On my last evening at the farm north of Toronto, Ontario Canada I experienced my first agnihotra ceremony with compliments from my friend, Alda, who I had been staying with.
What is agnihotra?
In Sanskrit, agnihotra translates to fire sacrifice, which sounds harmful even though it’s meant to be holy… hmmm, there’s something to consider. Breaking down the word into two parts, agni represents fire and hotra means healing.
It is a process of purification from the Vedic sciences: bioenergy, medicine, agriculture and climate engineering. Said to purify the atmosphere by way of fire, the ceremony is carried out at sunrise or sunset or both depending on what you want to achieve.
I was surprised to hear that the smoke it emits positively affects 150 acres from the fire’s source and heals not only the atmosphere but numerous aspects of the land, animals, and human beings.
Before Alda was a copper pyramid dish of specific dimensions. From a brown paper bag, she retrieves several patties made from dried cow dung.
I watch, as a mixture of ghee and brown rice is spread like butter on either side of the pattie and placed into the copper pyramid dish. At the exact time of sunset, a match is struck to light the patties and my friend chants the corresponding mantras so the ash retains the vibrational energy healing properties for use afterwards.
I later learned that the one who sings the mantra must do so from a pure mind. As we are still releasing old patterns and programming, I remain curious about the efficacy of what constitutes a pure mind. Is it the frequency from which the agnihotra user calibrates the ash? Or might it be from a pure mind - meaning an empty mind - during the ceremony positively impacts the ash?
Maybe it’s both!
I did wonder if the people in the room partaking in the ceremony had any effect on the ash. Or were they only there to receive the beneficial effects from the smoke? I have yet to ask for clarification. However, Alda did show me trees that were dying were sprouting new leaves after spreading ash at their base.
The agricultural benefits of Agnihotra are said to be increased production and profit, while humans can experience improvements in their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.
My personal experience…
I was pleasantly surprised when the space filled with smoke—I didn’t cough, my eyes didn’t water, I didn’t feel congested or unable to breathe… there was no negative effect at all. What it did was purify my eyes!
Usually, at that time of day, my eyes would be tired. My left eye, in particular, has been symptomatic with a dry blocked tear duct (my diagnosis), yet both eyes felt clear and relaxed. Even more curious was I noticed I have not needed to wear my glasses to read as often as I once did - in fact, my glasses annoy me and blur the letters.
For further information about agnihotra and how to get started…
www.agnihotra.org | www.terapiahoma.com | www.angelfire.com/realm/tapovan
For those interested in scientific research, this article studies the effect of the fumes, ash and other components: Scientific study of Vedic Knowledge Agnihotra
Reported personal experience…
While I neither accept nor reject this form of purification, I remain grateful for the opportunity to experience it.
Have you heard of Agnihotra?
If you have experienced it, what effects were you aware of?
My journey then took me south to Roncesvalles, a traditional Polish suburb of Toronto where I have enjoyed walking my friend’s dog, Jasper.
Jasper and I have visited High Park and the Sorauren Farmers Market, where violinists played uplifting melodies. Many original homes in the area are Victorian or Foursquare style, built in the early 1900s. The local library gives you an idea of some of the architecture.
I love seeing the footpaths lined with plants for the butterflies and bees.
Project Swallowtail, CA is about neighbours united for nature. Connecting communities, street by street, the project is said to empower residents to restore nature. Through the generous support of Patrick and Barbara of the Keenan Foundation and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Project Swallowtail has built a community of over 2500 habitat growers across Toronto and beyond.
It is so beautiful to see the bumblebees enjoying nectar-laden flowers, dogs and their people companions enjoying the outdoor spaces, and children on their way to kindergarten and school. Jasper knows which school crossing guard has a treat for him to eat and which shop to pull me into for yet another yummy morsel. Life in the suburbs by all accounts may be by rote for most, yet we have walked a different path daily, greeted people with a smile, stopped briefly to chat…, and even received a beautiful dahlia flower which I later presented to my friend to remind her of the highest frequency on our glorious plant - from the flower kingdom.
Life is a joy when we cease to worry about what we cannot control. You are amazing… it is so wonderful you are here.
Love’s harmony,
Leanda Michelle ✍🏼
Leanda, I had not heard of agnihotra. How fascinating that it seems to have helped your eyes. 💫 The Parkdale neighbourhood you visited is in my novel, The Shining Fragments. Do you remember the orphans' home? It was situated in what is now High Park. (Where St. Joseph's Hospital is. Not sure if you saw that.) My daughter works in the area, and years ago, in the 1980s, I lived out there. I love that you went there. ✨️
Hi Leanda,
interesting post and indeed to accept in awareness that there are things that we cannot control is liberating. However does that also mean to cease to be concerned or care for the consequences of the things out of our control? Are they opposing statements? Or can there be liberation in the balance?
What do you think?
I love the image of the fire and the image in the fire - do you see an entity reaching out or even trying to say something - or am I imagining🤔? 🌿🌼🌿