On the Element of F i r e

With the onset of July, the heat is here. 

For many of us here in the northern hemisphere, (with much love to those friends experiencing the cold and dark months in the southern hemisphere) as we have crossed the threshold of Midsummer, we move closer toward the shorter and cooler days of the autumn, but yet are moving into what are often the hottest months of the year as we round out the summer. It is as though we are moving into the time of the brightest flame as the candle that is the wheel of the year burns down ever so slowly.

July can also feel like an odd month at times. It is a period that sort of almost feels like a break in the energy - we have surpassed the incredible growth spurt of energy that comes with the abundant newness and return of the spring, but yet are not in the period of harvest. We have moved through the first few celebrations of fire and light that come with the Spring Equinox, Beltaine, and Midsummer, all of which have great, buzzing energy, and yet are not quite feeling the ever subtle shortening of the light in our days. 

In Ireland, there is even a term for this period, which is almost in and of itself a liminal time, and is thought of as a time of the "in-between." This term, as I learned from one of my teachers, Tonja Reichley, is known as "Idir ait" and it describes a sort of sacred pause - a moment of reflection and presence as we await the next chapter that awaits us. It is also interesting to note that this time of pause comes in the season of Cancer - a time associated with the symbolism of the crab. This is a being that holds the wisdom of knowing when it is time to return inside our shell, and holds the wisdom of being in deep relationship with our inner selves, emotions, and heart. Cancer season also calls upon us to take a moment to pull our energy inwards, stepping out of the busy energetics of the summer season to briefly become a quiet observer again, exploring the subtle shifts of the world around us. This is also a time to take a moment of contemplation and evaluation, taking an assessment of our current journey - are we properly nourishing ourselves? Are our boundaries that we have set appropriate, or do we need to set new ones? Are the actions and decisions I am taking or making moving us toward our most authentic truth? 

As we move closer to the end of July, Cancer season gives way to Leo, and we see a succession of fire festivals of the ancient ways. 

The energetics of this time are aligned with that of fire. We experience the intense heat of the days, and a drying of the land ensues. Fire energy is loud and bold at this time, and calls upon us to observe it and witness it. 

We can experience the fire in the plants that thrive and bloom during the peak of summer, almost as though they were awakened by the passing of Midsummer. Many of the plants of this time are alive with the vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges that we associate with flames. And in the magical way that plants are, often they are plants that help us out with results of intense heat - plants like the vibrant St. John's Wort or Calendula that are soothing to the skin after too much exposure to the sun. Higher in the mountains, we may be starting to see wild plants such as Fireweed at their peak bloom, which are not only breathtaking in their bold magenta colors, but seem to embody the wild shape of tall flames. This plant is also magical in that it slowly starts to count down the days of summer, almost like a natural hourglass - slowly dropping petals and getting shorter in length as we approach the autumn. 

We can call upon the spirit of Fire, inviting this energy of transformation and vitality into our home and sacred space by adorning our altars with these types of plants. We can hang Calendula over the doorway, asking that it bring the thresholds of our home protection, or brighten our hearth with fresh Marigolds from the garden. 

May we sit with Yarrow, whose radiant white flowers bloom coincide with the glorious intense summer sun, receiving the wisdom of its protective and rapidly healing ability for both internal and external wounds. 

We can also invoke the energy of fire in our bodies by working with herbs that aid our digestion - a process in our body that is deeply transformative and energy-encompassing. We can call upon bitter herbs such as tender wild greens like Dandelion or Arugula. We can sip infusions of Nettle or Oatstraw, and perhaps feel brave enough to add a little spice to our meals such as Cayenne or Cinnamon. 

And if we find that the heat becomes too much, that we can find balance in cooling herbs such as Mint or Lemon Balm, or soothing herbs with gelatinous properties such as Marshmallow. We can seek the plants in understanding the wisdom of how to keep the flame tamed, for too much fire surpasses transformation into destruction. 

Happy dancing, and may the slow burning awaken your soul. 

Blessed be,

S h a y l e