Action / Passion / Power / Strength / Courage
by Sara Timms / Art by Steven Stroud from Firestarter
Since the dawn of humanity when the divine double agent Prometheus angered the Gods by giving humanity the gift of fire, this element has been perceived as being as dangerous, powerful, and as hypnotic as the Devil’s own silver tongue. Fire was domesticated about one million years ago, and we’ve been learning to harness it responsibly ever since.
It destroys, yes. It creates, yes? Well, it creates warmth, light, power, and propulsion via it’s living act of combustion. One could say that what fire does to a flammable earth element is equal to what humans do to the air element. In order to live we must destroy one element by turning it into another element. Our breathing process turns oxygen into carbon dioxide, and the burning process of a candle transforms the wax into heat, gas, and particle matter as smoke when the burning flame is active, or alive. Heat is required for most chemistry, and the old alchemical process’, so one could surmise that “the Gods” were truly upset with Prometheus for giving us the ability to transform matter according to our own human wills.
We humans contain the fire element in our Chakra System. The Sacral Chakra near the belly button is the color orange, and associated with the fire element and the creative process. This is our alchemical oven, our creative vision powerhouse. The place in our body that we process whatever raw material life has presented us with, and remodel it into our dreams and visions. This is one way that we begin to change the physical world around us- for we are great creators when we embrace our own alchemical powerhouse.
“Fire and candle worship are ubiquitous in world religions, both ancient and modern. In the fifth century BCE, the Athenians would hold a procession to the sanctuary of the goddess Artemis Mounichia, and offer her round cakes with a candle in the middle- which some have hypothesized is the origin of the birthday cake tradition. The Mounichia festival occurred on the 16th of the spring month Mounichion, during the full moon.”
To understand how we can use the elements in our everyday practice, we can examine how the element exists in our reality or perception. Fire is hot, spreads quickly, it destroys while giving way to rebirth (think: wildflowers that bloom after a forest fire), it is strong and forceful, etc. In these ways we can utilize the concept of “Fire” into our practice. For example, to find where you might need to activate the element of Fire in your body or mind, try to feel where the element is strongest or weakest in your body, and relocate it if necessary. For instance if you feel the fire of anger in your mind, you are not in the proper state to manifest positive growth, so try moving the element to where you feel it is lacking, or deal and heal! Deal with negative emotions and their elemental incarnations before practicing magic, ALWAYS! Otherwise you are creating your reality from the subconscious/past/karma. When you have balanced your elements or emotions, try to feel the element again in your body, this time thinking about what that particular part of your body does. For example, your feet help move you forward and stand tall; the heart works with circulation and timing/rhythm, expanding love, the throat is for the voice and self expression, thus manifestation. In your magick, put these ingredients to work. Carefully managed Fire in your throat means that you can use fire to increase your self expression and manifestation in the world right now. Fire in your belly or Sacral Chakra serves to robustly burn away your frustrations or anger and turn it into creative fuel. Fire in the feet or legs can mean igniting balance and strength, and even grounding. Carefully observe where the element lives and is lacking, and use that concept of abundance/ lack to your magickal advantage.
The elements are the ingredients in your magical cauldron! The art of High Magick utilizes the elements like a Hedgewitch utilizes herbs and plant ingredients. Like plants have different properties depending on the season they are picked, and where they’re at in their growth cycle, and what part of the plant is used, the elements have different useful properties depending on where they are at in your energy body. Sometime you may think of fire and feel it in your heart, or perhaps you’re angry and you feel it in your gut. Take a moment to meditatively tune into your body and try and see or feel the element. If you cannot sense a burning warmth anywhere in your body, you may be deficient in that element, so visualizing the element and therefore “placing” it in your body will be helpful. Fire is the most helpful in the Sacral Chakra, the Solar Plexus as our radiant inner sun, and also in our Heart as the beauteous splendor of illuminated Christ Consciousness.
The alchemical Dragon breathes fire, heating the contents of the crucible to remove impurities.
General Disclaimer: Always proceed with great caution with the elements! To avoid mishaps, and creating elemental disasters, contain your magic within a protective circle of salt, or energetically sealed with an astral circle drawn with an athame. I recommend adding to your ritual “For the good of all and with harm to none”. Remember that life and magick are a creative process. The elements have general correspondences (example: fire=creative, water=emotion, earth=foundation, air=mental world) but will always be expressing themself through your body in different ways depending on your growth, and life circumstances. Utilize these changing tools!
Need material inspiration to work with Fire? Shop our favorites below!
Fire Element Candle to enhance all rituals focused on Fire:
Carnelian to invigorate the root and sacral chakras:
Black Cauldron for containing the flame that releases intentions:
Can't find what you need? Shop all things in our Fire collection!
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Read more on astrology, horoscopes, occultism, magick & ritual on our blog, Esoteric Insights!
Ahhh- the enchanting realm of May Day! A time when flowers bloom in riotous colors, the air vibrates with flickers of summer, ancient traditions stir beneath the surface of the earth, and the promise of new beginnings pulsates around us. From April 28 through May 5, we stand on the threshold between spring's awakening and summer's embrace, Beltane, the spirited celebration also known as May Day. Let us embark on a journey through time to uncover the ancient origins and cultural tapestry of Beltane, from the blazing bonfires of the Celts to the floral splendor of English Flora Day, this magical time of year has a beautifully rich history and diverse multitude of ancient traditions.
