Fire Feeding
Whenever someone is about to set out on a journey or a difficult task, they might feed some herbs or weeds to their hearthfire. Some households even do a regular fire feeding every month or so, to spread the ashes around the house. This old tradition of warding off bad luck dates back to before the Fey Fall, which makes its origins hard to trace. However, it's only since the Fey Fall that there are hearthfires in nearly every home that themselves contribute to the ritual. This has made fire feeding a bonding experience, bringing together not only the family, but also the elemental spirit protecting the house.
Fire feeding is a vey personal ritual, so while there are certain general similarities, each family performs it differently. Some might grow herbs just for the occasion, while others pick whatever weed is on hand from the street corner. It often starts with telling the hearthfire what it is the family member is going to do, and what they are hoping for. Whether this is luck, protection, success, or just support. Some families let the hearthfire determine what kind of herb or weed they want to consume, while others have specific herbs for specific situations. Over the centuries certain plant types have gained a general representation. A few examples are:
When the herbs are fed to the hearthfire, it presents a mote of ash to the family member. They can rub this between their fingers or behind the ear, or keep it in a tiny flask or satchel in a pocket, around a wrist, or around the neck. When the blessing is requested for the house, the ash is strewn around the entire property, or rubbed on a doorpost or windowsill. It is believed that it depends on the amount of herbs used whether a charm works for a day, a week, or even a whole month. Some scientists studied whether there was any truth to the fire feeding, or whether it was superstition. They could not detect any overt magical enchantment, but people that performed the ritual were significantly more successful or lucky than those who didn't. Whether this is like a placebo effect or an actual strengthening of the soul beyond enchantment magic, remains unknown.
Fire feeding is a vey personal ritual, so while there are certain general similarities, each family performs it differently. Some might grow herbs just for the occasion, while others pick whatever weed is on hand from the street corner. It often starts with telling the hearthfire what it is the family member is going to do, and what they are hoping for. Whether this is luck, protection, success, or just support. Some families let the hearthfire determine what kind of herb or weed they want to consume, while others have specific herbs for specific situations. Over the centuries certain plant types have gained a general representation. A few examples are:
- fern leaves for growth or progress, reaching milestones in life or getting a step closer to a goal;
- dandelions for happiness or good times, enjoying something new and exciting;
- nettles for protection or support, facing a dangerous situation and wanting to come home safely;
- thistles for strength, emotionally or physically, 'defeating' an opponent and coming out stronger in the end.
- any aromatic herb or flower for love and connection, either as a general charm for the family or when facing troubles in a relationship.
When the herbs are fed to the hearthfire, it presents a mote of ash to the family member. They can rub this between their fingers or behind the ear, or keep it in a tiny flask or satchel in a pocket, around a wrist, or around the neck. When the blessing is requested for the house, the ash is strewn around the entire property, or rubbed on a doorpost or windowsill. It is believed that it depends on the amount of herbs used whether a charm works for a day, a week, or even a whole month. Some scientists studied whether there was any truth to the fire feeding, or whether it was superstition. They could not detect any overt magical enchantment, but people that performed the ritual were significantly more successful or lucky than those who didn't. Whether this is like a placebo effect or an actual strengthening of the soul beyond enchantment magic, remains unknown.
