Each night the fire in the hearth would be smoored – subdued so that it would smoulder slowly through the night without it having to be tended to. In the morning, the fire could be easily revived by allowing the embers more air and fuel. Since daily life was so dependent on the hearth fire – for warmth, light, as well as hot food and water – it was important to be able to raise the flames quickly each day.
Like smooring, the act of kindling the fire each morning was accompanied by prayer. Once again, then, although it may be performed in a more symbolic manner these days, if Gaelic Polytheists choose to observe the practice at all, it’s something that can still form a part of daily practice – first thing in the morning – if you so wish.
In a metaphorical sense this prayer could help us kindle a flame of inspiration inside ourselves, which could help us focus spiritually – to help keep us on the right kind of path:
| Togaidh mi mo theine an diugh, Mar a thogadh Brìghde féin. Caim Bhrìde na brìg Air an tula ’s air an lar, ’S air an fhàrdaich uile. | I will kindle my fire today, As Brigit would raise hers. The encirclement of Brigit of the peat-heaps On the hearth, and on the floor, And on the household all. |
Notes.
The second verse has been omitted entirely here, with the remainder of the prayer focusing on Brigit rather than Brigit and Mary. The third line has therefore been adapted to accommodate the removal of Mary’s name.
As noted in the smooring prayer, tula comes from tulach which primarily means “mound” or “hillock.” It therefore seems to be a poetic way of referring to the mound of the hearth itself.
Eòlas 