will-fire
A Scottish term for 'need-fire,' a ritual fire kindled by friction rather than from an existing flame, historically believed to have protective and curative powers — especially for livestock during outbreaks of disease.
Definitions
A Scottish term for 'need-fire,' a ritual fire kindled by friction rather than from an existing flame, historically believed to have protective and curative powers — especially for livestock during outbreaks of disease. In Scottish folk tradition, will-fire was used in purification ceremonies where all existing fires in a community were extinguished and the need-fire was lit fresh, then used to relight hearths. The term is archaic and primarily of historical and folkloric interest today.
In times of cattle plague, the villagers would kindle a will-fire and drive the animals through its smoke as a protective ritual.
Comments
(Scottish) The need-fire.
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