Tranca Ruas Candle
Door guard, cutting of demanda, and open path under the key of Seu Tranca Ruas
Tranca Ruas Candle
7-day candle · stays lit for 7 days7 dias
Those seeking the Tranca Ruas candle are almost always asking for protection. It is the votive candle, with the guardian's label, that is lit for Seu Tranca Ruas in Umbanda and in Quimbanda: red on the top half, black on the bottom, the colors of the left. The name already tells the work. It locks the street through which evil would arrive and unlocks the one through which life needs to pass.
Tranca Ruas is not a single spirit, but an entire falange of guardian Exus: of the Almas, of the Sete Encruzilhadas, of Embaré, among other names that change from house to house. In Umbanda, many terreiros say he works in the vibration of Ogum (Ogun), like the soldier who guards the general's door. Other houses link the falange more to the Almas and to Omolu (Omulu). Monday, the day of Exu (Eshu) and of the Almas, is the date to light it in most places.
At home, his candle stays outside or near the door, never in the bedroom or near the altar of the orixás (orishas). It asks for protection and a path, not revenge. Tranca Ruas is known for his firmness and for holding people to their word: whoever asks him assumes the word they gave, and whoever tries to use his name to harm another person usually sees the door close on their own side.
What is it for
What is the purpose of the Tranca Ruas Candle
Red on top and black on the bottom, the Tranca Ruas candle is the firmeza of the guardian who closes the street to evil and opens the path for those who walk upright. It serves to protect the house, cut demanda, and request passage at work.
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Lock the door of the house against evil
Lit at the entrance or in the backyard, the candle requests that the guardian stay on watch. It is the prayer request of someone who feels the house is too open, with heavy visits, fighting, or fear of robbery.
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Cut demanda and persecution
When the feeling is of a sent charge, with everything jamming at once, the candle requests that Tranca Ruas close the passage of what was sent. Without returning evil to anyone, just cutting.
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Open a path at work
Interview, contract, client who disappears at the time of closing. The guardian is called to unlock the path. The candle opens the door, but crossing and doing your part continues with you.
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Steadiness before a big decision
Moving cities, long trips, new partnership. Many people light the Tranca Ruas candle on the eve to request that only those who arrive with good intentions stay on the path.
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See who is in bad faith
One of the oldest prayer requests to the guardian is clarity: that he shows the falsehood hidden near you. The candle does not accuse anyone, it only requests open eyes to see.
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Pay your word and give thanks
Exu collects what was promised. If the path opened, return on a Monday with the candle and a sip of marafo, if your house uses it, to close the cycle with respect.
Who rules this candle
Orixás and spirits of the Tranca Ruas Candle
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Seu Tranca Ruas
Guardian of the street, owner of the key
The candle carries his label and the colors of his firmeza, red and black. Tranca Ruas guards entrances, terreiros, and children of faith, and it is to him that one asks when the matter is to close the door to evil and open the right passage.
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Ogum
Lord of war and the iron paths
In most of Umbanda, Tranca Ruas is considered an Exu who works in the irradiation of Ogum, carrying out the orixá's orders on the street. Therefore, many médiuns greet Ogum before lighting the candle for the guardian.
Know Ogum
Also settled for
- Tranca Ruas das Almas
- Tranca Ruas das Sete Encruzilhadas
- Tranca Ruas de Embaré
- Exus guardians
Prayer to light
Prayer of the Tranca Ruas candle for house protection
“Seu Tranca Ruas, guardian of the street and the gate, I light this candle with respect and ask permission to arrive. Stand at my door while I sleep and while I go out to work. Whatever comes with envy, lies, or sent charge, let it find your key and return to where it came from, without me wishing ill to anyone. Whatever is rightfully mine, let it find the open road. With the permission of Pai Ogum, I ask that your cape covers this house and those who live in it. I fulfill what I promise and do not forget who guards me. Laroyê, Tranca Ruas! Exu is Mojubá!”Light the candle and pray
Step by step
How to consecrate the Tranca Ruas Candle
- 1
Take a ritual bath of leaves before
Guiné, arruda, or aroeira, from the neck down. The idea is to reach the guardian's candle without the day's load hanging on the body, because Exu works better with those who come clean.
- 2
Choose the outside
The place for the candle is the entrance: backyard, balcony, corner of the gate, or the tronqueira, if you have one. Inside an apartment, near the main door and away from the altar of the orixás.
- 3
Ask for permission and hail Ogum
Before lighting, many houses greet Ogum with an Ogunhê and only then call the guardian. Pass the candle between your hands and say in a low voice what you are requesting and for whom.
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Light it and say the prayer
Match, flame lit, glass of water by the side. Say the prayer or speak in your own words, in a direct way. Exu likes a clear request: say what you want to protect and what you want to open.
