, and dream work |
| Purple | Spirit, intuition, wisdom, dignity | Divination, meditation, and spiritual growth |
| Brown | Home, stability, animals, the soil | Grounding, finding lost things, and care of pets |
| Gray | Neutrality, balance, discretion | Calming a conflict and working unnoticed |
| Silver | The moon, the Goddess, intuition, reflection | Esbats, dreams, and honoring the feminine divine |
| Gold | The sun, the God, success, vitality | Sabbats of the sun, confidence, and honoring the masculine divine |
Colors of the elements
| Element | Direction | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Earth | North | Green or brown |
| Air | East | Yellow |
| Fire | South | Red or orange |
| Water | West | Blue |
| Spirit | Center | White or violet |
These are used for quarter candles when casting a circle. See the elements for more.
Colors of the sabbats
| Sabbat | Colors |
|---|---|
| Samhain | Black, orange, deep red, purple |
| Yule | Red, green, gold, white |
| Imbolc | White, pale yellow, pale green, red |
| Ostara | Pale green, yellow, pink, lavender |
| Beltane | Green, red, white, pink, yellow |
| Litha | Gold, yellow, orange, green, blue |
| Lughnasadh | Gold, yellow, orange, brown, green |
| Mabon | Deep red, orange, brown, gold, purple |
Using color well
When in doubt, use white. A white candle can stand for any intention. Nobody needs a drawer of fourteen colors.
Black is not sinister. In candle magick black absorbs and protects. It is the color of rich soil and of the night sky, and it is one of the most useful colors a witch can own.
Color goes beyond candles. Wear it, write in it, tie it in a cord, lay it on the altar as a cloth, or eat it. A bowl of oranges is a perfectly good working for cheerfulness.
Meanings vary. The associations above come from European and North American practice. Other cultures read colors differently. White, for instance, is a color of mourning in many parts of the world. Your own associations count as well. If yellow has always felt like sorrow to you, do not use it for joy.