What It Can Point To
- A wick that is damp, buried, coated, or too short.
- A poor match, lighter, or awkward lighting angle.
- Timing that is not ready if the candle itself is sound.
- A message to stop forcing the work if repeated safe attempts fail.
Details That Change the Meaning
Will not light onceFix the practical setup.
Will not light repeatedlyPause. Do not fight the candle.
Lights then diesCheck wax drowning and draft.
Wick breaksUse a new candle if the setup cannot be made safe.
Before You Decide
Read the ordinary cause first. Then read the pattern. If you skip the ordinary cause, you will scare yourself and call it intuition. I do not work that way.
Do not pour alcohol, oil, or accelerant onto a candle that will not light.
Better Questions
- Is the wick usable?
- Am I forcing bad timing?
- Would a simpler candle be safer?