The Old Ways:
The Sacred Flame
Early February is often associated with an almost primal desire for winter to come to an end. Alas, we are often only in the middle of it. The days are growing longer, but the icy cold holds the northern hemisphere in a tight grip. In the past, food stores were shrinking and becoming inedible. The promise of the warmth of spring seemed far off, but the people celebrated anyway, showing their faith that the sun would grow stronger, the snow would melt, and the ground would be ready for planting. To demonstrate that they truly believed the days would grow warmer and brighter, light became an integral part of the celebrations in early February. The middle of winter is a dark place in Slavic countries. A lighted candle represented the warmth and protection of fire and the sun’s strengthening power.
As the candle held protective qualities in old Poland, it was brought out at this bleak time of year to purify the home, fields, and people both living and dead. Candles were decorated with ribbons and symbols and then blessed before a priest (when Christianity took hold). These candles were brought home and used in various ways for protection and divination and were called gromnica (from the word gromny, meaning “loud” or “thunderous”).
On February 2, people would honor the Great Mother by burning one of these candles throughout the night until the sun rose in the morning. The candle would then be kept in a safe place so that its magic could be called upon throughout the year as needed.
One of the more sacred uses of the gromnica was in the blessing of women following childbirth. This tradition finds its roots in ancient Jerusalem when it was believed that women were “unclean” after giving birth and could ruin the crops in the field. Women were therefore isolated for approximately six weeks following the birth of a child. Upon the end of this time period, a procession would begin from the home of the woman, who would carry a gromnica blessed on Candlemas, through the village to the house of worship.
Another protective use for the gromnica called for the head of a family to lead the household in a procession around the home while holding the thunder candle and making signs with it. The family would then be protected from wolves and other wild animals. It was also common to place the gromnica in windows during storms to protect the home from lightning. The gromnica would also be placed in the hands of the dying to assist in their journey to the next world.
Candlemas was known as Sretenie (meaning “meeting” and “joy”) and is celebrated in Russia on February 15. This is a time of year that was viewed as a meeting of winter and spring. As with Yule, Russian fascination with the magical and mysterious realms led to a variety of divination practices at this time of year. Many superstitions ascribe weather signs to determine what the remainder of winter will bring, similar to Americans waiting on a groundhog. Russians looked to nature for signs of how winter would change to spring. For instance, if the sunset was bright on Sretenie, then the icy days were over. If there was no sun in the evening, a cold wave was sure to hit before spring would make her appearance. These omens would spill over to fortune telling for the coming harvest as well. A thaw on Sretenie predicted a strong season for wheat. Snow ensured a rich cop.
Following candle magic traditions, fortune-telling with candles was popular in old Russia. A fun form of divination called for girls to place little candles in walnut shells, light them, and float them in a bowl of water. The girls would circle the bowl, keeping a keen eye on their specific shell. A series of rules abounded; the first candle to go out showed who would marry first. Unfortunately, if one sunk, that girl would never marry (though perhaps there were some who hoped for this future). Other fire scrying included staring into flames and smoke, dripping wax into water, or burning paper and reading the shapes that appeared.
A rather frightening divination was to use a candle and mirror. In a dark room right before the clock struck midnight, a girl or boy would stare intently into a mirror illuminated only by the candle. As the clock struck twelve, the reflection of the future partner would appear over their shoulder.
This would also be a good time of year to honor Gabija, the Lithuanian goddess of fire and the hearth. Gabija lives in the hearth and is the sacred fire. It is important in the cold months of winter to not let the fire go out. In ancient traditions, Gabija was tended only by the women of the family. It was of utmost importance to not allow her to be left unattended since an unattended flame is dangerous. Therefore, when the family sleeps for the night, Gabija must be put to bed as well. Steps involved in bedding the goddess for the night include covering the coals with ashes and leaving a bowl of clean water nearby in case Gabija wanted to bathe. Salt and bread offerings were left as well as gentle requests to not wander.
Although Gabija was the flame, she can take other forms, often that of a cat, stork, or rooster, but also as a woman clad in a red gown. She must be kept content because although fire is helpful in cooking and warmth, fire is also destructive. If angered, it was believed Gabija would go wandering, treading flames. It was therefore crucial to never be disrespectful to the fire. People were careful to not carelessly toss garbage or anything unclean into the fire. The hearth and stove were kept very clean, and the flame could only be put out with pure water. Gabija was the protector of the home and property.
February marks the center between winter and spring. We can feel the hopefulness of the warm months approaching in the breeze that touches our lips. We can feel the fire rekindling in our soul. Inspiration comes from the gently growing warmth. Why not call upon our ancestors and tend our sacred flame? Spend some time decorating and blessing candles, and then use them to smudge the household. Sit still with one and look to the future. Don’t forget to leave out offerings to Gabija, the goddess of the flame, and honor her at this time of year when the fire is growing stronger and more sacred than ever. Don’t let the fire go out! Blessed Be.
Bibliography
Dixon-Kennedy, Mike. Encyclopedia of Russian & Slavic Myth and Legend. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO INC., 1998.
Gilchrist, Cherry. Russian Magic: Living Folk Traditions of an Enchanted Landscape. Wheaton: Quest Books, 2009.
“Gromnica,” Wikipedia, accessed August 28, 2015. http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gromnica.
Hodorowicz Knab, Sophie. Polish Customs, Traditions, & Folklore. New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc., 1993.
“Russian Holiday Calendar,” Passport Moscow, accessed August 28, 2015. http://www.passportmagazine.ru/article/1437/.