Valued by all cultures, fire has been used for 1,5 million years and understandably is known as the mother of all elements.
CREATE A CENTERING RITUAL BY LIGHTING A CANDLE
Starting in New Zealand, on a massive peace vigil, a rolling wave of candlelight passed across the entire globe. Those lighting the candles were inspired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Reverend Robert Edgar who organized the movement in a bid to discourage war with Iraq. They did so with the intention of ‘distilling darkness and rekindling the light of reason and hope’. In a catholic church an elderly woman lights a candle for a loved one who has passed on. Somewhere else, a little girl stands excitedly in front of her birthday cake unaware of partaking in her first candle ritual – eyes closed making a wish, before blowing out the flames. On a Friday night Shabbat table two candles are lit, representing the dual commandments, to remember and to keep the Sabbath. Go to Thailand at the right time and you might witness the Loi Krathong Festival where thousands of candles are sent down the rivers in little paper boats to disperse bad fortune.
Starting in New Zealand, on a massive peace vigil, a rolling wave of candlelight passed across the entire globe. Those lighting the candles were inspired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Reverend Robert Edgar who organized the movement in a bid to discourage war with Iraq. They did so with the intention of ‘distilling darkness and rekindling the light of reason and hope’. In a catholic church an elderly woman lights a candle for a loved one who has passed on. Somewhere else, a little girl stands excitedly in front of her birthday cake unaware of partaking in her first candle ritual – eyes closed making a wish, before blowing out the flames. On a Friday night Shabbat table two candles are lit, representing the dual commandments, to remember and to keep the Sabbath. Go to Thailand at the right time and you might witness the Loi Krathong Festival where thousands of candles are sent down the rivers in little paper boats to disperse bad fortune.
Starting in New Zealand, on a massive peace vigil, a rolling wave of candlelight passed across the entire globe. Those lighting the candles were inspired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Reverend Robert Edgar who organized the movement in a bid to discourage war with Iraq. They did so with the intention of ‘distilling darkness and rekindling the light of reason and hope’. In a catholic church an elderly woman lights a candle for a loved one who has passed on. Somewhere else, a little girl stands excitedly in front of her birthday cake unaware of partaking in her first candle ritual – eyes closed making a wish, before blowing out the flames. On a Friday night Shabbat table two candles are lit, representing the dual commandments, to remember and to keep the Sabbath. Go to Thailand at the right time and you might witness the Loi Krathong Festival where thousands of candles are sent down the rivers in little paper boats to disperse bad fortune.
Symbolically fire fuels our desires, makes us burn with passion, cleanses away our transgressions, warms our hearts and ignites hope.
Energetically Chinese medicine credits it with representing action, enlightenment, self-esteem, and public status. Perhaps that is why a single flame on a candle forms part of so many rituals. Many cultures hold fires sacred; amongst them are the Celtics who apparently kept a fire burning for over a thousand years not to mention the Greeks with the traditional Olympic torch. Representing renewal and new beginnings as well as connecting us to the past, fire gives us reverence for the natural world and brings back feelings of connectedness. One could say the sun or fire energy is the material catalyst for all and every form of expression of life on this planet.
Nothing creates ambience in the same way candles do. Perhaps it’s an admiration for the mesmerizing effect that fire has or a respect for its powerful and potentially dangerous action or even a sense of its holy and reverent nature. Regardless, it has an association with religious ritual across many cultures. During Diwali one of the most glamorous and favourite festivals in India, thousands of lights are displayed creating a world of fantasy. Doorways are hung with mango leaves and marigolds and different coloured powders are used to welcome guests. One flame lights another to bring a message of peace and harmony to the world. The steady burning lamp is meant as a symbol of an illuminated mind.
Hanukkah, in another ‘Festival of Lights’, an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating a miracle after a victory over the Syrians, who were oppressing the Hebrews. Wanting to re-dedicate the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they had only enough oil to light the temple lamps for one night. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight nights, giving them time to prepare new oil.
Bruce Copley, a South African based educator who teaches original fire making by rubbing sticks together recounts a legend from a Cherokee high priest. He purportedly generated heat and light from his body but after abusing his power the Creator removed his inner fire. Later fire was given back to the Cherokee people as a gift. Just like the moth drawn to its death by a mesmerizing flame we are also drawn into the magic of fire associating it with hope, romance, cleansing and celebration.
CHOOSING YOUR FLAME
Most candles are made from paraffin wax and cotton wicks. Beeswax has the highest melting point of any other candle wax and burns long and bright. It is a sweetish, renewable fuel which is non-toxic and hypo allergenic.
Soy wax is an all vegetable-based wax, non-toxic with a clean burn and almost no soot residue. It has a low melting point creating a pool of wax which is good for fragrance release.
Palm wax is natural, 100% pure and completely petroleum free. The oil is pressed into wax using steam, no harmful solvents or catalysts are used.
Make sure the wick is 100% cotton and not metal core or lead and if fragranced go for pure essential oils.
Eastern healing traditions classify people into different elemental types
Fire people are often willowy with bright eyes, big smiles, and reddish coloring. They are charming, fun, mischievous, easily excitable, and change emotional states rapidly. They love change, bright colors, and environments that stimulate.
Tip: Learn about dozens of other ancient centering rituals from a spiritual school in Cape Town.
Or create a centering ritual by lighting a candle at home.
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