Corpse Candles
Not to be confused with your run of the mill orbs or will o'wisps, the corpse candle is an inexplicable ball of light often believed to be omen of imminent death of someone close to you (either emotionally or, well, literally). Most corpse candles were often seen in graveyards or in swamps which, of course, links them to the swamp gas explainer. However, some lore also notes that corpse candles may represent the soul of a recently deceased.
Unlike will o’wisps or orbs, which sometimes are linked to misleading or confusing the viewer, corpse candles do not seem to have a mischievous nature. In fact, they may not have any will of their own and only exist as a warning from…something, to expect death.
Some believe the explanation and connection to early industrial Wales and England may be linked to electrical phenomenon. Others believed, especially the corpse candles seen near swaps, were simply swamp gas or a chemical reaction.
Some believe that, instead of seeing it on a path, the corpse candle would float above one's residence. Then, you may see it move from the home to the churchyard to mimic the funeral procession to come. Although the corpse candle is, as mentioned above, not sentient...one would be wise not to interfere with its path. If you attempt to swat or guide the corpse candle in any way it is said that your death can be counted, as well as the one foretold.
It is said that the color you see may also play a part in determining what kind of death you should expect.
A large and white corpse candle indicate an adult woman was about to die
Two white corpse candles (any size) floating together was an omen that a woman and her unborn child were to die together
Large red corpse candles were said to to be related to an adult male death
Corpse candles that were small and blue indicated that a young child was about to die
Large and blue indicated that an infant or toddler was about to die
The blog image is from flickr user Tony Alter, and licensed under Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)