THE YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE - UNDERSTANDING THE MAGIC OF FIRE
Everyone right now is talking about the incoming Fire horse in Chinese Astrology - both exciting and terrifying as we have already seen the start to this year ignited with male world leaders using their fire to create more wars and destruction, a perfect example of the extremes of too much Fire or yang energy overload; on the macro level. The world as it is is the result of this useful and necessary element being abused. On the micro level, I know very well that burning out and burning bright share a very thin line, one of which I've crossed twice in my life and am very wary not to cross again. Chronic fatigue and burnout are often the result of doing too much and ignoring your body’s needs, while it’s so joyous and exciting to live your life in flow, confident and radiating out this inner glow, finding the balance with fire takes some practice and some mistakes!
Fire is the most active and exciting of all the elements as it is exactly what is intrinsically needed to ignite, to start anything. The spark that ignites our creative or passion projects, the light of conscious awareness that we know without knowing is truth, the steady flame that keeps burning and keeps us alive - both literally and symbolically.. Fire, is everything and is essential to all of life. When contained it becomes a hearth and a central focus for the home; a central piece to gather, and gather we did for many years
Fire also brings light, to illuminate the darkness but also as the light of conscious awareness, which often follows an alchemical process of transformation of which fire places a central role. To truly turn your shadows and inner darkness into light, one must go through the four stages also know as the Magnus Opus..
The first stage is known as Nigredo (Blackness), which represents the process of putrefaction or decomposition. This stage is often associated with the color black, and it is characterized by a sense of darkness, chaos, and dissolution. The alchemist must confront and overcome their own darkness and negative aspects in order to move forward in the process of transformation.
Calcination: Represents the initial breakdown and purification of the base material.
Putrefaction: Signifies the stage of decay and decomposition in the alchemical process.
The second stage is known as Albedo (Whiteness), which represents the process of purification and enlightenment. This stage is often associated with the color white, and it is characterized by a sense of clarity, purity, and illumination. The alchemist must refine and purify their consciousness in order to gain a deeper understanding of the universe and the nature of reality.
Solution (or Dissolution): Symbolizes the dissolution of impurities and the emergence of a cleaner, more refined substance.
Separation: Involves isolating the different components of the substance, further purifying the material.
The third stage of the Magnum Opus is known as Citrinitas (Yellowness), which represents the process of transformation and growth. This stage is often associated with the color yellow, and it is characterised by a sense of creativity, inspiration, and expansion. The alchemist must integrate their purified consciousness with their material reality in order to bring about the transformation of both themselves and the world around them.
Conjunction: Represents the union of opposites and the integration of the purified elements.
Sublimation: Involves the ascent of the spirit to a higher, more refined state.
The fourth and final stage of the Magnum Opus is known as Rubedo (Redness), which represents the process of unity and transcendence. This stage is represented by the color red, it highlights a sense of wholeness, completion, and transcendence. The alchemist must achieve a state of unity and oneness with the universe in order to achieve the ultimate goal of the Philosopher’s Stone.
Congelation: Signifies the stabilization and fixation of the purified elements.
Cibation: Represents the continuous input of energy and effort into the transformational process.
Fermentation: Symbolizes the final stage of transformation, where the transmuted substance is used to bestow healing and transformation.
Exaltation: Represents the culmination of the Magnum Opus, achieving the substance’s most perfect and elevated state.
Even if the whole Alchemical process is not of interest to you, it’s useful to know the process, as for any thing old to be transformed to make way for the new; fire is needed. Heat and our inner fires are necessary to keep us moving and grooving in life. If you think about that lazy lethargic friend or family member you know who has zero desire or motivation, what is really lacking elementally and energetically is the fire. We all know of a fiery Leo, Aries or Sagittarius who’s shining bright, active and always DO-ing super interesting stuff, super ignited by their passions, always ON! These people are full of energy, life and the spark of creation, are exciting and fun to be around. Why? Because their lives are ignited by fire, without fire there is no life..
Please remember the flip side - when there’s too much fire we can and do literally burn ourselves out and possibly others with us.
But even though that’s a very hard place to be in - crashed in the ashes of your own flames, forced to rest, reset and rise again-, like the phoenix, maybe with a bit more wisdom, integration from where you’ve just been and all that you’ve seen.
Useful to remember that Water is also life and for all my fellow Fire friends we need the sea, cold showers, iced tea, ice cream and salt water to stay hydrated much more than most!
When you truly understand this beautiful element and the incredible power that it holds, you will honour, respect it and learn how to work with this truly magical element to bring about creativity and transformation both in your inner world and in the crazy world that’s burning before our very eyes. No doubt with the rise of Sekhmet energy, feminine power is rising aligned with the incoming Fire Horse this year, so collectively humanity will bring about the changes that we truly need this year.
Let me know below your thoughts and own experiences with Fire please..