Candle reading, also known as CEROMANCY, is a form of divination that involves interpreting the shapes, patterns, and movements of candle wax and flames. It's a practice that connects with intuition and symbolism to gain insights into situations, questions, or personal journeys. Here's a breakdown of how to approach candle reading:

Preparation:

• Set the Mood: Choose a quiet space where you won't be disturbed. Dim the lights and create a calm atmosphere. You might want to light some incense or play soft music.
• Focus Your Intention: Before lighting the candle, center yourself and clearly define what you're seeking guidance on. Formulate a specific question or area of focus.
• Choose Your Candle: While any candle can be used, many prefer natural beeswax or soy candles for their cleaner burn and lack of synthetic additives. The color of the candle can also hold symbolic meaning (e.g., pink for love, green for abundance).
• Light the Candle: As you light the candle, visualize your intention and ask for guidance.

Observation:

• The Flame: Observe the flame's behavior. A tall, strong flame often indicates positive energy and progress. A flickering flame might suggest uncertainty or obstacles. A low flame could signify a need for patience or introspection. If the flame jumps or sputters, it might indicate external influences or unexpected events.
• The Wax: Pay close attention to how the wax melts and solidifies. Look for shapes, patterns, and symbols in the wax drippings. These can be interpreted intuitively or through traditional symbol dictionaries. For example:
• Hearts: Love, relationships, emotional connection
• Birds: Messages, communication, freedom
• Angels: Guidance, protection, spiritual support
• Numbers: Look up the numerological meaning of any numbers that appear.
• Letters: Could represent initials or significant people in your life.
• Rings/Circles: Commitment, cycles, completion
• Tears: Emotional release, sadness, grief
• Animals: Each animal has its own symbolic meaning.
• The Residue: After the candle has burned down, examine the remaining wax residue. The shapes and patterns here can offer further insights.

 

Interpretation:

• Intuition is Key: Trust your gut feeling. The most important aspect of candle reading is your intuition. What do the shapes and symbols feel like to you? What comes to mind when you see them?
• Symbolism: Use a candle reading or symbol dictionary to explore the traditional meanings of the symbols you observe. Combine this with your intuitive understanding.
• Context is Crucial: Consider your original question or intention when interpreting the signs. How do the symbols relate to your situation?
• Journaling: Keep a journal of your candle readings. Note the flame's behavior, the wax shapes, and your interpretations. This will help you develop your skills and recognize recurring patterns.

Important Considerations:

• No Right or Wrong: Candle reading is subjective. There's no single "correct" interpretation. Trust your intuition and what resonates with you.
• Personal Meaning: Symbols can have personal meanings that are unique to you. Pay attention to any associations you have with certain images or patterns.
• Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practice candle reading, the more attuned you'll become to the subtle messages and symbolism.
• Candle reading is a tool for self-discovery and guidance. It can offer valuable insights and help you connect with your inner wisdom. Remember to approach it with respect and an open mind.

 

Common Animal Symbols in Candle Reading

• Bear: Strength, courage, introspection, grounding, protection. May indicate a need to connect with your inner power or face a challenge with bravery.
• Bird: Freedom, communication, messages, spiritual connection, travel. Could signify new opportunities, news coming your way, or a need to express yourself.
• Butterfly: Transformation, change, rebirth, beauty, grace. Often represents personal growth, shedding old patterns, or embracing a new phase of life.
• Cat: Independence, intuition, mystery, grace, agility. May suggest a need to trust your instincts, embrace your independence, or pay attention to hidden influences.
• Dog: Loyalty, friendship, protection, faithfulness, guidance. Can indicate strong relationships, support from loved ones, or a need to be more loyal to yourself.
• Dragon: Power, strength, passion, transformation, wisdom. Symbolizes overcoming obstacles, harnessing your inner power, or embarking on a significant journey.
• Eagle: Vision, perspective, freedom, spiritual insight, leadership. May suggest a need to broaden your horizons, gain a new perspective, or step into a leadership role.
• Fish: Emotions, intuition, creativity, abundance, subconscious. Can represent deep feelings, connecting with your intuition, or manifesting abundance in your life.
• Fox: Cunning, intelligence, adaptability, strategy, resourcefulness. May indicate a need to be clever in a situation, use your resourcefulness, or be mindful of deception.
• Horse: Strength, power, freedom, grace, movement, journey. Symbolizes personal power, the drive to move forward, or embarking on a new path.
• Lion: Courage, strength, leadership, confidence, passion. Represents inner strength, taking charge of your life, or expressing your authentic self with confidence.
• Owl: Wisdom, intuition, mystery, insight, knowledge. May suggest a need to trust your intuition, seek deeper knowledge, or pay attention to your dreams.
• Rabbit: Abundance, fertility, new beginnings, luck, swiftness. Can represent new opportunities, growth, or a need to be mindful of moving too quickly.
• Snake: Transformation, rebirth, healing, wisdom, primal energy. Symbolizes shedding old skin, embracing change, or connecting with your inner wisdom.
• Spider: Creativity, weaving, manifestation, patience, connection. May indicate a need to be creative, manifest your desires, or pay attention to the connections in your life.
• Wolf: Loyalty, family, community, intuition, intelligence. Represents strong bonds with loved ones, working together towards a common goal, or trusting your instincts.

Remember these points when interpreting animal symbols:

• Context is Key: How does the animal's energy relate to your question or situation?
• Personal Meaning: What does this animal symbolize to you? Trust your own associations.
• Combine with Other Symbols: Don't just focus on the animal. Consider the other shapes, patterns, and flame behavior for a complete picture.

By paying attention to the animal symbols that appear in your candle readings, you can gain deeper insights and connect with the wisdom of the natural world.

Divination by Wax and Water: A Whispering of Secrets

Another method of discerning the candle's counsel involves the interplay of wax and water. As the heated wax spills forth and encounters the coolness of the water, it congeals, creating forms that hold significance. This practice, akin to the reading of tea leaves, invites one to explore the veiled meanings within these solidified shapes.

To commence, fill a vessel of glass with a few inches of water, a receptacle prepared to receive the candle's pronouncements. Select a candle that aligns with your inquiry – its hue a guide to the energies you summon. Ignite the wick, a beacon of illumination, and hold the candle poised above the water, concentrating your thoughts upon the question residing within your heart.

As the flame flickers and the wax commences its flow, gently incline the candle, permitting the molten wax to drip upon the water's surface. Observe as the droplets coalesce, fashioning shapes that murmur tales. Should the wax hesitate, be aware that your concentration must deepen, your link to the question fortified. After a brief span, a distinct configuration will materialize, a sign awaiting comprehension. Gently extinguish the flame, allowing the wax to cool and solidify.

Now, direct your gaze upon the shape that has taken form. Scrutinize its contours, its texture, and allow your intuition to be your guide. Touch the wax, sensing for any resonance, any hint of meaning that arises within you. Trust in the messages that emerge, for they are uniquely yours.

Bear in mind, the language of symbols is personal and protean. An image may possess disparate meanings for different souls. A star, for instance, could signify hope and direction, or it could represent a yearning for something beyond grasp. What you perceive in the wax is a reflection of your own internal landscape, a communication tailored expressly for you.
While external resources may offer insights into the symbolism of forms, the truest interpretation resides within. Trust your instincts, for they are the key to unlocking the mysteries held within the wax. Permit the images to address you, and you shall discover the wisdom that dwells in the dance of wax and water.