Solar Flare

A bonfire is always therapeutic, and a Solstice fire doubly so. 

I made my way to the allotments with a fair amount of adrenalin coursing through my veins, as I knew this would be a fire that would demand constant attention.  I had decided to build it over a hawthorn stump I have been wanting to remove for four years, since I became guardian of the plot.  I had gradually pecked away at it so it was half dead anyway the poor thing, and I suddenly realized as I was sitting by it one day how it would be the ideal place for a fire pit, and how I could clear that space by making a fire. 

The trouble was, it would be a fire that would be very near my shack, a bamboo fence, and directly below the boughs of an overhanging ash tree.  One cunning spark could create a festival of light in totally the wrong way. 

I always like a challenge, and I have a deep love for fires and tending them, so come Solstice I had a happy heart as well as coursing adrenalin. 

I had been collecting scrap paper for kindling for a month or so, so started building with a good foundation. I made a pyramid shaped cage around it with the old wood I had kept dry in the greenhouse and shack. Some of it was old wisteria branches, and one of the undulating shapes was too beautiful to burn, so I saved it for decoration. 

It took the flame quickly and in no time was fully alight.  I added more wood and watched as the flames became more mature and established.  The dried rosemary really set if off, and released a magical fragrance.  Then I added an old sheet and a mouse eaten rug, and things started to get a bit interesting.  The flames were at one point about four feet high, and I followed every spark upwards on its journey to the dry looking leaves of the aspen tree.  I hurriedly prepared a bucket of water just in case, but all was well. 

I took a series of photos of the flames as they were so dramatic, and looking back can see a young girl fiery centaur and a small flame fairy driving a fiery chariot, amongst other things, so there was a lot going on.  I think I had started a fairy fire party, which can only be a good thing.  Nothing like fire for fertility, and I am now having dreams of the vegetable beds catching light and growing flames, which is very startling and exhilerating.  I am looking forward to what the plot will produce next year. 

I scattered dozens of Satan's horde, aka sycamore seedlings, into the glowing embers of the fire and smiled as they popped randomly and violently.  It was very satisfying. 

I'll have to remember to toast chestnuts on the fire next Solstice, and bake a potato as well.