August 2011 Fire: The Element of Transformation, Purification, and the Creative SparkIn the summer of 2010, I ventured to England on a quest to discover why I had been given a particular magickal name. Thirteen of us, an accidental coven of strangers led by druid Mara Freeman, assembled at Heathrow Airport. Over the next nine days we delved into Arthurian and Goddess lore. Powerful Elemental Energies revealed themselves. Fire proved to be the most unsettling. Flattened wheat crunched beneath my shoes as I tromped into a newly discovered crop circle in Wiltshire, not far from the megalithic stones at Avebury. One by one, our scattered group sat down. Showers threatened, yet a strange, highly focused heat suddenly bore down on us. The fiery beam intensified. My temperature spiked. The odd heat had a malevolent edge, as if directed by an unseen hand. Panic rose. I tamped it down, but when the fiery beam grew even hotter, I feared I’d combust. Suddenly, several of us rose and hastened out of the crop circle. Fire had challenged us and won. Once we escaped its ring of power, the air cooled and returned to normal. But the memory still lingers of Fire’s ability to move energy and create transformation. Fire can be a powerful catalyst. It is the element associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra, the energy center within us that rules our sense of self-worth, and our attitudes about wealth, health, pleasure, and deservedness. Problems in these areas sap our energy and result in procrastination, creative blocks, debilitating inner critics, illness, and more. When our inner fire is in balance, we are confident, enthusiastic, creative, and prone to good health. Meditation for Transformation and PurificationSit in a comfortable chair, legs uncrossed, hands resting on your thighs with your palms up. Close your eyes. Breathe slowly and evenly. Inhale through your nose then exhale through your mouth. With each exhale, feel stress leave your body. Continue the slow, deep breaths until your body relaxes and grows heavy. Imagine that you are seated on a golden throne. A guardian lion stands at your side. Lemons ripening on a nearby tree perfume the air. A halo of healing light appears above you. Mentally draw it down so it encompasses your head. Whatever self-destructive thoughts you harbor, send into the light. Whoever makes you feel unworthy, send into the light. Any incidents from your past that made you lose confidence, send into the light. Vanquish into the light all thoughts and memories that prevent you from feeling strong and resilient. When you have finished, envision the halo descending down your body. As it reaches your feet, mentally hurl it into the ground, deeper and deeper until it reaches the earth’s molten core. See all your self-destructive thoughts burn, transform, and purify. Allow healing light to energize your mind. Tell yourself, “I am worthy. I am confident. I choose happiness, health, and healing. I am capable of creating a wonderful life for myself.” Visualize a radiant yellow sun shining brightly in your solar plexus. When you are ready, bring yourself to the present. Feel renewed and transformed. Light the Creative SparkLight a tea candle. Without stopping, write, paint, or work on a specific project until the candle gutters. Override your inner critic. Don’t pause to second-guess yourself. Just see how much you can accomplish before the flame extinguishes. To paraphrase Nora Roberts, you can correct a bad page, but you can’t fix a blank one. Candle MagickWould you like to further focus your intent? Contact me and I will email you a simple, free, step-by-step guide on using candles to focus on Attaining Success or Instilling Peace, Harmony, and Healing. In my August 14, 2011 Goddess Camp workshop, I introduce Fire Goddesses who can be called upon for help. Or, work with animal totems. Lions, dragons, salamanders, and phoenixes represent fire. Use caution when calling upon dragons. Next Month: Water |