Understanding Candle Flame Readings & More (Patreon)

Let’s talk about candle readings! In this article you can learn how to do different kinds of candle readings and learn how to read the flame!

Candle flame meanings are all about the way the flame burns. The flame becomes the transformative element to aid in manifesting your intent. The types of flame have traditional meanings that indicate how successful you are.

Learning How to Interpret Candle Flame Meanings

Most candle meanings come from ancient cultures and practices, such as the Romans, Babylonians, Greeks, and Celts. Over the centuries, various religions, such as Hoodoo rootwork espoused and added to the candle divination meanings. In fact, many of the candle flame meanings were adopted and incorporated into numerous practices, including Wicca.

Colored Flames

Not all candles burn the same colors. Sometimes, the flame can be blue, red or yellow.

Blue Candle Flame

According to Grove and Grotto's The Candle Signs Dictionary, a blue flame symbolizes the presence of a spirit. This can be an angel, fairy or other highly evolved spiritual entity.

Red or Yellow Flame

Grove and Grotto states when a flame burns red or yellow that mundane energy, not spiritual, is fueling the burn and can also be powerful.

Tall Strong Flame

This flame bodes well for candle magic or spells. It is strong enough to push through any obstacles and tall enough to reach the height of goals and intentions.

Dancing Flame

Grove and Gotto advise that a sporadically burning flame that dances about is indicative of a spell that has the power to work, but not without possible problems. The interpretation depends on other factors, such as the flame being tall or short. It could mean resistance; the higher the flame jumps, the greater the resistance, according to Spiritualists at Original Botanica.

Flickering Flame

Some believe that a flickering candle flame is announcing the arrival of a spirit. Another traditional meaning is that strong, almost raw emotions are involved and can lead to arguments. In A Little Book of Candle Magic, author DJ Conway explains that a flickering or sputtering candle's communications can be interpreted by the four compass points.

North: If the flame flickers toward the north, it's said to be an indication that the cause is a physical one, not from a spirit.

East: A flame flickering toward the east indicates the mental part of your spell is working.

South: The bending of the flame toward the south demonstrates a deal of physical energy surrounds your intent.

West: When the candle flame tilts to the west, it reveals the depth and energy of very strong emotions that are part of the spell work.

Puttering and Crackling Flame

Conway also writes that that a flame that sputters and crackles can indicate a form of communication. The intensity of both determines the messaging. Loud crackling and frequent sputtering warns of arguments.

Opposing Forces

A noisy and continuous sputtering flame may indicate that someone or other forces oppose you. You can light additional candles to provide greater energy. If the sputtering continues, it's best to end your work and try another time.

Popping Flame

A flame that produces a popping sound is considered another form of negative communication. The type of communication is determined by the reason you're burning the candle and what it represents. For example, if you're conducting a protection spell, many believe the popping sound means someone with bad intentions toward you is talking about you or planning something against you or planning to harm you.

Dual Flames

In Coventry Magic with Candles, Oils, and Herbs, author Jacki Smith discusses candles that burn with more than one flame. Aside from the natural physical causes, Smith says that the traditional interpretation of two flames burning from one wick involves two energies or energy that is cut in half.

Two Energies at Work

The most common interpretation for dual flames is the presence of two energies that are either working together or in opposition of each other. This is determined by the kind of spell being worked, such as a protection spell or a hexing spell. The former would indicate the targeted person is reflecting the hexing magic back to the spell worker, while the latter would be a sign that the two have joined forces in the positive intent of protection.

Flame Self-Extinguishes

According to Candle Magic for Beginners: The Simplest Magic You Can Do by Richard Webster, when a flame self-extinguishes, it puts an end to your work. This can also mean your prayer or spell was received by the spirit world. It can indicate that your spell is opposed by either the spirit realm or an individual.

Low Flame

Grove and Grotto state that a low flame doesn't have the energy to push the intent into completion. If a low flame is steady, you're being reminded to be diligent and expect a good result. If the flame weakens, the spell won't work. If it gradually begins to grow taller and stronger, the energy to bring your spell to fruition has been released.

