The Art of "Candle Talk" --Part 3-- Reading the Wax~~~

Dear Ms. Q,

"O.K. I understand how candles can talk, but what about the wax, does it have anything to say?"

"I got strange shapes in my wax, what does that mean?"

“I burned a free-standing candle and I got these strange images in the wax what does it mean?”

“I burned a male and a female candle and the female candle melted real fast over the male candle what does that mean?”

Wax puddles, and drippings come in all kinds of shapes and do strange things; most practitioners treat them like tea-leaves when they "read" them.   This is the 3^rdpart of Candle workings that practitioners need to understand when doing candle spells or rituals.  This also gives an idea how the spell is or has worked and is in essence a form of divination.  This works very well for free-standing candles but it’s much harder to decipher in glass-enclosed candles

What I’m going to explain here first is for free-standing candles. 

One thing you have to remember is that you should not buy candles that are marketed as drip-less because they will not leave any “signs” for you to read, if you are going to do candle divination buy a candle made of natural wax or beeswax, the beeswax ones maybe a bit more expensive but they tend to reveal the most spiritual information.  

Figure candles and pillar candles that you buy from a metaphysical store will melt and give you signs as well and can be used for candle divination.    

So let’s start with signs and symbols of free-standing pillar candles.  

Obviously if a free-standing candle leaves little or no wax residue, that is the best sign and your spell will be completed.

But most of the time a free-standing candle burns down to a puddle of wax, forming transient or in some cases persistent images. The shape may suggest an outcome regarding present or future matters, but it depends upon interpretation.

Transient images (those images that appear and then melt away) are those that show up while the candle is burning but disappear by the time the candle flame has gone out. Persistent images are those which are left in the form of solid wax after the flame has burned out.

While the wax melts and forms images, during the burning process a practioner will note what they see and the date and time they see it, it could be something of importance, for the shape may suggest a passage of something a person is going through, when the wax is finally melted and there is an image it will tell the outcome regarding the matter at hand.

One transient image that often forms while a candle burns, but may disappear by the time it is finished, is a run of wax droplets down the side of the candle. These are called "tears" or a “cascade of tears” they indicate that someone will cry before the spell succeeds. If the wax drips a lot, and forms hanging “waterfalls” or “frozen drops”, cascade flows, it’s usually means a sign that the success will come, but with a lot of effort and possibly tears preceding it, and more so if these remain after the candle has burnt down.  These are often seen as something that is in transit, because they rarely remain after the candle has burnt all the way down.  

If the tears melt away and are gone by the time the candle is finished, the sorrow will pass in due time.

If the tears persist after the candle is finished and either hang down like icicles or form unburned wax tears, the sorrow will be affecting a person for some time.

Once the candle is finished burning , the wax puddle that remains can be examined and its meaning related to the spell.

For example, if you are burning a red Eve image candle or a pink Adam image candle for a love spell and a heart-shaped wax puddle forms that is a good sign.

Conversely if you are burning a black devil candle against an enemy and a coffin-shaped wax puddle forms that too is a good sign.

But obviously if it is reversed then you have a serious problem.

This is a list of the number of common shapes you would see in a puddle of melted wax:

