#6 Mourning Rituals: Fire

My birthday is December 21st. The longest night of the year. The day with the least light. It is a dark and depressing time, but it is also the time of renewal and rebirth. The solstice is traditionally celebrated with fire, both for the warmth and comfort and for necessary light, but also because fire indicates rebirth. The phoenix must catch fine in order to be reborn and to increase in strength and regenerate its power.

But fire is also associated with death and release and a cleansing. A body burned can never be reanimated. Ash is one of the cleanest substances on earth, we pump charcoal into people’s bodies to absorb toxins. In many parts of Asia bodies are burned both to ensure that the rotting flesh does not infect and contaminate the living as well as to release the soul from the earthly form of the body.