Divination through the reading of the smoke! This form of divination can be a personal and introspective practice, often used for gaining insight or reflection rather than definitive answers. Like many divinatory practices, it’s as much about personal meaning and connection as it is about specific interpretations.

In Hoodoo, most of the time reading the smoke isn’t something you will pay attention to, or need to pay attention to. But sometimes spirit will send very strong messages through smoke signals! Look at the shape, color, timing, and movement of the smoke to gather helpful information about the working.

  • White smoke is widely regarded to be a sign of blessings and benevolent spirits. If a candle breathes out a puff of white smoke, especially at a significant moment, it means that your wish will be granted.
  • black smoke coming from a ritual candle is thought to represent negative energy. Conflict, bad luck, and opposing purposes surround your spellwork. Spend some time in prayer or meditation and do a cleansing ritual before proceeding with the working.

In witchcraft, it is more common to read the smoke, either from burning herb or from the flame of a candle. This particular method is sometimes called “smoke reading” or “smoke divination.”

Interpreting the Images

  1. Personal Associations: Reflect on what the image personally means to you. For instance, a snake might represent different things based on your cultural background and personal experiences.
  2. Context of the Spell: Consider the intention of your spell or question. How do the images relate to your goal or the issue at hand?
  3. Emotional Response: How does the image make you feel? Positive or negative emotions can offer clues to the interpretation.
  4. Intuition: Trust your instincts about the meaning of the image. Sometimes, the message might be more abstract and require personal insight to fully understand.

Here’s a guide to understanding and interpreting common images or patterns that might appear in the smoke:

1. Human Figures

  • Full Figure: Seeing a full human figure might indicate a need to pay attention to people in your life or suggest that someone will play a significant role in the situation you are addressing.
  • Partial Figures: Partial or fragmented figures could symbolize aspects of yourself or others that need attention or resolution.

2. Animals

  • Common Animals: Animals like birds, snakes, or wolves often have specific symbolic meanings. For example:
    • Birds: Freedom, higher perspective, or messages.
    • Snakes: Transformation, healing, or hidden threats.
    • Wolves: Instinct, loyalty, or guidance.
  • Unusual Animals: Unusual or mythical creatures might point to unique or unusual influences in your life.

3. Symbols

  • Geometric Shapes: Shapes such as triangles, circles, or squares can symbolize various things. For example:
    • Circle: Wholeness, unity, or protection.
    • Triangle: Change, growth, or balance.
    • Square: Stability, structure, or material concerns.
  • Runes or Sigils: If recognizable symbols or runes appear, they could directly relate to your intention or spell. Refer to their traditional meanings or your personal associations.

4. Nature Scenes

  • Trees: Growth, stability, or connection to nature.
  • Water: Emotions, cleansing, or change.
  • Mountains: Challenges, goals, or steadfastness.

5. Abstract Patterns

  • Swirling Smoke: Might indicate confusion, movement, or a need to navigate through complex emotions or situations.
  • Clear Forms: Well-defined shapes might suggest clarity and straightforward answers or guidance.

6. Faces and Expressions

  • Smiling Faces: Positivity, encouragement, or successful outcomes.
  • Frowning or Distressed Faces: Concerns, obstacles, or areas needing attention.

7. Other Patterns

  • Objects: Items like keys, books, or weapons might symbolize knowledge, access, or conflict.
  • Patterns or Textures: Specific textures or patterns might indicate the nature of the energy or influence at play.

Practical Tips

  • Record Observations: Keeping a journal of your observations and their meanings can help you discern patterns or recurring themes over time.
  • Practice: The more you practice smoke divination, the more attuned you may become to interpreting the images and their significance in your context.

Remember, the interpretation of images in smoke is a subjective and intuitive process. What’s most important is how the images resonate with you and how they guide you in your spellcasting or personal reflections.

