Welcome! The last few weeks we’ve been working our way up the path of the different elements in order based on Western Ceremonial traditions. If you haven't been following along I recommend going back and reading the previous posts so you can see the progression of each element. Last week we talked about Water, and today we’re moving on to the Element of Fire.
The first step was to ground and center ourselves. Then we took control of our thoughts so we can think clearer and plan. After that we master our emotions so we can transmute them and use that energy more productively. From there we can move forward with decisive action!
While Water is a receptive energy, Fire is an assertive energy. The Element of Fire is the masculine element of action! It’s the element of passion! It’s that inner drive that urges us to move forward with purpose in life. It’s the urge to start new things, create, build and shape the world. It’s the urge to fight, to protect and to conquer. It is the pride we feel when we have accomplished something we set out to do.
To do all of these things effectively we must master the previous elemental grades before them. You can’t rush into things with blind passion, rage, or excitement. You might get lucky and experience short term success, but it will fizzle out in no time. You must center yourself so you can see the bigger picture. You have to master your thoughts so you don’t get distracted and can plan ahead. You have to master your emotions so you don’t give into impulses or get blinded by anger or other such things. You must be in control of yourself so you can build your world with a lasting foundation.
Fire is symbolized in the Tarot by the suit of wands. The wands are the torches that carry the passion of fire throughout life.
In Western and Vedic astrology fire is represented by the signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. These are much more active and passionate signs.
We need fire in our lives. It gives us direction. We need passion and drive. We need to have that fire within us to build and create and to protect what we’ve created in the world. Without it we would still be in the stone ages. It is this element that gets us moving and doing things in life. Without it we become stagnant. We essentially become empty shells with no direction in life.
Fire is the action we use when we do our rituals. It is the form (action) given to the force (thought and emotion). It is all the actions we take to prepare for the ritual (creating sigils, dressing candles, laying out tarot cards and other symbols, etc) as well as the ritual itself. That desire and want to create change that causes the magician to set up and do the ritual itself is also birthed from the element of fire.
Working with fire can get things in motion for you. It lights that “fire” under you to move you into action. It’s a powerful element but can have its disadvantages if used incorrectly. It can be a destructive force when used without caution or used in its negative aspects. Fire can light the way for you in the dark, or it can burn the user. It can create chaos when not controlled. That is why it is so important to master the previous elemental grades before truly using fire in magick, or in life in general. This element resides in us all so use it to build and create the world around you that you want.
Once again, I thank you all for reading and I hope you have an enlightening day!
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