Candle Divination

Certain rituals or daily actions can sometimes trigger a powerful memory. This just occurred as I was lighting some candles in my work area. The lighting of the candles prompted me to look for some notes I had tucked away relating to the flame of a candle, because for some reason my lit candles seemed to be demanding my attention.

Reading the notes took me back to a psychic awareness event I attended many years ago. A colorful lady, who made and sold her beautiful candles, gave an engaging talk at this get-together. She was passionate about the symbolism of the movement of the candle flame. She reminded her audience that as spirit affects the atmosphere around us, with anything from a gentle breeze to an icy chill in the air, they often also communicate with us by influencing the flame of a candle.

Our lives are like a candle in the wind ~ Carl Sandburg

Lychnomancy is a form of divination using the flames of three wax candles. It can be done by placing three candles equilateral in a triangle. Light a fourth candle some distance away for just enough light to do your reading. Switch off all other lighting in the room. Then light the three candles using one match and meditate on the movement on the flames. Some meanings of the flame’s movement include:

A glow at the top of the wick: prosperity
A spiraling flame: enemies are plotting against you.
A flame that dances from side to side: travel.
Flames that rise and fall, or that burn unevenly: danger.
A spluttering flame: disappointment.
Sparks: be cautious.
A flame which suddenly extinguishes: misfortune.
One flame which burns brighter than the other two : success.
A tall, straight flame: you can expect the arrival of a stranger.
A candle that drips: bad luck for the person sitting closest to the side it drips.

Birthday cake candles are traditionally also used for the purpose of setting intention. Place one candle on the cake to represent each year of your age. Make a wish, and with one breath blow out all the candles. Should you manage to blow them out in one blow, your wish will be granted.

To know if your lover is being true to you, take two small candles, two halves of a walnut shell and a bowl of water. With a little melted wax, fix the candles in place inside the walnut shells. Name one candle for your lover and the other for yourself. Light the candles. If the two walnut boats float side by side with evenly burning candles, you will be true to each other. Should the boats drift apart, overturn, or should the flame go out, the relationship does not look very promising. If your lover’s candle burns longer than yours, then they love you more than you love them, and vice versa.

Carry your candle of light to every dark place ~ Lailah Gifty Akita

Candlelight divination can also be performed using precious stones. Surround a candle with a variety of colored gemstones. Darken the room and light the candle. Close your eyes and try to clear your mind of busy thoughts. As you open your eyes, observe which stone reflects the light back to you. The color can be interpreted as follows:

Blue – Good Luck.
Turquoise – An unexpected opportunity.
Violet – Grief
Purple – An argument.
Red – Romance.
Dark Red – A wedding.
Yellow – Infidelity.
Green – A wish will come true.
Black – Ill luck.
Colorless – Happiness and Success.