Elemental Magic: Fire Spells and Rituals

I apologize for taking some time to get this post out. My life has drastically changed in the past week and a half and I am still processing said changes. The good news is, this elemental series has seriously allowed me to cope with things better than I could have ever imagined. Such loss and heartbreak would have been met with anger, resentment, and a lot of scream crying, but I have been surprisingly calm and collected thanks to the healing energies of Water and the stable, loving embrace of Earth. However, Fire plays a key role in loss and new beginnings, so today I focus on spells and rituals that use Fire to start over, reignite your passion, and pave the way for a brighter future. 

Cord-cutting rituals are designed to help you cut ties with a person, place, or thing to help you move on with your life. While generally designed to help you separate from a relationship, usually a love interest, it can also be used to help you cut ties with a job or traumatic events. It's important to be specific in this ritual as well as prepared for the consequences. Once cords are cut, it will be extremely difficult to undo so make sure this is what you really want. This particular ritual uses Fire to burn the connection between you and the person, place, or thing you wish to part from. While Fire is destructive, remember it paves the way for new life.

What You'll Need

• 9-inch black string
• 1 Candle (white or black)
• Candleholder
• Picture of yourself and the other person/place/thing or paper to write names
• Matches or lighter
• Dried Yarrow flowers (optional) & anointing oil or olive oil (optional)
  
  

What to Do

Begin by dressing the candle with the oil and dried yarrow flowers if you please. Yarrow is not necessary for this spell but will enhance the effects as yarrow is deeply associated with cutting ties and soul bounds as well as setting boundaries. Next, roll up the pictures or the paper with names and tie one end of the string to each. Nine is the number of magic and power, which will enhance the power of the spell significantly. Light the candle and visualize yourself whole, well, and happy, your heart healed of past traumas. When ready, use the candle flame to cut the cord between the two objects, again visualizing yourself whole and happy. Take a deep breath and exhale any final feelings, emotions, or tension you may still have. Allow the candle to burn down while meditating on your future.

When it comes to getting things done, Fire is the element of passion and strength. This simple carnelian Sun charm is the perfect charm to give you the courage and strength needed to move forward, no matter what stands in your way.

What You'll Need

• Carnelian
• Jewelry wire
  
  

What to Do

When the Sun is highest (around Noon), cleanse and charge the carnelian using sunlight. Do not allow the carnelian to sit in direct sunlight for more than an hour as the stone will begin to fade. Once charged with the power of the Sun, wrap the carnelian in jewelry wire to create a pendant or keychain. As you do so, say "Carnelian, strong and proud, give me the strength to face the future with courage. Bring me the strength to face the unknown and the will to demand change. Help me remove all barriers to bring me happiness and good fortune." Wear or carry the carnelian on your person to bring you strength and courage.

Banishing spells are a great way to remove something or someone from your life that you absolutely do not want to return. Unlike cord-cutting, this removes the person completely, not just severs the tie between you. However, use with caution. Banishing spells are nearly impossible to undo and can backfire if not done properly. You must be absolutely clear in your intent and specific in your wording, otherwise, you could end up removing something you want. This spell uses a purple or black candle to banish an unwanted person or entity. 

What You'll Need

• Purple or black candle
• Paper & Pen
  
  

What to Do

Begin by writing the name of the person or entity you wish to remove from your life then write your name over their name, effectively crossing it out. You may need to write your name several times to completely obscure the first name. As you do so chant, "I cover you. I cross you. I remove you from my life. I command you; I compel you, get out of my life." Place the paper under the candle and light the candle. Allow it to burn down completely. Dispose of the spell ingredients away from your property, effectively removing them from your life.

Love spells are some of the most misunderstood spells in witchcraft. You cannot force someone to fall in love with you, but you can attract someone to you, usually by making yourself more desirable. This specific spell works to draw a person to you, whether it be romantically or completely plutonic. It can be used to attract a lover or a friendship. Heck, you could probably even use it to attract a new job!

