How much symbolism is there in lighting a candle?

It’s a nice quiet Friday night. For the most part, the Midwest shut down today. We have had so much snow the last two days, we are finally measuring it in feet instead of inches. Now, if you read my little irate about snow, you know I don’t care for it much, but I did get a snow day. My group at work was told to work from home, and sometime before noon, we got the word they were closing the office. Well, if you didn’t have to be out on the road for anything, how could you possibly see it as anything but an opportunity to enjoy a little hibernation?

So, here it is, 7:30 at night, I have XM 73 playing (classic jazz), candles lit all over in the living room, and I’m curled up with a glass of wine on the couch. I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend a snowy night. There was an opportunity to get for a “date” but I wasn’t ready for the uncomfortable goodnight, or having to invite him in. See, this would be date number four with this particular gentleman and I’m not sure if I would be required to invite him in and well, I just think I needed a little alone time. On the topic of dates, protocol and candles, let me tell you a little story about a date a few months back.

I don’t remember the specifics of the night, when it was, what we had gone and done for the “date” – most likely a movie, seems to be the standard for the chap that can’t or won’t think of anything more original to do. The thing about this guy was/is, he has been my friend for some time now. I’m still not sure I would have categorized it as a “date” but he informed me a few days later it was so let’s just go with that (not to mention this story is getting really long isn’t it?)

Ok, so after the “date” we came back to my house, of course I invited him in, we opened a bottle of wine. I lit candles in the fireplace, just like I’m doing tonight for little ‘ole me, and we sat and talked for hours. About the time I was thinking the night was over he leaned over and gave me a kiss. Now I’m not going to comment on the kiss itself, cause the important information here is IT WAS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. I didn’t see anything about the events of the night, or anything about our relationship as romantic. I guess I thought I was spending time with a friend that was going through a painful transition.

A couple of days later, I mustered up enough guts to ask him what that was all about, intentions of the night, the kiss, and how I could have been so confused by it all. This is where I want to remind you we have been friends for a very long time, and there has NEVER been any chemistry between the two of us. All he could say to me in response was, “Well, you lit candles.”

So as I’m sitting here tonight, obviously trying to woe myself, (I have all the ingredients: candles, soft music, wine, and I smell really good since I just got out of the shower) I’m wondering, do you think I’ll get lucky tonight?
I ask you….

How many candles are symbolic of go ahead, make the move? Maybe it’s not even quality, could it be size?

Does size matter?

If it’s a skinny little table candle, what is that saying?

Maybe it’s not size, but what you do with it… you know, not the pencil but what you write with it?

What is the safe zone – if you stick it in the kitchen?

How about color….will that have any impact on the events? I've heard it said, once you go black you will never go back? Can this be applied to black candles? I mean, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking, if I’m lighting black candles all over the house, I would be waiting for someone to pull out the voodoo dolls, stick pins and chanting; of course that’s just me….maybe that’s a turn on to some – I HAVE NO IDEA, so I’m asking, what’s the code?

It used to be a candle in the window meant, hello friend, my home is a safe haven from religion persecution, all are welcome here. Has that changed too? For all I know it could hold the same meaning as putting a red light in your window.

Do you think I can pick up a book on candle protocol? Maybe they have candle etiquette for Dummies, if not, maybe somebody should write one.