A storm candle in the window is more than a beautiful light: It draws on an old custom and stands for protection, trust, and confidence when storms and thunderstorms gather outside. Why the window is a special place for it, what black storm candles mean – and why my most beautiful storm candle suddenly became quite crooked there – I will tell you in this post.
The weather candle in the window – a light when the sky rages outside
When the sky outside turns dark, the wind picks up, and the first rumble of thunder can be heard, there is an old custom that I find particularly beautiful: lighting a weather candle.
In the past, weather candles, storm candles, or shower candles were lit during severe thunderstorms, storms, and hailstorms. They represented a plea for protection for homes, people, animals, and crops.
The candle was never simply a “lightning rod made of wax.” Rather, it was a visible sign: of trust, of hope, and of a small light in a moment when nature shows us very clearly that we cannot control everything.
And that is exactly why my weather candle especially likes to stand in the window.
A light on the boundary between outside and inside
The window is a special place.
Clouds gather outside.
Rain beats against the panes.
Perhaps a flash of lightning already flickers across the sky somewhere.
And inside, this small, quiet light burns.
For me, the window is therefore like a threshold: Outside is the storm – inside are protection, warmth, and security.
The weather candle stands right in between.
It does not have to dispel the storm. It does not have to “magically make anything disappear.”
It simply gets to remind us:
It may storm outside. In here, a light burns.
An old custom that still touches something in us today
Weather candles have a long tradition. Especially in Catholic regions, blessed candles were lit when bad weather approached. Often, the family would gather together to pray.
Depending on the region, the candle stood in the window, in the living room, or in the so-called “Herrgottswinkel” (prayer corner).
Today, everyone is free to find their own way with it.
Perhaps it is a prayer.
Perhaps a quiet wish for protection.
Perhaps a moment of gratitude for having a roof over one’s head.
Or perhaps simply this conscious pause while the rain falls outside.
That is exactly what I like about such old rituals: We do not have to live them exactly as they were a hundred years ago for their meaning to be preserved.
Sometimes we simply need a small sign that reminds us to be still.
And sometimes that sign is a flame.
Why weather candles are often black
Black weather candles are particularly well known.
Many stories are also associated with their color. Historically, dark candles were made, among other things, from collected wax scraps from churches, which acquired a dark color through soot and reused wax. Later, weather candles were deliberately made in black.
Today, this is often combined with a beautiful symbolism.
Black can stand for the night.
For dark clouds.
For the storm.
For everything we cannot control.
And right in the middle of it burns a bright flame.
Perhaps this very contrast is one of the reasons why weather candles have such a special aura.
From the darkness, light grows.
And then my most beautiful weather candle suddenly became crooked…
Now, however, I have to tell you something else.
Because even a candle maker sometimes learns from her own candles.
One of my most beautiful weather candles had found its place in the window. Just the way I love it.
Only I had not considered one crucial point:
It was a window on the sunny side.
And wax is a natural material that does not take to heat very gracefully.
When the sun shone brightly through the window, my beautiful weather candle became warm.
Very warm.
And before I knew it, it no longer stood as proudly and straight as before.
It was… shall we say:
a little out of shape.
At first, of course, I felt sorry for my beautiful candle.
But now I have to chuckle about it.
Because really, it is exactly the story I absolutely want to tell you.
Please remember: weather candles may like thunderstorms – but not the blazing sun
If you like to keep your weather candle in the window, please check whether direct sunlight shines in there.
Especially at south- or west-facing windows, it can become very warm behind the glass. A candle can therefore become soft, warp, or in the worst case, tip over completely.
So here is my tip from personal experience:
After the storm, the weather candle may move back to a cool, shady place.
Especially in summer.
And of course, as with any candle, when burning it: always place it on a safe, heat-resistant surface, keep it away from curtains and other flammable objects, and never leave it burning unattended.
Fortunately, I have more than one weather candle
The best part of the whole story?
When the next storm actually came, I naturally still had other weather candles.
So I could simply light a new one.
And while the sky outside turned dark again, I sat inside and looked at my little flame.
Perhaps that is exactly why that moment was so beautiful.
Because my crooked weather candle had reminded me once more what it is really about:
Not perfection.
Not being able to control nature.
But this little ritual.
Lighting a candle.
Coming to rest.
Listening to the rain.
And knowing:
Even when the sky rages outside, a light can burn inside.
Perhaps this will become your own little storm ritual
I think we need such little rituals now almost more than ever.
Not because a candle can prevent a storm.
But because it does something with us.
We stop wanting to control everything for a moment.
We become still.
We look out the window.
We watch the sky.
And right in the middle of the thunder, rain, and wind, this little light burns.
That is why a weather candle is not simply a candle to me.
It is a reminder that light and darkness may exist at the same time.
That we cannot prevent every storm.
But that we can choose which light we light in it.
And if your weather candle also finds its place in the window:
Think of my beautiful crooked candle...
Wishing you a beautiful glow:
Yours
Dinah Henke from Lichtermacherei Grundfarm Wachskunst
Comments
-
Ist mir auch schon passiert