Monday Update

[fiat_knox]

I've got myself a new candle for my shrine. Over this week, in the runup to Samhain, I'll leave the candles lit in my window alcove.

Here are two photos of the shrine.

The window alcove shrine

Another view of the window alcove shrine

One important aspect of this ritual is what I call "The Transfer of The Flame." From the old candle, its light guttering as its wick shortens to extinction, you light the new candle. By this ritual, you are transferring the flame from the old candle to the new one, and thus keeping the spirit alive.

This is something I did with the old Family Candle back at the folks' place - a candle that's still there, by the way - when I sought to "hive off" the flame from the old Family Candle from their place to here.

An appropriate poem to recite during the Transfer of the Flame is Dylan Thomas' "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night."

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT by Dylan Thomas Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.