The Big Little Book of Magick

will bless the union, as well as remind the bride and
groom that the element of Spirit should be present in the
marriage.
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival known also as the Feast
of Dedication or the Festival of Lights. It commemorates
the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greeks. The
Talmud says that after the Temple was cleansed and
rededicated, only one small cruse of holy oil was found
to use for relighting the perpetual fire. Miraculously, this
oil burned for eight days. Today, this festival is marked
by lighting one candle each day, until eight candles are
lit.
Another tradition found in several cultures says that
when a house has known happiness and prosperity, then
that dwelling is inhabited by a good spirit. When the
family moves, they can carry this spirit with them by
lighting a large candle from the hearth. The hearth in
the new home is then lit from this candle, thus providing
a welcome for the good spirit.
Several Yule or Christmas customs also use the sacred
flame, although we have forgotten much of the
significance behind these seasonal rituals. The lights on
the modern Christmas tree have replaced the candles
once used to signify rebirth. The electric light in the
window was at one time a candle that helped departed
loved ones return to join in the festivities. The Yule log
in the fireplace symbolizes the death of the old year and
the birth of the new year; it also represents the old
tradition of the rebirth of the sun.
In a great many public gatherings, you will see people
holding candles. Known as vigilance candles, these are
used to remember a specific person or event and to
create unity and change. Little do these participants
realize that they are performing a type of magick. This