A candle is a light source usually consisting of an internal wick which rises through the center of a column of solid fuel. Typically the fuel is some form of wax - paraffin wax being the most common. However in recent years new soy and vegetable candles have become popular. Prior to the candle being ignited, the wick is saturated with the fuel in its solid form. The heat of the match or other flame being used to light the candle first melts and then vaporizes a small amount of the fuel. Once vaporized, the fuel combines with o ...

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Candle - Usage
Candle - Religion Candle - Measurement
Candle - Fuel and candle holders Candle - Hazards

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Candle, Candle - Usage, Candle - Religion, Candle - Measurement, Candle - Fuel and candle holders, Candle - Hazards

Read more here: » Candle: Encyclopedia II - Candle - Usage

Candles are a major cause of damaging fire in households. A former worry regarding the safety of candles was that a lead core is used in the wicks in order to keep the wicks upright in container candles. Without a stiff core, the wicks of container candles would sag and drown in the deep wax pool formed. The fear was that the lead in these wicks would vaporize during the burning process and release lead vapours - a known health and developmental hazard. While this was true at one time, lead-cored wicks have not been in common use sinc ...

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Candle, Candle - Usage, Candle - Religion, Candle - Measurement, Candle - Fuel and candle holders, Candle - Hazards

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January 31 - February Eve - Imbolc

Actually, this holiday is most usually celebrated beginning at sundown on February 1, continuing through the day of February 2. 'Imbolc' means 'in the belly (of the Mother)' because that is where seeds are beginning to stir. It is Spring. Another name for the holiday is 'Oimelc', meaning 'milk of ewes', since it is lambing season. It was especially sacred to the Celtic Fire Goddess, Brigit, patron of smithcraft, healing (midwifery), and poetry. A Coven's High Priestess may wear a crown of lights (candles) to symbolize the return of the Goddess to her Maiden aspect, just as the Sun God has reached puberty. Weather lore associated with this sabbat is retained by the folk holiday of 'Groundhog's Day'. The Christian religion adopted a number of these themes, as follows. February 1 became 'St. Brigit's Day', and February 2 became 'Candlemas', the day to make and bless candles for the liturgical year. The 'Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary' adapts the Maiden Goddess theme. The alternative date of February 14 ( 'Old Candlemas', Christianized as 'Valentine's Day') is employed by some Covens.

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Meditation is a good stress-reliever. It calms the senses, making the mind inactive and the body, passive. Meditation usually involves concentrating on an object - a flower, a burning candle, a circle, a sound or word, or even one’s own rhythm of breath. Over time, random thoughts peter off. Meditation could also be objectless - just sitting, doing nothing.

Most forms of meditation involve turning your attention inward, away from your usual preoccupations and activities. In the process, you make a simple but significant shift from thinking and doing, to just being. With repeated practice the mind begins to settle down and your breathing slows, and you get into a relaxed, peaceful, harmonious state.

(See also: Meditation, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

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Praying has many different forms. Prayer may be done privately and individually, or it may be done corporately in the presence of fellow believers. Some outward acts that sometimes accompany prayer are: ringing a bell; burning incense or paper; lighting a candle or candles; facing a specific direction (i.e. towards Mecca or the East); making the sign of the cross. A variety of body postures may be assumed, often with specific meaning (mainly respect or adoration) associated with them: standing; sitting; kneelin ...

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Prayer, Prayer - Approaches, Prayer - The act of prayer, Prayer - Prayer in the Abrahamic religions, Prayer - Prayer in the Bible, Prayer - Jewish prayer, Prayer - Christian prayer, Prayer - Islamic prayer, Prayer - Bahá'í prayer, Prayer - Prayer in other religions, Prayer - Hindu Prayer, Prayer - Buddhism, Prayer - Prayer in Jainism, Prayer - Neopagan Prayers, Prayer - Philosophical paradoxes of prayer, Prayer - The educational approach, Prayer - The Kabbalistic view of prayer, Prayer - The rationalist approach, Prayer - The experiential approach, Prayer - Experimental evaluation of prayer, Prayer - Historical polytheistic prayer, Prayer - Prevalence, Prayer - References and footnotes

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The self-sustaining nature of fire makes it extremely dangerous if uncontrolled. Fire can consume structures and forests and can severely injure or kill living things through burns or smoke inhalation. Structure fires can be started by cooking accidents, electrical faults, fuel leaks, children playing with lighters and/or matches, and accidents involving candles and cigarettes. Fire can propagate rapidly to other structures, especially where proper building standards are not met. Purposefully starting destructive fires constitutes arson and ...