What You'll Need

• Two strips of paper
• Pen
• Fireproof bowl
• Matches or Lighter
• Orange Zest or Orange Blossoms
• Spell bottle
• Wax
  
  

What to Do

Begin by writing the goal of the spell on the first strip of paper. Make sure you are clear in your intent and use positive language. You shouldn't say you don't want something, instead, say what you want. This will be most effective if written as an "I" statement as if you already have the object of your desire. On the second strip of paper, write the object of your desire. You can be as specific or vague as you wish. If you want a specific person or job, use their name, but if you want to attract love or a job in general, write the characteristics of the person you are looking for or a job description. Next, write your name over the object of your desire, thus linking you to the object. Place both strips of paper and the orange zest or blossoms in a fire-safe bowl and burn. Place the ashes in a spell bottle and seal with wax. Place on your altar or store in a safe place. If you no longer desire the object, break the seal on the spell bottle and throw the ashes into the wind.

Sometimes we want to get things done, but something continues to hold us back whether it be fear, doubt, or frustrations. This unblocking spell will help remove those blocks using Fire to burn them away. This spell is best followed up with a bath to help wash away any residual energies.

What You'll Need

• 1 white candle
• Whole cloves
  
  

What to Do

Hold the white candle in your hands and envision all your fears, frustrations, and doubt transferring from you to the candle. Feel it warm between your hands as you do so. Next, dress the candle with the whole cloves and light the candle. As the candle burns, envision all those fears, frustrations, and doubts vanishing into the thin air, dissipating with the smoke. Finish the spell with a cleansing bath and change into clean clothes, symbolizing your new beginning. 

Many of us struggle with confidence issues, especially after a breakup or great loss. This spell is designed to help boost your self-confidence by focusing on what you are good at, using Fire to ignite that confidence through the use of an orange candle which is associated with confidence.

What You'll Need

• Orange candle
• Matches or lighter
  
  

What to Do

Light the orange candle and stare into the flames. As you do so, complete the following sentences:

I am proud of...

I am good at...

My greatest asset is...

I feel strong and capable when I...

People love me because I'm...

Complete these sentences using positive affirmations. Repeat them at least three times, feeling their power deep within your soul. Allow the candle to burn down or snuff out when ready.

Spell reversal is an important utility spell, especially for those wishing to reverse a spell cast upon themselves or a spell that has backfired that you didn't build an easy undoing into. There are dozens of ways to reverse spells, but Fire is able to burn away the magical energies of a spell quickly, leaving nothing behind. This particular spell is designed to reverse a spell cast against you by another witch. 

What You'll Need

• White candle
• Dried patchouli or oil
• Dried vetiver or oil
• Dressing oil (if using dried herbs)
  
  

What to Do

Cut the top off the white candle, forming a flat base then flip the candle over and carve the bottom until the wick is exposed. You are reversing the spell by reversing the candle. Dress the candle in patchouli, vetiver, and oil which will reflect the spell back to its source. If you know the source of the spell, carve their name into the candle as well. Light the candle and say, "Candle burning bright and warm; let the evil (or spell) done against me be reversed just as I have reversed you." 

***

These spells are just some of the many uses of Fire, some of which you can find elsewhere on my blog. Again, I tried to include several spells to help us navigate the current social climate, but there are several spells that can be used whenever you need them. How do you use Fire in your practice? Share your spells and ideas in the comments below!

Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series

Introduction to the Elements
Water
Water Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Water Ritual
Tools of Water
Water Spells and Rituals
Earth
Earth Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Earth Ritual
Tools of Earth
Earth Spells and Rituals
Fire
Fire Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Fire Ritual
Tools of Fire
Fire Spells and Rituals
Air
Air Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Air Ritual
Tools of Air
Air Spells and Rituals
Spirit
Spirit Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting with Spirit Ritual
Tools of Spirit

Putting It All Together

Looking for more information on the elements? Check out my posts on the topic:

Representing the Elements with Crystals
Infograph: Water
Infograph: Earth
Infograph: Fire
Infograph: Air

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Elemental Magic: Tools of Fire

In today's post, I will discuss some of the many tools associated with Fire and how you can use them in your practice. Many of these tools were hinted at or discussed when I introduced you to some of the folklore surrounding Fire. However, this post is more of a correspondences type list that you can use to quickly plan spells. For your pleasure, I have also included a free 5-page printable for your Grimoire or Book of Shadows. Enjoy!

