Fire is.
Fire is a means of transformation. Fire is powerful. Fire is quick. Fire stings. Fire requires tending so as not to burn down the house or the forest. Fire creates heat, energy. Fire is prana, life force. Fire is red, orange, yellow & white. Fire is that wildish whisper within that says, “Make this. Change that.”
Fire in the wild.
When we are looking to the wild for guidance, fire is there as a guide & an instrument. Sometimes it is lighting the way, helping us to see what has been previously hidden. Other times, fire is dramatically changing the landscape. And of course, when a total transformation is required, both happen at once: we see as everything we were sure we knew goes up in smoke before our watchful eyes.
Fire in the body.
Healthy fire experienced in the body is the pulsing of passion, the lift of excitement, the spark of creativity throughout the being. If the fire goes without tending, an excessive heat can turn to anger, to haste, to recklessness. On the other hand, if the dim orr dying fire isn’t nurtured, the flame can perish resulting in a lack of action, passion, drive.
Tending to your fire.
If one wishes to walk on the path of one’s own true nature, the inner fire must be both deeply respected & tended to with great care.
Easy does it: For the Naturally Fiery Constitutions
Each of us has some degree of this fire, yet some naturally burn brighter. In the system of Ayurveda, those with high degrees of fire in their constitution will identify this force as Pitta. In the Astrological system, those with many planets or aspects in Aries, Leo or Sagittarius will recognize that the fire with in them is quite hot. If one with a naturally fiery constitution does not tend to his/her fire they can expect: rage, arguments, will that burns over the needs of others resulting in selfishness or self centered-ness, burn out, fatigue.
The Medicine.
Fiery folks can channel that hot power into rigorous & challenging physical exercise/feats & intense creative projects. Passion & power create transformation, beauty, and excitement. Use your power for good. If you find the fire is often threatening to burn your house down, create a cooling ritual you can do in those moments: Such as taking a walk around the block, slipping into a cool bath, or drinking cooling minty beverage.
Caution for fire folk: Watch your tongue, speak only when the fire is healthy.
Prayer for the fire folk: May you create all you are here to create & may you bring much joy and love to others.
Cultivating Your Fire~ for my watery, earthy, airy friends.
When you hear all this talk about fire, you say, “I know who that sounds like!”
Most likely, it doesn’t sound like you but rather a fiery someone in your life. Depending upon the elemental make up of your constitution, you may have to seek to raise your flame. You must strike a match and watch your fire, help it grow.
It should be noted that the other elements have the most amazing gifts to offer (and challenges too) which I will write about in future. Yet, today our exploration is the majesty of fire.
The fire in you is where the courage lives, where you are bold, where you dare. The fire helps you step out of your comfort zone and into new territory. When the fire is dim within, there is no enthusiasm, there is no active expression.
To increase your fire: meditate on a flame such as a candle or a fireplace. Do things that scare you. Engage in activities that bring you laughter and joy. Create something and share it with someone. Eat spicy foods, wear hot colors. Sweat. Do. Take action. These will increase your fire.
Caution for the cooler contusions: Beware of the tendency to sit back in this life.
That is:
Sit back in your own thoughts & worries (air folk),
in your own habitual patterns & fixations on the day-to-day concerns (earth folk),
in your emotions & dream world (water folk).
Prayer for the cooler constitutions: May you marry your gifts with the spark of courage, in order to bring them to the world, with confidence. May you allow yourself to shine.
In closing.
It should be noted here that fire represents beginnings. May this moment be a beginning for you. A chance to tend to your divine spark.
At the start of every Wild Woman Project gathering, we light the candle and the speak the words of our wild spirit invocation:
“Let this flame represent the wild spirit which burns within each of us.
As we awaken our own wild spirit, we awaken the collective spirit.”
Now go out and burn with all the wisdom of the wild.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
—Albert Schweitzer
On the Horizon
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Chris Maddox is the founder of The Wild Woman Project where she teaches women how to utilize the gifts of the Wild Woman Archetype in their everyday lives & how to lead women’s circles in their local communities. She is the organizer & facilitator of the beloved annual WILD WOMAN FEST, a women’s retreat-festival hybrid which fosters a deep connection to nature, a direct experience of the divine feminine & profound spiritual sisterhood among the women in attendance.
An ever student of the great mysteries of existence and nature itself, Chris believes women are holding innate gifts & tools that society at large needs – now more than ever. She is committed to helping women remember their special magic and to bring it forward into every corner of their lives, for the greater good of the planet.
This is so true. I find myself making and changing often. Thank you for this seemingly obvious revelation. It’s just my fiery nature. Xoxox
Truly inspiring!
My element is fire and my son is a fire element (we are both Sagitarrius) and I can completely see what you mean about how, basically, to much or to little fire can affect your temper, drive, and in the end, happiness. “Tending” to it is a beautiful way to explain its importance. I enjoyed this article a lot. It inspires and reminds me to tend to the divine spark or fire within. Thanks.