Reading the words “no longer symbolize anything” really irked me. Like what the hell, went through all that and now you yank away their meaning like it’s nothing?
This was a really abrupt way to end it and it didn’t feel good. The candles don’t lose their significance after going through the ceremony, even if the ritual is over. Maybe we let them burn out. Maybe we snuff them and store them to be used again next year. Maybe they get used for other purposes, and when that happens, we’re reminded of the time we celebrated Petrov Day. Anything other than having them suddenly lose all their symbolism.
I liked that bit. It made the ceremony feel like a closed container, so it was OK to “wake up” and talk normally with my friends. As you point out, there was in fact some lingering symbolism, but that’s OK.
Some feedback:
Reading the words “no longer symbolize anything” really irked me. Like what the hell, went through all that and now you yank away their meaning like it’s nothing?
This was a really abrupt way to end it and it didn’t feel good. The candles don’t lose their significance after going through the ceremony, even if the ritual is over. Maybe we let them burn out. Maybe we snuff them and store them to be used again next year. Maybe they get used for other purposes, and when that happens, we’re reminded of the time we celebrated Petrov Day. Anything other than having them suddenly lose all their symbolism.
I liked that bit. It made the ceremony feel like a closed container, so it was OK to “wake up” and talk normally with my friends. As you point out, there was in fact some lingering symbolism, but that’s OK.