Balefire/Bonfire: These large, outdoor fires were traditionally were used for cleansing and protection purposes. Bundles of herbs would be thrown into these fires and cattle would be driven in between or people would jump over them for cleansing and protection for the upcoming year. They can also be used for pyromancy, burning spell ingredients, or during large group rituals to encourage people to participate.

Candles: Candles can be used for a variety of spell purposes, especially in candle magic. They can be dressed or anointed with oils, herbs, and crystals or carved with sigils to pack a powerful magical punch. Different color candles are used for different purposes, such as green for prosperity, black for banishing, and red of passion. 

Fluorescent Light: This is the most common form of light in homes due to our use of lightbulbs. Use fluorescent lights to "light" the way, illuminate a situation, or bring a soft, steady energy to a spell.

Friction: Friction is the opposite acting force when two objects slide past each other. This rubbing produces heat that can be used to warm objects, such as crystals, with your energy to build a connection. However, friction usually manifests in witchcraft has the opposing force to our spells. The energy from our spell work naturally dissipates over time due to friction slowly the energy until it ultimately "stops." This is why several spells call for working over a 3, 7, 9, or 28 day period or why you should revisit wards and protection spells to reinforce them.

Hearth Fire: Hearth fires were a prominent feature in the homes of our ancestors. These were generally fires in a fireplace or a stove that the family used for cooking and warmth. It was considered the heart of the home, much like a modern kitchen is viewed as the home's heart today. Hearth fires are associated with health, wellness, warmth, wisdom, birth, creativity, and life. To honor your hearth fire, place a bowl of oranges or a lit candle on your stovetop.

Heat: Heat is energy that can be transferred from one object to another. Use heat to transfer energy between objects, especially energy from you to the magical object you are using. You can also use heat to speed up your spells, infuse your spells with your energy (through dancing or other movements), or spice up a relationship. While spicy food technically isn't "hot" in a scientific sense of the word, they can be used to heat up a spell or person in witchcraft.

Lava: Lava is molten rock that has breached the surface, unlike magma that is molten rock beneath the Earth's crust. Lava can be used to burn bridges, invoke a clean slate, clear away the competition, or bring about destruction, just as lava reshapes the landscape around it. Most people believe lava is only a negative, destructive force, but lava brings rich, fertile nutrients up from deep within the Earth, creates new land for life to prosper, and allows for things to begin anew. I advise against attempting to work with actual lava unless you can view the lava from a safe distance. Otherwise, visualizations, pictures, and lava rock work well in spell work.

Lightning: Atmospheric, electrostatic discharge often appears to us as lightning. While destructive in nature, lightning can be used in witchcraft to focus energy. Lightning touched areas are believed to be supercharged and the energy of these areas can be used to enhance spell work, enchant objects, and infuse you with power. Lightning is also often used in storm magic to bring about rapid change.

Magma: Magma is molten rock stored deep within the Earth's surface, unlike lava which is molten rock that has breached the Earth's surface. Tap into this energy source through grounding and use it to warm your soul, recharge, and add long-lasting energy to your spells.

Plasma: Plasma is a state of matter, usually thought of as a subset of gases. We are most familiar with plasma in neon lights. These supercharged particles can be used to electrify a situation, grab attention, and bring quick change.

Rainbow: Rainbows are formed by light passing through a prism, usually water droplets when found naturally. Rainbows have an array of magical symbolism, including hope and joy, and are thought to act as a bridge between our world and that of the Otherworld. Use rainbows to connect with the Otherworld, communicate with the dead, inspire hope, and bring about joy. To read more about rainbow magic, check out A Witch's Guide to Rainbow Magick and Working With Rainbows by Autumn Zenith at Witchcrafed Life.

Sunlight: Sunlight is the main source of Fire energy on Earth. It is the ultimate life-giver, warming our atmosphere, allowing plants to carry out photosynthesis, and providing the energy necessary for most processes on Earth to work. Sunlight can be used to purify, cleanse, charge, and energize you and objects. It is masculine in nature, and while generally good, it can also be used to harm (think sunburn). Sunlight can be used to ignite a situation, burn away our enemies, illuminate situations, and remove negativity.

Amber: Amber, which is fossilized tree sap, is often referred to as "Tears of the Sun" due to its golden hue. Use it for protection, healing, and courage or to create happiness or protection amulets.

