THE CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS DAY

Robert HerrickContemplative

Kindle the Christmas brand, and then Till sunset let it burn; Which quench'd, then lay it up again, Till Christmas next return.

Part must be kept, wherewith to teend The Christmas log next year; And where 'tis safely kept, the fiend Can do no mischief there.

Robert Herrick

Mood:: Contemplative
Topics:: fire, superstition, ritual, protection, christmas

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Summary

Herrick describes a quiet, old ritual for Candlemas Day, a moment in early February when winter still holds on. A household takes out the partly burned Christmas log, lights it once more, and lets it glow until sundown—then carefully quenches it and stores the charred piece away.

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Kindle the brand, and then

Till let it burn;

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THE CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS DAY

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'Twas here my summer paused

Consulting summer's clock,

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