Bringing Hearth Back Into The Holidays

Throughout history the hearth has been a place of warmth and light, food and hospitality. Imagine a time when the last thing that was done at night was the tending of the hearth fire, a banking of the coals and a blessing or prayer being said that the embers of the fire would stay alive through the night so it could be rekindled in the morning. Imagine also that with the first light of dawn, the hearth would once again be tended, fuel added, the fire stoked and slowly the room would fill with light and warmth
The hearth was a gathering place, a place of safety and rest from the outside world, a place where families came together to eat and share what was on their minds and in their hearts.
This time of year in the northern hemisphere is a time of long nights and short days, a time of cold and damp. It is a perfect time to remember the sacredness of the hearth and to look for ways to bring its spirit into your home.
If you don't have an actual fireplace, woodstove or hearth in your home, what can you do?
Why not create a special place in your home where you bring in the essence of the hearth? Perhaps set aside a place on a table or shelf where you can have candles and things from nature that represent the season, things such as leaves, evergreen branches, acorns, pine cones, special stones. Place things there to remind you of your many blessings and gifts.
Take the time each morning and each evening to give attention to this sacred place. Light the candles, call upon the spirit of fire to bless you and your family. Honor the gift of warmth and light, food and community. Be conscious of all that you enjoy. Take nothing for granted.
You might ask yourself each day:

• What in my life needs tending?
• Do I need to bank the coals for the night?
• What needs more fuel?
• Is there something present in my life where the fire has gone out?
• Do I need to reignite something or perhaps take out the ashes?

As a keeper of the hearth, ask yourself:

• Is my home a reflection of who I am?
• Is it full of clutter and junk, or perhaps things that are broken or no longer being used?
• Is my home a safe haven or do I bring in the chaos, confusion and negativity from the outside world?
• Does my home feel like a place of peace or stife?
• What can I do to honor my hearth? my home? my heart?

The hearth also represented a place of hospitality. This winter season you might wish to consider various ways you could share with others the gifts of abundance that you enjoy, not in the form of consumerism but rather in acts of kindness and love.

In the tradition of the spirit wheel of the Celts, the hearth is in the East. If you wish to know more about the Celtic Spirit Wheel, I will be teaching a class in Portland, Oregon in January 2011.