Author: A Solitary Pagan

In European-American traditions, many people bury candle wax and other remains after a spell is cast. Burial toward the appropriate quarter of the compass is considered a thoughtful way to go about this. Some neo-pagans dispose of ritual or spell remains in a bonfire or fireplace. If the intention of the spell is positive or involves matters around your own home, like blessing, love-drawing, money...

Generally a fast burn is good, but an overly fast burn means that although the work will go well, its effect will not last long. Again you might wait before retrying the spell, though sometimes a fast result is required. You should use your own judgement.

The candle tips over and flames up into a potential fire hazard Provided that you know you have placed the candles properly, this indicates there is danger about for you or your client. You should clear your sacred space and cleanse it by whatever means you prefer. It is probably wise to wait a while before retrying the spell and remember to take a ritual bath before you do.

This can mean that the spell you are using is not the most appropriate one and you need to use stronger means than you first employed. It can also mean that someone is actively working against you. In this case it is wise to go back to the beginning and start your whole spell over again.

There is a dirty, black burn (especially one that deposits soot on a glass-encased candle) This means things are not going to go well – the spell may not work, the blessing may fail, the person is in deeper stress or trouble than you first thought. There is a great deal of negativity around. Sometimes it is good to change the focus of the candle and ask that it be used to burn off the negativ...

A free-standing candle lets out a lot of smoke but burns clean at the end Difficult conditions need to be dealt with first of all but eventually conditions improve.

A glass-encased candle burns clean to begin with but ‘dirty’ with a great deal of smoke later This indicates that things will go well to begin with, but there are other conditions that have not yet revealed themselves and will need to be resolved. Someone may be working against the required outcome, so the correct timing and correspondences of further spells are crucial.

A free-standing candle burns down to a puddle of wax or sets in runs down the side of the candle When this happens, most workers will examine the shape of the wax for a sign. For instance, a heart-shaped wax puddle is a good sign if you are burning a red candle for a love spell. You may see something of importance there, for the shape of the run may suggest an outcome regarding the matter at ...