Ashes: Ash is the product of burning, usually wood or paper. While some argue ashes lack energetic properties, I completely disagree. Use ashes to symbolize fertility, rebirth, change, and transformation. 

Athame: An athame is a ritual knife used for directing and manipulating energy. Many witches use an athame in a similar way to a wand to cast a magical circle, cut a door in the circle, or direct spell energy.

Basil: Basil is probably one of the most commonly used culinary and magical herbs out there. Carry it in your wallet or purse to bring wealth, burn to divine the future of your relationship, or enhance astral flight and hedge riding. 

Bloodstone: Bloodstone, so named for the red flecks, can be used to heal wounds, soothe menstrual cramps and childbirth, increase immunity to bloodborne illnesses, or in spells to draw money, prosperity, wealth, and win legal battles.

Brass: Like gold, brass is associated with the Sun due to its golden color. However, brass is best for opening doors, resilience, communication, and sound magic.

Candles: Candles can be used for a variety of spell purposes, especially in candle magic. They can be dressed or anointed with oils, herbs, and crystals or carved with sigils to pack a powerful magical punch. Different color candles are used for different purposes, such as green for prosperity, black for banishing, and red of passion. 

Carnelian: Deep red or orange in color, carnelian is a wonderful crystal for honoring the Sun. It can be used for courage, strength, and power, as well as for love and lust. Carnelian is also great for grounding you within our realm during astral travel as well as acting as a beacon to help you return to your body.

Cayenne Pepper: Use cayenne pepper to heat things up in your relationship, encourage lust, or light a fire under someone to get them moving, whether it's off their butt or out of your life. 

Charcoal: Charcoal is the burnt remains of wood and other organic material. It is best for cleansing, purification, and banishing. It is also great for protection and warding. Historically, charcoal was used to create inks and as such can be used to write in your grimoire or Book of Shadows.

Chili Peppers: Chili peppers can be used much the same way as cayenne pepper. However, they are also excellent for protection and burning away curses.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a dried, aromatic bark from evergreen trees in the genus Cinnamomum. It can be used for money, wealth, and prosperity magic as well as healing, protection, and love spells. When burned, it can cleanse and consecrate items as well as speed up your spells.

Cloves: Cloves can be used for protection, clarity, halting gossip, banishing evil, as well as invoking love and lust. 

Copper: Copper is a conductive, malleable metal commonly associated with Venus. Therefore, copper can be used in love spells as well as to conduct energy or transfer energy. Furthermore, it is commonly used for currency around the world and therefore perfect for offerings and prosperity magic. 

Fire Agate: Fire agate is grounding and uplifting at the same time, making it the perfect crystal for situations that require tough decisions, courage, and decisiveness. Its red color also invokes passion and love while simultaneously fighting against depression and insecurities. 

Fulgurite: Fulgurite forms when lightning strikes sand or rock, forming a natural glass in the process. Due to its chaotic birth, it's great for chaos magic, as well as invoking rain and storms and communication with higher beings.

Garnet: Garnet can come in a variety of colors, including vivid green or dark red, and, like quartz, can project or receive energy. It can be used to recharge and revitalize, for protection, and to 

Gold: Gold is deeply connected to the Sun and was historically the color used to describe purifying high vibrational energies. It can be used to attract wealth, prosperity, and power. 

Lantern: Lanterns are a great way to symbolize the element Fire on your altar or in spells and are great for illuminating situations and helping you or spirits navigate dark terrain. 

Lava Rock: Lava rocks form when magma cools. Because lava originates as magma deep within the Earth, it can be used for grounding and restraint. However, its fiery nature makes it also associated with energy, assertiveness, and passion.

Lead: Lead is the heaviest of the base metals and blocks out both light, sound, and electricity. While often associated with Fire, lead is also deeply connected to Earth. It can be used for grounding, strength, stability, meditation, and to connect with the Otherworld. It's also perfect for breaking habits and shadow work.

Marigold: Marigolds are strongly associated with the Sun and can, therefore, be used in magic relating to passion, warmth, and creativity. In the Victorian floral language, they mean "pain and grief" or as a way to comfort one who is grieving. Today, marigolds are part of Dia de Los Muertos activities, aiding in spirits finding their way home.