The meaning of the direction of the smoke

The direction of the smoke from a spellcasting candle can provide insights into the nature of the spell’s influence and how energy is moving in relation to your intention. Here’s a guide to interpreting the direction of the smoke:

1. Smoke Moving Toward You

  • Positive Sign: Smoke moving toward you can indicate that beneficial energies or outcomes are approaching. It may suggest that your intentions are being drawn closer or that help or opportunities are on their way.
  • Attention Needed: It might also signify that you need to pay attention to something in your life, as it is coming closer or becoming more relevant.

2. Smoke Moving Away from You

  • Release or Completion: Smoke moving away from you often symbolizes that something is being released, completed, or moving out of your life. This could be a sign that an issue is resolving or that you are letting go of something.
  • Obstacles Leaving: It might indicate that obstacles or challenges are dissipating, making way for new energies or opportunities.

3. Smoke Rising Upward

  • Spiritual Connection: Smoke rising upward can signify that your intentions are reaching a higher spiritual plane or that your prayers and wishes are being received by higher powers or the universe.
  • Aspiration: This direction often symbolizes aspirations, growth, and the pursuit of goals. It may indicate that your efforts are moving in the right direction and are being supported by spiritual forces.

4. Smoke Drifting Downward

  • Grounding: Smoke drifting downward might suggest that energies are grounding or settling. This could be a sign that the spell or intention is taking root and becoming more stable.
  • Practical Matters: It might also indicate a focus on practical, material, or earthly concerns. Pay attention to how this aligns with your intentions and goals.

5. Smoke Circling or Swirling

  • Confusion or Complexity: Circling or swirling smoke might suggest confusion, complexity, or a situation that is still in flux. It could indicate that things are not yet clear or that more time is needed for resolution.
  • Dynamic Energy: This movement may also reflect dynamic or changing energies, suggesting that there are multiple influences at play or that things are in a state of transformation.

6. Smoke Moving in Multiple Directions

  • Mixed Signals: If the smoke moves in different directions or seems to be erratic, it might symbolize mixed signals or uncertainty. It could indicate that there are conflicting forces or multiple factors influencing the situation.
  • Need for Focus: This pattern may suggest the need to focus or clarify your intention, as the energies might be scattered or not fully directed.

7. Smoke Disappearing Quickly

  • Ephemeral Influence: Smoke that dissipates quickly might suggest that the energy or effect of the spell is fleeting or that the influence may not be as strong as anticipated.
  • Temporary Outcome: It could indicate that the results of the spell might be temporary or that further work is needed to solidify the outcome.

The meaning of the behavior of the smoke

The behavior of the smoke from a spellcasting candle can reveal a lot about the energy and progress of your spell or intention. Observing how the smoke behaves can offer insights into the effectiveness of the spell and the nature of the influences at play. Here’s a guide to interpreting different types of smoke behavior:

1. Steady and Consistent Smoke

  • Positive Sign: Steady smoke that rises consistently can indicate a strong, clear channel for your intention. It suggests that the energy you’ve put into the spell is focused and likely to manifest successfully.
  • Clear Communication: This behavior often represents clarity and stability in the outcome, showing that the spell or intention is moving forward as planned.

2. Flickering or Dancing Smoke

  • Uncertainty or Change: Smoke that flickers or dances can symbolize uncertainty, fluctuation, or a dynamic situation. It may indicate that the outcome is not yet stable or that there are changes happening.
  • Energetic Influence: Flickering smoke might also reflect the presence of strong or competing energies influencing your spell. It can suggest that external factors or internal doubts are at play.

3. Thick or Heavy Smoke

  • Intensity of Energy: Thick or heavy smoke might indicate a powerful energy or a strong influence related to your spell. It can be a sign that the spell is intense or that there are significant forces at work.
  • Obstacles or Blockages: In some cases, thick smoke might also suggest obstacles or blockages that need to be addressed. It could point to challenges in achieving your goal or the need for more effort.

