Spirit of Fire

Fire: ever-changing, never still, never twice the same. Composed of energy, it doesn't fit into the classic definitions of solid/liquid/gas. Fire, as a servant, is the most powerful of all our tools, as a master, it is the most feared of all natural phenomena. In seconds a gentle hearth fire can become a raging engulfing inferno which cares not for emperor, lord or commoner.

Fire has built up civilization from a society that reacts to the environment to a society that controls it: one that can create tools and palaces; a society that can rule. It has also destroyed empires and dreams in a second.

Without the warmth and life-enhancing nature of fire society would have never existed. Whether this is in the home fire of the hearth or its mighty progenitor, the sun is irrelevant.

Is it any wonder then that the first monotheistic religion to emerge was one which venerated fire?

Atash Niyayesh (Litany to the Fire)

7. I bless in reverence and adoration the abiding offering, the joyous offering, and the devotional offering (offered) to you, O Fire! son of Ahura Mazda.
Worthy of sacrifice you are, worthy of prayer,
worthy of sacrifice may you always be, worthy of prayer,
in the dwellings of men.
May there be hope to that man who verily shall sacrifice to you
with fuel in his hand, with the Baresma in his hand,
with milk in his hand, with the mortar in his hand.

8. May you be provided with proper fuel! May you be provided with proper incense! May you be provided with proper