What Does It Mean When My Candle Starts To Flicker?

Using candles in rituals are commonly seen in various religions and beliefs all over the world. Candles are commonly used to connect with the divine or the ethereal realm to manifest, remember or honor great deities and those who have passed. 

Candle magick is no different from how you use candles for praying and making an affirmation. In fact, without even knowing it, you have been practicing candle magick once a year since you were born!

Birthday candles are no different from candle magick. You make a wish, perhaps a goal or an intention, you stare at the candles for a second or so and blow them out. 

What makes a candle magical is the thought, message, or intention that you send the flame with, into the spiritual realm. 

Candles also make good focal points during meditation. It helps you center and focus on your affirmations – away from doubts, negative thoughts, and self-limiting beliefs. 

Balance of Elements

Candle magick is a great way to connect and balance the elemental energies around and within you. This is because the four elements, water, air, earth, and fire, are present in a lighted candle. 

The flame, unmistakably, represents the element of fire. This represents your passion, drive, willpower, and motivation in achieving our goals. 

The wax of the candle represents the water element, because of its ability to turn into liquid and, eventually, into gas. This element connects you with the divine feminine, responsible for maintaining the quality of your relationships, including with yourself. 

The oxygen, which makes it possible for a candle to be lit, represents the element of air. This element is associated with your intuition, knowledge, and wisdom brought by your Highest Self. 

On the other hand, the base of the candle represents your root, the earth element which is responsible for grounding you especially in times of wrath and unconsciousness. 

All these elements help guide your intention to the ethereal realm where it can be heard by the divine and sent back for you to experience fully as a successful manifestation. 

Reading a Flickering Candle with the Four Elements

Elements play an important role in reading a flickering candle. As mentioned above, these elements are internally present in a lit candle to support your path and, may speak its message through a flickering candle.

Traditionally, a flickering flame may easily be interpreted as the presence of spirits, but that would be too vague and imprecise. 

Here’s a suggestion: Take into consideration that a flickering candle may not always mean the presence of spirits. 

A flickering flame can be based on the four compass points that may as well represent the four elements we discussed earlier. 

• North (Earth): If a flame flickers north, this could mean that forces that influence your path come externally. This includes your environment, home, and the people you surround yourself with. 
  
  
• East (Air): If a flame flickers east, this could suggest that you might be looking too far ahead by making unrealistic expectations or making yourself a barrier by binging on self-limiting beliefs.
  
  
• South (Fire): If a flame flickers south, this could mean that your intention is being surrounded by strong, positive energy. This could suggest that you are on the right track and you are bound to experience your manifestations soon.
  
  
• West (Water): If a flame flickers west, your emotions may either be clouding or supporting your path. When you experience a west flickering flame, it may be the best time to reassess, evaluate, and acknowledge your emotions.