While we are on the subject of Breath being Life within witchcraft, lets talk about the hypocrisy of blowing out candles.
In the modern witchcraft community, especially in online spaces like WitchTok, there seems to be an unending stream of "rules" and "proper" ways to practice magic. One such example is the belief that it’s disrespectful to blow out your candle flame. Ironically, the same witches who espouse this rule are often the ones who participate in the popular practice of blowing cinnamon into their front doors on the first of the month. This contradiction highlights a significant issue within the community: the hypocrisy and gatekeeping that can distort the true essence of personal practice in witchcraft.
The Origins and Intent of Candle Rituals
Candle magic is a fundamental practice in many forms of witchcraft. The act of lighting a candle symbolises the spark of intention, the fire of willpower, and the illumination of the spirit. Traditionally, there has been a belief that blowing out a candle extinguishes not only the flame but also the magic tied to it. This idea is rooted in the concept that breath, representing life force, could inadvertently blow away the spell or intention along with the flame.
In various cultures, the act of extinguishing a flame is treated with care. Some witches prefer to snuff out the candle using a candle snuffer, fingers, or even by placing a lid over it, believing that this method preserves the magic within. The idea is that by snuffing, you are respectfully ending the spell without dispersing its energy into the ether. However, it’s crucial to recognise that these practices vary widely depending on cultural and regional traditions.
The belief that blowing out a candle is inherently disrespectful or incorrect is not a universal truth. It is a preference, one rooted in specific traditions but not necessarily in others. The real power of candle magic lies not in how the flame is extinguished, but in the intention and energy behind the ritual itself.
The Cinnamon Blowing Practice
On the flip side, a newer trend that has gained popularity, particularly on platforms like WitchTok, is the practice of blowing cinnamon through your front door on the first of the month. This ritual is said to invite prosperity, abundance, and good luck into the home. The act involves standing at the front door, holding a small amount of cinnamon in your hand, and blowing it into the house while focusing on your intention for the coming month.
This practice, while rooted in folk magic traditions that emphasize the use of herbs and spices for prosperity, has evolved into a ritual that many modern witches participate in. It’s a simple, accessible, and visually striking practice that lends itself well to social media, where rituals that are easy to perform and share can quickly go viral.
However, unlike the longstanding traditions surrounding candle magic, the cinnamon-blowing ritual is relatively new and, to some extent, more of a modern invention than a historical practice. Yet, it is widely accepted and performed without the same level of scrutiny or gatekeeping that other practices, like candle extinguishing, face.
The Hypocrisy and Gatekeeping
Herein lies the hypocrisy. The same witches who insist that blowing out a candle is disrespectful are often the ones who enthusiastically participate in the cinnamon-blowing ritual, a practice that, while meaningful, lacks the deep historical roots of other magical customs. This inconsistency highlights a broader problem within the witchcraft community: the tendency to gatekeep based on personal bias rather than objective truth or historical accuracy.
Gatekeeping in witchcraft is the act of declaring certain practices as "right" or "authentic" while dismissing others as incorrect or invalid. It’s a form of control that can be particularly damaging to new or less experienced witches who may feel pressured to conform to these arbitrary rules. The result is a community where certain practices are elevated and others are marginalised, not based on their effectiveness or meaning, but on the personal preferences of a vocal few.
The problem with this approach is that it undermines the essence of witchcraft, which is deeply personal and intuitive. Magic is not a one-size-fits-all practice. What works for one witch may not resonate with another, and that’s perfectly fine. The power of witchcraft lies in its adaptability, in the ability of each practitioner to shape their practice according to their own beliefs, experiences, and needs.
When witches insist that there is only one "right" way to do something, they are not only gatekeeping but also spreading misinformation. For example, the belief that blowing out a candle will ruin a spell may be true for some witches, but it is not a universal truth. In fact, for many witches, blowing out a candle is a perfectly valid way to end a ritual, especially when done with intention and respect.
Similarly, the cinnamon-blowing practice, while popular and effective for some, is not a traditional ritual in the same sense as candle magic. It’s a modern adaptation, a blend of old folk practices and new-age creativity. And that’s okay. But to elevate it while dismissing other practices as "incorrect" is not only hypocritical but also harmful to the diversity and richness of the witchcraft community.
The Importance of Intent and Personal Practice
At the heart of this discussion is the concept of intent. In magic, intent is everything. Whether you blow out a candle or snuff it out with a lid, the effectiveness of the ritual depends on the intention and energy behind it. The same goes for blowing cinnamon into your home. The power of the ritual lies not in the act itself but in the focus, energy, and belief you put into it.
Magic is a deeply personal practice. It’s about finding what resonates with you, what feels right, and what brings you closer to your goals. For some witches, that means adhering to traditional methods, while for others, it means experimenting with new and innovative practices. There is no right or wrong way to practice witchcraft, as long as your actions are intentional and meaningful to you.
The real danger of gatekeeping is that it stifles creativity and personal growth. It creates a rigid, dogmatic environment where only certain practices are deemed valid, and others are dismissed without consideration. This goes against the very spirit of witchcraft, which is about empowerment, exploration, and self-discovery.