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Fire, Fire - Controlling fire, Fire - Fire and religion, Fire - Fire as a power source, Fire - Uncontrolled fire, Fire - Science of fire

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According to Rabbinic literature, Jews are commanded by God to observe (refrain from forbidden activity) and remember (with words, thoughts, and actions) the Shabbat, and these two actions are symbolised by lighting two candles late Friday afternoon (no later than eighteen minutes before sunset on Friday) by Jewish women, usually the mother/wife. Although most Shabbat laws are restrictive (see below), the fourth of the Ten Commandments in Exodus is taken by the Talmud to allude to the positive aspects of the Shabb ...

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Shabbat, Shabbat - Etymology, Shabbat - Definition, Shabbat - Status as a holy day, Shabbat - Observance, Shabbat - Mandatory activities, Shabbat - Prohibited activities, Shabbat - The 39 activities, Shabbat - Status of prohibitions, Shabbat - Delineations, Shabbat - Legal workarounds, Shabbat - Permitted activities, Shabbat - Adaptation by other religions, Shabbat - Recommended reading

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Within Buddhism, the term rebirth or re-becoming (Sanskrit: punarbhava) is preferred to "reincarnation", as the latter is taken to imply there is a fixed entity that is reborn. However, this still leaves the question as to what exactly it is that is reborn. The lack of a fixed self does not mean lack of continuity. One of the metaphors used to illustrate this is that of fire. For example, a flame is transferred from one candle to another, or a fire spreads from one field to another. In the same way that it depends on the origin ...

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Rebirth Buddhism, Rebirth Buddhism - Rebirth in the context of other religions and other Buddhist beliefs, Rebirth Buddhism - Rebirth as Buddhist Reincarnation, Rebirth Buddhism - Rebirth as Cycle of Consciousness, Rebirth Buddhism - Commentaries

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Although Judaism is generally considered an ethnic identity as well as a religious one, the Jewish religion is the root of Jewish identity and culture. Jewish religious practice in America is quite varied. Among the 4.3 million strongly connected American Jews, over 80% have some sort of engagement with Judaism, ranging from Passover seders to lighting Hanukkah candles. The survey found that of the 4.3 million strongly connected Jews, 46% belong to a synagogue. Among those who belong to a synagogue, 38% are members of Reform synagogue ...

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American Jews, American Jews - History, American Jews - Population, American Jews - Assimilation and Population Changes, American Jews - Religion, American Jews - Education, American Jews - List of Major Jewish American Communities, American Jews - Jewish American culture, American Jews - Food, American Jews - Language, American Jews - Jewish American literature, American Jews - Jewish contributions to the United States, American Jews - Popular culture, American Jews - Government and military, American Jews - Science and academia

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Although Judaism is generally considered an ethnic identity as well as a religious one, the Jewish religion is the root of Jewish identity and culture. Jewish religious practice in America is quite varied. Among the 4.3 million strongly connected American Jews, over 80% have some sort of engagement with Judaism, ranging from Passover seders to lighting Hanukkah candles. The survey found that of the 4.3 million strongly connected Jews, 46% belong to a synagogue. Among those who belong to a synagogue, 38% are members of Reform synagogue ...

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American Jews, American Jews - History, American Jews - Population, American Jews - Assimilation and population changes, American Jews - Religion, American Jews - Education, American Jews - Major Jewish-American communities, American Jews - Jewish American culture, American Jews - Food, American Jews - Language, American Jews - Jewish American literature, American Jews - Jewish contributions to the United States, American Jews - Popular culture, American Jews - Government and military, American Jews - Science and academia

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Although Judaism is generally considered an ethnic identity as well as a religious one, the Jewish religion is the root of Jewish identity and culture. Jewish religious practice in America is quite varied. Among the 4.3 million strongly connected American Jews, over 80% have some sort of engagement with Judaism, ranging from Passover seders to lighting Hanukkah candles. The survey found that of the 4.3 million strongly connected Jews, 46% belong to a synagogue. Among those who belong to a synagogue, 38% are members of Reform synagogue ...

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American Jews, American Jews - History, American Jews - Population, American Jews - Assimilation and population changes, American Jews - Religion, American Jews - Education, American Jews - Jewish American culture, American Jews - Food, American Jews - Language, American Jews - Jewish American literature, American Jews - Jewish contributions to the United States, American Jews - Popular culture, American Jews - Government and military, American Jews - Science and academia, American Jews - Major Jewish-American communities

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Lyon was an early center for printing books, and nurtured a circle of 16th century poets. For several centuries Lyon has been known as the capital of gastronomy, fine handweaving, and the silk trade. The Lumière brothers invented cinema in the town in 1898. December 8 each year is marked by "la Fête de la Lumière" (the Festival of Lights), a celebration of thanks to the Virgin Mary, who purportedly saved the city from a deadly plague in the Middle Ages. During the event, the local population places candles in their windows and the city of ...

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Lyon, Lyon - Administration, Lyon - History, Lyon - Geography, Lyon - Culture, Lyon - Religion, Lyon - Colleges and universities, Lyon - Transportation, Lyon - Vélo'v, Lyon - Buildings and structures, Lyon - Miscellaneous, Lyon - Born in Lyon, Lyon - Twinning, Lyon - Musical reference

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CANDLE DRESSING: candle should be held pointing north-south. It is massaged with oil proper to the ritual to be done; or use pure virgin olive oil. Massage from the center of the candle toward each end.

