Dreaming Lens: Were you lighting a candle or was it lit? Was this the only source of light? Were there many candles, as on a birthday cake? What color was the candle or its light? What was the intended mood produced by the candlelight: romantic, spiritual, or celebratory? Did you have a resource for lighting the candle? Was the candle posing the danger of starting a fire?
Personal Focus: When we light a candle, we are committing an act of creation. Fire has an enormous amount of power. When it is restrained in such a benevolent and gentle manner, it symbolizes the dominion that human beings can have over the elements to bring light to a dark place.
There is a magical glow to candlelight, perhaps even more so in modern times, because of how subtle it is compared to artificial light. Lighting a candle is a mainstay in various rituals that symbolize the beginning of something sacred, as if it represents the point of contact with our Creator. In this way, lighting a candle can be an indication of the beginning of some important event, phase, or relationship in life. The amount, color, quality, and other information from the Dreaming Lens will provide you with an accurate interpretation.
The connection of candlelight to romance is crucial and could indicate the desire or readiness for love and intimacy. Conversely, blowing a candle out might mean the end of such a phase. Dream candles might also symbolize creative impulses. The association of candles on a cake and birthdays could reflect a moment of taking stock of where you are in your life at this time. Candles can easily start a destructive fire, so consider the potential for danger if the flame you are burning should get out of control.
The structure of a candle itself represents the spiritual perspective to creativity and change. The candle is the idea you are having, while the flame is the power of focusing your intention, and the wax that melts and burns away is the transformation that results. [1]
Illumination, understanding, or enlightenment.
The quest to understand spiritual matters.
The soul. As the Bible says, “let your light so shine among men.”
A candle being lit represents a new beginning, whereas an extinguished candle symbolizes the passing of the old.
Fear of an early death or growing old (e.g., having your candle “snuffed out”).
Spiritual presences.
A winding sheet or blue flame on the candle, according to folklore, speaks of ghostly company. This might be a departed loved one, an angel, or even your Higher Self trying to communicate (See also: Ghost).
Energy levels. Are you burning the candle at both ends?
Hope and protection. In the Middle Ages candles were not only a source of light, but were placed near beds to safeguard the sleeper from wandering spirits.
Ideas or ideals. Suddenly experiencing comprehension (having the proverbial “light bulb” go on).
An alternative phallic symbol. Pagan folk dances often included candle jumping for fertility.
A clear burning flame on a candle indicates the presence of devoted friends, or constancy’ in yourself. [2]
Vision: A brighdy burning candle is a promise: in future things will turn out the way you have hoped. It could also mean an invitation to a party.
The flame of the candle flickering or giving off smoke: the state of your health is not stable.
A candle burning quietly and steadily is a sign of peace, prayer, contemplation, and a challenge to look within. Watching the flame of a candle go out: you may suddenly be informed of the illness or death of a person close to you, or it could mean that a dose friendship is coming to an end.
Depth Psychology: The candle is a phallic symbol. Is there a flame of passion burning within you for another person? The candle also gives us light and warmth and expresses your desire for greater understanding, enlightenment, or wisdom.
To dream of candles indicates that we arc trying to clarify something that we do not understand. Candles on a birthday cake can therefore indicate that we are marking a transition from the old to the new. Lighting a candle represents using courage and fortitude or asking for something which we need.
2- Since candles are now regarded as old-fashioned, psychologically they can represent knowledge or wisdom that has not fully crystallised. They can also represent our control of personal magic.
3- Illumination, wisdom, strength, beauty. [4]
A dream with a candle in it may be indicating that such a creative moment is at hand. An unlit candle indicates the potential for light to come into some dark space. Lighting a candle in a dream may indicate a desire to celebrate life’s milestones and key experiences.
If the candles in your dream have particular colors associated with them, look to the symbolic meanings of those colors for deeper meaning. [5]
A lit candle suggests that you are unconsciously seeking comfort and some sort of spiritual enlightenment.
An unlit candle suggests that you may be feeling rejection and disappointment or can’t see anything positive or “light” in a situation or in yourself.
If in your dream you watch the candle burn down to nothing, it suggests that you may have fears of getting older and dying.
For men it may connote a fear about waning sexual abilities [6]
If you are blowing out your candle, this could suggest the ending of a phase or relationship in waking life.
If you put the candle out with spit or urine, is this a symbol of your disgust at, or disapproval of, a person or viewpoint in waking life? [7]
If the candle is doused, the dream is suggesting that you utilize your energy in positive things, in activities that will directly benefit you. Possible, you are wasting your potential in affairs that will not bring you satisfaction.
Candlestick It is a symbol of spiritual light. Dreams that portray candlesticks are an invitation to potentialize all your sensibility as means of personal development. [8]
If you’re feeling a little down when you dream this, it’s a sign that there is hope, and things will soon get better.
A new, unlit candle indicates untapped potential, while a candle on the verge of guttering out heralds the end of a project, usually intellectual in nature. Candlesticks carried by individuals imply an increase in your social life. [12]
(2) A lighted candle might symbolize enlightenment, or a search for truth. The darkness illuminated by the candle might be what Jung called the ‘Shadow’; in which case the dream would be an invitation to explore the unfamiliar and perhaps frightening regions of your psyche.
(3) A burning candle may express your awareness or fear of death or of growing old. [13]
If a candle is extinguished in your dream, then you are surrendering your attachment to a goal or romance.
If a candle is burning from both ends, you are overextending yourself and need to find balance, otherwise you will burn yourself out.
Also this on Dream...
Lighting a candle is symbolic of asking for something that one may need. [16]
If lit amid darkness: finding understanding or courage amid doubts, fears, depression. Candle burning out: awareness of death. Occasionally measure of how much time we have left in life. Idioms: burn the candle at both ends; not fit to hold a candle. [19]
Spirituality or the idea of the presence of God.
Religion or ritual.
Clarity, understanding, or “shedding some light” on a particular subject.
Using energy (as in the flame converting wax to energy).
See also: Light.
Already, in antiquity, the candle was a male sexual symbol. Also, according to Freud, a phallic symbol.
A broken candle symbolizes impotence. [21]
To dream of a candelabra or chandelier is a sign of taking on new responsibility. [22]
2. Hope. [26]