growing-yet-into-magic:

There is only one chemical reaction we commonly call “fire”, but there’s plenty of ways to get it into your house and your practice. Some ways are better for certain situations then others- let’s try to go through the more common ways, shall we?

Lighters:
Lighters are relatively cheap and can be found in almost any corner store. They work under most conditions, including times when wind or drafts might blow out a match. If you’re lighting incense or candles outside, they have a higher likelihood of success in light wind or at odd angles. Considering that they’re multiple use, you won’t run the risk of littering used matches in the area either. And besides, if you have a deep candle you can’t get into with your hand, you can always resort to investing in one of these bad boys: 

Matches: 
Speaking of matches, matches are still my favorite. Kitchen matches are not strong enough to withstand anything other than a light breeze, and can blow out at the least opportune moments, but if you want that whole-grain, organic fire experience, there’s nothing like the crackle of sulfur, phosphorous, and responsibly sourced wood. And besides, now you can invest in strike-anywhere, which means that you can just carry loose matches and strike them in an a variety of odd places. High-friction surfaces tend to work best, and I have a lot of success on concrete and brick. 

Censers/High-Heat-Resistance bowls:
This is less of a “way to make fire” and more of a “where to make fire”. If you are of the sort to be burning paper, or incense, you’re not exactly going to be holding it in your naked hand as it catches aflame. 

The general rules of use for either is to first layer the bottom of the container with sand. This creates a buffer between the flammable bits and the breakable outside that will prevent cracking and shattering. That’s right; if your container is glass or ceramic, it can literally explode if too close to the flame. Bottom layer is sand, next layer is the bit you’re setting aflame, all away from the edges of the container. Keep within eyesight at all times while it is burning, and make 100% sure all flames are out before you leave the area. Cool to the touch, no embers, everything. 

Barbeque Grill: 
If you need a controlled fire, and actually have a grill on hand, why not use it? Sure, it may not be the most mystical tool out there, but it has a semi-standard temperature and can get a lot of heavy lifting done. 

Fire Pit:
Perhaps you’re a bit more traditional and want the full roaring fire experience. Fire pits let you enjoy all the fun of setting things on fire with all the safety of not catching you or your coven aflame. If you really, really need a lot of fire, whether for a fire meditation, a sabbat celebration, or any other ritual, there’s little else that compares. I’d speak more on the subject, but I’m less of an expert on this. Here’s Mother Earth News’s safety guide to fire pits, here’s a maintenance guide from ehow, and here’s a diy for building your own fire pit for a relatively cheap price. Stay safe out there. 

TIPS AND TRICKS TO NOT HURTING YOURSELF:

• Know what you’re burning! If I had a penny for every camping trip they had to warn us about burning poisonous plants, I could pay a therapist to address the trauma of hearing about people who got poison sumac or poison ivy smoke in their lungs and airways. If you’re awful at recognizing plants, like me, you can always always always head down to a local farm and see if they sell firewood for cheap. 
• Tie your hair up and back
• Don’t inhale smoke if you don’t have to
• Try not to be inebriated, okay? It’s fire. Don’t mess with that with anything less than your best work. 
• Don’t put random crap in a fire. I know it’s great to see how things burn, but you don’t know how it catches or what chemicals are released when it does. Be safe and just…like…don’t. 
•  Open a window. If you’re inside, you don’t want the fumes and CO2 accumulating in your lungs. Crack a window, and leave if you feel lightheaded in any way. 
• No droopy sleeves, please! 
• Have a fire extinguisher nearby! Or at least know where one is! If you can take a bucket of sand with you during the ritual, all the better! 

No matter how and where you are, and no matter your situation, just know that there’s always a possibility of adding a little extra spark to your craft. Just remember to be safe while doing so- and don’t forget to look at the local regulations on fire in your area! Call up the firefighters if you have to- they’ll probably know. 

Blessings!