Black candle meaning: what it's for and how to light it

Black is the colour that absorbs all light. That's why, in the symbolic language of candles, the black candle is the one that gathers up and carries away whatever weighs you down: the heavy energy in a home, envy, the evil eye or what tradition calls hexes.

It's linked to Saturn, the planet of boundaries, time and endings, and to the waning moon, the phase when everything decreases. It's the candle for saying “enough is enough”.

A black candle isn't black magic

This is the most widespread myth. In folk tradition, the black candle is used to protect and cleanse, not to cause harm. Its energy is defensive: it cuts off whatever comes from outside and sends it back where it came from. Once you've used it, it's customary to light a white or brightly coloured candle to “fill” the space that's been cleared.

These are the traditional uses of the black candle:

• Clearing negative energy from a person or a home. If it's your home that feels heavy, see our ritual to clear bad energy from your home.
• Cutting through envy and the evil eye. If you suspect that's what's going on, first learn how to tell if you have the evil eye and how to tell if someone envies you.
• Breaking hexes and spells, according to tradition: this is what candles like the Arrasa con Todo are used for.
• Ending runs of bad luck when everything seems to go wrong.
• Unblocking situations that are stuck: paperwork, projects, decisions.
• Closing chapters or cutting ties with people who are no longer good for you.

Find my black candle

The black candle has its moments. Tradition recommends:

You can check the exact dates of every waning moon in our lunar calendar and, if you want to fine-tune it, find out which day of the week to light each candle. The interactive guide above works out the next waning moon and its Saturday for you.

This is the basic black candle ritual. Each situation has its own nuances, which you'll find in the interactive guide above.

1. Prepare the space. Air the room, tidy up and stand the candle on a heatproof plate, well away from curtains.
2. Cleanse the candle with a dry cloth and think clearly about what you want to cut away.
3. Make a circle of salt around the candle: it strengthens the cleansing.
4. Light it with a match and say your intention, or the prayer that comes with it, out loud.
5. Let it burn all the way down without leaving it alone. If you have to go out, put it out with a snuffer, never by blowing, and relight it afterwards.
6. Throw the remains and the salt away outside your home. Then light a white candle to fill the space with light.

Black candle and salt

The most traditional combination. The candle cuts and the salt absorbs whatever is released. You can use coarse salt or, for extra strength, black salt. Some candles come ready-prepared with salt, such as our Cleansing ritual candle.

Not all black candles are the same. Here's how to choose:

The best seller is the Arrasa con Todo: the pepper and herbs that coat it are traditionally used to cut and send back. You'll find its full ritual in our guide to the Arrasa con Todo candle.

With herbs and pepperArrasa con Todo herbal candle€8.80Black candle with saltCleansing ritual candle€9.20Seven days of cutting tiesBlack 7-wick candle€11.10To clear blockagesBlack skull candle with 3 wicks€17.70

During the ritual, the black candle “speaks”. These are the most common signs according to tradition:

• It weeps a lot (lots of dripping wax): there was plenty to cleanse; the candle is doing its work.
• A tall, lively flame: the cutting is going strong.
• A low or crackling flame: there's resistance; it's worth repeating the ritual at the next waning moon.
• Black smoke or dark residue: it has carried away heavy energy.

Each colour has its purpose, and they're often combined:

• Black candle: cutting, cleansing and protecting. It comes first, to clear things out.
• White candle: peace and light. The one you light afterwards, to fill the space.
• Red candle: strength, love and passion. Read our guide to the red candle meaning.

A good sequence is black during the waning moon, then white or coloured at the new moon: first you let go, then you attract.

What does it mean to light a black candle?
It means asking for protection and cutting ties with negativity. In esoteric tradition the black candle absorbs heavy energy, envy and bad influences; it's not used to harm anyone.

What are black candles used for?
To clear energy, cut through envy and the evil eye, break runs of bad luck, unblock stuck situations and close chapters or relationships that are no longer good for you.

When should you light a black candle?
During a waning moon, the phase for letting go and cleansing, and ideally on a Saturday, Saturn's day. Night-time is best, and let it burn all the way down.

What is a black candle with salt used for?
The salt strengthens the cleansing: it absorbs whatever the candle cuts away. Make a circle of salt around the candle and, when you've finished, throw it away outside your home.

What does it mean if a black candle weeps?
That the candle is working hard: tradition reads it as a sign there was plenty to cleanse. Take a look at the remains before you throw them away, as tradition also reads them as a sign.

Is it bad to light a black candle?
No. Lighting a black candle with the intention of protection or cleansing is a traditional practice. The only thing that matters is safety: never leave it unattended.

The black candle isn't dark: it's the one that cleanses so the light can come in. Choose yours according to what you want to cut away, light it during the waning moon and let it do its work.

Find my black candle