What It Can Point To
- Black Soot in cleansing should be checked physically first. Possible ordinary causes include poor burn, wick issue, container heat or excess dressing.
- If the candle is unstable, the reading stops. A bad burn is not worth a damaged room.
- After the physical check, the flame can be read as emphasis, resistance or movement in the work. Still, mundane soot and airflow must be checked first.
- Stop the candle if glass cracks, flame climbs too high, smoke becomes heavy, wax spills near the edge or the setup feels uncontrolled.
- Ask what the burn is showing about the work after the physical causes are removed. Do not use the flame to force certainty out of fear.
Details That Change the Meaning
WickReason: trim, bend, split or drowning
AirReason: draft, window, fan or heat source
DressingReason: too much oil, loose herbs or debris
CleansingCaution: mundane soot and airflow must be checked first
Black SootOrdinary_cause: poor burn, wick issue, container heat or excess dressing
FlameValue: Black Soot
ContextValue: Cleansing
Mundane checkValue: poor burn, wick issue, container heat or excess dressing
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.
After the physical check, the flame can be read as emphasis, resistance or movement in the work. Still, mundane soot and airflow must be checked first.
Better Questions
- Is black soot always spiritual?
- What should I remember during cleansing?
- Ask what the burn is showing about the work after the physical causes are removed. Do not use the flame to force certainty out of fear.