Short Weak Flame

Webster writes that a weak flame will produce weak results. The time simply isn't right. It also can indicate the spell is wrong, especially if it flickers. It might mean that your timing is off, or your spell needs more work before it can be powerful enough to complete your intent. Regardless of the reason, a short weak flame means there isn't enough energy to bring your intent into reality. Jacki Smith advises the flame should be extinguished. You can try to strengthen your spell another time.

Steady Flame

Conway states this kind of burn is considered a positive indication the candle is doing its job. There are strong supportive energies behind the intent.

Fast Burning Candle

There are two different types of fast burning candles. Each has a specific meaning that can help you to assess the success of your spellwork.

Uneven Fast Burning Candle

A candle that burns unevenly, with one side melting down faster than the other indicates your spell wasn't properly grounded before you cast it. You'll need to cast the spell another time. If on your second try, the candle once more burns fast and unevenly, stop your work and try your spell at a later time.

Even Fast Burning Candle

A candle that burns faster than normal but is an even burn can be a good omen as long as the candle doesn't have any other unusual attributes, such as sputtering or popping. When a candle seems to burn out of control, it can be a symptom that something within your work isn't correct. You should stop and repeat your spellwork, paying close attention to each step to ensure it's correct. If your second attempt results in the candle burning evenly but fast, consider the spell successful.

Candle Flames and Interpreting Meanings

There are traditional standard meanings for most candle flame behaviors. You can use these to interpret if your intent for lighting the candle has been successful.

Candle Reading Made Simple: Understanding the Signs

A candle reading gives you information to help you understand how effective your spell is. There are messages in the way the flame reacts, wax melts, type of soot from the candle, wick, or time it takes for the flame to self-extinguish.

Burning Candle Reading Signs and Messages

Some of the signs and messages from the candle can be subtle. If you're just learning about candle reading, then you want to take it slowly to ensure you understand what the spirit(s) are trying to communicate with you about the spell.

Flame Colors and Flame Reactions

The way the candle flame reacts during the burn can tell you a lot about how your spell is performing. Each possible color of the candle flame has a specific meaning. For example, a blue candle flame compared to a yellow burning flame can reveal whether you've contacted a benevolent spirit.

Way Candle Flame Reacts Meaning

Another sign or message is interpreted by the way the candle flame reacts. If the flame is strong or if it dances about can tell you can indicate if your spell is powerful enough to work. Other candle flame reactions carry specific meanings and messages.

Self-Extinguishing Candle Flame Meaning

If your candle self-extinguishes, it signifies that your spell is over. It doesn't matter if you haven't finished your spellwork. You'll need to look at other signs to determine if the premature self-extinguished flame is a good or bad sign.

Candle Soot and Smoke Meanings

Even the candle soot, if any, reveals specific information about your spell and whether it will be successful. The color of candle smoke, if any, also carries a direct message about your spell.

Candle Black Smoke or Soot Interpretations

Candles in glass containers are more susceptible to soot and/or black smoke. However, that doesn't mean free-standing candles can't have both. Black smoke and soot are often interpreted as your spell being blocked.

Determine Cause of Blocked Spell

You can often determine the cause of your spell being blocked. You should look for other signs to explain why, such as a person blocking your spell, or the object of your spell has negative energy surrounding it and prevent your spell to break through.

Soot and Black Smoke at Candle Jar Base

If black smoke curls down to the bottom of your candle jar or the residue of soot is at the base of your burned candle, it may indicate that your spell was blocked. This can be for any number of reasons. The most obvious is that someone is intentionally blocking your spell.

How to Overcome Negative Black Soot in Candle Spell

You may need to perform the spell more than one time before you can break through whatever is blocking you. You may decide to postpone your spell to find a more advantageous time, such as evoking lunar energy or adding other elements like crystals and herbs to your spell.

Other examples of black soot and smoke include:

- Long lasting or enduring black smoke and/or soot during the candle burn time is another indicator that someone or some force is preventing you from completing the candle spell.

- Black soot can also indicate it isn't the right time to perform your spell.

- Black smoke and/or soot around the top of the candle jar usually means some type of negative energy/force was broken and released by your spell.

