ADF Cosmology part 4

          The use of fire can be found throughout nearly every ancient culture as part of their religious ceremonies. Even to this day, fire plays an important role in Neo-Pagan traditions. In ADF fire is the one required items for ritual (Newberg, 2010, p. 22), as one of the Gates.

          The use of fire can make Druidic practice extremely simple by requiring very little for rituals. The sacred fire can be a candle flame or a roaring bon fire. In some cases, such as college domes, even an LED candle can serve as the fire. Through the use of fire we come to the Kindred offering a place where they can warm themselves and receive our offerings of sacrifice. Rev. Dangler states “Without fire… we have no symbol to build a center around. Because of this, it is right to say a prayer to the fire any time one is kindled, and the kindling of a fire is a prayer in itself.” (Dangler, 2011) This gives birth to the idea that a flame in and of itself is something sacred.

          Fire also traverses the Three Worlds as flames and smoke reaches to the heavens. In Vedic mythology fire is born from the celestial waters, perhaps related to the Vedic drink of Soma. In ancient Greek culture Hestia was the very embodiment of the sacred Fire. Hestia was seen as all the flames that burned within every hearth. Through her all offerings within the home were made and then transferred to the gods no matter the world which they resided. As Hestia is the fire and the tender of the sacred flames of Olympus, she is the direct connection from the human sacrificial fire to the gods. Fire is a transforming force in nature, being both destroyer and force for renewal. When sacrifices are given up to it, fire transforms them into smoke which raises to the heavens carrying the energy of the sacrifice to the gods.



Bibliography

Dangler, R. M. (2011). Nine Central Tenets of Druidic Ritual. Retrieved Jan 1, 2012, from
ADF.org.Newberg, B. (2010, September 14). Ancient Symbols, Modern Rites. Retrieved December 8,
2011, from ADF.org: http://www.adf.org/cgi-bin/adf/wiki/view/Main/COoRTutorial