7 African Powers candle meaning: each colour of the seven colour candle, what it's for and how to use it

The 7 African Powers candle, also known as the seven colour candle, is a striped candle dedicated to the Seven African Powers: seven orishas of Regla de Ocha, the Santería tradition that originated in Cuba, whose help is asked for together. Each stripe represents a different force and, together, they symbolise all-round protection: open roads, peace, strength, work, wisdom, love and home.

That's why it's said to be the candle ‘for everything’: the one you light when you're not quite sure who to ask, or when you need help on several fronts at once. In popular tradition, the seven powers are depicted together, often with images of the Catholic saints they're identified with.

Are the seven colour candle and the 7 African Powers candle the same thing?

Almost always, yes: the seven colour candle is how the seven powers are represented. In the wider esoteric world, it's also read through the meaning of each colour, like a rainbow of intentions. Both readings live side by side, and we cover both here.

The Seven African Powers are part of a living religious tradition. Here we explain how the candle is used in popular devotion; if you practise the religion, always follow the guidance of your godfather or godmother.

These are the seven powers, their colours and what each one is traditionally asked for:

Depending on the house or tradition, some lists include Oya, owner of the winds and of change, instead of Orula. What never changes is the order of greeting: Elegua always comes first, because he's the one who opens the way for the others.

The order of the stripes varies from maker to maker. Our 7 African Powers candles are white, red, yellow, blue, green, purple and orange. Here's what each colour means and the power it's linked to:

You can focus on all the stripes at once or just on the one whose colour matches your request. If you'd like to go deeper into the energy of each colour, take a look at our guide to candle colour meanings.

These are the most common uses of the 7 African Powers candle:

• Opening roads when everything has stalled: work, paperwork, projects. If that sounds like you, have a look at our road-opening rituals too.
• Protection for you, your home and your family.
• Prosperity and business: so that whatever you set out to do succeeds.
• Love and harmony with your partner and at home.
• Strength in difficult times: court cases, confrontations or periods of intense pressure.
• Clarity to make an important decision.
• Asking for help in general, when you don't know which saint to turn to.

Discover my power

This is the basic ritual with the 7 African Powers candle:

1. Prepare the altar. A white cloth, a heat-resistant plate, a glass of water and, if you like, fresh flowers.
2. Clean the candle with a dry cloth and think clearly about what you want to ask for. If you wish, you can anoint it with an oil before lighting it.
3. Write your request on a piece of paper and place it under the plate.
4. Greet Elegua first and then the other powers, one by one.
5. Light the candle with a match and say the prayer to the 7 African Powers calmly.
6. Let it burn down in a safe place and give thanks when it has finished.

If you're using the 7-wick seven colour candle

Light the centre wick first and then the others, working clockwise. Its seven flames burn at the same time and it burns down in about 20–40 minutes, so stay close until the end. You'll find all the details in our guide to the 7-wick candle.

If you're using the ritual candle in a glass

It burns much more slowly and can last several days. If you need to put it out, use a candle snuffer, never blow it out, and relight it later, repeating your request.

The 7 African Powers candle has no set day: you light it whenever you need help. Even so, tradition offers a few pointers:

• Monday: it's the day dedicated to Elegua, the opener of roads, and many people choose it to begin.
• Waxing moon: to ask for something to grow, such as money, love or a project.
• New moon: to start something from scratch.

You can check this month's moon phases in our lunar calendar and, if you want to fine-tune things further, find out which day of the week to light each candle.

The 7 African Powers prayer candle comes with the traditional prayer printed on it. If you'd like to add your own words, you can use this one:

Seven African Powers, forces of light who walk beside me:
Elegua, open my roads; Obatala, grant me peace and clarity;
Shango, give me strength; Ogun, protect my work;
Orula, guide my decisions; Oshun, sweeten my life;
Yemaya, watch over my home and my loved ones.
Receive this light and help me with all I ask of you today. So be it.

What matters isn't the exact words, but asking from the heart and with a clear intention.

We make three 7 African Powers candles, all handmade in our workshop. Here's how to choose:

To accompany the ritual, the 7 African Powers ritual bath cleanses and prepares your energy before you light the candle.

Intense ritual, 7 flames7-wick seven colour candle€14.25With the traditional prayer7 African Powers prayer candle€8.80Business and goalsPrepared 7 African Powers candle€16.95To cleanse and accompany7 African Powers ritual bath€12.41

What does the seven colour candle mean?
It's the candle of the Seven African Powers: each coloured stripe represents one of the seven orishas (Elegua, Obatala, Shango, Ogun, Orula, Oshun and Yemaya) and together they symbolise protection and help in every area of life. In the esoteric reading, each colour also brings its own energy.

What is the 7 African Powers candle used for?
To open roads, ask for protection for you and your home, and attract prosperity, harmony in love and family, strength in difficult times and clarity when making decisions. It's the candle people turn to when they need help on several fronts at once.

Which orishas are the 7 African Powers?
Elegua, Obatala, Shango, Ogun, Orula, Oshun and Yemaya. Depending on the house or tradition, some lists include Oya instead of Orula.

When do you light the 7 African Powers candle?
There's no set day: you light it whenever you need help. Many people choose Monday, the day dedicated to Elegua, who opens the roads, and the waxing moon or the new moon to ask for something to grow or begin.

How do you use the seven colour candle?
On a heat-resistant plate, on a small altar with a glass of water. Write your request, greet Elegua first, light the candle with a match, say its prayer and let it burn down without leaving it unattended.

Can the 7 African Powers candle be used for love?
Yes. For love, you ask Oshun, the orisha of sweetness, focusing on the yellow stripe, and Yemaya if what you're looking for is harmony in the family.

The 7 African Powers candle is a way of asking all the powers for help at once. Choose yours, greet Elegua first, ask clearly and let the light do its work.

Discover my power