Here’s everything to know about candle magic and what different candle colors mean, according to experts. As color therapist Walaa AlMuhaiteeb tells mbg, candles give us a way to couple color frequency with fire frequency. “When you combine these two things, you are creating a big frequency exchange and cleanse.” And according to modern mystic and author of Astrology SOS Imani Quinn, candle magic is also great for communicating with spirits, guides, and the universe. Similar to receiving a reading, you can watch the candle burn and gain insights, she says. “With candle magic, you’re going to have an intention set,” she adds. “So, candle magic can help with facilitating manifestation, and it’s a ritual practice that allows you to connect with the divine.” Go for tall glass candles that are clear, so you can closely watch the flame and the wax as it burns, she notes, adding to recite your intentions aloud whenever you light your candle. Quinn tells mbg that the flame size can tell you a lot about how much energy you’re working with. As you can imagine, a big flame means this is a very energized reading. If it’s small, it could indicate you’re dealing with a “slow burn” issue that may take some time to move through. This is also true of the speed at which your candle burns. “If a candle burns really fast and really clean, then there aren’t a lot of limited belief systems or energy blocking that intention. If it takes a long time to burn, that could mean that you’re moving through some different challenges in order to get to that intention,” Quinn explains. If the candle burns black on the clear glass, she adds, that also means there’s a lot of energy and belief systems to move through to help you get to your intention. (Just don’t confuse this for black on the glass left from your lighter—always use a long candle lighter and light it from above to keep this from happening.) Pay attention to the wax as well. When wax sticks to the sides of the glass, aka “tunneling,” this can indicate that you have resistance or “stuckness” on the way to your intention, Quinn says (or you’re just burning your candle incorrectly). And lastly, keep an eye on the candle wick as well. If it starts splitting or you notice it’s moving in a certain direction, Quinn recommends asking your guides what they’re trying to tell you. Quinn also recommends placing your candle in a shallow bowl of water (not fully submerged, of course), to help alchemize the energy, coupling water with fire. She also adds that while it can be tempting to keep a candle burning in an effort to reach your goal faster, that’s not actually how it works. “That won’t necessarily make the intention come sooner. If you’re doing candle magic so you can receive as many messages as you can from your guides, you’re still going to have to work through everything that you need to work through,” she explains.