4. Thin or Light Smoke

  • Subtle Influence: Thin or light smoke might signify a more subtle or gentle influence. It could suggest that the energy of the spell is less intense or that the outcome may be more gradual.
  • Lack of Focus: Sometimes, thin smoke can also indicate a lack of focus or a weak connection to your intention. It may be a sign that you need to strengthen your concentration or clarify your goals.

5. Smoke Dispersing Quickly

  • Temporary Effect: Smoke that disperses quickly might suggest that the influence of the spell is temporary or that the energy is not holding strong. It could indicate a need for additional work or reinforcement.
  • Uncertainty: Rapidly dispersing smoke can also reflect uncertainty or a situation that is still in flux. It may be a sign that more time or effort is needed for the spell to take full effect.

6. Smoke Rising and Then Sinking

  • Up and Down Energy: If the smoke rises and then sinks or seems to alternate, it might represent fluctuating energy or a situation with ups and downs. It could indicate that progress is not linear and that there may be periods of challenge followed by periods of advancement.
  • Need for Patience: This behavior can also suggest that patience is needed, as the process might take time to stabilize.

7. Smoke Moving in Circles

  • Complexity or Confusion: Smoke that moves in circular patterns can indicate complexity or confusion in the situation. It might suggest that things are still in motion or that there are multiple factors influencing the outcome.
  • Dynamic Energy: Circular smoke might also reflect a dynamic or evolving situation, suggesting that the energies are actively interacting and shifting.

8. Smoke with a Strong Scent

  • Symbolic Message: A strong scent from the smoke can add another layer to the interpretation. The smell might carry personal or symbolic meanings, providing additional insights into the nature of the spell or the energies at play.

Practical Considerations

  • Environment: Ensure that external factors such as drafts, air currents, or ventilation are not influencing the direction of the smoke.
  • Focus and Intention: Keep your focus on the specific intention or question of the spell, as this can help you interpret the direction of the smoke in relation to your goals.
  • Intuitive Insight: Trust your intuition when interpreting the direction of the smoke. Sometimes the meaning might be more abstract or symbolic, and your personal feelings and impressions can offer valuable insights.

In summary, the direction of the smoke from a spellcasting candle can provide meaningful insights into the nature and movement of energies related to your intention. By observing and interpreting these patterns, you can gain a deeper understanding of how your spell is influencing the situation and what further steps might be needed.

 

How to prepare a candle and read the smoke for spellcasting divination

Here’s a basic overview of how it typically works:

1. Preparing the Candle

  • Choose a Candle: A candle that is uncolored or has a specific color related to your intention or question is usually used.
  • Set an Intention: Before lighting the candle, focus on a question or intention. This can be about a specific issue, decision, or general guidance.

2. Observing the Flame and Smoke

  • Light the Candle: Use a safe method to light the candle and allow it to burn for a moment.
  • Focus on the Smoke: As the candle burns, pay attention to the smoke that rises. Observe its patterns, density, and direction.

3. Interpretation

  • Patterns and Shapes: Look for specific shapes or patterns in the smoke. Different shapes may be interpreted as symbols or messages. For example, smoke that forms a clear shape might be seen as a positive sign, while erratic or choking smoke could indicate obstacles or difficulties.
  • Direction of Smoke: The direction in which the smoke moves can also be significant. For instance, smoke moving away from you might suggest something is leaving your life, while smoke moving toward you could indicate an incoming influence or message.
  • Behavior of Smoke: Observe if the smoke is thick or thin, steady or erratic. Consistent smoke might be seen as a clear answer, while flickering or disappearing smoke might suggest uncertainty or the need for further reflection.

4. Reflection and Insight

  • Intuitive Impressions: Beyond any specific interpretations, trust your intuition. Sometimes the impressions you get from the smoke can provide insights or clarity about your situation.
  • Journaling: It can be helpful to keep a journal of your observations and their meanings over time. Patterns or recurring themes might become clearer with practice.

Leave a Reply