Candles can be powerful tools for rituals and create an inviting atmosphere in your home, but sometimes, they just won't cooperate. If you've ever experienced the frustration of a candle that refuses to stay lit, don't worry; you're not alone. In this guide, we'll explore common reasons why candles may extinguish prematurely and provide you with troubleshooting tips to help you enjoy a consistent, soothing glow.
1. Trim the Wick:
One of the most common reasons candles extinguish is an excessively long wick. Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. A long wick can create a large, flickering flame that may snuff itself out. Keep it short and well-centered for optimal burning.
2. Remove Debris:
Sometimes, debris like matches or wick trimmings can fall into the candle, obstructing the wick and causing it to extinguish. If this happens, gently re/move any debris using a metal butter knife, wick dipper or a pair of tweezers. Be careful not to damage the wick in the process.
3. Eliminate Drafts:
Drafts from open windows, fans, or air conditioning can disrupt the flame and cause your candle to extinguish. Find a sheltered spot away from drafts to ensure a consistent burn. If necessary, use a draft guard or create a wind-free environment around the candle.
4. Burn for a Sufficient Time:
Candles have a memory. During the first burn, allow the wax to melt all the way to the edges of the container. This helps prevent tunneling and ensures an even burn in subsequent uses. Extinguishing the candle too soon can lead to tunneling and uneven wax levels.
5. Position the Candle:
Ensure that your candle is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from flammable materials. An uneven or wobbly surface can cause the candle to tip over or extinguish prematurely.
6. Keep the Wick Upright:
If the wick becomes off-center while burning, it may not receive an adequate supply of wax and oxygen. Gently reposition the wick with a wick dipper or a similar tool to ensure it remains upright.
7. Avoid Overexposure to Oxygen:
Allowing too much oxygen to reach the flame can result in a candle that burns too hot and extinguishes. If your candle struggles to stay lit, consider partially covering it with a glass shade or cloche to reduce oxygen exposure.
8. Check for Wax Pool Blockage:
If a candle's wax pool becomes obstructed by unmelted wax or debris, it can smother the flame. To fix this, use a wick dipper or a similar tool to carefully move aside any blockages, allowing the wax pool to expand and the flame to thrive.
9. Knock and roll your candle:
Physics or metaphysics can be behind the trouble keeping the candle lit, but this technique can help either. Hold your candle at the cool part of the glass, or with an oven mitt, and tilt it at a 45 degree angle. As the wax begins to pool on the low side of the glass, rotate the candle either toward yourself (for attracting spells) or away from yourself (for repelling spells). This allows more wax to melt, creating a bigger wax pool surrounding the wick. Do this, periodically turning it back upright to see if the wax pool has reached the entire width of the glass. Once it has, your candle should stay lit.
10. Wrap the chamber with foil:
In an effort to ensure the wax pool surrounding the wick reaches across the diameter, you may try wrapping the exterior with foil. This increases the temperature inside, and melts the wax faster, often resulting in a better wax pool.
11. Splint your wick:
Cut a piece of regular cotton or hemp wick, or even wooden wick. Usually a few inches will do. Shove it into the warm or melted wax next to the candle's wick. Light the splint and original wick, the splint will act as a supplemental booster. But be careful, if your wick splint is too powerful it can blacken the glass with soot or create a tall flame. Don't leave it unattended.
12. Use a candle warmer:
As a last ditch effort to finish your candle burn, you may place it on a candle warmer. Doing so allows the wax to melt, the spell to finish, and any fragrance to fill the space.
If nothing works, the issue is simply part of your candle's divination. Don't panic, it happens to all witches. Difficulty initiating the burn demonstrates resistance to your spell's petition. Inability to keep the flame lit can either be symbolic of an obstacle blocking the completion of your spell, or someone working against your intention. In all of these scenarios, I suggest you stop the spell , do further reading of your candle and properly dispose of it. Do not keep partially burned or unfinished spells sitting around the house. That creates stagnant and stuck energy. Afterward, cleanse your space. Do or get a reading to see what the issue and solution are, then follow any recommended follow-up spell work suggestions from there.
A candle that refuses to stay lit can be frustrating, but with these troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common issues and enjoy a consistent, calming glow. Remember that spell work means you are often meant to work your spells; to trim the wick, eliminate drafts, and provide a stable environment for your candle etc. By addressing these issues, you'll be able to savor the soothing ambiance of candlelight in your home... most of the time.