Quarter Lights

Quarter Lights are candles or lamps placed at the four Quarters of the Circle.

Their purpose is to define the Quarters and to help mark the boundary of the Circle. In outdoor locations they also serve the purpose of making sure people don't step off into holes, brambles, etc. It should not be necessary to have indoor Quarter lights, as you should be able to remember the Quarters, but many people still like to have them so that the candles can be lit as the Quarters are called.

Indoors, candles used as Quarter lights can be placed in any usual holders, or in special ones which have been decorated to indicate the Elements to which they refer. When used for bug celebratory Rituals, such as Handfastings, these holders can be highly ornate, decorated with ribbons and flowers in the Element colors. In our Coven we have a set of tall holders which stand on the floor, onto which large candles are placed.

When used outside it is necessary to ensure that the flames are shielded and they cannot do any damage the environment. One of the easiest ways of doing this is to place nightlights in small glass jars. As these will get very hot during use, it is a good idea to tie strong around the top, prior to lighting the candles, so that you can carry them away after use. These glass jars can also be decorated, perhaps with glass paints in the colors of the Elements:  yellow for Air, red for Fire, blue for Water and green for Earth. Whatever you use remember to clear it away afterwards.

"Fire burns so treat it with respect."

~from the Real Witches Year by Kate West

Thanks Lady Elaine,
When we do our circle indoors we use votive candles of different colors to signify the quarters.  We started doing circles for the Sabbats in 1999 when I asked my children if they would like to be involved with me in the mellenium celebration circle.  I was still new on the path and my son was still in the belief that it was 'devil worship' and very fearful (he was only 12).  I explained what I was going to be doing and then left him alone for a couple of days to decide.  When the day came and we were getting ready he was right there with my daughters and me.  I gave them their choice of which color candle they'de like and that decided their place in the circle.  Ever since, in circle, they have kept the colors of that first circle we did at Yule 1999.  

Just a side note:  I am very happy to say that my children are all pagan.  They are very much out of the closet and have even found friends of like-mind who were afraid to say anything until my kids started talking about some of the things we do for Sabbats.  

Brightest Blessings
CC

A few years ago two friends of mine renewed their wedding vows by having a handfasting ceremony.  The bride bought elegant candle holders for the altar and the quarters that (not sure how good I'll be at explaining this) had a glass 'vase' with a brass ring that fits on the top of the vase.  The ring has 2 long, slender brass rods that are attached to a brass cup that holds the candle.  The brass cup hangs about one-half to three-quarters of the way down into the vase, keeping the candle flame from blowing out.  For the quarter candles, colored water representing the element is put into the bottom of each vase.  Now that the bride and groom have left the area, I bought a similar set to use for our group rituals. Depending on the seasong, the colored water can be replaced by small stones, shells, etc.  Instead of wax votives most of the time we use small, refillable oil-fueled "tea lights".  I always enjoy reading about what other folks use for Rituals, there are very creative people with great ideas here at OdSS!!