Matches vs Lighters

Okay, so, I've a question. First, I'll tell you the reason for the question. The first ice heard of matches vs lighters was in Silver RavenWolf's Teen Witch (a lot of people don't like her but I've yet to finish that book and move into another of hers. I also have samples of books from Scott Cunnigham on my iPhone cuz I wish to purchase them but have no money--don't judge) and the Cast family's House of Night series (which has some real info about magick and is written by a Cherokee woman and her daughter). In Teen Witch, Silver talks of how you should use lighters as matches have sulfur and other harmful chemicals that can bring negativity into your work. As far as sulfur goes, in medieval times, people hated sulfur so much they would say that big blocks of burning sulfur will come raining down from the sky during the apocalypse ("fire and brimstone"), and in the show Supernatural (which has some real, some fake, and some incorrect information), demons (large, black, smoky beings of evil and negativity that were once human) leave behind sulfur trails. In one of the first House of Night books, Zoey and her friends decided to use really long, wooden matches in their first ritual (later on I realized that this club thing of theirs was actually set up much like a coven) because they wanted to be more traditional. Angelfire (a website of helpful info about Wicca and such--to find it type in "angelfire triple moon symbol meaning" on google) mentions matches somewhere, other people prefer lighters, and some places on SoM it says to use wooden matches. I, personally, started out with matches, mostly Eco-friendly ones that I tend to horde now, because that was all I had and even my best friend uses matches because that's what's available. Now that I have a collection of disposable lighters (cheap ones that cans till be refilled though I would love to have a zippo), I use those because they are easier to work with. I have trouble lighting matches most the time, but I still keep tons of them in the nearly impossible likelihood that I run out of lighters anytime soon. Lighters to me are easier to use and matches are a one time use thing. So, my question is, matches or lighters? I know it's a lot like coke or Pepsi, mostly a personal preference thing, but I would like to here who uses what and why. Matches are traditional, but do they bring bad energies? Lighters are convenient, but do they veer too far off the traditional course? I would like thoughts, stories, experiences, you name it (excluding flirtatious remarks and phallic pictures). What do you use, why do you use it, and what do you recommend? Matches? Or lighters?

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In my opinion, Miss Ravenwolf is not an authority on her subject, and is quite frankly borderline new-age rubbish.

Sulfur will not bring a negative influence into your work. It may if you believe that it will, but that is just You bringing negativity into your work, not the matches per se.

P.S. Most of the show supernatural is fake, including their 'lore' on demons....They can just about get the Enochian alphabet correct though ;)

As for matches vs lighters,

Lighters all the way for me, they last me longer (I don't smoke, just light candles), I can put it in my drawer and not have it take up space, they don't leave behind a smell.

As for a magickal significance, there isn't one in my opinion. You could choose to believe in one.

Thank you, Hadit93. I know a lot of people don't like Silver, but some of her infor corresponds with other things while some of it that I've come across is just a thing for popularity. Anyone else what to share?

I've been reading Bacon's Mirror of Alchemy lately, and Sulfur and Quicksilver are treated as the two basic components of all metals. Sulfur isn't negative, it's... for lack of better word, masculine.

That said, I use lighters because you can get them in different colors and my nearest convenience store even sells one with stuff like "Truth" "Love" and other virtues printed on them for no reason and I use those as correspondents. Urban magick, chaos magick influenced practice.

Thank you Aeons_Wing. Currently I use a green lighter as I associate green with healing, nature, and Wicca. (I'm Wiccan)

I like matches because to me it is a more natural source of fire. In magick, the "spirit" of the flame is important. Sulfer is a sun/fire association magically and a natural scientific element. Wood is, well...wood. It's natural too. Of course, flint and steel would probably be even better! But who really wants to go through all that trouble for a candle?

What isn't natural is a contained gas that is slowly released, forced through a small opening where a spark is struck. Especially when they're contained in a tacky plastic container. Do I use them? Yes, when I have to. But I would prefer not to.

The middle for me is Zippos. I love my Zippo. The fire burns something and doesn't just hover there. So it's reminiscent of a mini oil lamp.

But all in all, if it makes fire, use it. What you use is preference and personal belief.

I use a zippo with a pentagram engraved in it (as I only use it for lighting candles), it was given as a gift and so perhaps I am a little biased....

I like to use matches, like White said, for a more natural feel to things. I'll make my own fires when I can, for the spirit of the flame. But if I'm in the middle of something and need it lit- I don't see any issue with using a lighter. Use what works for your practice.

Wow, so much, thank you guys! I didn't know sulfur was associated with the sun but you never knows yen there's sulfur gas on ghe sun, too. I understand the natural element to using matches. I personally am match deficient, ^.^;;; anyone else have their opinions?

Don't put that Zippo down in the Chat Room Hadit. It will surely disappear. And if you find it in my pocket, it's not my fault! It wanted to be in there. :P