Pumice: Pumice, unlike lava rock, has a greater silica content and floats in water. As such, it is perfect for reminding us to remain positive when we otherwise feel like we are drowning and can be used to banish bad habits and emotions as well as negative energy.

Ruby: The name "ruby" comes from the Latin rubber meaning red. Rubies can protect the wearer or homes from storm damage or be used in spells to bring wealth, passion, energy, and courage.

Sunflower: Sunflowers are one of the few flowers that obviously follow the Sun throughout the day while also being sun-like in appearance. Sunflowers are a symbol of joy, warmth, fertility, and good luck. They can also gift you with faerie sight, especially around the Summer Solstice.

Sunstone: Sunstone, with its milky orange color, is great at boosting your mood, especially if you are depressed or anxious. Use it to soothe depression, lift your mood, assuage fear and doubt, relieve tension, and heal emotional loss.

Tin: Tin is associated with Jupiter whose symbol is lightning. As such, tin can be used to protect against lightning or invoke lightning. Tin items are best charged during a lightning storm, which makes them potent magical items. It can also be used to bring about what you desire most, and is therefore perfect for prosperity and success spells, as well as rejuvenation spells.

Wand: Depending on the tradition, wands are often associated with Fire (swords in other traditions). Use wands much like you would an athame to direct power, cut doors, and transmit and focus energies.

And there you have it. A complete list of types of Fire as well as commonly used tools associated with Fire! Below is a free 5-page printable for your Grimoire or Book of Shadows.

Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series

Introduction to the Elements
Water
Water Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Water Ritual
Tools of Water
Water Spells and Rituals
Earth
Earth Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Earth Ritual
Tools of Earth
Earth Spells and Rituals
Fire
Fire Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Fire Ritual
Tools of Fire
Fire Spells and Rituals
Air
Air Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Air Ritual
Tools of Air
Air Spells and Rituals
Spirit
Spirit Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting with Spirit Ritual
Tools of Spirit

Putting It All Together

Looking for more information on the elements? Check out my posts on the topic:

Representing the Elements with Crystals
Infograph: Water
Infograph: Earth
Infograph: Fire
Infograph: Air

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Elemental Magic: Connecting with Fire Ritual

Now that we have covered Fire folklore and correspondences, its time to actually start working with Fire! Today I share a ritual to help you connect with Fire more intimately and start building the foundation for change, creativity, and new beginnings. There are several tasks in this post and I encourage you to perform each of them with fidelity. Before we get started, however, I'd like to discuss what I put together for the first Fire task presented a week ago.

The first task for Fire was to trace how the Sun travels around your home, both inside and outside. This is something I did shortly after moving into my house almost 5 years ago for gardening purposes. The front of my house faces almost directly East, meaning the Sun rises in front of my house, reaches its peak at noon right above my house, then sets at the back out of the house. As such, I get morning Sun on the front and evening Sun on the back. This leaves my kitchen and bedroom to get full evening Sun, while my library, office, and guest room receive morning Sun.

Property wise, there isn't much shade. Yes, I have trees, but my property is mostly open. Apart from a few pockets, the majority of my yard receives Sun about 8 or more hours a day. In the morning, my house casts a long shadow on the backyard, but by noon it's fully engulfed in light. The front, however, receives very little shade, even when the sun begins to set. My house is "taller" in the back than the front as the front basement is built into the land, but not on the backside. This creates a small shadow, about 6-8 feet on the front of the house in the evening, significantly shorter than that of the shadow in the back in the morning. Needless to say, all of my plants are full sun plants. Haha! 

I recognize tracing the movement of the Sun around your property may not seem very magical, but doing so helps you connect to the element Fire by connecting with its most significant source, our Sun. Again, we are going to combine all of these tasks at the end of the series to develop a local, elemental practice, so I hope you guys have been keeping up with the tasks.

What did you learn about the movement of the Sun around your home?

There are a number of ways you can connect with the element Fire, but one of the best ways is to go outside and feel the warmth of the Sun directly. However, I recognize not everyone can do that, so I have designed a ritual that can take place indoors or outdoors depending on your needs.

