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Slate and Artstone – The candle is a potent symbol. It stands as a tiny flickering flame, battling darkness with light, in a desperate attempt to survive. In many ways it can be used as an analogy of life itself. As such, it has a prominent place in the collective unconscious of our society. We don’t need candles anymore. We live in a world of light, where the flick of a switch can illuminate a whole building in a matter of second.

In fact, there is too much light in the world. Our cities glare blocks out the stars themselves, forcing astronomers to take to the fields and farms just to ply their chosen profession.

So why are candles and candle holders so prevalent in our society?

We were born in the dark. In our primitive days we stalked the land by day, and hid, frightened, from the unknown dangers of the dark night. That was, until the discovery of a new friend. An ally, as fierce and as violent as anything we feared, yet tame-able, controllable. Our new ally, was fire.

For a thousand generations we sat by the flickering light of the flames and planned battles, enjoyed meals, fell in love, and lived our lives. The spirit of the chaotic little flame, burning fierce against the surrounding dark, became a fixture in our world.

The candle is our ancient companion. It is a delicate connection to a world long gone, a simpler world where cares and worries were purer and easier to fathom.

Even today, when we are the masters of light with the ability to control it without even thinking, still we invite that violent little friend, the flickering candle flame, into our homes. We do it because it is real, because it is natural, and because it is part of our collective past.

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