Yellow Candle
Prosperity, self-love, and the sweetness of Oxum (Oshun)'s waters in a golden flame
Yellow Candle
7-day candle · stays lit for 7 days7 dias
Those who look for the yellow candle almost always arrive with a request for money on the tip of their tongue. It makes sense: yellow is the color of gold, of the morning sun, and of commerce that opens doors early. In Umbanda and Candomblé, however, this color speaks of more. It asks for abundance, yes, but also beauty, self-esteem, well-cared-for love, and the calm of those who know how to wait for the harvest.
The owner of this yellow is Oxum, the lady of the rivers and waterfalls. She is called Iyalodê, a title for those who have a voice in the community's decisions, and for this reason, her candle is not just for vanity or romance. Saturday is her day in most houses. In part of Umbanda, Iansã (Oya) also wears golden-yellow and receives this candle on Wednesdays, which shows that the color changes owners according to tradition.
Lit at home, the yellow candle works slowly and sweetly. It does not cut demanda nor ward off enemies; for that, there are other colors. What it does is sweeten the environment, warm up self-esteem, and remind that prosperity, for Oxum, also includes taking care of oneself and of others.
What is it for
What is the Yellow Candle for
The yellow candle carries the shine of gold and fresh water. In the terreiro it belongs to Oxum, the Iyalodê, and it enters requests for prosperity, productive work, self-love, harmony in the couple, and fertility, always with more sweetness than haste.
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Money that comes in and stays
For tight phases, short salaries, or accounts that do not balance. The yellow candle sets the request for abundance, but the work and care with spending remain yours.
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Customers and movement in commerce
Those who sell, serve, or work for themselves usually light the yellow candle at the beginning of the work week, near the register or the table, asking for movement to arrive.
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Self-esteem and self-love
After a breakup, a harsh criticism, or a time of feeling dimmed, the flame of Oxum helps to remember one's own value. It pairs with a flower ritual bath and a clean mirror.
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Sweetness and patience in the couple
When the relationship turns sour, with harsh words and little conversation, the yellow candle asks for affection to return. It sweetens the coexistence, it does not force anyone to stay.
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Request for pregnancy and maternal care
Oxum is the mother who watches over the belly and small children. Many women light the yellow candle asking for a peaceful pregnancy, along with medical follow-up.
Who rules this candle
Orixás and spirits of the Yellow Candle
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Oxum
Iyalodê, lady of gold and fresh waters
Gold-yellow is the color of Oxum in almost all nations. Her domain is the river, abundance, beauty, and fertility, and Saturday is her day. Therefore, the yellow candle carries to her requests for money, love, and children.
Know Oxum -
Iansã
Lady of the winds, in part of Umbanda
In Candomblé Iansã wears coral-red and brown. In some Umbanda houses, however, she appears in gold-yellow and receives the yellow candle on Wednesdays, especially for requests of courage and phase change. Follow the custom of your house.
Know Iansã
Also settled for
- Caboclas of the waterfalls
- Romani people
- Baianas
- Erês
Prayer to light
Yellow candle prayer to Mamãe Oxum
“Mother Oxum, mistress of the waters that flow without stopping, I light this yellow candle on your day and place before it what I have most precious: my home, my work and my heart. Teach my hands to care for what arrives, so that nothing slips through my fingers. Make my livelihood flow like your river, with constancy and without breaking the banks. Restore the shine that I let fade in me and remind me that I also deserve care. Sweeten the words inside this house and keep away envy and haste from here. May this golden light be my gratitude for what I have already received and my confidence in what is still to come. Ora Yeyê Ô!”Light the candle and pray
Step by step
How to set the Yellow Candle
- 1
Arrange a beautiful little corner
Oxum likes care. Clean the table, spread a light cloth and place the flowers in a vase with water. An arranged place is already part of the offering, even before the flame.
- 2
Bathe before lighting
A ritual bath of chamomile or yellow rose petals, from the neck down, prepares the body for the prayer request. Wear light clothing and leave your phone away for a few minutes.
- 3
Consecrate the candle thinking of the prayer request
Hold the candle with both hands and say in your thoughts what you want to ask of Oxum. Be specific: a job, a reconciliation, more peace with your own body.
- 4
Light next to the water
Place the candle on the plate and the cup of water right next to it, remembering the river of Oxum. Light it with a match, hail with Ora Yeyê Ô and perform the prayer calmly, in a low voice.
- 5
Thank and finish without blowing
Let the candle burn until the end and, if you need to leave, smother it with a spoon. The water goes to a plant, the withered flowers to the earth and the wax goes wrapped in the trash.
