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Lighting the Sacred Fire is the key traditional element of any Druid Ritual. The Fire is a symbol of the Sacred Center (other symbols of the Center may be a Tree, or a Well) – but it is also a symbol of Spirit, a symbol of our humanity, and a connection between us and the historical peoples as well as between us and most other religions, for we know that Fire was an essential component of traditional ritual work from time immemorial, and is indeed fairly universal in world traditions.
Lighting the Sacred Fire is a key element in any NeoDruid Ritual.
Not only is Fire present in some way in most world religions, but it is especially meaningful and essential in historical pre-Christian Indo-European religions, presumably including Druidry. Thus, a Sacred Fire is a connection between us and other traditions, and between us and our spiritual and physical Ancestors.
The Fire is one of the primary symbols of the Sacred Center in modern Druidry (the other two common symbols for the Center are the Tree and the Well). The Fire is also a symbol of Spirit, and a symbol of our essential humanity, thus bringing together the two aspect of the Rite – the Otherworld, and the World – in a single entity, emphasizing one of the purposes of the Rite, which is to transcend all separations and “part the Veil”.
Fire is, of course, one of the symbols of Brighid, as well, making it especially significant for TDB.
Below are a couple of examples illustrating how to perform this Rite for you ritual. Please feel free to use these examles as you wish – you may change the words, or come up with your own prayers and variations as you see fit. If you wish to feel more “in communion” with TDB as a whole, consider using either of the two prayers, or a fragment from them.
This ritual segment may be used as part of a full ritual, or used by itself as a preamble to meditation or any other spiritual working – or by itself as a meditation in its own right.
The prayers are loosely adapted from Carmina Gadelica.
Brighid’s Kindling:
<Light Brighid's Fire>
The fire may be a candle, or an oil lamp - I would probably cringe at an electric lamp, but that's just me. It is good to use a floating candle, or a candle resting in a container that symbolized water, to emphasize the connection with Brighid, who is both a Goddess of Fire and Water. It is also important to realize that the symbolism of Fire-in-Water implies Creation, and especially the moment of Creation.
<while lighting the fire>
I kindle the Sacred Fire
In the eye of the One who bears me
In the eye of the Kindreds who guide me
In the eye of the Spirit that gives me life.
I kindle the Sacred Fire
As the Lady Brighid would kindle,
As the Foster Mother would kindle,
As the Hearth Keeper would kinde,
I kindle the Sacred Fire
As a beacon onto the Holy,
As a ward against the unholy,
As a flame of Holiness in our hearts.
Oh Brighid of the Mantles,
Be thou a bright flame before us,
Be thou a guiding star above us,
Be thou a smooth path below us,
This day and every day,
This night and every night,
In friendship and affection,
In strength and in faith,
In the name of All that is Holy, so be it.
General Kindling:
<while lighting the fire>
I kindle the Sacred Fire
In the eye of the Mother who bears me,
In the eye of the Father who begets me,
In the eye of the Spirit that indwells me.
I kindle the Sacred Fire
In the eye of the Shining Ones who inspire me,
In the eye of the Ancestors who guide me,
In the eye of Nature Spirits who are kin to me.
I kindle the Sacred Fire
As a beacon onto the Holy,
As a ward against the unholy,
As a flame of Holiness in my heart.
In Truth, in Beauty, in Kinship,
In strength and in faith,
In the name of All that is Holy, so be it.
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