candle magick

[lednevir]

What are your thoughts on the combination of fire and air,fire and water,or fire and earth?
The reason I ask is that some traditions believe the only way to put out a candle is spit on you fingers then snuff it out (that would be water and earth with fire) I was reading a book by Vivaine Crowley that said wiccans are into the flow of air to fire so it's OK to blow out a candle.
What's your traditions way of candle snuffing?
blessed be

[Autumn Clair]

You've asked an interesting question. I never really thought about it before. I never really put it to use with candle magick. But I could see how wetting your fingers and snuffing the flame would work as cancelling out fire with water. However I just blow the candle out when I'm just burning a candle but in candle magick I let the candle burn itself out. I believe burning the full candle makes the spell more complete and stronger. :wave:

[TheMusesTool]

I agree with letting it burn out on it's own. Sometimes, though I blow them out if I am trying to carry a message or something to someone. If I have to extinguish them and this doesn't applly, however, I do wet my fingers and snuff them out like that...

[RavensEye]

so it's OK to blow out a candle.
What's your traditions way of candle snuffing?
Ya know I asked that same question years ago on another forum becuase it confused me. Some people say it is ok to a candle out with wetting your fingers and pinching it out, while others only use a snuffer and others blow it out no problem. While others say it is it is wrong.

As for me I personally try to use a snuffer and that is it. If I have to blow a candle out due to emergencies or what have you I say a prayer to the element and apologise for doing it.

[shuvanilu]

I pinch or snuff. Sometimes if I blow out a candle, I end up with wax splattered on my wall, lol. I was told by the woman who first exposed me to The Craft not to blow out candles eons ago, and I've just stuck with that. But her reasoning had nothing to do with elements...she just said that it "blew the luck/spell away". So I've just always pinched or snuffed. But honestly, I doubt that it matters. Then again, I could be wrong. It certainly wouldn't be the first time:blowcandl ---shuvanilu

[Romani Vixen]

I'm not Wiccan, but even when I was, I couldn't tell any difference.

There are a few notes though....

Blowing out a candle *can* splatter wax.

Using your fingers (wet or not) *does* hurt.

Snuffers deal with both of these problems.

None of that really matters though. What does your gut tell you? What do *you feel* is the best way for you to do it? :D

[MerryBe]

What are your thoughts on the combination of fire and air,fire and water,or fire and earth?
The reason I ask is that some traditions believe the only way to put out a candle is spit on you fingers then snuff it out (that would be water and earth with fire) I was reading a book by Vivaine Crowley that said wiccans are into the flow of air to fire so it's OK to blow out a candle.
What's your traditions way of candle snuffing?
blessed be


MM, This is an interesting question. I guess it would depend on who you ask and what their traditions are. Though I am not Wiccan, I am still in the traditional sense of Paganism. I use what was passed down to me.

I was taught never to blow out a candle. For several reasons other than the wax on the wall.
Denying the flame oxygen (Air) is one good way to put it out, hense the term snuffing. Most of the time I do let my candles burn down to nothing by themselves. However, there are times when they absolutely need to be put out. I have pinched them and no it never hurt me, but some have complained of burning.

Whichever you decide is best for you, bear one thing in mind, the CENTER of the flame is not hot!

It is the tip and opposite end which is hot, so if you pinch it, go for the center.

This was a good question, and I can see alot of confusion, especially since if you blow it out, then it involves Air, or lick your fingers (as you said), Water and Earth. I do think this is why snuffing was so popular if one cannot let the candle burn down to the very end by itself then ending the session would be done best by denying air to the flame.

Oh well, just my 2 cents worth! Great Question and Great answers from those ahead of me!

BB,
Merry

[fangedeshana]

I don't really have a tradition, but this is what I do...

If I have finished with the candle, I will blow it out, symoblizing my will being blown out into the universe to manifest.

If I am still using the candle and building up energy, I snuff it between my fingers to 'prevent any energy escaping'. I also do this on my altar candles unless I've done a small prayer or something I wish to 'send off'.

Or, as mentioned above, if possible i try to let my candles burn down. However, thats not always very convient, or safe.

[Sage Rainsong]

When I use candles for magic I usually let them burn all the way down. However for my altar candles I just blow them out. I never got the whole, it's disrespectful to the spirit of fire thing.

[Mouse]

I didn't read all the replies so i'm sorry if I repeat something.

I pinch them out with my fingers because I was taught that blowing them out is letting air dominate fire, and that it's disrespectful.

[Faeawyn]

Some people believe that to blow out a candle or to wet your fingers and pinch it out is disrespectful to the element of fire because you are using another element (air or water) to extinguish the fire. So basically, you ask the element of fire for its aid in your spellwork, then use air or water to put it out. So in candle magick, it is recommended that you either let it burn out or snuff it. But I also believe its a personal choice...and I have been known to blow :)

[Hellenic_Witch]

Some people believe that to blow out a candle or to wet your fingers and pinch it out is disrespectful to the element of fire because you are using another element (air or water) to extinguish the fire.
I always found that a little funny, considering that fire can not exist without air (oxygen) to feed it.

I also blow.

[Anubis RainHawk]

Does it really matter?

I usually snuff it if I'm doing a ritual, but for moring/evening devotions I usually blow out the candles.

[Philosophia]

I blow it out usually and then snuff it out with my finger. When I blow it, I am sending the energy I have used into the universe and the snuffing is to calm the energies I have used.
However, it really depends on what I'm doing and what particular rituals call for.

[Mahren]

When I frist began to study I read that you are never to blow out candles because you're blowing away the energy. I realized that I don't have the patience to wait for my candles to burn down, though I know it would be better.

So I am contented to blowing them a kiss. :blowcandl

[Sage WindMoon]

If blowing it out or using wet fingers is disrespectful because you're using another element (air or water), then wouldn't snuffing be using the element of earth?

[Isis Enoch]

In my humble opinion, the answer to if its 'OK' to snuff, blow or any other means of doing ANYTHING in your spiritual practice can be answered simply with "What do YOU think?"

Any magical operation is about intent. The only thing that REALLY matters is that your mind is focused, its intent is clear, its will is all consuming and that it is SURE of what its doing. Things such as the dilema over whether to snuff a candle or blow it out, thats only important that the individual decides what is the appropriate action. You must KNOW why you do the things you do, to what end, etc. There is no right or wrong, anyone that tells you differently is a slave to dogma.