Ingredients:

• Quiet place outside in direct sunlight or a candle
• Carnelian, red agate, or fire agate

Directions:
Begin by either going outside, somewhere quiet in direct sunlight, or light the candle. If you are working indoors, this is best performed on your altar, especially if you have already dedicated your altar to Fire (see below).

For those of you outside, stand comfortably yet straight, and close your eyes. Raise your face toward the Sun and feel the warmth on your face. Take a deep breath in and breathe out slowly. Relax, continuing to breathe deeply until you reach a light meditative state. When ready, slowly raise your arms, palms facing up toward the sky. Feel the sunlight on your palms, the Sun's rays slowly warming them and traveling through your body. Soak in the light, allowing the warmth and golden light to fill your entire being. Visualize in your mind's eye your body glowing bright and golden, radiating the Sun's energy outward. Continue soaking in sunlight while continuing to meditate until you feel absolutely full of energy. If you like, continue to hold this energy throughout the day. If you notice it makes you too jittery or agitated, allow some of the energy to soak into the Earth through your feet until you feel better. Remember, the Earth is a great absorber.

If you are doing this ritual inside, follow the same outline above using the candle flame as your energy source. It can be completed whether you are standing or sitting, and instead of turning your face and hands upwards, direct them towards the candle flame.

No matter which ritual you perform, they accomplish the same thing, connecting you more deeply with Fire. As always, jot down your experiences in your BOS, Grimoire, or journal. You may experience visions, hear voices, or be overcome with certain emotions. These are important messages, likely in regards to your relationship with Fire and should be analyzed for deeper understanding.

Once you have established a connection with Fire through the ritual above, you need to continue to nurture it so it may grow and one of the best ways to do that is with an altar dedicated just to Fire.

Plan to have your altar dedicated to fire for the next couple of weeks, to Lammas if you can or at least through the last couple of posts in the Fire series. How you set up your altar is completely up to you, but I encourage you to place at least one candle on your altar as well as other symbols associated with Fire. Below are some ideas of items to include:

• candles, especially red, orange, yellow, or gold. lanterns, or lamps
• red agate, fire agate, carnelian, lava stone, pyrite, gold, citrine, or amber
• sunflowers, goldenrod, or St. John's Wort
• athame, knife, or wand (depending on your personal correspondences)
• cinnamon, cloves, chilis, or oranges
• Sun Wheel (or God's Eye)
• silky fabrics in rich, warm colors such as orange, red, and yellow

Once you have set up your altar, spend about 15 minutes a day lightly meditating about Fire and the ritual experience you had. Light the candle(s) daily and stare deeply into the flames, feeling your connection to Fire deepen. Place your hands near the flame and feel the warmth of Fire enter your body, filling you with its energy. Draw a right-side-up triangle in the air with the flame and visualize it entering into your body through your chest.

***

And there you have it! Let me know how things went in the comments below.

Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series

Introduction to the Elements
Water
Water Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Water Ritual
Tools of Water
Water Spells and Rituals
Earth
Earth Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Earth Ritual
Tools of Earth
Earth Spells and Rituals
Fire
Fire Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Fire Ritual
Tools of Fire
Fire Spells and Rituals
Air
Air Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Air Ritual
Tools of Air
Air Spells and Rituals
Spirit
Spirit Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting with Spirit Ritual
Tools of Spirit

Putting It All Together

Looking for more information on the elements? Check out my posts on the topic:

Representing the Elements with Crystals
Infograph: Water
Infograph: Earth
Infograph: Fire
Infograph: Air

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Elemental Magic: A Complete Guide to Fire Folklore & Correspondences

Our third stop in the series is the element Fire. Fire is quite the element, associated with new beginnings, energy, courage, anger, passion, lust, war, and purification. It's the perfect element to work with during the summer months when the Sun is at its strongest, the ultimate source of Fire. Fire is also the perfect element to work with when trying to enact change, especially social change. After working with Water and Earth, its time to burn away the old and bring in the new. You can use Fire to break bad habits, purify your life, ignite your passions, and incite change. Unlike Earth, Fire has a long and rich history in folklore, from how man first acquired Fire to the Celtic Fire festivals still celebrated by witches today. Again, this is a lengthy post, but well worth the read. Let's get started.

