The candlestick is a beloved, illustrious, convenient kind of portable illumination, but it can be also home décor, or part of a beautiful tradition. It is brought into existence by the inspired humanity, which was tired by lurking in the shadows.
Once upon a time, people tamed fire and eventually had to come out with something to keep their candles in their place. Simply imagine how the ancient Aryans had to light candles to appease the God of Storms and tie them to the Sacred Oak Tree, for the lack of better equipment.
Origins
The candlestick was invented in Ancient Egypt, among other things like clocks, wigs, makeup, toothpaste, and high heels – generally, all kinds of creative and beneficial stuff. The need for it arose since ancient philosophers and writers needed light, when they worked after sunset, or late at night – and those were ambitious, industrious people. In the dawn of human civilization, the candlesticks served mainly for illumination. Nowadays, they have vital ritual and decorative significance – we use them to adorn our homes at Christmas, in the bright, blessed day of our wedding, or when we say goodbye forever to a loved one – in sickness and in health because in all traditions fire is held sacred.
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The Menorah – the Jewish Ritual Candelabrum
The Latin “candelabrum” – sometimes called “the candle tree” stands for a candle holder with multiple arms.
The national emblem of the State of Israel is a candelabrum known as Menorah. It holds six candles and one more with a sacred significance to light the others. It employs consecrated fresh olive oil.
The Menorah is a unique kind of “candelabrum.” The Hebrew Torah teaches us a legend about the Menorah and Moses. God himself revealed the design of this sacred object, by instructing Moses how to create a candlestick of pure gold with six branches, which held cups shaped like blossoming almond flowers. He described the Menorah in great details. There are two kinds of Menorah – the first is the holy Jewish candlestick, it has got 7 branches and was lit during Biblical times at the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. The 9 branch Menorah is used by the Jews only during the holiday of Hanukkah. In the temple of Solomon there were 10 Menorahs, each with Seven Luminaries, which represented the Council of Elohim. Among the Council of Elohim, God pronounced his judgment.
Candlesticks – Works of Art
For the lovers of antique collectibles and shamelessly expensive things – on Ebay for the fair sum of $48,800,00 one can come in a possession of the two luxurious Crane Bird Candlesticks, a magnificent golden candle holder decorated with an ancient technique of “cloisonné” used often by the Chinese Ming Dynasty. Cloisonné is an ancient technique, mostly used for the making of jewelry and it employs colored enamel. The two birds of the candle holder are practically gilt and painted with beautiful colors. But oh, what is a candlestick without the burning miracle of lit candles?
Hand Made Candles
Carving candles is an old German craft, a kind of magic still practiced by skillful artisans. One of the best views in the world is the Christmas Bazaar in Stuttgart which presents all kinds of self-made candles and candle-holders – those radiant beauties are a miraculous fairy tale of shine and color. Candles are made by layering wax in various colors. They look so elaborate that people can only feel but festive when they light them.
What Are Candles Good For?
Probably the most mysterious use of candles is the basis of the Wicca religion. “The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft and Wicca,” extensively discusses candles in the context of religion, magic and folklore. The light of a candle repels mean spirits and attracts noble elementals. In various traditions candlelight comprises offering for a deity. In magic, candles are used in various rituals and spells, together with cauldrons and powders, and herbs, and potions, and toe of frog…okay, without toe of frog…Candles for magic come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors, and of course, you need corresponding candleholders to support the candle you are working with. Depending on their color – candles have different magical association – for instance, a golden one stands for God, vitality, success, action, courage, confidence – all attributes of the Sun God.
Candles and the Mystery of Magic
Presumably, what you need for Candle Magic is a candle in color, which is linked to your magical intent, an essential oil to go with it, herbs and a candle holder. If you want to attract money you are supposed to take a crystal and carve your desire on the candle. However, facts state: A lot of people practice Wicca, all of them blab “So mote it be!” and statistically none of them has won the lottery. Do not do this alone at home.
Candles and Meditation
There is a much spiritually safer practice of using candles to elevate your consciousness. Candles are widely spread in temples. There are simple meditations involving focusing on the light of a candle, which is supposed to clear your mind, and raise your spirit and stimulate your personal power and connect you through offering to God. Candles can be used in aromatherapy, and in Feng-Shui, in Ayurveda and various other fields of human knowledge, which teach us the lore of the ancients about the great creative element of Fire.
Candles and Spirituality
Candles have illuminated the spiritual way of the entire humanity from all traditions and historical periods. The basic symbolic meaning of a candle is the divine spark, the internal light which shines within and leads the human soul like a guiding star. In Christian tradition, a candle represents God’s presence, hope, and light coming into the world. It reminds us a little of the brevity of the human existence. But the most beautiful quality of a candle, as James Keller put it is that it loses nothing by lighting another candle.
