More information on reading your Candles Flame/Smoke. ***Informational purposes only***

Interpretations of Candles (used In the Hoodoo & Santerian tradition)

This is a system to monitor effectiveness of candles used in magickal workings. These generally refer to the burning of 7 day religious candles(in glass & not). There are various ways to interpret them , but these are the most common according to C. Montenegro’s "Santeria Formulary & Spellbook."

The candle explodes..... There are two different ways to interpret this. If it is a protection or reversing candle it means that the candle protected something from attacking you and/or alot of negative energy has been directed towards you. If the candle is being used to dominate or cause conflict to someone, it means that the person is being protected spiritually. If this is the case ,you are to light another candle of the same type to break thier protection to allow the spell to work correctly. Candle does not burn..... If the candle is a prosperity or protection candle, this means that other type of spiritual cleansing must be done before the beginning of this spell to remove the negativity of the enviroment before proceeding. If the candle is being used for domination of to inflict harm then another type of spell must be used. The candle has a high flame..... The spell is going to be effective and work fast. If for prosperity or protection,the enviroment is clear of negativity. If for domination and harm, you will most likely see quick results as they do not have spiritual protection . The candle has a low flame..... In regards to prosperity & luck,cleanse your enviroment. In regards to domination and harm, they are resisting due to a strong spirit and it will be awhile before you see results. It is suggested that you try another spell in combination with the present one to see faster results. The candle burns the glass totally black..... If after the candle burns down the entire glass is black, it is thought to mean that negativity or witchcraft has been directed towards you. Cleansing your enviroment and lighting a reversing candle should do the trick. If this happens when burning a candle to dominate or harm someone they suggest stopping because it may possibly turned back on you. The candle burns the top half of the glass black..... If only the top part of the glass burns black this means that the spell was initially met with negativity before it began to work. The candle burns the bottom half of the glass back..... If it is a candle for prosperity or luck,negativity was sent your way and the candle detected it. If used to dominate or harm, the spirit of the person was alerted and reversed the spell. The candle burns only on one side..... This means that the spell will only be part way effective. This means that the wrong candle or candle dressing was used. The glass cracks..... If being used for self-protection,this means that the candle broke the negativity in the enviroment. This can also mean witchcraft or the presence of secret enemies. If being used to dominate ,it means the protection of the individual was broken. The candle flame crackles..... If for self-protection it means that someone is talking about you and has bad intentions directed towards you. If being used to harm, it means the individual is thinking about you. If the candle has more than one flame..... The center or main flame represents you. If being used for protection each one other than the center one represents an enemy. If being used to dominate, it means that the person is being helped by other people. The candle flickers..... When a candle flame flickers,this signifies the presence of spirits. The entire top of the candle including the wick is on fire..... This means that the spell is being fought off by guardian spirits but more than likely,the spell will be successful. The candle flame goes out during the spell..... If the spell is for protection this means that while the job was being performed, witchcraft was directed your way and your spirits were unable to fight it off. If directed towards another ,thier spirits were able to fight the attack off & have alarmed the individual. Another type of spell must be performed. Can a candle be extinguished & then lit again later? Only a candle being used to bring prosperity or success to an individual may be extingueshed before it has completely burned. If being used to dominate or harm someone,the candle flame must never be put out or the spell will not work. The guardian spirits of the other individual will then have time to prepare and reverse it back on to you. How do you put a candle flame out? Placing a plate over the flame thus allowing the flame to extinguish itself naturally or use a candle snuffer. What if a candle is extinguished and then relights itself? This means that your guardian spirits do not want you to turn the candle off because they are detecting something good or bad for you. If the candle is turned off they cannot assist you effectively. What if a 7 day candle burn out before seven days? This means that the spell is working fast and another candle must be lit immediately. Money is coming in regards to prosperity spells,alot of negativity in regards to reversing spells and in spells of harm, that the individuals spirit is fighting it off but it will soon be successful. What will make a candle spell work more effectively? Using the appropriate incense,oils, herbal bath, salts,powders etc.... NEW! What if the flame of a candle splits into two or more flames? A candles single flame, usually one being burned in matters of love, splitting into two separate flames is believed to indicate a split in the relationship or a division/separation. If burning a break-up or separation candle for a couple, this indicates that your request is being granted. If by some chance the flame splits into 3 flames, this indicates someone interfereng between the couple or your work to break them up.

Some interesting candle Information given to Harry M. Hyatt from African-American informants in the south:

WHY WE BURN CANDLES If you were living here in this house and someone wanted to make you leave without a cause, then they [a hoodoo] would get you to stay in this house. This is a true fact because - you want some Bible facts on it exactly how its done? The way you do you get you three of these gold candles, gold colored candles, and you burn them gold colored candles,burn three until you have burn nine. And when you have burnt the nine,you'll have perfect peace, because the Bible says that they'd burn candles upon candlesticks. But you have the instrument what you burn these candles in of gold, and have the gold colored candles. And I guarantee it'll bring peace and satisfaction here, and the proof is in the Bible. No one can move you out. [These are gilded candles. I found no golden candlestick or container of any kind in the following rites.]

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Malbrough‘s take on this subject as honed from his second book “The Magickal Power Of the Saints-Evocation & Candle Rituals” goes as follows:

THE CANDLE EMITS BLACK SMOKE WHEN LIT: This signals that the candle is beginning to remove negative energy from your desire. THE CANDLE EMITS WHITE SMOKE WHEN LIT: This signals that your prayer will be answered but not without a struggle. A STRONG OR HIGH FLAME: The candle is working by sending out a large amount of power & strength to manifest your desire. This indicates that your prayer will be answered rapidly. A WEAK OR LOW FLAME: The candle is working slowly to remove an obstacle or to bring about positive vibrations. You will have to pray a bit longer and harder to overcome some opposition. A JUMPING FLAME: Spiritual warfare may be occuring on your behalf. If the candle is a war-type candle, the person you are trying to affect is fighting back. IF THE CANDLE CRACKLES: This is thought to mean that the spirits are pleading your case on your behalf. The louder the crackling, the stronger the opposition against you. IF THE SMOKE WAFTS TOWARDS YOU: Your prayer has been acknowledged & will be granted quickly. IF THE SMOKE WAFTS AWAY FROM YOU: Perseverence will be needed to achieve your desire. IF THE SMOKE TURNS TOWARDS YOUR RIGHT : You will need to use a bit of patience with success coming from using your head IF THE SMOKE TURNS TOWARDS YOUR LEFT : You are becoming too emotionally involved with the situation and are in danger of subconsciously sabatoging yourself so that your prayer will not be answered. IF THE GLASS BREAKS: This can depend on what type of work is being done. If an uncrossing , this is good because it indicates that the spell placed upon you or the individual you are petitioning for has been broken. If this happens to candles being used for other reasons it can mean that there is strong pressure from someone working against you. IF THE CLASS REMAINS CLEAR: Your prayer will be granted despite any opposition. IF GLASS TURNS BLACK AT TOP BUT CLEARS TOWARDS BOTTOM: Someone is working against you with the darker the blackening, the stronger the opposition you are facing. he suggest you think possative and persevere. IF THE GLASS TURNS ENTIRELY BLACK: Serious obstacles stand in your way and more work, including uncrossing and negativity removing, needs to be done by a practitioner of your faith.