SPREAD THE FLAME
The Nature of Fire is to Spread…
I was 20 years old—younger than my own child now—when I first heard the name “Vesta.” It was my first travel experience abroad, and I found myself in a unknown place that, many years later, I would come to know very well… the Roman Forum. While cluelessly walking among the ruins, I met a woman burning a candle in front of a few standing columns, something that struck small-town me as an incomprehensibly exotic thing to do.
It was she who first told me about those columns—columns that once housed the sacred flame of Vesta in its hearth—and ignited a passion that would last a lifetime. She even gave me the old beeswax candle she was burning, one that her family had used to honor the flame for years, as the “best souvenir” of Italy. I still remember her words. I still have her candle, too. It was her way of “spreading the flame.” Now, it’s one way that I do the same.
Where It Started for Me
It was here—in the Roman Forum, in front of these columns—that I first heard the name “Vesta.”
These columns are, of course, the recovered columns of the Temple of Vesta. You can get a sense of the temple’s original circular structure, and imagine the sacred hearthfire burning inside.
You can see the Palatine Hill in the background, with happy tourists looking down into the Forum—and directly onto the Temple of Vesta—just as the emperors of Ancient Rome once did.
My “Vestal” Candle
This is the old milk-glass candle holder I received at the temple in 1989. It is definitely the “best souvenir” of Italy I’ve ever gone home with. I now call this my vintage Vestal candle, since the white glass drapes the flame like a Vestal’s stola draped a priestess.
Inside the container is very dark amber hand-poured beeswax. It’s old and sooty, with bits of debris (bee bits?) and wax blooms. But to me, its age only makes it more meaningful. This photo was taken on March 1, 2014. I had placed a photograph of the Temple of Vesta—taken shortly after it was excavated in the late 19th century—behind the lit candle, and was delighted to see the flame’s reflection in the glass right where the sacred fire once burned.
Relighting the Flame…
To preserve this special candle, I only light it once a year—March 1st, the date the Vestals renewed the sacred fire in the temple.
Once it is burning, I make an offering and a libation, and I say some ancient Latin words in honor of the ancient flame and in solidarity to those who burned this candle before I did.
Using a wooden wick, I then scoop out some of the old melted beeswax from my vintage candle.
Spreading the Spirit of the Flame…
Later, when I am creating the hand-poured candles I use for my Vesta candle readings, I add a bit of this old beeswax to the pot of melting new wax.
To me, this is a special way to further spread the spirit of Vesta’s flame to those who honor her. Those who receive a candle reading from me can know that the candle used in their reading was that much more meaningful.
A Glowing Vestal Candle and Pre-Lit Wooden Wicks
Also on March 1st, I dip a number of wooden wicks into my Vestal candle’s flame, thus imbuing the spirit of the old flame into new wicks. Each time I perform a candle reading, for myself or anyone else, I light one of these pre-lit wicks and transfer its flame to the wick of the candle I use in the reading. Again, I find this is a lovely way to call upon Vesta and spread the spirit of her flame.
I also save a few pre-lit wicks to pass on to friends—not so differently than how the original candle was passed on to me—so they can light their own candles with it.
You Too Can See and Spread Vesta’s Flame
If you are so inclined, you can help spread that fire called Vesta simply by lighting a candle and seeing the goddess’s face in the living flame.
When you do this, you aren’t just burning Vesta’s flame in the modern world. You are also connecting with the millions of people throughout history who have found meaning and community by honoring the flame both privately and together: the great Caesars, the Vestal priestesses, the soldiers, the senators, and the ordinary men, women and children of ancient Rome for whom Vesta was a part of daily life.
In this way, Vesta’s flame is truly timeless.
If you wish, you can spread the flame in a more purposeful way by honoring March 1st. Set some time aside on that day to light multiple candles. As you light each one, you can invoke Vesta by saying:
DEA FULGENS, HANC CANDELAM INTRA
This is Latin—Vesta’s first language—and it means “Shining Goddess, enter this candle.”
By lighting these candles and invoking Vesta on this very special day, you are honoring Vesta and her priestesses. You are also infusing this act with ancient history and purpose.
Burn these candles throughout the year in your home, knowing that Vesta is with you.
You can spread the flame by gifting these candles to friends and other like-minded people, too. I know many people light multiple tealights on March 1st and hand them out to others, or even mail them to distant family and friends.
This can be a beautiful way to stay connected to those we love, whether our dearest friends, parents, siblings or children.