AIRPLANE - A trip of a disappointment

ANCHOR - Your loved one is true

BABY - Troubles are coming

BALL or BALLOON - Your problem will not last very long

BEANS - Money difficulties

BED - A vacation would be good for you

BELLS - A wedding

BIRD - News will reach you soon

BRIDGE - Take a chance

BROOM - Make a change

CANDLE - Spiritual growth

CAT - A friend is untrue

CHAIN - Go ahead with your plans

CIRCLE - Reconciliation

CLOUD - Something or someone threatens you

CROSS - Do not fear for you are protected

CROWN - Sickness

CUP - Bitter quarrel with a friend

DOG - Your self-esteem is too low

EAR - Be alert for an opportunity to advance in your work

EGG - New developments soon

FAN - A surprise is in store for you

FEATHER - The problem will be solved

FISH - Someone will betray you

GHOST - Someone from the past is looking for you

GRASS - Good fortune is approaching

HAT - A change of location is indicated

HEART - A friendship will turn into love

HOUSE - Better times are coming

KEY - A setback in plans should be expected

KITE - Your wish will come to naught

LADDER - Take steps to change your attitude toward an old friend

LEAF or LEAVES - Things will be changing soon

LION - An unpleasant situation is developing

MOON - Indicates more money

MOUNTAIN - Good friends are willing to help you

PANTS - You will be tempted

PEN - Expect a letter from a relative

PIN - Your lover may be attracted to another

PIPE - Peace and comfort

RING - Marriage may be possible in the near future

SCISSORS - Separation

SHOE - Be suspicious of a new acquaintance

SNAKE - Be on guard against an enemy

SPIDER WEB - Pleasant happenings

STAR - Happiness

SUN - Good fortune

TABLE - An abundance of blessings

TREE - A good time for new undertakings

UMBRELLA - Trouble is coming

WALKING STICK - Get out of the house and visit friends

WHEEL - One who has been away will return soon

WITCH - Danger will pass you by

WORM - Business troubles ahead if you are not careful 

(This list is by no means definitive and a good book on the symbols of tea leaves reading is very helpful, in time your own intuition will tell you what you’re seeing)

Sometimes letters or what appears to be words will form as well.

Other signs are long serpent-like strings indicating evil intent being neutralized and probably the need to repeat spell may be required.

Heart shaped wax puddles are positive when working love spells.

Even if you’re not working a love spell the appearance of a heart is a good sign if you’re looking for love.

Wax flowing in the direction the house of the person you want to effect is a good sign.

Round coin shapes are good if you’re looking for wealth.

A new moon shape indicates new beginnings.

The shape of an eye could be a warning about the “evil eye” or “glance of malice” influence or that someone is watching you.   

A Coffin shaped puddle indicates success when burning a candle against a nemesis.

Flat wavy papery remains usually with two claw-like projections are read as scorpions which means malicious gossip and back biting that is being neutralized. You’ll need to repeat the spell until the wax burns clean.

Twisted pillars of wax, bizarre shapes or monsters are read as turbulence and further healing is required.

Wax remains in the shape of sex organs usually means some sort of infidelity or a venereal disease (in the case of the latter go to a doctor to be sure)

This one has recently appeared especially among Hispanic folk, if a hooded figure appears it means that “Santa Muerte” Holy Death has been invoked and requires a further ritual to neutralize this.   If one is not Hispanic it still means that a negative spell has been cast and a protective ritual or strengthening your protections are needed.

It’s not unusual for the images of an animal to appear in the wax--- on the positive side, it could be an animal spirit or totem that is close to you and imparting a message to you.   There are books out there that talk about the messages of animal totems.  

But if you practice Santería or Palo Mayombe  and shapes of animals, cats, goats, domestic animals and fowls  appear it could mean that an animal sacrifice took place to strengthen a spell against you. A further ritual might be called for to neutralize the spell. Many folks will either make or buy tallow candles for uncrossing and unhexing spells to do this.   But for those who practice Santeria etc. go to a reputable Babalowel (High Priest) to do a divination to see if this is correct.

A free-standing candle that lets out a lot of smoke but burns clean at the end means hidden trouble or someone working against your wishes. Things will not go well at first, but with repeated work you will overcome.

The way a candle unfolds as it melts can be very significant.  If it unfolds like a flower that is a sign that your wish will be granted. It represents possibilities and paths opening for you.

A candle that is too lopsided in one direction or another, usually means that you are dealing with a situation that is way out of balance.

If the flame is buried by the wax that is often a sign that the wish will not be granted.

If it’s a spell to influence two people, who are, or should be romantically involved, and you’re using figural candles for the spell if the wax melts, and connects them firmly at their base this is a good omen, especially if it’s was some kind of reunion, or marriage, or other kind or love or friendship spell.

But If it’s a separation spell, this would indicate that the two people will fight and but they will overcome the spell, and remain together. 

If one is doing some kind of marriage spell, or fidelity spell with the bride and groom figural candle,  and one party ( bride or groom ) drips intensively over another,  it means that person (male or female) is more  eager on getting married and is trying to “cling” onto  the other party.

It can also mean that in a relationship that person will dominate the other and it would not be a good partnership.

This is the basic meaning of free-standing candles,  if you use herbs or glitter to fix the free standing candle and it forms shapes in the wax read them as you would tea leaves.

You have to remember in reading the wax listen to  your intuition the symbol meaning  list only give an indication but by using your intuition you can see more to what the wax signs are saying, you also have to remember the symbolism will vary depending upon the candle used and the purpose of the ritual or spell.

If you are using pins in a candle how the drop or don’t drop but instead cling can also means something.