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Let it burn and perform the despacho with the remains
Do not blow on it. If needed, smother it with a saucer and relight it later. When it finishes, the water goes to the ground or to the street, and the rest of the wax is wrapped in paper and goes to the trash.
Precautions before lighting
- The 7-day candle on the outside asks for firm ground, away from dry leaves, awnings, and clotheslines. Protect it from the wind and never leave it within reach of children or animals.
- Tranca Ruas guards and cuts, but it is not for tying anyone down or for requesting harm to third parties. A request of this type goes against his foundation.
- Assentamento, tronqueira, and Quimbanda ritual work are done with the zelador of your house. The candle at home is a simple devotion and does not replace that.
- Offering of drink and cigar only if your house has this custom. If in doubt, the candle with water and the prayer are already complete devotion.
Ceromancy
What the flame of the Tranca Ruas Candle shows
Traditional terreiro reading. Before interpreting, check if there is no wind, crooked wick, or poor quality candle.
- Good sign
High and firm flame, burning straight
Many houses read this as a sign that the guardian accepted the offering and took charge of the door. It is the expected burn in a protection candle lit without wind.
- Attention
Glass that darkens at the top
It is usually read as charge being burned. If the glass turns completely black, it is worth repeating the candle next Monday and seeking a terreiro to look into the case.
- Good sign
Flame that crackles or releases sparks
Many médiuns read this as the guardian cutting what was stuck; others see only a damp wick. Check the wick, observe calmly, and let the candle continue until the end.
- Attention
Low flame, almost disappearing
It may indicate a heavy prayer request or a very charged environment. Check the wick, take a ritual bath of guiné, and relight it. If it persists, ask a terreiro leader for guidance.
- Observe
Candle that cracks or goes out on its own
Before any conclusion, check for drafts, the heat of the place, and the quality of the candle. If everything is correct, change the candle and redo the prayer request with tranquility.
Ritual bath and smoke cleansing (defumação)
Herbs that combine with the Tranca Ruas Candle
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guiné / Tipi
Petiveria alliacea
Herb of Exu and of Ogum, the first of the discharges. The ritual bath of guiné before lighting removes the weight from the body and prepares for the firmeza of the guardian.
See the herb -
Rue
Ruta graveolens
A sprig of rue behind the door, next to the candle, reinforces the cut against evil eye and envy while the flame burns during the week.
See the herb -
Pepper tree (aroeira)
Schinus terebinthifolius
Leaf of the left, strong in breaking spiritual attacks (demanda). Use it in a ritual bath from the neck down, or in a small bundle next to the saucer at the entrance of the house.
See the herb -
Pinhão-Roxo / Pinhão-Paraguaio
Jatropha gossypiifolia
Guardian plant of the gate in many houses of Umbanda. A pot of pinhão roxo near the candle's place helps maintain the guard after it finishes.
See the herb
Virtual Candle
Light the Tranca Ruas 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 Tranca Ruas Candle
What is the Tranca Ruas candle for?
It serves for house protection, cutting of demanda, and opening of paths. It is the firmeza of a guardian: it asks that he close the passage for envy and sent charges and unlock the road for those who work correctly. It is not a candle for revenge or for binding someone's will.
What is the best day to light a candle for Tranca Ruas?
Monday, the day of Exu and the souls in most houses, after it gets dark. For Tranca Ruas das Almas, All Souls' Day is also a strong date. Some houses firm the left on another day, so it is worth following the custom of your terreiro.
Can I light a Tranca Ruas candle inside the house?
You can, but his place is near the front door, not in the bedroom or on the altar of the orixás. Those who have a backyard or balcony prefer the outside. In an apartment, a safe corner near the door, with a glass of water next to it, works.
What is the difference between the Tranca Ruas candle and the common red and black one?
The colors are the same, but the Tranca Ruas one comes with a label and is consecrated to him. The red and black without a label serves the left in general. When the request is door guarding and cutting off a demanda, the guardian's candle is more direct.
Is Tranca Ruas evil or is he the devil?
No. The idea of Exu as the devil came from colonial catechesis, which demonized African religions. Tranca Ruas is a guardian who works within the spiritual law: he protects, cuts, and demands responsibility from whoever makes a request, including in their conduct.
Can I blow out the Tranca Ruas candle before it finishes?
The ideal is to let it burn until the end. If necessary, smother it with a saucer or a spoon, without blowing, and relight it as soon as you can. Blowing is seen as undoing the request with your own breath, and with Exu, a word started must be finished.
What to do with the remains of the Tranca Ruas candle?
The water from the glass goes to the earth or to the street, away from the door. The rest of the wax and the empty glass are wrapped and go to the common trash. If your house requires a ritual offering left outdoors (despacho) at the crossroads, follow the guidance of your terreiro leader.
