Today the sun burns bright, pouring gold on the 100’s of shades of green that are late May’s dress up clothes. The color of sky, blooming flowers, and all it touches, as I sit writing on the deck, is enlivened by sunlight. I love the sun, the heat, the expansion that exists because of it.Today my attention rests on the vivid red honeysuckle planted for the hummingbirds a few years ago.Within it I feel nature’s expression of fire on earth. But even on the starkest winter day, the fireball sun gives its energy creating contrast in the landscape. In many traditions the sun is Father, or Grandfather, the male counterpoint to Grandmother or Sister moon.The fiery outer, active, creative force balances the deep, dark receptivity of the feminine (water). Of all the elements, fire is probably considered most dangerous.Though air brings tornados, water floods, earth quakes, fire with its unpredictability of volcanos erupting and wildfires raging seems much less controllable. We are warned from childhood, not to play with fire.Yet, fire is the warmth of hearth and home. Fire is also the peace and hope of candles burning.
We gather around the campfire to tell our stories, sing songs, and ponder the mystery. It sustains us and, in its unique way, brings community. The holy spirit is seen as a flame in the Christian tradition. All world religions, and indigenous peoples have strong associations with fire. We speak of the spark that begins life. Remember, there is a burning molten core inside the earth mother, our closest life sustaining star, and all those that fill the night sky. I was attuned to the energies of holy fire in the Reiki that I practice. We know fire is transformative energy, like all the elementals, cleansing in its own way. Out of the ashes the phoenix rises. Humans have a deep unconscious fascination with fire, its power, and potential dangers. We know the heat of desire, sexual attraction and pleasure, and the passion of creativity that we feel “burns” within us. We experience, in moments of true awareness, the powerful focus akin to lightening striking the earth. Remember Saul on the road to Damascus? And it is in the heat of the forge that humans created tools of both war and peace, the sword and the plow. So fire is paradoxical, as are all elements, and can be supportive and nourishing, or destructive when out of balance. Although essential for us to live our lives on earth, fire gives a clear reminder to pay attention and treat its power respectfully.
On the elemental compass fire follows the eastern position of air, residing in the south, with its quadrant ending with water in the west. Fire needs air to burn, then water comes after, keeping balance and control in the west. When not connected to our deeper feelings from a place of wisdom, the fire of anger can do harm to us and others. We need fire to motivate us, spur us on, and express our will and intent. I believe there are times for righteous anger where change is needed, to evoke courage, and when injustice needs a voice.
The tarot symbol and tool on the elemental altar expressing fire is the wand. A wand symbolizes primal energy and inspired creativity, ambition and expansion.We have old tales from many cultures of the magick wand, a stick that directs incantations or prompts transformations. Used for good in the Cinderella story, we easily relate to wanting wishes to come true. But it takes the heat of the sun for earth to do its alchemy, inner passion to catalyze our creativity, warm pleasure of commitment to the home fires that offer communion and connection in a daily way. Fire is our guide in manifesting our wishes, moving them to action, and expression.
Stir the pot. Lay in the sun. Wear red and orange. Light a candle. Build a fire. Dance an ecstatic dance. Create an adventure.
There is magick in the mundane. Raise your energy. Channel your life force. Feel empowered joy. Fire is sacred. Enter the fire.