- Black smoke and/or soot that stops about half-way down the jar indicates you broke through a tougher obstacle, but were successful in your spellwork.

Gray and White Smoke and Soot Meanings

Not all smoke and soot are black. Occasionally practitioners encounter gray or white smoke and soot. These aren't as common as the black smoke and soot but are messages that your request was received, and those negative forces block or eliminated.

What Does It Mean When Black Soot Turns Gray or White?

It is possible that the black soot turns to gray or white during your spell. It is believed that the soot that remains on the top part of the candle jar once the candle has self-extinguished is the prevailing energy and result.

Interpretations of White Smoke

The majority of interpretations for white smoke describe it as a positive sign. It's commonly believed that white smoke means your spell was successful.

Guidelines to Interpret Candle Smoke and Soot

One thing to keep in mind when conducting a candle reading, is your practice your own? While there are commonly held rules and interpretations when it comes to candle reading and all magic spellwork, interpretation depends on the individual performing the spellwork. You may have experiences that contradict the accepted candle reading rules. In such instances, you should always go with your personal divination experiences since they are part of your energy work and just as unique as your abilities.

Interpret Wax Melts in Candle Readings

Another consideration for interpreting the success of your spell is to read the wax melts. Many practitioners place an importance on how the wax melted and the various shapes it assumes during the spell. A comprehensive guide can help you understand candle melts known as mountains, overflows, nets, walls, hooks, rolls, and other shapes.

Wax Left at Bottom of Candle

If there is quite a bit of wax left at the bottom of the candle, then your spell has met some form of obstacle. You must decide if you wish to try your spell another time or if you simply want to give up.

No Wax Left at Bottom of Candle

If your candle has a clean burn, with no wax remaining at the bottom, then your spell is a success. There are no obstacles in your way, and you just now need patience to await your spell to manifest in the physical.

How Long Your Candle Burns

Determining the success of your candle spell by the burn time of your candle depends on the type of spell you cast. Many spells require the candle to burn completely in order for the spell to be successful. Some spells are timed to burn over a series of nights or days.

Fast Burning Candle Reading

If your candle burns rapidly and evenly, you should consider your candle spell successful. An uneven fast burning candle indicates a poorly executed spell that will need to be performed again. Sometimes, a fast burning candle can mean the spell won't have enduring results. In such instances, you may need to cast the spell again. Sometimes, when casting a call or come to me love spell, one of the candles burns faster than the other one. This uneven burning may indicate that the timing for the relationship isn't right, or that the match isn't in the stars.

Slow Burning Candle Reading

If the candle burns slowly, but steadily to the very end, it usually indicates success, but with much opposition that was defeated. If the candle is a slow burn and self-extinguishes before the spell is finished, then the opposition to your spell was more powerful than the energy behind your spell. You'll need to try again, but you should fortify your spell by infusing stronger energy.

Candle Wick Meaning

If the wick falls into the melted wax, you can pull it out and attempt to let it regain itself, but if it curls back into the wax, chances are it will self-extinguish and end your spell. You should always trim the wick prior to lighting since many wicks are intentionally made too long so they can be trimmed.

Circle or Loop Wick

If the wick forms a loop or circle, this is considered a good sign. The circle or loop is interpreted as an imitation of the bull's eye, which means your spell has hit its mark.

Flower or Herb Weigh Down Wick

If you're using herbs or flowers in your spell and a flower or herb weighs down your wick, it is believed you're receiving a message that there is someone else involved. This type of interference with the wick often happens with love spells when the person of desire is involved with someone else. You should never attempt to break up a couple. Whatever negative energy or ill-will sent to the couple will come right back to you, only three times more powerful. Remember, the rule is do no harm. This rule is a warning to the spellworker. Any harm you do or attempt to do will come back to you threefold.

Recognize the Signs in Candle Reading

There are many signs to observe and assess during a candle reading. With experience, you'll soon recognize different patterns in candle spellwork and how to interpret each one.

Source:

https://candles.lovetoknow.com/candle-magic-spells/candle-reading-made-simple-understanding-signs