Fire was power

So with that coal delivered, it was a sign that cosy winter fires were on the near horizon. There is something innately satisfying about sitting in front of an actual open fire that cannot be achieved with an electric heater. It may well be a natural part of our genetic memory (yes, I do believe there is such a thing), of the time our ancestors survived through brutal winters prior to the domestic dwellings, only by possessing the power of fire. The power of such a possession must surely have been an essential component to controlling any group of individuals (probably equal to protecting their mate from being taken by another clan). And it introduced another role, which required particular rituals to achieve and maintain, to the organization of any group.

Consider the ritual problem known by any of you who have ever gone camping (without a camp stove). From the careful preparation of the fireplace with rocks or such, to protect the fire from draughts that may extinguish it, and the protection of the various wood matter, both the kindling (fire-starter source timber) and the wood to maintain the actual fire once started. It all had to be kept dry and protected from the elements. There were specific ways to make fires. In snow you would never build a fire under a snow-laden tree. On an open flat prairie you would never build a fire without a protective surround. All of these required learned knowledge and developed particular skills and rituals to be ‘The keeper of the flame’. Some of our ancestors obviously excelled at this and so their tribes and clans survived through the harsh unprotected winters. Fire was also an important part of the Australian landscapes natural survival. Many plant and tree seeds are dispersed through the affect of heat on their casings. Natural scrub fires and grass fires actually cause the spread and development of many plants in the Australian bush. The local inhabitants obviously used this at times to their benefit. Sometimes, just to kill and cook food in one go.

Today, just as when we were young, a bright fire will emotionally delight us. Whether it is in a room (soon to build up a good ‘fug’- see May 21^st blog), or outdoors in the bush or mountains. When the temperature was low and the wind and rain blew outside, coming into a fire-warmed room after walking home from school or sitting around a blazing campfire (not the smokey, spluttering type of the start up breakfast fire in the bush), fire evokes very specific memories and feelings. You can watch the pretty colours of the flames or look for shapes in the glowing embers. I’m sure many will remember when young, of the moment of drifting off to a small nap in front of the crackling blazing fire. Only to jump awake startled and ‘primitively’ aware (the old caveman instinct) at the unexpected sound of a burnt through log dropping or shifting in the fire. Sending the glowing sparks of floating timber embers up the chimney or up into the night sky if you were out camping.

(Continued tomorrow)