Reading the Fire — Understanding Candle Signs in Hoodoo & Rootwork

Candle reading is one of the most revealing forms of divination in rootwork. Your flame, wax, smoke, and burn pattern all reflect spiritual conditions around your work.

But you can only understand candle signs when you observe your candle.

Before You Begin: Please take safety precautions.

If you cannot sit with your candle:

• Place it in a bathtub

• Place it in a shower stall

• Keep flammable items far away

• Use a proper candle holder

Fire is sacred — but fire is still fire.

COMMON CANDLE SIGNS & WHAT THEY MEAN

1. Dancing, Bouncing, or Spiraling Flame

A high-energy sign.

Meaning:

• Your message is being received

• The target is strongly affected

• Spirits are active

• The work is moving through obstacles

If the flame becomes TOO wild, it may signal emotional volatility, spiritual interference, or resistance.

2. Flame Rising, Falling, Rising Again

This push-pull pattern shows energetic resistance.

Meaning:

• The target is aware subconsciously

• The person may be fighting against your influence

• Their spirit is conflicted or unstable

• The situation is not straightforward

3. Flames Leaning Toward or Away From Each Other (Multiple Candles)

Leaning toward another candle:

• Attraction

• Connection

• Emotional closeness

Leaning away:

• Repulsion

• Withdrawal

• Avoidance

Whichever flame burns taller indicates dominance.

4. Noisy Candle: Hissing, Popping, Crackling

Meaning:

• Spirits are communicating

• Messages or warnings are present

• Ancestors may be influencing the work

Listen closely. Pray. Pay attention.

5. Excessive Wax Melt or Dripping

Meaning:

• Emotional intensity

• Dominance in love or breakup work

• Desire imbalance (one person wants it more)

• In money work: blessings flowing toward the offering

Wax tells emotional truth through physical form.

6. Heavy Smoke at First that Clears Later

Meaning:

• A rough beginning

• Blockages or conflict at first

• But eventual success with persistence

A clean ending is positive.

7. Pins or Needles Falling but Sticking to the Candle

Meaning:

• Attachment to past conditions

• Someone unwilling to release emotional ties

• A blockage rooted in history or trauma

8. Knots, Lumps, or Twin Flames

Knots/lumps:

• Stubborn problems

• High emotional charge

• Delays

Twin flames:

• Split feelings

• Duality

• Potential reunion after struggle

Glass candles with knots often soot heavily — not a good sign.

9. Candle Goes Out or Refuses to Stay Lit

If working WITH someone’s will (healing, attraction):

• Not aligned

• Spirit declining the request

• Timing is wrong

If working AGAINST someone’s will (breakup, banishing):

• The target is resisting

• They are spiritually shielded

• Your approach must intensify

General rule:

• Relight once with prayer

• If it goes out twice, investigate

• If three times, STOP and restart the entire working

10. Extremely Fast Burn

• Quick results

• But temporary

• Repeat work may be required

11. Extremely Slow Burn

• Delayed results

• Obstacles

• Long-lasting outcomes once finished

If the candle refuses to finish, be patient — results will come slowly.

THE FINAL TRUTH: THE FLAME IS A MIRROR

A candle’s behavior reflects:

• your intention

• your alignment

• the target’s energy

• spiritual interference

• emotional depth

• the path forward

Candle divination is how you see the invisible.

It is how spirit speaks without words.

Once you learn the language of fire, you will never burn a candle the same way again.