From the Oracle of Once Upon a Time
The main symbolism of fire in many religions and folk beliefs is associated with purification and sanctification. Fire has a double meaning. It can warm and glow, but it can also burn and destroy. It is the only element that man can obtain by himself, which is proof of his birth with the gods. A symbol of strength and knowledge, of freedom, but also of responsibility.
In Bulgarian folklore fire is constantly present in people's daily lives. And they pay their respects to him. Fire has magical power – it protects against diseases and evil spirits, drives them away, protects against hail. Fire is a particularly important element in some healing practices involving bullet casting, coal quenching in cursing. Along with the reverence for fire as a creative force, our people practiced customs designed to protect against the destructive power of the natural elements. In the summer - on Pavlov's Day, Ilinden and during the so-called Rituals for protection against fire were performed in hot pots. On these days, there are also a number of prohibitions for certain work activities, including lighting fires. In ancient times, when people did not have matches, the fire in the hearth was constantly maintained. The oldest woman in the house took care of it. At night, before going to bed, she buried the embers with a deep layer of ashes so that she could light them again the next day.
Fire has a special magical power that diminishes over time and must be renewed. When that moment came, everyone in the village put out their fires and produced a new fire - young, alive, God's. This is obtained by rubbing the borine or other dry trees, either with the hands or with a device consisting of two stakes driven into the ground and a spindle through the middle on which a strap or string is wound to turn it. The rubbing of the borine and the rotation of the spindle continues until a fire is produced. They all take from this new fire and take it to their homes.
The renewal of the fire is usually done during the hot days - the days considered as a fire festival. The old people say that during those days fire came down from heaven.
In a positive aspect, fire is a symbol of the knowledge, the energy of enthusiasm, of warmth, of brightness, brilliance and wit, of illumination and activity. It is the energy of warmth, action, emotion and passion – whether it is ideas, concepts and ideas or sex. It is alive and powerful, but often destructive. We all need the warmth, passion, and life-giving energy of fire. This is a power that should be used in moderation!
The negative meaning of fire – lack of passion and patience in endeavors or in relationships. Egoism, inability to think in perspective. Or you are too blinded by the achievement of the intended goal. In an effort to do something nice and constructive, you may overdo it and destroy it.
© 2023 Iliana Dechkova