7 Day Candles
Seven-day candles hold a significant place in Hoodoo, a spiritual practice that blends African, Native American, and European folk magics. These candles are not just sources of light but are imbued with intentions, prayers, and the energy of the person using them. They are typically encased in glass jars, often colored and labeled for specific purposes or invoking particular saints or spirits. The use of these candles spans several intentions, including protection, love, healing, cleansing, and attracting prosperity.
The practice of using seven-day candles is deeply symbolic in Hoodoo. The number seven itself is considered powerful, representing completion, perfection, and God's creation of the world in seven days, according to biblical lore. Lighting these candles and letting them burn continuously for seven days is a way to mark time, sustain focus on an intention, and invoke divine intervention or the aid of ancestors and spirits over a significant period. It is believed that as the candle burns, it carries the practitioner's prayers to the spiritual realm, creating a bridge between the physical and the spiritual.
In addition to their spiritual significance, seven-day candles serve as a focal point for meditation and reflection. Practitioners may inscribe names, dates, or specific desires on the glass or the wax, anoint the candles with oils, and place herbs, stones, or other symbolic items around the candle to enhance its power and direct its energy. The practice is highly personal and customizable, reflecting the individual's intentions and the flexibility of Hoodoo as a spiritual tradition. Through these rituals, seven-day candles become powerful tools for transformation, protection, and communication with the spiritual world.