Vovó Catarina de Angola candle
Grandmother's prayer against quebranto, patience and peace in the house, in the souls line
Vovó Catarina de Angola candle
7-day candle · stays lit for 7 days7 dias
The Vovó Catarina de Angola candle is the votive candle of one of the most called pretas velhas in Umbanda terreiros. It has the two colors of the souls line, black at the bottom and white on top, and the label with the grandmother's image. Those who light it are usually tired of fighting at home, worried about a child who won't sleep, or needing a comfort they cannot find in the world.
Vovó Catarina belongs to the spiritual legion (falange) of the pretos velhos, spirits of African elders who return to bless and advise. The name follows the line's custom: a family title, a saint's name, and the land of origin, here Angola. In the gira, she arrives slowly, sits on a stump, asks for coffee, and prays with rue in her hand. Monday is the most cited day of the souls, and May 13 is the festival date of the pretos velhos.
At home, her candle asks for humility and time. It is not for speeding anything up or sending a message against anyone. The preta velha works as a grandmother: she listens, calms, and shows the path, and whoever made the prayer request remains responsible for walking it. Therefore, her prayer comes along with a frank conversation at home.
What is it for
What is the Vovó Catarina de Angola Candle for
The black and white candle of Vovó Catarina de Angola takes the prayer request to a preta velha of the souls line. She is sought to cut quebranto, calm the family, protect the children's sleep, and give patience to those going through a long wait.
-
Family fighting that never ends
When the house is in a state of war, the candle of Vovó Catarina asks for tempers to cool. She does not choose sides: she helps each one to speak with less anger and listen with more calm.
-
Quebranto and evil eye in children
A crying child, without appetite and down after many visits is the classic case for a preta velha benzimento. The candle accompanies the prayer with arruda, without dispensing with the pediatrician.
-
Tranquil sleep and protected room
For those who wake up scared or sleep poorly, the candle lit outside the room, before going to bed, asks the grandmother to watch over the house's rest during the night.
-
Patience to wait
Job response, lawsuit, news from a distant relative. The preta velha teaches how to wait without despair, and the candle is lit to ask for this spirit, not to rush the result.
-
Counsel and comfort in sadness
Mourning, separation, loneliness. The candle of Vovó Catarina is lit to ask for the comfort that the pretos velhos give in the gira: a gentle word and strength to get up the next day.
Who rules this candle
Orixás and spirits of the Vovó Catarina de Angola Candle
-
Vovó Catarina de Angola
Preta Velha of the gentle prayer and blessing
She is the owner of this candle. She works in the line of the souls, blesses with rue and coffee, and is called when the problem is at home, for a child, or for a tired heart. The label shows her image.
-
Obaluaê (Omulu)
Lord of the earth and the souls
In many houses, the pretos velhos come in the vibration of Obaluaê, owner of Monday and of the black and white of this candle. Others link the pretas velhas to Nanã (Nana Buruku), the grandmother of the orixás (orishas). The regency changes depending on the terreiro.
Know Obaluaê (Omulu) -
Oxalá (Obatala)
Pai Maior, guardian of the white cloth
Since the old Umbanda, the spirits of pretos appear in the devotion of Oxalá, and research records pretos velhos descending under him and under Omulu. The white of the candle is his part.
Know Oxalá
Also settled for
- Pretos Velhos
- Pretas Velhas of Angola
- Linha das Almas
- Vovó Maria Conga
- Vovó Cambinda
Prayer to light
Prayer of the Vovó Catarina de Angola candle
“Vovó Catarina de Angola, my grandmother of the souls, I light this light asking permission from your stump and your pipe. You, who have already carried a weight greater than mine, teach me to carry mine without bitterness. Pass your rue through my house and remove from it the evil eye, the crossed word, and the children's crying without reason. When I lose my patience, hold my hand. When I want to give up, remind me to wait. Cover the sleep of those who sleep here and put calm in the mouth of those who fight. Accept this coffee and this simple prayer from one who trusts in you. Adorei as Almas!”Light the candle and pray
Step by step
How to consecrate the Vovó Catarina de Angola Candle
- 1
Arrange a low and quiet corner
Preto velho works sitting down and near the floor. A low table or a stool covered with a white cloth, away from the house's walkway, is better than a high shelf.
- 2
Serve the coffee and the water
Place the coffee cup on one side and the glass of water on the other. Coffee is the offering (agrado) most accepted by pretos velhos, and the water receives what is cleansed during the week.
