Old Harry Candle

Most old traditions have a trickster at the threshold. This one is cast in deep burgundy wax, with curled horns, a crooked grin and a robe that falls in heavy folds. He holds a small jack-o’-lantern pail, the kind carried door to door on All Hallows’ Eve by guisers and soulers, who traded songs and prayers for cakes on the night the dead walked.

In folk tradition the devil is a figure to bargain with and outwit. Cunning folk met him at crossroads, and the old tales have people tricking him as often as fearing him. Here he is a familiar, a keeper of the threshold who can be asked for help.

Why he’s called Old Harry
“Old Harry” is an old English folk name for the devil, used mostly in the West Country. No one knows for certain where it comes from. Some say it’s a nickname for “Hairy”, others a shortening of “Herra”, an old word for lord, and in Dorset the chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks are said to be named after him. Country people have long preferred a friendly, familiar name to the real one, in case it summoned the very fellow they were talking about. So he sits on your altar as Old Harry, the cheeky old gentleman at the door.

Ways to work with him

Offerings at Samhain: Place him on your altar or ancestor table with a small treat in his pail. Light him as the veil thins and ask him to guard the door while the dead are welcomed in.

Uncrossing and hex breaking: Burn him to turn back ill-wishing. Name what you want undone, then let the wax carry it away as he burns.

Protection: Set him by a doorway or window, or on the hearth, as a grinning guardian that keeps unwelcome visitors away.

Crossroads and bargain work: Light him when you need cunning, a clever solution, or a way out of a tight corner.

Banishing: Burn him to send away habits, spirits or influences that have overstayed their welcome. Let him burn down and take them with him.

Red candle magic: His wine-red wax suits courage, vitality, protection, and passion or desire, and can stand in for a blood offering in spellwork.

Made from Unscented beeswax and soy blend 

Important - Please note: We accept no liability for how our candles are used/burnt once they leave our care so it is important to follow our recommended guidelines carefully - these candles are dressed in dry herbs and florals, this means that the flame can be quite high. We strongly recommend burning them in a fireproof bowl, jar or cauldron surrounded by salt or sand as the dry herbs can cause fall out

these candles will also drip so please keep this in mind. Never leave unattended, near children/pets, textiles or drafts.

By purchasing our candles, you acknowledge and accept these terms