Part three of a four part series on working with the elements from a personal perspective.
By Retrokali
Ahh, fire. The red headed stepchild of the elements. This is the one that often gets us into trouble whether it is a torrid love affair or a volcano- like blowup that terrorizes our kids or partner. Most witches are familiar with the passionate, angry characterizations of Fire, but the warm home fire is little spoken of. To say someone is fiery is rarely a complement. It usually means someone that cannot hold their temper, or someone who reacts to every little thing. Fire burns, that is what it does, and it has to have something to burn. Don’t let it be you.
Fire is meant to warm us, to cook our food, and occasionally to go haywire for cleansing purposes. But if you are a Fire witch you have to be careful. You have to maintain control or you and everyone around you will get burnt to a crisp. Luckily, if the main element you work with is Fire, then you also have at your disposal the most transformational, and results oriented element. But don’t get tricked into thinking that you can control it. Fire has to be respected, and not overused in practice. For instance, don’t do a Fire spell for weight loss, because you may get a stomach bug that makes you puke up five pounds of water weight.
To think of using a particular element in spell work, think of the standard affects of that element say, on a piece of paper. Bury the paper in Earth, and it will slowly decompose, eventually becoming one with the earth. Release the paper in Air, and it may blow to China. Put the paper in Water, and it will disintegrate eventually. ………..light a paper on Fire, and it burns into black charred pieces of ash.
Something to think about.
I can’t say that Fire is my least favorite element, because they are all vital to our survival, and they all work together. But I respect power. And Fire is power.
Most elements in their, “resting form†aren’t painful to the touch, except Fire. Earth can turn to earthquakes destroying cities in a split second, but most of the time it is the wonderful brown stuff we love to bury our hands in. Water can be a hurricane, but we have no problem hopping in the warm bath or drinking our eight glasses a day. Air is vital to existence of all creatures, big and small, but if you have ever seen a tornado, you know it can be scary. But Fire. Even a small candle flame can take a layer or two of skin off if you aren’t careful.
So I am offering one large glaring rule when working with Fire. Only one.
1. Respect.
When you respect something you honor it. You know what it is, and where it belongs. You know it is bigger than you. You look up to it, and you know it’s potential. Fire can be a raging blaze that starts off with good intentions, or a respected home fire that keeps you warm and makes you feel cared for. You decide.