Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Use of Candles, Torches, and Fire in Rituals

I have always been mesmerized by candles and fire. I remember lighting rolled-up paper as a teenager and watching it burn. If my parents had known, they might have sent me to a therapist, but they never did (and unless they are reading this now, they'll never find out).

Don't get me wrong – I'm not a pyromaniac, but I love campfires, fireplaces, candles, fireworks, and anything fire related.

So when it came time to come up with an idea for my new Xomba article, I wanted to investigate fire rituals and I learned about some rituals I'd never known existed. I even found some videos of fire rituals, which I link in the article.

Fire can be peaceful, but it can also be destructive; its power enchants, but it also annihilates.

As you might guess, I prefer its more relaxing meditative qualities, and I enjoy a room filled with fragrant candles. Anybody who purchases candles as gifts for me knows that I will use them (if I'm not allergic to the fragrance).

If fire interests you and you would like to read Use of Candles, Torches, and Fire in Rituals, please click the link.