How to Light a Candle with Intention

Man Lighting Candle on Altar — Robert Nicholas / Getty Images

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Updated on June 25, 2019

Lighting a candle for a particular purpose or intention is practiced worldwide from people of all walks of life, varied spiritual leanings, and a diverse array of religions. Lighting a candle symbolizes bringing light to our wishes or desires. A candle can be lit as a prayer for peace or a request for healing.

People of Christian faith believe that lighting a candle symbolizes the light of Christ. Dr. Usui, the founder of Reiki, was said to have walked through the streets of Tokyo with a lighted lantern in the daylight as a beacon for attracting Reiki students. We light candles on top of our birthday cakes in celebration of each cherished year of our lives.

Lighted candles are reflections of our emotional self and help to illuminate our hearts when we feel burdened. You are invited to reflect on whatever is resonating within you at this the moment. Choose from five candles: affirmation candle, prayer candle, blessing candle, gratitude, and meditation candle.

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Light an Affirmation Candle

Prayer Candle with Written Note — Affirmation Candle with Written Note. Sebastien Desarmaux / Getty Images

Affirmation

Prior to lighting an affirmation candle sit in silence for a few moments. Release any thoughts of negativity lingering in your mind. Allow only positive thoughts to live there. Close your eyes and see a world filled with only happiness and prosperity.

Silently make a heartfelt affirmation statement or have one written on a note you have placed next to the candle.

Light the Candle

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Light a Prayer Candle

Candle inside glass jar held in hands. Javier Canale / Getty Images

You may light a prayer candle for yourself, another person, or for a situation. Bow your head in quiet solitude. Direct your prayer to God, Allah, the angels, the universe, your higher self, or to whatever source from where you draw your spiritual strength from. Say a prayer in silence.

Repeat tThis Statement Before Lighting the Candle

I ask for this to serve the highest good of all concerned.

Release your need to have your prayer answered in a particular way, allowing spirit to find the best light path.

Light the Candle

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Light a Blessing Candle

Colorful Tea Light Candle. Sarah Chatwin / EyeEm / Getty Images

We want to help others but do not always know the best way to act. Offering a

Recognize that that there are blessings in everything, even those most difficult life challenges. Offer your blessing and release it to the universe.

Light the Candle

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Light a Gratitude Candle

Small candle lit among river rocks. ZenShui/Laurence Mouton / Getty Images

We often desire to help others but do not always know the best way to act. Offering a blessing is one way to enlighten the situation and help you find the right answer.

If no answer comes the answer may be that there is nothing for you to do.

Some of the toughest life lessons are to learned through our own experience without intervention of others. By offering a blessing you are acknowledging your desire to help. Recognize that that there are blessings in everything, even those most difficult life challenges. Offer your blessing and release it to the universe.

Light the Candle

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Light an Inner Reflection Candle

Meditator sitting beside candle light and orchid. PhotoAlto/Rafal Strzechowski / Getty Images

Begin your meditation or visualization practice with lighting an inner reflection candle. Intention the light to serve as a lantern, guiding your mind to access the best path for your purpose.

Close your eyes, or alternatively allow your eyes to blur a bit as our focus on the flame of the candle. Candlelight can be used as divination scrying tool for gaining insight or achieving enlightenment.

Quiet your mind, breathe naturally...

Light the Candle

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Your Citation

Desy, Phylameana lila. "How to Light a Candle with Intention." Learn Religions, Aug. 26, 2020, learnreligions.com/light-a-candle-with-intention-3857353. Desy, Phylameana lila. (2020, August 26). How to Light a Candle with Intention. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/light-a-candle-with-intention-3857353 Desy, Phylameana lila. "How to Light a Candle with Intention." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/light-a-candle-with-intention-3857353 (accessed March 30, 2023).