Fire has long been coveted by humankind as not only a life-bringer but as a source of transformation as well. How we first acquired Fire is debatable and we will likely never know, but the fact that we did allowed humans to prosper and ultimately dominate our surroundings. There are myths found in every single culture around the world explaining how humans first acquired Fire, from the Greeks to the Cherokee to the Hindus to the Aztecs. Almost all of these stories tell a story of theft, the Fire is stolen from some greedy source and given as a gift to humans. In Greek mythology, the titan Prometheus stole Fire from the gods, giving it to man along with the skill of metalwork because he loved humans more than the Olympians who had banished his family to Tartarus. This gift resulted in the progress of civilization and ultimately resulted in Fire temples across Greece. In various Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest and First Nations, Fire was stolen by Coyote, Beaver, or Dog and given to humans, while in Algonquin myth it is Rabbit that steals Fire from a man and his two daughters to share with other humans. The Cherokee myth, however, is my favorite of the Native American Fire myths. After both Possum and Buzzard failed to acquire Fire, Grandmother Spider weaves a web to sneak into the land of the light, where she steals Fire from the Sun and hides it in a clay pot. She brings the clay pot back, giving it to humans so they may see in the dark. In Rig Veda, a Hindu text, it is Matarisvan who steals Fire that had been hidden away from humans. All of these myths reveal the nature of Fire; that is it deeply associated with trickery and chaos, most likely because we may think we have control over Fire, but ultimately it is in control. Furthermore, Fire is extremely destructive but transformative, thus leading to the progress of civilization in all of these stories.

Fire was so revered by our ancestors that shrines, temples, and festivals were dedicated to Fire. In Ancient Greece, every private and public hearth or prytaneium was regarded as a sanctuary for the hearth goddess Hestia. In Greek mythology, Hestia was assigned the duty by Zeus to feed and maintain the fires in the Olympian hearth with the fat from animal sacrifices to the gods. As such, she was usually given the first offering during a sacrifice so that she may share a portion with the gods to maintain their Fire. While most of her shrines were the hearths in private and public places, there were at least two temples in Ermioni and Sparta that were dedicated to her alone. Each city had a public fire dedicated to Hestia that was not allowed to burn down. Failure to maintain her fire was a breach of duty and was viewed as bad luck. However, her fires were ritually extinguished and relit and when a new colony was established, flame from Hestia's public hearth was carried to light the fires in the new settlement. Hestia's Roman equivalent, Vesta, played a much more prominent role in Roman culture. She was very rarely depicted in human form, but instead as a flame. Vesta's temple in the Forum Romanum only allowed entry to Vesta's priestesses known as Vestals. The Vestals tended the sacred hearth fires of Vesta which were believed to be indispensable for the preservation and continuity of the Roman State. The sacred fire was so important that water was not allowed into the inner aedes nor allowed to stay in nearby areas for longer than needed. If water was needed, it was carried in futiles, vessels with a tiny foot that made them more stable. Should the fires be extinguished, it was believed something terrible would befall the Roman empire. Vesta was so revered that her festival Vestalia from June 7th to the 15th was regarded as one of the most important of the Roman holidays. On the first day of Vestalia the penus Vestae was opened for one day only so that women could offer sacrifices to Vesta. Mothers would come, disheveled and barefoot, to ask for blessings for their families. A donkey, the animal sacred to Vesta, was crowned with flowers and bread and honored. Vesta's importance was so deeply entrenched in Roman thought that it was one of the very last of the pagan cults to remain after the rise of Christianity until it was disbanded by Theodosius I in AD 391. 

