Ever wondered if it’s okay to put a spell candle out so you can relight it later?
Curious if that makes your spell less effective? You’re not alone.
As a Hoodoo Rootworker I get asked these kinds of questions and more *all the time*. So I thought it might be nice to answer the questions I get asked about spell candles most often here so more folks can be in the know. 🙂
That being said, there is no one “right way” to do anything. Not even in witchcraft. Only traditions. However, these responses are my opinion as a professional conjurewomxn who has been doing candle magick for a *very* long time. So, say what ya want. Do what ya will. Here are my answers to y’alls most commonly asked questions:
Can I do a candle spell for someone else? Yes. Many Rootworkers like myself offer altar services where we set lights for other folks. You can choose to set lights for or upon someone else, and alternately I can also set lights for or upon someone for you. Most commonly these workings are healing, hexing, protection or other “influencing” spells.
Can I do a candle spell for more than one purpose? That depends. Yes and no. Some candles are “dual action” and are made to cover 2 types of energetic workings, ex: Abundance Abound is pink and green, meant to cover abundance of love and prosperity. So yes, with a dual-action candle you can have a dual-intention. However, you can’t do the same with a single action (single color) candle spell. Those are meant for a single purpose, ex: you wouldn’t light a Fiery Wall of Protection candle and expect it to cover protection *and* bringing you a new job. Instead you would do a separate candle for a new job, perhaps the Golden Opportunity candle or Booked & Blessed candle.
Can I do more than one candle spell at a time? Yes! You can do more than one spell working at a time. You can ask for love and money. Protection and to shut someone up. It is also very common to light one candle after another, ex: another Money Drawing candle after one finishes. Some folks work the same spell for great lengths of time to keep the mojo goin’. Whatever you need!
What if the candle I lit goes out? Don’t worry! This happens more often than you think! Re-light it, NBD! More often than not, this is just a foretelling sign of how your desired outcome will have a bumpy or stop & go start before it materializes.
What if the candle I lit keeps going out? Witches, it’s called “spell work” for a reason. You are meant to “work” your spells, meaning it’s not always a light it and walk away situation. Some spells require lots of working. That’s why folks choose to pay a Rootworker to set lights for them. I work from home and consistently check in on the spells on my altar in case they need working. When a candle goes out repeatedly, sometimes it’s due to another person working against you or some other malevolent force. Sometimes it’s due to your own resistance to your wish, or the amount of obstacles that must be overcome. And sometimes, it’s just because you left the ceiling fan on too high and science is a thing! No matter what it is, re-light the damn thing! Lol. If you really want to know why this is happening you can see if your candle results reveal why, do a reading yourself or consult a Rootworker in a reading.
What if the wick isn’t centered or too close to the glass? Again, this is no big deal. Wicks move and if it gets too near the glass, it can mark your candle glass with soot or the label with scorch marks. These are indicative of an unfavorable outcome or outside influence, which you don’t want… so this is where you simply take a fire safe object and move the wick.
Won’t messing with the candle affect the results? Yes, and that’s what you want, isn’t it?! We do spell work to influence energy and working your candle can ensure that it will achieve the outcome you intended. Don’t be afraid to work your spells, getting over this fear is part of embracing how doing magick empowers your autonomy.
What should I use to manipulate the wick or the spell ingredients? I tend to use a stainless steel butter knife or metal tongs to scoot the wick back toward the center. I also use these to remove any spell ingredients that get stuck to the wick.
Why does my candle make sizzling & popping noises? These sounds are an indication of spirits speaking through your candle flame. Stop, listen and tune in to what they’re saying. If you’re unsure, do or get a reading.
What if the flame is really low? Keep an eye on your candle in case the flame goes out. The low flame can indicate a slow beginning to the materialization of your spells results.
What if the flame is really tall? Dope! Burn baby, burn! (I’m an Aries, not sorry! Lol) Keep an eye on this candle for fire risk, be sure that nothing is within range of the flame or its radiating heat. Always a good idea to feel how far the heat radiates from your candle and assess the safety of its placement.
Can I leave the candle burning overnight? I cannot tell you to leave it burning, for legal liability reasons. Letting any fire burn unattended is a fire risk. Some people do leave candles burning overnight (especially Rootworkers) because they have a designated fire safe area for them to burn. Many folks find it beneficial to stand their candles inside of metal baking trays or other metal walled dishes regardless of how they burn their candles. Some even fill the trays with water or sand.
