When I first started trading, candlestick patterns felt like a secret code. Everyone kept talking about hammers, dojis, and engulfing patterns, but honestly, they just looked like squiggly lines to me.
The turning point came when I stopped memorizing patterns and started watching price behavior in real time. I’d notice how a hammer often appeared after a strong downtrend, signaling potential reversal, but only if the volume supported it.
I also learned that context matters. A doji at a support level can be powerful, but in isolation? Almost meaningless.
Now, I don’t just “see” candles; I interpret them, combining patterns with support, resistance, and volume. It’s like learning a new language—at first, it’s messy, but eventually, your brain starts recognizing the story the market is telling.
