Maddie James
There are various ways to extinguish a candle after a ritual, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some common methods include blowing it out, using a wick dipper, using a candle snuffer, or putting a lid on it. Blowing out a candle is a quick and easy method, but it can create issues with wax evenness and may result in smoke and soot buildup. Using a wick dipper or candle snuffer are recommended ways to extinguish a candle, as they minimize smoke and preserve the candle's fragrance. Burying ritual candle stubs is also a popular way to complete the cycle of spell work, with the location and method depending on the intentions of the ritual.
How to extinguish candles after a ritual
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Blowing out the candle | Quick and easy, but may cause tunneling and unevenness in the wax, and may blow wax everywhere |
| Using a candle snuffer | Safe, inexpensive, and minimizes smoke |
| Using a wick dipper | Extinguishes the flame without any smoke |
| Burying the candle | Allows the earth to absorb and transform the energy of your spell |
| Returning the candle to nature | Throwing the candle into a flowing stream or river, as long as the materials are biodegradable and do not contain any harmful chemicals that could pollute the water |
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What You'll Learn
Blowing out candles
Superstitions and Beliefs
Historically, blowing out candles has been associated with various superstitions and beliefs. Some neo-pagan traditions hold that blowing out candles is disrespectful to the element of Fire and that they should only be snuffed or pinched out. Similarly, in Jewish culture, blowing out a candle flame is often avoided as it represents the soul. On the other hand, blowing out birthday candles is believed to grant wishes or signify the completion of another year of life. In rituals, the act of blowing out candles can be seen as a way to release intentions or seal magic.
Safety Considerations
When blowing out candles, it's important to exercise caution. Stand clear of the smoke to avoid inhaling soot or having it deposit on your skin or clothes. Be careful not to blow too forcefully, as this can cause hot wax to spray and result in minor burns. Always ensure you are in a well-ventilated area when blowing out candles.
Steps to Blow Out Candles
To effectively blow out a candle, purse your lips together and blow a thin stream of air directly onto the wick. Continue blowing until the flame is completely extinguished. If the candle has multiple wicks, you may need to blow out each wick individually.
Alternative Methods
If you're uncomfortable with blowing out candles, there are other methods to extinguish them. You can use a candle snuffer, which deprives the flame of oxygen without creating much smoke or soot. Alternatively, you can use your fingers, but this can be risky and should be done with caution. Another option is to use a metal spoon or lid to smother the flame.
Proper Disposal of Ritual Candles
After extinguishing the candle, proper disposal is crucial as it can affect the energy and outcome of your ritual. Burying ritual candles allows the earth to absorb and transform the energy of your spell. The location and method of burial can be chosen based on your intentions, such as attracting love, securing blessings, or banishing negativity. Returning the candle remains to nature by offering them to a flowing stream or river is another option, ensuring the materials are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals.
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Using a candle snuffer
To use a candle snuffer, hold the bell of the snuffer (the small metal cup at the end of the long handle) over the wick. Lower the bell over the flame, depriving it of oxygen and stifling it gradually. Keep the snuffer in place until the flame goes out completely. You may see a small wisp of smoke escape from around the edges of the bell. Hold it over the wick for at least one full second.
Candle snuffers come in various shapes, including a rounded bell, cylinder, pyramid, or disc. Antique candle snuffers are beautifully designed and highly collectible, while modern candle snuffers are fashionably designed and put out candles safely and quickly without lingering smoke.
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Burying candle stubs
It is important to choose the right location and method based on your intentions. For instance, if you are trying to bring about something new to your life, you should bury the candles in your front yard or near your front door. If your intention is to keep something around that is already present, then you should bury them in your backyard.
If your spell involves banishing someone or something, you should bury the candle stubs far from your home. Burying them in a houseplant or a pot plant is also an option.
Another factor to consider is the colour of the candle. Red or pink candles are often used for attraction spells, so they should be buried near your front door. Green or gold candles are used to retain blessings, so they should be buried in your backyard. Blue candles can be used to maintain peace, while black candles are for banishing negativity, and white candles are for general cleansing.
If you are unable to bury the candle stubs, you can also melt them down. This is a good way to get rid of them without having any tangible evidence left behind.
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Using a wick dipper
To use a wick dipper, first, ensure your candle is on a flat, stable surface away from drafts to ensure an even burn and prevent dripping. Allow the candle to burn until the wax melts and forms a pool. Hold the wick dipper by its handle and position the curved end above the flame, without touching it. Then, gently push the wick into the melted wax, submerging it completely. Keep the wick submerged for a few seconds, allowing the flame to extinguish naturally.
Wick dippers are a preferred method as they produce minimal smoke and prevent the wick from bending, breaking, or curling. They also contribute to the longevity of your candles as they burn slower and last longer compared to candles extinguished by blowing.
After extinguishing the candle, remember to let the wick dipper cool down before handling it. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to wipe away any wax residue. For stubborn wax, warm water can help loosen it.
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Putting a lid on it
Putting a lid on a candle is one of the most popular ways to extinguish a candle. However, this method comes with a few potential issues. Firstly, it traps the smoke in your candle, which can infuse back into the melted wax and possibly change its fragrance. This can leave soot on the wick and candle wax, making you lose some of your favourite fragrances.
If you are using a candle with a lid, there is a way to minimise the amount of smoke that gets trapped. To do this, you need to be quick and careful. Remove the lid, purse your lips together and blow gently, creating a thin stream of air that will put out the candle in one quick gust. Keep blowing until the flame is completely extinguished, then quickly place the lid back on.
If you are using a candle with a lid, but do not want to blow it out, you can use a wick dipper to extinguish the flame. Wick dippers usually have a long handle with a hook on one end. To extinguish the candle, use the wick dipper to quickly dip the wick into the melted wax and then lift it back out. This will instantly put out your candle with very little smoke.
If you are using a candle with a lid but do not have a wick dipper, you can use a metal spoon instead. Hit the flame with the back of the spoon and use it to stir the energy that has been released.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to extinguish a candle after a ritual. You can use a candle snuffer, which is a small metal cup at the end of a long handle that deprives the flame of oxygen. You can also use a wick dipper, which has a long handle with a hook on one end to quickly dip the wick into the melted wax. Alternatively, you can blow out the candle or put a lid on it. However, these last two methods may cause issues with wax and smoke.
Blowing out a candle can cause issues with wax, such as tunneling and unevenness. It can also result in smoke and soot, which can affect the fragrance of the candle. Additionally, some people believe that blowing out a candle shows disrespect to angels and spirits.
Proper disposal of the candle remains is crucial as it can affect the energy and outcome of your ritual. One traditional way to dispose of the remains is by burying them. The location and method of burial can vary depending on your intentions. For example, you can bury a candle stub near your front door for attraction spells or in a cemetery for spells involving breakups or finality. Another option is to melt the candle down in an open fire if you want to completely get rid of the spell's energy.
Besides blowing out the candle, you can use a variety of tools such as a wick dipper or a candle snuffer. You can also use your fingers, although this can be risky and is more of a party trick than a practical solution. Another option is to use a lid to cover the candle and deprive it of oxygen, but this can trap smoke and affect the fragrance of the candle.
