![]() ![]() Many of the sacred herbs that are burned or smoked have recently been found to contain anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant healing qualities, which nomadic people did not have the equipment to press out as oils but were able to utilise through burning. In Native American ceremony, like the tribal ceremonies of the Aborigines and the indigenous San tribe of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana (also called Bushmen in common vernacular), there are offerings to the Spirit, the ancestors, dancing, drumming and the burning of sacred herbs, plants or trees. Holding that sacred space can be extremely exhausting for the Fire Keeper, but the energy of the fire sustains all Elders, Dancers, Keepers and the Community alike. The Fire Keeper in a sacred ritual is the conduit from the Fire to the Elders, Dancers and Community and reverse, so all energy and intention flows through them. If the fire was allowed to die the Fire Keeper might even be killed by the community. As the tribe settled for a time in a new place the one sacred fire was used to light all fires within the community. It is important to remember that the Native American tribes were nomadic, it was an honourable responsibility to be called to the position of Fire Keeper and to tend and carry the sacred flame from one place to another. It, too, was allowed to die once per year and a new sacred fire lit in ceremony just like in the Yuletide ceremony. In Native American traditions the Sacred Fire was lit, tended and carried by the Keeper. ![]() It was considered extremely inauspicious for the coming year if the log did not light straight away or if it went out during the twelve-day celebration. Yule is celebrated at the winter solstice and at that time all the fires and candles were allowed to go out, then the anointed Yule tree would be lit, offerings made to welcome back the sun and all the fires and candles in the community would be lit from the one sacred flame. Traditionally the log was a whole tree, which had to burn for the twelve days of Yule. The tradition of the Yule log came from the Norse and dates back to the iron age (before the medieval era). The Celtic, Native American, African and Aboriginal acknowledgement was more elemental all of these traditions involve opening sacred spaces, making offerings to the spirits and/or ancestors, lighting cleansing herbs from the central flame, music and dancing. The first offering in any ceremony was to the Goddess of the Hearth, the Sacred Fire of protection and sustenance. ![]() And, because a town or city was seen as an extended family, there would be a communal hearth for each city, village, town and/or district. The Greeks paid homage to Hestia (later renamed Vesta by the Romans) the virgin Goddess of Hearth and Home, protector of families who saw that the residents were safe, fed and clothed. In the African, Aboriginal, Native American, Pagan, Celtic, Norse, Greek and Roman traditions we find evidence of the deification of Fire, or at least a spiritual practice of appreciation. Because of this we could, if we chose, begin to see sacred energy and loving spirit in every fire. The beneficence of the ‘Spirit Beyond the Sun’ is made manifest in the Sun, and all of its cousins the individual fires that we use to light and heat our home and cook our food. The Sun makes all human, plant and animal life possible. The human body cannot utilise the vitamins and minerals we eat and drink without the presence of vitamin D, which is produced when we spend time in sunlight and the human brain produces serotonin when the light of the sun enters our eyes. The light of the sun is turned into energy that feeds plants through photosynthesis, these plants then provide oxygen for the rest of us to breathe, we also eat the plants and use them to build our homes and weave and colour our clothes. The Sun is so much more than a flaming ball of gas that gives light. Calling the corners, opening circle and appreciation of the ‘Spirit Beyond the Sun’ in celebration belongs to all cultures although we have different rituals there is so much overlap. Sacred Space and Fire are a part of the ethnic and cultural heritage of all people. ![]()
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