Precautions before lighting
- A 7-day candle stays lit for a long time: keep it away from curtains, towels and animals, on a firm plate over a surface that does not catch fire.
- In some houses of Candomblé, honey is a quizila of certain qualities of Oxum. Before using honey on the candle or in the offering, ask the zelador of your house.
- Sweetness is not a bond. Oxum attracts those who want to arrive and lets go of those who want to leave, so do not light this candle thinking of holding someone against their will.
- Whoever asks Oxum for pregnancy or health continues with prenatal care, exams and the doctor. The flame is a companion of faith alongside care, never in its place.
- Obrigação, assentamento, and comida de santo of Oxum are done in the terreiro, with foundation. The candle at home is devotion, it does not replace what belongs to one's head (cabeça).
Ceromancy
What the flame of the Yellow Candle shows
Traditional terreiro reading. Before interpreting, check if there is no wind, crooked wick, or poor quality candle.
- Good sign
High and golden flame
Many houses understand the live and yellowish flame as a sign that the prayer request was welcomed and that the path for it is open.
- Observe
Wax that drips forming tears
In the candle of Oxum, the wax tear is usually read as stored emotion coming to the surface. It is worth listening to what the heart is asking beyond money.
- Attention
Low flame that takes time to steady
It may indicate a rushed prayer request or tiredness of the one who lit it. Rest, redo the flower ritual bath and light another candle on a Saturday morning.
- Attention
Crackles and small sparks
Some houses read the crackles as resistance in the path of the prayer request. Check first if the wick is not damp; if it persists, talk to a trusted zelador.
- Good sign
Candle that ends clean on the plate
Little residue and a plate without soot are read as a peaceful burning. It is time to give thanks and, if you wish, return on the following Saturday with fresh flowers.
Ritual bath and smoke cleansing (defumação)
Herbs that pair with the Yellow Candle
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chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Sweet and calming herb of Oxum. The chamomile ritual bath before lighting calms the mind and makes the prayer request for love or abundance more serene.
See the herb -
cinnamon
Cinnamomum verum
Linked to prosperity and Oxum. A cinnamon stick next to the plate or a little powder at the house door accompanies the candle in prayer requests for money.
See the herb -
Yellow Rose
Rosa foetida
The flower that best pairs with this candle. The petals go into the self-esteem ritual bath and the whole bud can stay in a vase, next to the flame.
See the herb -
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Solar flower that accompanies the yellow candle on the altar. Leave fresh sunflowers near the flame in prayer requests for joy and prosperous work.
See the herb
Virtual Candle
Light the Yellow Candle now
Choose the type, write your request, and pay by PIX. The flame stays on the altar and you follow along through the link.
Place on the altarFrequently asked questions
Questions about the Yellow Candle
Which orixá (orisha) is the yellow candle for?
Mainly Oxum, owner of gold-yellow in almost all traditions. In part of Umbanda, Iansã also uses yellow and receives this candle on Wednesdays. If in doubt, say out loud for whom you are lighting it and follow the custom of your house.
What is the best day to light the yellow candle?
Saturday, which is the day of Oxum in most houses. If the prayer request is for Iansã in the Umbanda line, Wednesday is her day. The morning is the preferred time, but the candle can be lit on any day the need arises.
Can I put honey on the yellow candle?
It depends on the house. Many Umbanda traditions anoint the candle with a little honey to sweeten the prayer request, but in part of Candomblé, honey is quizila for the qualities of Oxum. If you attend a terreiro, ask the zelador before using it.
What is the difference between a yellow candle and an amarelo ouro candle?
The yellow candle is broader and sweeter: it addresses money, self-esteem, love, and family. The gold yellow has a more closed tone and is sought for material wealth, sales, and assets. Both belong to Oxum, and the choice depends on the focus of the prayer request.
Does the yellow candle bring quick money?
There is no candle that guarantees money, neither fast nor slow. The yellow candle sets the prayer request for prosperity before Oxum and helps maintain faith and discipline while you work. If you need to leave, smother the flame with a spoon, without blowing, and light it again when you return.
What to do with the flowers and water after the yellow candle?
The water goes to a plant or to the backyard soil. The flowers can stay in the vase until they wither and then go to the soil or to organic waste. The leftover wax goes wrapped in paper for the common trash.
Can I light a yellow candle at home without being initiated in the religion?
You can. The yellow candle is a devotion open to anyone who respects Oxum. Light it with clean intention, in a safe and tidy place. What requires initiation are the obligations and the orixá food (comida de santo), which are done in the terreiro.
