The Most Dangerous Games: The Devil’s Candle Ritual

Previously: Hell Phone.

This week, another wish-granting ritual game — one that should only be used for the deepest of wishes, owing to the fact that you may only attempt to perform it once over the course of your lifetime: The Devil’s Candle ritual.

Initially seeing its spread on 2ch (now 5ch) circa 2005, the Devil’s Candle doesn’t seem to have made its way outside of Japan; I’ve only ever encountered it on Japanese sites, where it’s usually only discussed with the barest of details. Most of the time, it’s positioned as a general wish-granting ritual, although some sources note that many who perform it do so with the express aim of finding love. Others, meanwhile, position it specifically as a ritual to use if you want to reconcile with someone — to heal a love gone sour.

[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]

Whatever your wish, the Devil’s Candle wishing ritual is simple to perform; it requires only a few items, and only a few actions. You do, however, have to be willing to repeat these actions in the same space many days in a row — for years, even, according to some reports — so make sure you’ve got the wherewithal to dedicate the time to it before you begin.

Because remember: You can only try it once. Just once.

As always: Play at your own risk.

Players:

• One principal.

Requirements:

• One red candle. (See: Additional Notes.)
• Matches or a lighter.
• One small plate.
• A collection of offerings. (See: Additional Notes.)
• A wish or desire.
• Time — however much you need.
• Space — a safe one, where you will not be disturbed.
• Silence — your own.

Instructions:

Preparing:

1. First: Decide upon your wish. Think carefully. Be sure this is what you want. You will have only one opportunity to make your wish in this way. Do not squander it.
2. Once you have decided upon your wish, gather your remaining supplies.
3. Do not speak of your wish to anyone else.
4. Do not speak of what you are about to attempt to anyone else.
5. When you are ready — when you are certain you are ready — you may begin.

Wishing:

1. On the first night, before you go to sleep, place the red candle in your chosen space.
2. Place the small plate in front of the candle.
3. Place your first offering on the plate.
4. Using the matches or lighter, light the candle.
5. Sit before the candle, and the plate, and the offering. Make sure you are comfortable. Make sure you are quiet.
6. Now: Focus on your wish. Hold your wish in your mind. Pray, if that sort of framing is useful to you. Imagine your wish coming true, in as much detail as you can.
7. Then: Extinguish the candle.
8. Go to sleep.
9. In the morning, dispose of the offering. Then, place the candle, matches or lighter, and plate somewhere secure — somewhere out of sight. Do not allow anyone else to touch them. Do not allow anyone else to see them. Keep them safe.
10. Do not speak of your wish to anyone else. Do not speak of what are attempting to anyone else. Keep your silence.

11. On the second night, before you go to sleep, retrieve the candle, matches or lighter, and plate from their secure location and set them up as before.
12. Now, place your second offering on the plate, as before.
13. Using the matches or lighter, light the candle, as before.
14. Sit before the candle, and the plate, and the offering, as before.
15. Focus on your wish, as before.
16. Extinguish the candle, as before.
17. Go to sleep, as before.
18. In the morning, dispose of the offering, and return the candle, matches or lighter, and plate to their secure location, as before. Do not allow anyone else to touch them or see them. Do not speak of your wish or of what your attempting to anyone else. Keep them safe. Keep your silence.
19. Repeat this process each night for… as long as it takes.
20. Repeat the process, until you no longer have to.
21. Do not let anyone see you.
22. Do not let anyone hear you.
23. Do not let anyone know anything about what you are doing.

Receiving:

1. Repeat the process, until one of the following occurs (whichever comes first):
   • The candle is used up and no longer lights;
   • Or, you achieve the desired result.
2. If the candle is used up before you achieve the desire result: The ritual has failed. Your wish is not meant to be — or, at least, not meant to be granted through these means. You will have to find a way to carry on without it.
3. If you achieve the desired result before the candle is used up: Congratulations; the ritual has succeeded.
4. Is it what you wanted?
5. Is it everything you ever dreamed of?
6. I hope so.
7. There is, after all, a reason this ritual is called the Devil’s Candle.

Additional Notes:

Due to the use of candles and open flames, this game should be considered a FIRE HAZARD. Take common sense fire safety precautions before playing, including but not limited to removing all flammable objects or items from the vicinity of the flame, keeping a functional fire extinguisher on hand during the course of the game, etc. We are not responsible for anything that may befall you while playing this game.

Regarding the requirements:

• The candle:
  • It must be new — a candle not previously burned. Do not use a candle that has already been lit.
  • The wax of itself must be red — not simply painted on. Do not use a candle of a different color painted red.
• The offerings:
  • The offerings must be consumable — sweets, other foodstuffs, or beverages.
  • The offerings must be refreshed each night. Do not use the same item two nights in a row.
  • The offerings may, however, be the same type of item each night. For instance, should you choose to use a wrapped sweet one night, you may use the same variety of wrapped sweet the next night, as long as the sweet itself is not the one from the previous night.

The procedures detailed in Wishing MUST be performed in the same location every night. If you are unable to do so, it is not recommended that you begin any attempts at performing this ritual.

Do NOT allow the candle, the plate, or the offerings to be touched, moved, disturbed, or seen by anyone else.

Do NOT allow yourself to be observed performing the ritual by anyone else.

Do NOT allow your wish or your attempt at performing the ritual to be known by anyone else.

A Final Warning:

If you have not achieved the desired result by the time the candle is completely used up, the ritual has failed. Do NOT attempt to continue with a replacement candle. Do NOT attempt to begin the ritual again.

The ritual may be attempted once, and only once.

You do not wish to find out what will happen if you try it a second time.

***

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