- 3
Bless the candle with rue
Pass the rue branch around the candle, from top to bottom, softly saying the name of the person who will be helped. Then lay the branch next to the saucer.
- 4
Light the candle and greet the souls
Light with a match, say "Adorei as Almas" and call Vovó Catarina by name. Do the prayer and tell the problem as you would tell a grandmother, without rushing and without demanding a deadline.
- 5
Finish without blowing
Let the candle burn until the end and do not blow it out. When it finishes, the coffee and water go into the soil of a pot, the rue goes into the trash, and the wax wrapped in paper also.
Precautions before lighting
- 7-day candle stays on a firm saucer, on a surface that does not burn, away from curtains and out of reach of children, cats, and dogs.
- Quebranto in children is prayed for, but fever, non-stop crying, or lack of appetite require a pediatrician. The candle accompanies the treatment and does not replace the doctor.
- Consecrating a preto velho with an assentamento, bead necklace (guia), or obrigação is a matter for the leader of your terreiro. The candle at home is a prayer, not the house's sacred foundation.
- Preta velha does not work for anyone's evil. Do not ask her to separate a couple or to restrain another person's will.
Ceromancy
What the flame of the Vovó Catarina de Angola Candle shows
Traditional terreiro reading. Before interpreting, check if there is no wind, crooked wick, or poor quality candle.
- Good sign
Low, gentle, and constant flame
It is the expected burning for a preta velha: without haste and without fright. Many houses read it as an accepted prayer request and an environment calming little by little.
- Good sign
Glass clean until the end of the week
In the 7-day candle, the clear glass is usually read as a prayer that ran without interference and a lighter house after the burning.
- Attention
Cracks and sparks at the beginning
Many read it as quebranto or evil eye being cut. If the cracks continue for days, repeat the prayer with arruda on the following Monday.
- Attention
Dark soot glass
It can indicate a heavy load in the house. If it happens again, it is worth taking the case to a gira of pretos velhos in a trusted terreiro.
- Observe
Wax dripping from one side only
Before reading, check if the candle is straight and away from the window. Once corrected, there are houses that read the tear side as the matter that requires more prayer.
Ritual bath and smoke cleansing (defumação)
Herbs that pair with the Vovó Catarina de Angola Candle
-
Rue
Ruta graveolens
The herb that does not leave the hand of the preto velho. One branch to bless the candle and another next to the saucer during the week of burning.
See the herb -
guiné / Tipi
Petiveria alliacea
Strong cutting leaf. A guinea hen weed ritual bath from the neck down before lighting helps when the quebranto is in an adult.
See the herb -
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
Brings lightness after the blessing. A small sprig in the water of the glass or a warm ritual bath helps the house breathe better after the prayer.
See the herb -
chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Herb for calm and sleep. A tea for the family on the night the candle is lit combines with the prayer request for peace in the home.
See the herb
Virtual Candle
Light the Vovó Catarina de Angola 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 Vovó Catarina de Angola Candle
Who is Vovó Catarina de Angola in Umbanda?
She is a preta velha, the spirit of an African elder who works in the line of the souls. She blesses, advises, and is highly sought after for family and children's problems. The name Angola indicates the land of origin, as is customary among the pretos velhos. Details of her history vary from terreiro to terreiro.
What is the best day to light the Vovó Catarina candle?
Monday, the day of the souls and the pretos velhos in most houses. During the year, the most remembered date is May 13, and there are houses that prefer November 20. If your terreiro honors the pretos velhos on another day, follow the day of your house.
Can I light a preta velha candle at home without being a medium?
You can. Prayer to preto velho does not require mediumship or initiation. Just respect, a clean corner, and coffee. What remains for the terreiro is consecration with a bead necklace (guia), an assentamento, or heavier work.
If the candle goes out, can I light it again?
You can. If it went out on its own, check the wind and the wick and light it again with the same prayer. If you need to put it out to leave, smother it with a saucer, never blow on it, and resume when you return.
What to do with the coffee and the leftover candle?
After the candle finishes, the coffee and water go to the soil of a pot or a garden, and the cup is washed. The wax and the arruda go to the common trash, wrapped in paper. Do not drink the offered coffee.
What is the difference between the Vovó Catarina candle and the black and white candle?
The black and white candle is from the line of the souls as a whole. The Vovó Catarina one carries her label and directs the prayer to that preta velha. In the absence of the votive, the black and white can be consecrated for her by saying her name at the time of lighting.
