Reading the shapes in melted candle wax, also called Ceromancy, is a very old art, with connections going back to the ancient Celts and Romans. As with many forms of divination, this practice relies heavily on intuition and symbolism. As I have shared in other articles, the word Divination is derived from divine, suggesting that the wisdom obtained through these methods originates from a divine source.

One simple method is to place a pillar candle on a white heat-safe plate. A dinner plate is fine, although it should be plain white with no designs, as a plate with different colors and designs could make symbols harder to read. The candle itself can be any color and should be placed directly on the center of the plate, and not in a holder. As the candle wax melts, it can drip down the sides and run along the surface of the plate, forming shapes. As your candle melts, it may take on a different shape. You can read the shapes and symbols as they are formed, or wait until the candle has completely burned down and then do the reading. Here are a few things to look for:

• Mountains: These represent obstacles and challenges.

• Hooks: Achieving a goal after a period of struggle. It is a call to “hold on” and be patient.

• Swirly patterns: A spiritual awakening or realization.

• Bubbles: These can represent suppressed anger, anxiety or other hidden emotions.

• Waterfalls: These can have many meanings, so intuition is key here. Waterfalls are symbols of cleansing, or a need for cleansing and removing all that is harmful, but also of prosperity and material gain.

• Tears: Sadness, sorrow or pain.

• Crown or cylinder: This occurs when the wax melts directly down the center of the candle and leaves only the outer edges. This is symbolic of protection and success. On the flip side, it can also represent a person or situation being not as it appears.

When doing a candle wax reading, it is important to notice letters and numbers formed in the wax, as these often represent people and situations one will soon encounter. Animal shapes may also be formed, so a study of the spiritual meanings of various animals can be helpful. Birds are usually good signs, while snakes typically represent malevolent energies at work. Keeping in mind, however, that animal spirituality can be subjective, since some find snakes and spiders to be positive symbols while others do not. What do the animal shapes you see mean to you?

Another method of reading candle wax is to drip the wax into a clear glass bowl. For this method, you will use a taper candle and hold it above the bowl, carefully allowing the wax to drip into the bowl. Be careful not to move the bowl or disturb the water. Allow the dripping wax to fall into the bowl and harden. Set a time limit for dripping the wax (three minutes is good). The symbols as described above will mean the same, however, there are additional things to look for.

• Observe how the wax moves through the water. Clockwise movements indicate good and beneficial things, counter-clockwise indicates harm and conflict.

• Look for recognizable shapes, letters or numbers.

• Wax that gathers close to the center of the bowl refers to things that have already happened but are affecting your life now.

• Wax that gathers around the edges of the bowl refers to situations that will soon be happening.

Before doing a candle wax reading, it is important to decide what kind of answers you are looking for. Perhaps you need a solution to a problem you are having, or you need insight into an important decision you have to make, or maybe you just want a glimpse into your future.

There are some who will move the taper candle slowly in a clockwise circular motion over the bowl as the wax drips. Others will hold the candle still and steady over the bowl. Choose what works best for you.

Candle wax reading will take some practice, but with time and patience you can become proficient at it.

Good luck!