One Candle at a Time…

We are the candles the Universe seeks to Light, that our Path may be illuminated and our Hearts made Full.

This is the time of Year in its annual journey around the sun that the hours of (apparent) Light are at their nadir. It is also the period where many cultures and religions call us to light something. There are the Christmas lights, Hanukkah menorahs, Yule Logs and Solstice Celebrations and Kwanzaa. They are meant, in their various iterations, to symbolize the victory (or Journey) from Darkness to Light, of Goodness over Evil.

As we enter into these months of the Cold, of the Dark, we are actually taking steps back to the fullness of the Light. Understandably in mid-January we may not feel called to rejoice that better, more light-filled warmer days will be coming…but that is exactly the case.

Lighting candles is a traditional way in which we call forth the Light. The lighting of the 8 candles during Hanukkah commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and the subsequent rededication of the Second Temple (of Israel). Part of the narrative is that when, finally, the Jews liberated the Temple they found that they only had enough sacred oil to light the lamp for the High Priest for one day. Miraculously the lamp stayed lit for 8 days, and since then Jews everywhere celebrate both the victory of light over darkness with the rededication of their sacred building, but also that the Divine joined in by keeping the candle lit. This great story can also be instructive to those of other faiths, if we can understand its symbolic meaning.

Who cannot relate to the theme of cultural and outside forces seeking to destroy the integrity of our minds, and influence how we think and feel? It takes great efforts of focus and intention to truly liberate us from such shackles. But the lesson of the Maccabees requires us also to remember that without the blessing of the Divine, the Victory is not complete. It is only when we re-dedicate ourselves to Source that our personal candles can be lit. We are that candle. Whenever we light candles to celebrate our Journey, our Victories, it is essential to remember that all Good comes from God/Jehovah/Allah etc. This humble recognition is what allows us to stay lit for more than a short, allotted, time. Without this awareness we will surely run out of “oil” very rapidly.

The lighting of the Yule log harkens back to Pagan and Viking roots. Celebrated during the Winter Solstice, it marked the sun’s rebirth and the promise of longer days, with the burning (Yule) log representing Light conquering Darkness. The log was kept burning for 12 days, symbolizing family togetherness and warding off bad luck. Clearly this is the source of the “12 days of Christmas” and was adapted by Christians.

Kwanzaa is another seasonal celebration of light over darkness, through the lens of Afro-American culture. It begins on December 26th and extends for 7 days with a communal feast called Karamu on December 31. It was created by the activist Maulana Karenga in the aftermath of the Watts riots of 1966. Each night one of the 7 candles on their candleholder called the Kinara is lit and there are discussions of 7 principles: Unity; Self-determination; collective work/responsibility; cooperative economics; purpose; creativity; and faith.

We may not be Jewish, or Pagan, or Christian, or African-American, but we can learn from these great cultural/spiritual traditions. We may certainly do well to remember that when one candle/log is afire all are uplifted. The Light that is shared illuminates the night sky for us all. Is the flame in one celebration different than that lit in another? So, in this Season of the deepest Darkness, as we gather together and light our candles, take a moment to celebrate our common humanity, and our common struggles, against all that seeks to separate us from the Divine and ourselves.