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Fire Scrying
by Rosemary Kooiman
Fire has long been a standard
ritual tool for the Nomadic Chantry of the Gramarye. We scry in
the fireplace when the weather is cool enough for us to build a
fire. Additionally, the Lady has charged us to ask at the time
of the full moon for that which is our desire, so we burn our
petitions to the Goddess and the God during our Full Moon
Circle. It is the burning of petitions that I will
address, as it is an excellent and magical way for the petitioner to
clarify, in his own mind, his objective. I use the
generic "he" and "his" as it is less
cumbersome. If you feel the need, you may substitute
"she" and "hers" where appropriate. The
petition, ideally, is something that is lacking, or sorely needed, to
fulfill the life of the petitioner.
Prior to gathering in Sacred Space
to celebrate the Full Moon Circle, each participant is given a small
sheet of parchment paper, which is available in most stationery
stores, and is encouraged to write his petition on the
parchment. The sheet must be small enough (one inch by two is
sufficient) to burn thoroughly and quickly so the cauldron will not
become clogged with paper and the burning delayed. Petitions
should be stated in four or five words. This helps the
petitioner to truly define his thoughts. "I want to be
rich" does not qualify. We have found that if the petition
is lengthy the true wish may be come ill-defined, and may reap less
than the desired response. Petitions should be written in
pencil. Not only does a pencil write better on the parchment,
but it seems to bond the wish more firmly to the parchment, and
produces a better result. I have no idea why this is so, but
many years of petition burning has proven it to be true. The
petitioner will carry the paper into Circle with him.
Supplies required:
Sufficient pieces of parchment paper
Sufficient pencils
A cauldron large enough to hold
the petitions, but not so large that the supply of fuel required
would cause a fire larger that anticipated or desired. My
small cauldron is three inches high and five across, and will handle
up to twenty petitions. For more than this I use my large
cauldron which is six inches high by ten and a half inches across.
A supply of fuel. I use
grain alcohol. Everclear is one of the names under which it is
bottled, and it can be obtained in any liquor store. It seems
to burn more evenly and cleaner than the Sterno type of solid
fuel. The amount needed is surprisingly small; indoors
never more than a shot, and usually much less. Outdoors the
amount will vary depending on the depth of the cauldron, the strength
of the wind and the ambient dew point and barometric presssure.
I strongly advise that the practicioner experiment with the amount of
fuel and the size of the cauldron required to burn a specific
number of petitions. It could be disastrous to go it blind. The
area where the burning is to take place, if in a home, should be
magically fireproofed, and a container of water somewhere in
the near vicinity is a wise idea. If the burning is to be done
outside it is a really good idea to get permission for an open
flame if the site is not in your own backyard. Our good name is
precious, and we need not antagonize the owners of a property or the
guards of a park.
A long taper or match with which
to light the cauldron. The word "long" is not used
lightly. The flame may jump higher than expected. It is
beautiful, but dangerous to the unprotected hand.
During the Circle ceremony, after
the cleansing and casting of the circle, and after reading the
"Charge of the Goddess, the cauldron is placed in the center of
the Circle or the Sacred Space. The HPS declares it is time to
petition the Lady and invites the congregation to come forward and
present their petitions to the flame while reminding them of their
part in the procedure. One receives according to the effort one
has put forward to obtain his desire for himself. Truly does
the Lord (and Lady) help those who help themselves. While
the petitions are being fed into the cauldron, and afterward while
they are still burning, the Circle chants the following:
Fire, fire, burning higher, making
music like a choir
Bring to me my heart's desire.
When the fire has burned out the
cauldron(s) should be removed from the center of the circle.
Please remember the cauldron is HOT, and should be handled with a
utensil or with gloves or a pot holder.
The Full Moon ceremony is expanded
during the Sabats, each Solstice and Equinox. Since these
are a time of transition, two pieces of parchment are prepared; one
to rid oneself of a habit, trait or condition that has become
unnecessary or honorous during the past year, and one to bring to
ones life a new condition or dimension, much like the Full Moon
petition. Two cauldrons are used. As one faces North
their placement is thus; the one for riddance is in West where
the waters may wash the slate clean, and the one for aquisition is in
the East where we find beginnings. The procedure is the same,
with the cleansing cauldron the one which is lighted first.
During the years we have been
burning our petitions, the Goddess, the God and the gods, spirits and
watchers have truly blessed us with riches. We have gained new
jobs, new dwellings, mates and health. When you have completed
your wishing and have received your blessings remember to thank
Deity, who helped you get them.
Rosemary Kooiman, Reverend High
Priestess Nomadic Chantry of the Gramarye
rkooiman@juno.com |
