For those starting a new spiritual journey going to the hearth fire is the natural first step. For seasoned long-time Indo-European pagans the Hearth Goddess already holds a sacred place as the heart of the home and the domestic connection to the divine. However, keeping a perpetual flame continuously lit is a tall order and daunting challenge in today’s fast-paced and absent society. Between hectic schedules, fire safety regulations, and the realities of urban living, this cherished tradition often feels out of reach. Here we offer a creative, practical solution to honor the spirit of the hearth while adapting to contemporary constraints.
For most people it’s hard to keep the hearth fire burning all the time. Many of us don’t even have a hearth, we aren’t home all day and take fire safety precautions, and we most likely don’t have ‘barefoot virgins’ oath-bound to tend to the fire 24/7 for thirty years etc.
At the same time, the Hearth fire and goddess is one of the absolutely most important concepts in Indo-European spirituality & culture. The hearth fire is the connection between yourself, the home and the Divine, and it is the focal point for your own individual spiritual practice.
A great way to actually ‘keep the hearth fire lit’ is to make it a habit to always light a candle, oil lamp, fireplace – or whatever you use as the hearth in your home – every time you do something that has to do with the home and family; cooking dinner, preparing breakfast for the family, cleaning the house, playing a board game with the kids, having friends over for a drink, fixing that damn kitchen drawer for the third time, paying the bills etc.
Before you do any of that; mindfully and attentively light your candle (etc) and think of the Hearth Goddess, maybe even say a few words or a prayer – that She’s the heart and center of the family, that she’s right among us, and with us in everything we do in our home and household. This is an excellent sway to in a sense always have the holy hearth fire lit, while also minimizing the risk of fire.
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