Jumping the candle was divination used on Halloween night to predict what month a person might be married. However, this charm could be easily adopted to predict the month of any occasion, if one does not mind the fire hazard.
TIme and again I am amazed by all the lore published in newspapers over 100 years ago.
At a time when many people today seem to think life was good and people did “churchly” things, I am able to find plenty of ancient Pagan remnants within American folk traditions.
Jumping the Candle
This is a time honored game for Halloween by which any maiden may find out in what month she is to be married.
Twelve candles, named for the months in regular rotation, are lighted and placed on the floor about two feet apart in a long row or two rows if the room is small.
Over these candles, one by one, each player must jump.
The first candle that is extinguished by the draft of air from the jump tells the happy month.
Care should be taken to avoid setting the clothing on fire from the candles.
Source: Five Mile Beach weekly journal. (Wildwood, N.J.), 24 Oct. 1913.
