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Elements Series - Fire 🜂

  • Writer: Amber J
    Amber J
  • Jun 2, 2023
  • 6 min read

Updated: Aug 11, 2023


I have always been hyper attracted to fire. My family and I would go camping every year, and my favorite part of the entire trip was the campfire. I used to watch the flames and zone out (unintentional meditation) while my family talked, bickered, planned, or otherwise made noise around me. I never wanted to leave the circle of the fire's warmth, and was always sad to see it put out. I had a similar affinity to my mothers candles and her oil lamp. She would only really light these when it was heavy rain outside on the weekends. Living in the Pacific Northwest this was not entirely uncommon.

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Fire is often seen as a caustic element. One to be wary of and use extreme caution with. I agree when it comes to tangible flames, fire safety is important. It's good to remember not to put your candles too close the the wall or curtains. Playing with matches is never a good idea. Make sure that you only burn charcoal disks outside or in extremely well-ventilated rooms. Not to be too morbid, but its the smoke inhalation that is one of the most dangerous parts of a structure fire. Care for your lungs and if you are using real flames make sure to have snuffing equipment on hand (for more info check out this Wiki How page). This can look like:

  • Airtight lid to your cast iron cauldron

  • Candle snuffer or the metal/glass lids on larger candles can be used

  • Baking soda - good for grease fires in the kitchen, as flour or water could intensify the issue

  • Sand or dirt - smaller fires or embers in a campfire respond well to this type of smothering

  • Fire extinguisher - aim for the base of the fire and sweep side to side

  • Water is good for smaller fires as well - be careful of steam

There is set-up required when working with live flames. The good news is that you don't need to actually light anything on fire to work with the energy of fire. In fact, you are likely working with fire's energy everyday without even realizing it.


Working With Fire Energy


Further down I have a list of information about this element - so if you want to "skip to the recipe" click here.


I live by the motto that there is no wrong way to work with the energies around you. What is wrong for ME may not be wrong for YOU. While I do have a list of what most sources associate with this energy, you shouldn't limit yourself based on the interpretation others provide.


If your intuition guides you to go in a direction that is not with the "status quo" then do that.


I live in a desert climate, so it isn't hard to forget that the sun is just a burning ball of gas millions of miles away. It is hot, it is bright, and it is burny on the skin. I seriously have tan lines on my face from my sunglasses. Having also lived in colder climates, I understand that it can slip ones mind that there is a constant fire in the sky. Technically, stars fit this category too. That's good news for a witch!


Fire is a life giving and healing energy. While its potential for destruction in the world should be respected, it is also creative in nature. Plants and humans alike need the sun to process vitamins and fuel. It also helps manage our circadian rhythms. Not enough sun and we can be prone to illness or depression. Too much sun and we are at higher risk for disease or heat related maladies. This is all about balance, getting enough fire energy into our lives to keep us moving forward, but not overdoing it and inviting burnout.


The consequences of diving too deep into this element are more immediate in my experience than the others. Fire has strong boundaries and will 'burn' you if you disrespect them, because disrespecting fire is disregarding yourself. I connect to fire most often in the following ways:

  • Any type of heat - hot baths, hot coffee, hot tea, walking outside when its hot

  • Working with lights - the way I bring ambiance to my bedroom or my house

  • Lighting candles or incense (Candles- Flame or No Flame) to work with my house's energy (House Bound Energy )

  • Visualizing fire burning through my veins to destroy illness

I will sit outside at night and look up at the stars and draw that light down into my soul. This distant fire helps me to heal my burnout from work and reminds me that I am doing ok. Fire sits in the heart, it is where our drive comes from and is the very organ that keeps us moving and grooving through life. Honoring fire is as easy as sitting and listening to your heat beat, or even a loved ones heart beat.


How Fire Helps


Fire is lovely. If you want to get to the heart of the matter, you can use it's energy to burn all the BS away in order to get to there. You can use it in protection spells to burn away ones intention to cause harm, or burn those who do harm you. A wall of flame is both a warning and a comfort depending on what side of it you are on.


I use fire to help guide me through the dark. The runes Nauthiz ᛅ and Kenaz ᚲ come to mind for me. Nauthiz ᛅ being the rune for "need" looks like two sticks rubbing together to spark a flame. Kenaz ᚲ is the torch rune - literally an embodiment of light from a flaming torch. It helps provide us with direction and understanding on next steps. When I am feeling lost in my shadow work journey, or simply in what steps I should take - I will use Nauthiz ᛅ and Kenaz ᚲ to tap into the fire element and help me divine my way forward.


Fire can be used to blast unwanted energy away from you. It can heal broken parts of our soul by cauterizing the wound and destroying the ties that bind. Cord-cutting spells often use two candles meant to burn a string tied between them. Fire is used to metaphorically burn the bridge between two people's energies. One of my favorite songs Reminder, by the artist Moderat states:

Burning bridges light my way

Sometimes you just need to burn that bridge when you come to it. Not everyone is worth your time, attention, or energy. Often toxic people will start putting TNT on the bridge between you, and then act all surprised when you light the fuse. Light it!!!! Use fire to cleanse your life of those who are unworthy of being in it. If someone shows you who they are, believe them. Find and keep the people in your life who are ALSO adding support beams to the bridge between you. The kind of person who sweeps off the fallen leaves and repairs the cracks in the road. It is a large metaphor but it helps us to see who we need to fire, and who we should promote.


The Nitty Gritty


Here are the associations I was able to find that are most commonly "agreed" upon. I have a list of all of my sources at the bottom of this post under the expandable "References" section. I strongly encourage you to check out the source materials as they are not only interesting, but wonderful reads.

  • Compass Direction: South

  • Calling Quarter: 3rd quarter called

  • Color Associations: Red, orange

  • Symbol: Upward triangle 🜂

  • Representations: Candles, dragons, salamanders, hot spices, lanterns, hot peppers

  • Correspondences: Intention setting, protection, power, determination, creativity, cleansing, courage, love, strength

  • Areas of Influence / Energy signature: Associated with all things DOING , action, will power, passionate energy, inspiration, movement

  • Uses: Focus on flames for concentration, burn old spells to de-spell them, burn letters for emotional release, burn wishes / hopes / goals / intentions to carry it to deity (fire safety please)

  • Tarot Suit: Wands

  • Astrological Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

  • Body Representation: Heart

  • Season: Summer

  • Some Herbs Associated:

    • Calendula

    • Cinnamon (also Air)

    • Frankincense

    • Ginger

    • Mustard

    • Nettles

    • Sunflower


(This Herb list is NOT comprehensive - just a few of the favorites I found in the three books I was using)


The Elements:


Fire 🜂 <-- You are Here

Water 🜄

Spirit 🝈



References

Websites -

Books -






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