When a Fire Starts to Burn

Fire has been a constant theme in my mind for many months now. Obviously, there is a lot in the collective, physical, real-life world about fires (Australia, Arizona, California, basically the entire planet...) but for me there have also been more symbolic and personal reasons this element keeps popping up. I am seeing, "little fires everywhere," which reminds me, I need to read that book still. I see them in people's eyes when they speak about their passions, I see them in myself when I make decisions that are authentic to my truest self, and I see them when genuine connections are made and appreciated. Those are the "good" fires (though I'm not a huge fan of 'good' and 'bad'), or perhaps, those are the "yin" fires. The "yang" fires are the more physical ones we're seeing: division in our streets, destruction of our planet, and determent of the "yin" fires.

Being somewhat of a pyromanic (as well as a Sagittarius Sun), I love fire. To me, it's so beautiful, and powerful, and warm. It can be embracing; drawing community around it — to dance and sing. It can be your most trusty tool; in cooking and survival. But it can also be violent. Sharp. Destructive. It's duality is symbolic of the duality in everything else. And everything else's, of it. See how that works? Anywho, let's not get on a duality rant. Fire. How can we hold appreciation for it, when we see it's violence at work. If nothing else, the fire element is an attention seeker. Look at me! How bright I am, and HOT. Can you feel me? See me dancing around vibrantly and taking down everything in my path. I shine. You can even hear me, crackling at first but, if the conditions are right, eventually roaring with the force of lion. We can't ignore fire. Acknowledging it, and honoring it, is our only option. But how do we do that?

The other night, it was around the full moon actually, so about a week ago, I did a fire-gazing meditation, and some intuitive journaling. I'm feeling called to share what I wrote:

"I've lit the candle now and I'm softly watching it burn. It flickers, wavers, sways; yet still, it burns. The wick is like our 3D body & the flame is the Ka ~ the souls energetic life-force ~ dancing around and lighting up the wick. I know there's a flame strong within me, and I'm happy to have this potentially destructive passion. It's a beautiful contrast. Now more than ever, I'm equally appreciative for all the elements, but fire has always captivated me. And here we are."

The next section of what I wrote is channeled, from who I'm still not exactly sure (my higher self? spirit guides? does it really matter?)

The vessel is fixed and also flowing — always changing — the container wavers and is also sturdy. Everything is both and therefore nothing. The release — the surrender of the flow moving onward grows the flame higher. It sizzles so loud — enough for all to hear. All the senses experience the flame. The deeper you sink into the melted wax — the more air bubbles arise — plopping up with more to discover about yourself — some new things, some pattern. When the candle is made, it's constructed of all your material, and sometimes, when you think you've popped a bubble or mended a hurt — there are more bubbles of the exact same material down below. Keep sinking down. Keep burning.

Our collective burns, as destructive as they are, are getting our attention. Everyone keeps saying, "2020 is a dumpster fire," and that's with purpose. Seeing a literal fire, or many of them, ignites us from within as well. Our passions grow. We begin to see that time is not guaranteed and if we want to live passionately, and with purpose, we must do so now. It is not ironic that we mirror the mother (earth), it is by design. The fires are burning down the old way to create room for the new. I don't deny that it's scary, but I affirm that within tragedy is divinity. So today while journaling, I wrote this prayer.

"Universe, right now I hold and cultivate the vision of a more vibrant life for all. I pray that our passions and purpose are not flickering sparks, but instead full on forest fires. The fires rising up in many will heal the world. I hold and cultivate the vision that love, and undying acceptance, and forgiveness are the fires that we collectively spread. Burning all pain, and corruption, and division down to complete ashes, so that space is available for community and peace. This I pray. This I see."