The 7-day candle arrives from the shop fully wrapped, on the top and the body, and almost everyone gets stuck on the same question before lighting it: do I remove the plastic or not? Joice answered at the counter, in a video on the shop's Instagram: remove only the plastic from the top and leave the body of the candle wrapped.
Next, the step-by-step for lighting, where to leave the candle, why it goes out by itself, and what it is used for in the terreiro.
7-day candle: do you have to remove the plastic?
No, the plastic does not come off completely. You only have to remove the top part. The top stays smooth and clean for you to light, and the rest of the packaging stays in place. This way, the candle burns completely without any problems.
“And the entire body of the candle will still be wrapped in the packaging, okay. You cannot remove the packaging from the body of the candle. Only on top here, okay?”
Joice Mística, at the counter of Joia Mística Laroyê
The manufacturer says the same. The instruction page from Velas Santo Antão says not to remove the 3 and 7-day votives from the packaging, and explains that this packaging is made of cellophane. According to the company, the cellophane gives resistance to the candle and makes the burning safer.
Steel Blue, which supplies this cellophane, explains the function: it needs to resist heat because it surrounds the flame and prevents it from going out.
If your candle's packaging brings different instructions, follow those of the manufacturer. And tape, adhesive, or decorations attached to the candle must be removed before lighting, as advised by the firefighters of Varginha.
How to light the 7-day candle, step-by-step
- Remove the plastic from the top, leaving the top and the wick free.
- Support the candle on a firm glass, ceramic, earthenware, or metal holder so it does not fall.
- Keep away from everything that burns. The United States fire department asks for about 30 cm of distance, and the firefighters of Goiás remind you about curtains, rugs, and towels.
- Avoid drafts and corners. In a corner, the heat rises and changes the burning.
- Light the wick and leave the candle where children and animals cannot reach, always with an adult nearby.
In the terreiro, the 7-day candle illuminates the orixá (orisha) altar and has already been seen lit in front of the house's assentamento. If you are setting up your space, see how to set up an Umbanda altar.
Why the 7-day candle goes out by itself or burns crooked
The 7-day candle is made to burn slowly. Its wick contains a copper wire, which keeps the flame low and helps the candle last. A small flame, therefore, is normal for this candle.
The most common causes of going out or burning crooked:
- Wind: a draft knocks down the low flame. The cellophane body helps to protect.
- Wick off-center: when the flame gets close to the side, put out the candle, put the wick back in the center, and light it again.
- Candle too light: the supplier RPK Parafinas indicates this wick for candles of 300 g and up; below that, the candle may not last the seven days.
- Flame disappearing: the Umbanda site Diário de Umbanda suggests removing a little wax around the wick and relighting it.
These causes are physical. If your house reads any message in the candle you blew out, that reading is from the house and your leader.
Can I light a 7-day candle in the bedroom at night?
In the bedroom, it is not recommended. The U.S. Fire Administration, the federal fire department agency of the United States, advises not to use a lit candle in the bedroom, bathroom, and sleeping area.
At night, the candle should only stay lit with someone awake in the same room. The American agency orders it to be blown out when leaving the room, and the firefighters of Varginha, before sleeping or leaving the house.
To extinguish, do not blow: the melted paraffin can splatter and burn. Firefighters indicate dipping the wick into the liquid paraffin with a metal object and then straightening the wick for the next time.
If your house asks for the candle to stay lit for consecutive days, coordinate with the Pai or Mãe de santo where it will stay and who will take care of it.
What is the 7-day candle used for in the terreiro
Fabio Oliveira de Sena researched the candles of the terreiros of Belém for the journal of the Historical and Geographical Institute of Pará. He records that the 7-day candle was formerly called a vela de libras. It does not have its own spiritual function: it serves the intention of whoever lights it and is chosen for its long shape, which takes a long time to burn.
In the terreiro, it illuminates the altar of the orixá, decorates the space during the offering, and accompanies the offering of a spirit. In a house of Carutapera, in Maranhão, the researcher saw a white candle of the "seven days, seven nights" type lit in front of the assentamento.
The color white is considered neutral in the terreiro and can serve any spirit. For the Guardian Angel, the Diário de Umbanda recommends a white or 7-day candle at least once a week.
The color of each candle is in ritual candles: colors and meanings, and the candle consecrated for the spirit guide and orixá is in firmeza in umbanda. General tips for use, for any candle, are in how to use candles in rituals.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 7-day candle really last seven days?
It depends on the weight of the candle. The 7-day wick keeps the flame low so it lasts the period, but the supplier warns that a candle weighing less than 300 g may run out sooner. The manufacturer Velas Santo Antão advises discarding the candle when half a centimeter of paraffin remains.
Does a 7-day candle need a plate underneath?
It needs firm support. The manufacturer says to light it over a safe container, and the firefighters of Varginha indicate glass, ceramic, porcelain, or metal supports, so the candle does not fall during burning. Keep the plate away from curtains, paper, and fabric.
What is a white 7-day candle for?
In the terreiro, white is considered neutral and can be used for any spirit, according to the research from Belém. In a house in Maranhão, it stayed lit in front of the assentamento. The Diário de Umbanda suggests a weekly white candle for the Guardian Angel.
Where to buy a 7-day candle
At Joia Mística Laroyê Joice shows at the counter how the candle arrives and how to light it:
- 7-day candles in various colors, wrapped in cellophane
- Clay saucers to support the candle on the altar or on the firmeza
- Statues of saints, orixás, and spirits for your altar
- Q&A with Joice about the correct use of each candle
Stop by the shop, at Rua Benedito Zingari, 460, Bela Vista, in Extrema-MG, or message on WhatsApp with delivery to all of Brazil.
References
- Santo Antão Candles: instructions for using votive candles
- Steel Blue: cellophane for 7-day candles
- RPK Parafinas: wick for 7-day votive candles
- Fabio Oliveira de Sena: the flame and sacred forms, IHGP Magazine, 2020
- Goiás Military Fire Department: domestic accident prevention guide
- U.S. Fire Administration: candle fire safety
- Varginha Online: Fire Department alert about candles, 2021
