In this article I
will discuss how I personally connect with the element Fire and how both
ancient and modern Lithuanians connect with Fire.
Many world mythologies feature Fire Gods as creators of life. The Hindus have God Agni who created the Sun and the Stars. The Lithuanians have the God Ugnis, although, the guardian of Fire, Goddess Gabija, appears to feature more distinctly in folk tales. The survival and evolution of humankind depended on the use of Fire to cook food, bread, light the nights and keep warm through the long Winters. Without fire we just wouldn't have survived and therefore, we too, were created by fire also. Even christian mythologies reccount that the world was dark and formless before creation. The sacred texts of Qabbalah (sepher ha Zohar and sepher ha Yetzirah), tell of Fire and light coming from the East bringing with it the creation of life and the Universe. I liken this belief with the Sun that rises in the East and revives the world day and stokes my eternal internal flame with such beautiful vistas. Whether you believe in the big bang theory, Christian or Pagan mythologies, Fire is an element that features in the creation of all life and its' continuing survival.
Ancient Lithuanians believed that we when we are born a Star appears in the sky and when we die that star disappears. (I believe the Star only temporarily disappears until our next carnation). I believe that we are connected to our own fire in our own star and carry its flame within us through out our lives. I believe that this flame can be stoked into a bright blaze at certain times when there is spiritual epiphany. Life becomes clearer as the flame shines brighter. I have personally experienced this stoking of my own flame being stoked at various junctions of my own life. I can remember every time well and lifes' dark shadows, worries and concerns seem to fade then disappear as my direction and path becomes clearer. Darna-Harmony is re established and I felt energised, renewed and confident that I am where I am supposed to be in this immense universe.
Water, Earth, Air and Fire are all treasured by Lithuanians in their own ways, but I have to say that Fire is a very important element to Lithuanians and one which features at every single community event and family gathering. There are bonfires at Summer Solstice, Fire twirling, Fire sculptures float down rivers or candles set up under trees for Equinox, at birthdays, weddings, candles placed on the graves of departed loved ones at the Feast of the Souls(Velines) and even a meal is rarely unaccompanied by a flickering candle on the table. Lithuanians, ancient and present, always include Fire in some way. The Fire Rite is the traditional custom of communing with the ancestors, Gods, Goddesses, heroes and guides where Fire is seen as the Gateway to their realms. Offerings and prayers are given through the sacred Fire. I believe that fire was one of the earliest mediums through which ancient peoples also communed with their Gods and so, I also practice Fire rite as opposed to casting circles and calling quarters. Lithuanian traditional view of Fire can be gleaned from their mythology and ancient customs. Only by considering Lithuanian mythology can you understand the traditional worldview of the ancient Balts in relation to Fire.
Many world mythologies feature Fire Gods as creators of life. The Hindus have God Agni who created the Sun and the Stars. The Lithuanians have the God Ugnis, although, the guardian of Fire, Goddess Gabija, appears to feature more distinctly in folk tales. The survival and evolution of humankind depended on the use of Fire to cook food, bread, light the nights and keep warm through the long Winters. Without fire we just wouldn't have survived and therefore, we too, were created by fire also. Even christian mythologies reccount that the world was dark and formless before creation. The sacred texts of Qabbalah (sepher ha Zohar and sepher ha Yetzirah), tell of Fire and light coming from the East bringing with it the creation of life and the Universe. I liken this belief with the Sun that rises in the East and revives the world day and stokes my eternal internal flame with such beautiful vistas. Whether you believe in the big bang theory, Christian or Pagan mythologies, Fire is an element that features in the creation of all life and its' continuing survival.
Ancient Lithuanians believed that we when we are born a Star appears in the sky and when we die that star disappears. (I believe the Star only temporarily disappears until our next carnation). I believe that we are connected to our own fire in our own star and carry its flame within us through out our lives. I believe that this flame can be stoked into a bright blaze at certain times when there is spiritual epiphany. Life becomes clearer as the flame shines brighter. I have personally experienced this stoking of my own flame being stoked at various junctions of my own life. I can remember every time well and lifes' dark shadows, worries and concerns seem to fade then disappear as my direction and path becomes clearer. Darna-Harmony is re established and I felt energised, renewed and confident that I am where I am supposed to be in this immense universe.
Water, Earth, Air and Fire are all treasured by Lithuanians in their own ways, but I have to say that Fire is a very important element to Lithuanians and one which features at every single community event and family gathering. There are bonfires at Summer Solstice, Fire twirling, Fire sculptures float down rivers or candles set up under trees for Equinox, at birthdays, weddings, candles placed on the graves of departed loved ones at the Feast of the Souls(Velines) and even a meal is rarely unaccompanied by a flickering candle on the table. Lithuanians, ancient and present, always include Fire in some way. The Fire Rite is the traditional custom of communing with the ancestors, Gods, Goddesses, heroes and guides where Fire is seen as the Gateway to their realms. Offerings and prayers are given through the sacred Fire. I believe that fire was one of the earliest mediums through which ancient peoples also communed with their Gods and so, I also practice Fire rite as opposed to casting circles and calling quarters. Lithuanian traditional view of Fire can be gleaned from their mythology and ancient customs. Only by considering Lithuanian mythology can you understand the traditional worldview of the ancient Balts in relation to Fire.
Three of the most prominent Fire deities in the Lithuanian pantheon are:
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-Goddess Gabija of the hearth, grains and bread. Guardian of earthly Fire and one could see her as Fire herself Gabija was treated seriously and to disrespect her by spitting, urinating, stomping or burning garbage in a sacred Fire. The consequences may come in the way of your house burning down when the Gabijas Fire wanders about your home and garden.
- God Perkunas the Thunderer, God of courage, success, morality and creative energy including vegetive fecundity. Perkunas reminds us of our moral obligations and threatens punishment for wrong doers by throwing his atmospheric Fire from the sky as lightning in amazing displays of his power and might.
-Goddess Saule, the Mother Sun who feds us by helping to grow our crops. Saule warms and comforts us after the cold night. Saule is the celestial Fire who is paramount to health and survival of all life on earth.
These three deities complete the Fire circle within our lives and play an important role in everything we do and everything that we are. Our internal, eternal Flame and the deities of earthly, atmospheric and celestial Fire combine to create a close relationship with all aspects of Fire as an important element Fire is a gateway to other realms and the flame of passion within each of us which puts our true nature in perspective. Our true selves is not flesh and blood but a Star that is twinkling throughout the universe. A Star, a ball of Fire that emanates light in all directions I know that the more I am connected with the universes the brighter my Star will shine and I hope I am inspiring others to stoke their own flame. Pardon the pun, but to “Shine like a diamond”..
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