Fairy Fae

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I wonder.... Card

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Fae Shirt Fairy Women's T-Shirt by CafePress

Gwynn - Pewter Pendant - Fairy Fae Faery Jewelery

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Trouble with Fairies (Fae)......

The Symbolic Role of Bonfires

Today, most people think of bonfires as a practical part of everyday life; we light them in order to roast hot dogs and marshmallows while camping, to eliminate yard waste and fallen branches or trees, and to keep us warm during outdoor night-time adventures. They are not mystical or special, except perhaps to children experiencing one for the first time; in fact, we complain about excess smoke and generally tell bawdy jokes and stories when seated around a bonfire!
 
This has not always been the case, however. In ancient times, many ceremonies and celebrations involved the ritual use of a bonfire. For our ancestors, fire was sacred – it separated us from the wild beasts, cooked our food and gave us a weapon with which to protect ourselves. In this context it is easy to understand why fires were often a key element of sacred rituals. Fire is considered an emblem of purification and cleansing; in ancient times cattle, symbols of wealth and prosperity, would be led through the smoke of a bonfire, and European couples who married one another on May Day would leap across a bonfire to seal their vows. History also tells us that certain cultures believed the fairy or fae peoples of the Otherworld were not able to produce fire themselves, and were vulnerable to the power of bonfires and home hearth fires. The word bonfire itself is derived from bone-fire, referring to a tradition of burning the bones of slaughtered animals during the festival of Samhain.
 
Even today, bonfires have symbolic significance. Although most of us no longer engage in fire worship, we do use bonfires to celebrate our special occasions and ceremonies. Think, for example, of the tradition of colleges and high schools across the United States – bonfires are built to celebrate homecoming every year! In the UK, Guy Fawkes Day honors the man who tried to blow up Parliament by lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks in his honor. Even without specific holidays, the tradition of lighting a beach side bonfire and staying up late into the night is a classic, and still popular today.
 
Whether you're interested in the ancient pagan traditions or more concerned about roasting the perfect golden marshmallow for your next s'more, it's likely that your life would not be quite the same without the existence of bonfires. The next time you light one up, take a moment to admire the crackling sparks and billowing smoke and think about the many people who have come before you: all staring up into the same great night sky, all grateful for the warm glow cast across their faces.

About the Author

Fashion photographer Ara Hovsepian developed an interest in the history of bonfire celebrations after doing several beach shoots with bonfires in Southern CA. More on bonfires and home fire pits can be found at http://www.atthebonfire.com.