(See also: CANDLE DRESSING, Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

CANDLES MAGICK: the practice of directing the energies emitted by burning candles to create needed change.

(See also: CANDLES MAGICK, Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

DRESSING A CANDLE - Anointing a candle from the center outwards, with scented oil for ritual use.

(See also: DRESSING A CANDLE, Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

CANDLE MAGICK - burning candles of special colors, shapes and aromas to achieve magickal ends. (NAD)

(See also: CANDLE MAGICK, Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

EAR CANDLING: Also called Ear Coning. Involves placing the narrow end of a specially designed hollow candle at the entry of the ear canal, while the opposite end is lit.

Primarily used for relieving wax build up and related hearing problems, ear candling is also used for ear infections and sinus infections.

(See also: Ear candling, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Voodoo, Vodou (African, "divine spirits", also Vodou, Vodoun, Vodun)

African- Christian new religion born in Haiti, whose followers worship the "divine spirits" in life and rituals and accept possession by those spirits for healing and spiritual guidance. Originally a pejorative term -"Voodoo" is now acknowledged as the proper designation for the complex beliefs and practices among the majority of the populace of Haiti.

Voodoo began as the clandestine religion of enslaved African sugar-plantation workers in Haiti in the seventeenth century, but its early history is preserved only in scattered eighteenth-century colonial records and ordinance codes. The reports of covert meetings, dances, funeral practices, and even trance possession among enslaved and freed Africans indicate that they preserved ancient traditions in the face of enormous obstacles; the development of Voodoo is itself a tribute to the spirit and stamina of those early devotees. It is rooted in the West African Yoruba, Fon, and Angolan communities, as well as in French Roman Catholicism.

It has primarily continued African priestly roles, ritual themes, symbolism, and pantheons of named female spirits (especially Ezili) and male ones (Ogou, Damballah-Wedo, Legba). Voodoo theology parallels traditional medieval Christianity, for its followers acknowledge a high creator deity, Bondye (Bon dieu), but invoke the intermediary spirits for intercession in human affairs. It is only the intermediaries-identified individually with Christian saints or sacred places-who descend to "mount" their "horses," their followers, during possession rituals.

Roman Catholicism provides the ritual framework for the lives of Voodoo members as well, for they not only follow its traditional liturgical calendar for scheduling pilgrimages and lesser ceremonies but also participate in the common rituals of baptism, marriage, and the Mass. Roman Catholic prayers, some still in Latin, form a significant component of some Voodoo rituals, as do other lesser aspects and ritual objects from traditional Catholic festivals.

The divine spirits (loa or lwa) of Voodoo occupy separate pantheons or nations; two of these, the Rada, whose spirits are generous and benevolent, and the Petro, whose strong spirits evince terrible powers, dominate worship in urban centers. The higher powers (lemiste) are associated with natural dimensions or places, such as sacred springs or cemeteries, and are joined in the spirit world by souls of the dead and ancestral spirits (lemo) and sacred twins (lemarasa). Individual worshipers, drawn to individual spirits by necessity or similarities in personality or temperament, may choose among them for personal devotion but must not neglect those ancestors and spirits traditionally venerated in the family.

Voodoo rituals range from simple devotional acts, such as the lighting of candles with accompanying prayers, to family observances for the family dead to elaborate rituals enhanced by large meals, drumming and singing, and exuberant dance. The spiritual leaders in the Voodoo community are the male hungans and female mambos; in their religious roles, they perform divination and healing rituals for individual members, as well as oversee all training and calendrical ceremonies. As elders and teachers, they guide the possession trance dances, which allow the individual divine spirits to be present among their followers, to receive worship, and to offer healing and counsel.

In Haiti, rural communities continue Voodoo as a family-centered religion firmly tied to traditional agricultural life, while urban centers have interwoven a wider variety of practices, some structured and formal-including rituals of initiation, funeral rites, pilgrimage to Catholic shrines, and festivals-some less so, including not only divination, but also the making of amulets for luck and protection.

(See also: Voodoo, Vodou, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Candles can be made of paraffin (a byproduct of petroleum refining), stearin (now produced almost exclusively from palm waxes), beeswax (a byproduct of honey collection), gel (a mixture of resin and mineral oil), some plant waxes (generally palm, carnauba, bayberry, or soy), or tallow (a rarely used byproduct of beef fat rendering). Candles are produced in various colors, shapes, sizes and scents. The most basic production method generally entails the liquification of the solid fuel by the controlled application of heat. This liquid is then ...

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Candle, Candle - Usage, Candle - Religion, Candle - Measurement, Candle - Fuel and candle holders, Candle - Hazards

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