Janet Thompson - Magical Hearth: Home for the Modern Pagan

Magical

Hearth

Home for the Modern Pagan

Janet Thompson

SAMUEL WEISER, INC.

York Beach, Maine

First published in 1995 by
Samuel Weiser, Inc.
P.O. Box 612
York Beach, ME 03910-0612

02 01 00 99 98 97 96 95

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Copyright 1995 Janet Thompson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Samuel Weiser, Inc. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Thompson, Janet.

Magical hearth : home for the modern pagan / Janet Thompson.
p. cm.

Includes index.

1. Witchcraft. 2. HerbsMiscellanea. 3. PaganismRituals.

4. Rites and ceremonies. 5. Magic. I. Title.

BF1566.T464 1995

133.4'3dc20 95-17611

CIP

ISBN 0-87728-824-0
CCP

Cover illustration Copyright 1995 Catherine Rose Crowther

Typeset in 11 point Times New Roman

Printed in the United States of America

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials Z39.48-1984.

For my daughter Hannah,
who made her journey to me
during this book's creation.

Acknowledgments

I have been blessed in my life with so many who love me and encourage my work. Friends and family are precious. I want to convey my love and appreciation, but sometimes words are not adequate to the task.

To Kelly, who's love and laughter enriches my life daily; and Aileen, who's losses have been great but who still had the words to keep me focused; and Andrea, for our shared memories; and Dad, for being proud of me when I was not proud of myself; and Gary, for encouragement beyond the call.

Dina and Ian, with your thirty-something laughter and your love. I cannot express what you mean to me. With the soul of a pagan you have lifted my spirits at times when no other would do. I love you.

Dave and Gisele, you have given me a lifetime of love already. Your encouragement and strength are a foundation for so much I have learned. The road less traveled is truly a path worth walking.

Karen, you will never know what our friendship has meant to me. I can only hope you have some idea of how strongly you touch my heart. You give me a kick when I need one and a chuckle when I don't. May our morning ritual go on for a long, long time.

To Jimhey, Bandit.
To Robina fine woman and witch.

And to my mother, Marian, who cannot read these words but who knows how much I love her.

May you all have love and joy, for each of you gives in abundance.

Introduction

Heating, cooking, and light have been necessary elements of life since the dawn of reasoning in humankind. From earliest civilization to present day life, the hearth (or kitchen) in the home is a central focus.

In ancient Rome, Vesta was Goddess of the hearth. It was a great honor for one's daughter to join the order of the Vestal Virgins, who's main function was to tend the city hearth or central fire. These women were highly regarded and treated with reverence. After many years of service, they were free to leave the order. But it was considered a great privilege to serve.

In Roman households, the family gathered together each day to pay homage to Vesta and a sacrifice was made to Her at the family hearth. Each household, in Rome and in many other ancient cultures, had its individual altars at which to worship. The sacrifice (usually as simple as salt and flour, esentials in a home) represented thanks. On very special feast or celebratory days, the sacrifice was enhanced accordingly.

Hearth-fires throughout history have been regarded as the hub of life. From the hearth comes heat to cook food and shape metal, teas to heal, warmth for the cold winters (often the entire family slept around the hearth) and light. In castles of old, the Great Hall had one or more hearths. Visitors and family usually slept in the hall and servants kept the fires going. All gatherings began here; feasts were served beside these fires.

The hearth functions in history as a magical necessity, for the Delphic oracles threw sacred and potent herbs into the brazier to enable them to see the prophecies. Different herbs may have been hallucinogens or narcotics which (when inhaled) would alter the state of conscious awareness.

The ancient Celts believed that homefires must be lit only once a year. On the eve of Samhain (modern-day Halloween), the Celtic New Year, the old fire was allowed to go out and a new one lit. The earliest riser in the household would rekindle the morning fire with a still-burning ember from the communal feast fire of the previous night. Thus the hearth remained continuous until the next Samhain. The Celts also believed that ancestral stories of bravery and magic should be told at the family hearth. The hearth lay as a witness to history.

Since the advent of central heating and the stove, the meaning of the hearth has changed. Today, the hearth is the home. Home is a private place; a place where we can be ourselves, watch our children grow, entertain our friends, and feel our magic. Many people go through the motions of magic and power on the path to inner growth and enlightenment without really reaping the benefits. If you wish to invite magic into your life, you must first invite magic into your home. You must create a place where magic can flourish; where it can become a part of you, for your home is a part of you.

Each room can become the source from which different types of magic flow. Your home should be as comfortable as possible for you and your inner work. It is the base for all the magical functions in your life. You may create magical outlets elsewhere, but the roots of your magic start at home. You relax at home, you meditate at home, and you prepare for whatever magic you will be doing at home. Your home must reflect your spiritual self in order that you may prepare your physical and psychic self for magical service.

This book is designed for people who use the elements in their spiritual lives; for those who need be in touch with the powers around them. Shamanism, Neo-Paganism, Wicca (and all religions which deal with inner strength, outer love, and healing) need sanctuaries where solo or group practitioners can become one with things magic. We must have a place for our work, our tools, our beliefs and our growth. This place must be created. Few of us are lucky enough to live in perfection. There can be drawbacks to any home one might have. Close neighbors, loud noises, less than adequate heat, or numerous other negatives can inhibit the frequency or intensity of magical work.

This is a book about how to permeate your home withyour magic, your forces, your Self. Open wide your doors and invite magic in.

Magical Hearth

or most people, the kitchen represents the old-fashioned idea of the hearth. The good aroma of cooking, the warmth of the gathered family, or the solitude of the kitchen table can provide comfort and peace. The kitchen can be the most hectic room in a house, as well.

Often, the smell of something baking stirs memories deep inside us. Apples and cinnamon, pies, stews, and steamy vegetables greet us as we come through the door. Aromas like these bring to us the scents of childhood. We can close our eyes and be back in our mother's or grandmother's kitchen again.