THE WILL-O'-THE-WISP

Throughout the centuries, many legends have been woven around spectral flames that dance in the presence of unsuspecting walkers. There were many travelers who lost their way and lost their lives in swamps by following a blue flame that seemed to invite them to follow it.

In my childhood I heard stories of old people, when they met to talk after dinner, where there was no lack of "the little flame". Each one told different versions of the same fact, one with more fantastic nuances than others. Some said they were wandering spirits in search of eternal peace. Others said that it was the owner of a buried treasure that showed the place where his botija was. This last would be the only one worth pursuing. Hehehe

In spite of how creepy these stories seemed to me, they were undoubtedly fatuous fires, which the ignorance of the people considered supernatural events. Although not much is said about them, sometimes there are pale, blue flames that seem to float in the air a short distance from the ground, especially in marshes and cemeteries.

This curious phenomenon occurs due to the spontaneous combustion of certain gases that are released from animal or vegetable substances in a state of decomposition, when these gases are in contact with the air. (It is believed that gases are a mixture of hydrogen and phosphorus, mostly methane, which spontaneously ignites even when the surrounding air is dry). In some places of the world like England, Germany, Ireland, Scotland and my VENEZUELA, it happens with greater frequency.