With storms once again sweeping the country, you'd be forgiven for feeling uneasy as the wind howls and flurries of snow arrive at your door.
Once you've made sure your home is secure – and you've no doubt raised the temperature on your thermostat – what else is there to do to keep the chilly weather at bay?
Well, if you fancy leaning into superstition, you can try an old-world practice: lighting a candle in every room of your home. In times gone by, this particular ritual was believed to dispel winter spirits and protect homes from being damaged by harsh storms. While it's no longer common practice, we asked experts exactly where the ritual came from, and how you can try it out.
Naturally, it helps to invest in some of the best candles: luxurious scented candles like Diptyque's Feu de Bois will definitely help you battle the winter blues, though budget-friendly buys like H&M's Dark Honey candle are a great choice. Even unscented options, like West Elm's pillar candles or even classic tapers, will also create a comforting ambience.
Lighting Candles During a Snowstorm: Experts Explain This Time-Honored Tradition
Candles are, of course, a reliable way to prepare for power outages during heavy storms. Keeping fire risks in mind, it's never wise to light too many candles around your home – or leave them in high-traffic areas where they could be knocked over – but candles can be a practical solution if you're suddenly unable to turn on your lights.
Reaching back to a more distant time, however, candles weren't just a source of light; they also held notable symbolic meanings. Lighting a candle in every room was believed to invite security and protection – both from weather damage as a result of a storm, and from dangerous 'winter spirits' which were thought to wreak havoc on a home.
Alongside these historical meanings, the ritual can also help you create good Feng Shui in your home. Candles are representative of the Fire element in Feng Shui, which is a symbol of transformation and power. With this in mind, lighting candles is believed to purify a home and bring warm, soothing energy – which is particularly welcome when a storm is raging outside.
But why light a candle in every room? This particular aspect of the ritual could, after all, contribute to aforementioned fire risks, and it requires a rather large candle collection. (Although you can use any type of candle you have to hand; even classic tealights, like this set from Target, will do the trick.)
Simply put, since candles symbolize safety and hope, keeping one in every room was believed to be the most effective way to banish evil spirits. It's worth noting, however, that each candle doesn't need to be lit at the same time. To avoid leaving candles unattended, stick to the rooms you use most often.
Experts say that candles are an ancient spiritual tool which have long been used to ward off negative energy and foster a sense of hope.
'In the thread that runs from the most ancient versions of spirituality to the most modern iterations of faith, there's no spiritual tool more hardworking and inclusive than the humble candle,' says celebrity psychic Inbaal Honigman.
'In several cultures, there's a belief that lighting a candle in every room of the house will bless and protect its inhabitants,' Inbaal explains. 'On a practical level, the light of the flame alleviates fear, and from a spiritual perspective, the light and smoke of the candle rise to the heavens, forming a bridge between this world and the unseen worlds. This bridge helps transport prayers and wishes to their rightful place.'
Lighting candles may not, in fact, be enough to stave off the more challenging effects of a snowstorm, but they'll certainly help you to feel cozy, restful and safe this winter. Who doesn't love hibernating during snowy weather, after all?
What to Shop
This is one of our favorite candles here at Homes & Gardens. It might be an investment, but it's a bestseller for a reason. Plus, the wood fire scent is a perfect choice during snowy winter weather.
For a more budget-friendly take on the fireside scent, this candle is a brilliant choice. Its unique wooden wick even creates a glorious crackling sound, as if you're curled up in front of a hearth.
If you're after a candle that's stylish, cozy, and fragrant, this one checks every box. The swirling glass jar adds instant elegance to any room, while the rich plum and honey scent is wonderfully inviting.
It's safe to say that ancient candle-lighting traditions didn't rely on scented candles, so simple pillar candles will still do the trick. They're an easy and affordable way to create a gentle, inviting ambience.
Tealights are a home staple, and if you don't fancy adding any more candles to your collection, a set like this is the perfect way to try out this time-honored ritual.
You might reserve your taper candles for dinner parties, but why not use them to bring some soothing energy to your home this winter? You can even dust off your best candlesticks, too.
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