A pin or needle on a marked free-standing candle drops -- but it clings and won't fall

Either the person for whom the candle is being burned or yourself if you’re burning the candle for you,  is clinging to past conditions or someone or something from the  past is unwilling to let the person go.

The term "past conditions" can even mean events or memories from the person past.

The term "someone or something" means that it may be a living person, or a hostile spirit sent against the client, or a spirit of the dead, or the spirit of a drug or illness.

If the person is the one who is clinging, you will probably know it by knowing the person's case.

If someone or something is clinging to the person, it is likely to be the same someone or something that is the cause of or is a part of whatever is the person’s problem or situation that you are working to remedy.

If, based on your knowledge of the situation, you don't know which situation applies (i.e. whether the person is clinging to him/her/it or he/she/it is clinging to the person), you need to do a simple divination on which situation is the operative one at this time.

Once you know which it is, then you can address the issue through spiritual and magical remediation:

If the person or yourself is the one clinging to the past, then cleanse the person (or yourself) by administering a Black Walnut bath to break ties with the past.

If someone or something is clinging to the person, then give the person a cleansing Van Van bath followed by a Cut and Clear rite (or, in a pinch, simply add Cut and Clear Dressing Oil to the  candle) to break that clinginess off.

If what is clinging to the person is very strong -- for instance, if it is the spirit of a drug or a bad companion who hangs around -- you may also have to do some Cast Off Evil and/or Hot Foot work.

Either way if a pin clings to the candle you have something that needs to be cleared up and broken off.

Reading the wax in Glass enclosed or Novena candles---

I’ve given interpretations on how the flame, smoke and/or soot will be read in a glass enclosed candle but there is also the wax.

If a glass encased vigil or novena candle burns and leaves no marks on the glass that is best results.

BUT A vigil candle burns down but leaves up to 1/2" of unburned wax at the bottom,  Unburned wax at the bottom of a glass-encased vigil candle is a classic sign of "unfinished business."

What that means will depend upon the nature of the condition for which the spiritual work was being done:   Here are some examples.

If the candle was being burned to rid someone of sickness, then the sign means that some sickness remains; it has not been completely cured. (Remember this is in addition to getting the person well, not as a substitute, always, ALWAYS seek proper medical help from a Doctor or Emergency clinic.)

 If the candle was being burned to draw in new love or return an old love, then this sign means that the person will not come completely, just part-way, due to issues not caused by the person or yourself, but rather due to "unfinished business" on the part of the person’s loved one.

 If the candle was being burned to harm someone, it may hurt them, but not severely; if it was intended to cause death, it may damage them but it is not going to kill.

  If the candle was being burned to keep the law away, they may stay away for one reason, but some other, older, "unfinished business" may draw them back.

 If the candle was being burned to draw money, then the sign means that the money may come part-way, not completely, and that there may be "unfinished business" to be handled before the petition is granted.

Herbs or glitter clinging to the sides of the glass enclosed candle, these maybe read like tea leaves and also note at what position did these items cling to the glass, at the top, near the top, the middle, past the middle, down at the end,  that will give you a time line when the symbol that indicates when it took place.

As always, remember reading the wax, the drippings, etc. is always a matter of intuition upon your part, as you get familiar with it then it will become second nature to you and give you a better idea how your spell craft is working. 

Catherine Yronwode has said “….a well-experienced home practitioner, or a professional root worker -- is looking for is a single divinatory narrative that combines the "statements" of the three "witnesses" to the burning: the flame, the wax, and the smoke.

In addition, sometimes there will be other "witnesses" -- the glass may crack, the label may scorch.

Again, the experienced candle setter consults ALL of these "witnesses" to the work.

It is all too problematic to light a candle and start worrying over it as it burns. Resist that temptation.”

And I agree with that statement, allow the candle to burn to do it’s “thing”, take notes as it burns, but don’t interfere with it, then when it has completed its burning, read the signs that are left and put it together with your notes and you will be able to tell how well the spell or ritual has gone, but don’t worry about it.   Doing that will send up negative energies and you don’t want that to sabotage your workings

On my Final post on the “ART OF CANDLE TALK” I will be dealing with the disposal of your spell workings.    I’m also going to be “tweaking” here and there these 4 posts as I come across more information in my notes, but this will give you all a start to understand candle spell/ritual work.

Blessings to you,

Ms. Q