Should I let the candle burn while I’m not home? It is never 100% safe to leave a candle unattended.
Is it safe to let the candle burn until it finishes? That depends on whether or not you’ll be able to attend the candle for the duration of its burn.
Is it okay to blow out my candle? It’s not the end of the world if you blow out a candle, however, traditionally it’s not optimal to “blow out” your blessings.
Can I just re-light my candle? Or is there something else I need to do? You can simply re-light your candle and go about your business, or if your intuition tells you that there’s something more you’d like to do, you should probably listen to that. It’s not a bad idea to light it and say a prayer or thank your ancestors or the spirits you’ve petitioned for help.
What do I do with my candle spell remnants? This depends on your spell. Generally, it’s a good idea to clean the inside of a 7-day candle’s glass chamber and then recycle the glass.
What if the candle glass is completely black when the spell is complete? Unless this is a hexing or cursing spell where you could read the black soot as a *successful* marker for your working, this is an indication that you might need a reading to determine your next steps or that you may want to try this spell over again.
How do I know if more spell work is necessary? It is *rare* that it only takes 1 spell to achieve desired results, so don’t fret if the first one didn’t do it or do it enough. Lucky for you, I made a YouTube video where I share how you’ll know if it’s a good idea to do another spell.
How can I learn how to read my own candles? I have a 3 class/11+ hours long online course available in my shop, where I teach everything you need to know about Hoodoo candle magick, including how to read candles. You can check it out here.
I hope these responses ease your mind and satiate your curiosity! And if there’s something I missed, feel free to ask me questions in the comments.
XO Megan Alexandria
Can I Move My Candle From One Place To Another Without Interference?
Yes, you absolutely can. Take care to be cautious of the glass being hot, and of course you’ll want to select a fire safe location to move it to. And be sure to take the petition paper beneath your candle along with it, if you do all of that it should be totally fine! Happy casting!
Once a candle is lite can you add oils to it the following day. If you don’t have the right oils. Or can you just use olive oil
I haven’t done it after a candle is lit, so I’d be careful of flamability. Probably best to snuff the candle, then add oil. Yes you can use olive oil 🙂
Can I take some of the wax out so the wick won’t go out? The wick wasn’t higher than the wax before I lit it.
Yes, as I mentioned in the article, you’re always welcome to “work” your spells. 😉
I’m doing candle work for my grandfather who is having health issues. I have some large candles I plan to burn overnight. I’ve only worked with small candles before. I’ve heard that a witch/practitioner who leaves their candle burning unattended isn’t a “real” witch and their spell won’t work. Is this true? Can I set the intention and leave it burning all day or night while I go about my business? Is this going to ruin the intention I set or invite negative energies while I’m not there to maintain the intention? Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi Danika, sorry to hear your grandfather is having health issues. Re: leaving spellwork unattended.. As a Rootworker I set lights for people all day every day, and I still have a life to live. Lol. Leaving candles unattended doesn’t impact effectiveness of spell work and doesn’t make you any less of a real witch. (Not in my book, anyway.) However, there are fire safety concerns to consider when deciding when or how to leave candles unattended. Some folks choose to snuff them out before they leave and relight them upon return. Others leave them burning in a fire safe dish, sometimes with an inch or two of water in the bottom. Anyway, whatever you decide bears no impact on inviting negative energies per say, though I do advise you have an element of protection from malevolent energy on your candle altar and ask your ancestors to aid your work in this way also. That usually does the trick just fine 🙂 I hope that helps!
Do I have to burn the entire candle in order for my spell to work?
In general, it’s entirely possible to obtain the results you desire before the burn finishes. However, finishing the candle is advised for optimal results and is widely regarded as the best way to go. I’ve certainly had odd (read:not awesome) things happen from unfinished spell work.
Sooo, that booked and blessed WILL NOT STAY LIT at all, i was also burning the high john should i jjst wait to used the booked or buy a new one the wick seems to be going faster leaving it too low to not go out and i have tried everything to get it lit.
Hello! Sometimes that happens, it’s a sign of deep interference. I would use the cleansing (uncrossing) items first and then make another attempt. You could continue to try to relight that one, and if you decide it’s just not going to light, I would get another one. But make sure you get things cleansed and protected first.
Hi can I snuff my candle then relight it again?
Hello, you absolutely can 🙂
What does an overflowing candle mean ? I’ve been doing my own candle work for about a year now and this is the first time I’ve seen this during a spell. It feels good though, as if I’m to expect an overflowing of what I’m asking.
Always trust your intuition. Many folks use many systems for candle spell reading, I read each one intuitively. It sounds like you’re spot on, you’ll know soon based on your results. However, if it’s a non-glass encased candle it helps to read the wax that remains when the candle is finished. If it’s a glass encased candle, overflowing sounds like abundant energy to me if it’s an attraction motivated spell. 😉 May it bring you many blessings!
i was doing a spell and left my candle alone, my mum blew it out , is this a problem? Can i just relight it, will the spell still work?
Hi Samira! It’s not optimal for anyone to blow out a candle, but it’s not the end of the world either fortunately! I would pray with my hands over the unlit candle, charging it with my energy, and then relight the candle. Maybe get a candle snuffer, leave it by the candle and let dear mum know that if she needs to, she may snuff out your candle but not blow it out.
What if my candle turned off in its own and the top of the glass is really black? Should I relight it saying a prayer or throw it away and start a new candle?
I would say a prayer and relight it. After it’s finished burning you can divine it to see if another candle is needed.
Am meant to tip out the wax as it burns or do I leave it???
Ideally you would leave it. I only tip out the wax if there’s an issue with the wick or spell ingredients.
Hello there! I lit a figure candle with the woman standing and the man kneeling facing her. On the right side, there’s a part of the woman that’s still standing and a small part of the man and legs still standing. The wick has finished. What does this mean?
Hello there, I do offer candle divination services if you’d like me to read your spell results for you. https://revolutionarymystic.as.me
Hello…….I’m a beginner in working candles. I burned a 7 day jinx removing candle and on the last day before it burn out I started a money drawing candle and I felt an energy change so I put the it out and use frankincense incense(that’s all I had) to try to alter the energy. Would it be ok to relight my money drawing candle or should I start over with a new one? I have a success candle also I was thinking about burning along with it to aid with it.
Hello, It’s certainly okay to relight your candle. If your results aren’t favorable, then you’ll want to repeat the spell. Burning a success candle with it can help.
Thank you so much!
Hi. I am burning a torso candle but since the torso is wide so the shoulders aren’t burning. Is it ok if i press the shoulders in to make them or will that affect the spell because they were just fall off while the rest of the torso is burning
Hi! Yes, from my tradition’s perspective it’s okay to touch and work your spells.
I burned a white cleansing candle the top of the glass turned slightly black but when the candle was finished there was black smoke the candle start cracking and then the entire glass turned black what does that mean.
That definitely happens sometimes! Depending on the final details of the rest of your finished candle spell, it could mean different things. I couldn’t say for certain without looking at it myself. Often times what you’re describing is a sign that there is oppositional energy to your spell that may be successful at impeding your petition. It may be a person, entity, circumstance, etc. You could always do a divination and pull some cards, or get a reading if you want more clarity.
How do i safely put out my candle
I recommend using a candle snuffer.
I missed a day on my week of candle prayer spell. Do I need to start over? Or can I pick up where I left off? Thank you.
Pick up where you left off, see how the results go and then determine whether you need to repeat the spell.
I did a spell where my candle went out right after I was done performing the spell my intuition told me it’s because it worked but I’m not sure
Always trust your intuition, and if you’re not sure you could do a divination to double check 🙂
I’m doing a spell using fast luck oil and a green candle to manifest some things I need quickly. Do I have to let my candle burn all the way out?
You don’t *have to* do anything, however I find it is best to let it burn all the way out.
My candle went out by itself and then I straightened the wick. Then after a few hours the wick completely broke off. The candle wasn’t done yet but now I can’t relight it. Is this a sign of interference?
Yes, that’s a sign of interference. You may try digging wax away from the wick and attempting to relight. If that doesn’t work you’ll need to do or get a reading to figure out what you need to do next.
Hi, My candle spell worked, should I let it finish burning? Or snuff it out? Thank you!
Typically I always say let it finish burning, maybe there’s more blessings to be had and energetic closure is a good thing.
The petition inside the candle caught a flame so there’s 2 flames now. What should I do?
Not sure I understand. Did you put your petition paper inside your candle somehow? Typically it is placed beneath the candle (if it doesn’t tilt it) or taped to the back or side. If your wick split into 2 flames, that’s fine.
What should I do if my candle is tunneling?
Hi Jes! I’m sorry to hear your candle is tunneling. Is it one you purchased from us? If so, Please send me an email and let me know which candle is doing that and we can send you a new one. My email is info@revolutionarymystic.com