Across the ocean, two important Celtic deities were honored for their scared flames. The first was Brigid, who later was Christianized St. Brigid. Brigid, who is deeply associated with holy wells, was also associated with sacred flames. In Kildare, Brigid's sacred fire was tended to by priestesses since pre-Christian times. Many attempts were made to extinguish the flames after Christianity dominated the isles, but were unsuccessful until the sixteenth century when monasteries were suppressed. The sacred flames were relit in 1993 by Mary Teresa Cullen, the former leader of the Brigidine Sisters, a group of nuns dedicated to St. Brigid. Since 1993, the scared fire has burned bright, being maintained by 19 nuns at St. Brigid's sanctuary. It was rumored that the sacred flame was originally surrounded by a hedge that no man could cross. Any man who attempted to cross was said to go mad, die, or become crippled, leaving only women to tend to Brigid's fire. Brigid is most often celebrated at Imbolc, a fire festival, also known as St. Brigid's Day on February 1st, where she is said to breathe life-giving warmth back into the Earth. Candles are ritually lit as a form of sympathetic magic to coax the Sun's return and honor Brigid. However, it wasn't just Brigid who was associated with Fire in Celtic lore. Belenus (Belus or Baal), whose name means "Shining One," was one of the most widely worshipped of the Celtic deities. He was the Celtic god of the Sun and was celebrated year-around, but honored specifically at Beltane, an ancient Fire festival on May 1st. There are at least 51 known inscriptions describing Belenus across Celtic Britain and Iberia and even mentions in Roman texts. Like Brigid, Belenus had scared fires dedicated to him and from these fires, bonfires, also known as balefires, were lit upon the hilltops the night of Beltane. Cattle and other farm animals were herded between theses fires to remove all impurities and keep the animals free from illness until the following Beltane. Some sources state that people would leap over these great fires as well to purify themselves and protect them in the upcoming year. Hearth fires were also extinguished, ashes cleaned out, and replaced with fire from the sacred flames of Belenus to bring in purity and new beginnings to the home. All of these deities and their resulting festivals and shrines encompass the importance of Fire in human history as a bringer of life, a purifier, a protector, and an agent of change. 

Other Sun gods from around the world, including Ra, Aten, Nanahuatzin, Helios, and Sol, were worshipped year around with the Sun's heavenly movement. Early humans recognized that as the Sun traveled through the sky that it drove the changing of the seasons. From this knowledge, myths arose to explain what happened to the Sun god during each transformation. In modern Wicca, the equivalent of this story traces the birth and death of the God, who represents the Sun. These myths were so prevalent around the world that early Christianity adopted them and associated them with Jesus. Sympathetic magic, charms, and spells were often used to coax the return of the Sun, keep up the heat, or honor the Sun's death. As mentioned before, candles are lit at Imbolc as a form of sympathetic magic, while the Yule log is lit at Yule for the same reason, as well as to bring health and good luck to those within. At Midsummer, also known as Litha, sun charms were created to keep up the heat so that the crops could continue to grow and thus produce a bountiful harvest. Our ancestors recognized that after the summer solstice that the Sun waned in strength. These charms were designed to keep the Sun strong enough for the remaining growing season else they would not have enough stores to make it through the winter months. Prior to the introduction of mistletoe, the Irish used apples as part of an All Saints Day sun charm to protect against glamour and witchery during the dark half of the year. Basically, these charms were believed to shed light on trickery.

Apart from Fire's association with deities, it has long been viewed as a protective force. This likely arose from the fact our early ancestors found that keeping fires lit through the night safeguarded against beasts of the night. Fire quickly became associated with warding off evil spirits, especially in the case of childbirth. Multiple cultures around the world light candles and lamps and keep them burning to ward against demons waiting to pounce on the newborn child and mother. This custom still persists in parts of Britain, Scandinavia, and Germany, where candles and fires are lit around the new baby to keep evil spirits away. Some of these tales refer to changelings stealing away newborn babes, while others suggest demons are waiting to claim the baby for the devil. Other folklore customs include waving candles over newlyweds to protect against unwanted guests, while in France jumping over a candle flame is said to ward against sickness and bring good luck. The nursery rhyme, Jack Be Nimble, is an ode to this custom. As mentioned earlier, this was also the reason cattle were driven between bonfires on Beltane. Fire is also considered a purifier, being able to cleanse one of disease. Among the Nandi, cattle are driven through fire and coated with milk to cure disease outbreaks within the herd. The Chukchee drive away evil spirits from their reindeer using a similar custom to that of the Celts, driving the reindeer close to a sacred fire so that "the breath of fire" could drive away contamination. Despite its association with driving away evil spirits, Fire has also been used to lead spirits on their journey. In Hinduism, a lamp is placed before the dying person to help guide their spirit to Yama. On Samhain, jack-o'-lanterns were traditionally carved and placed in windows and along walkways to not only ward off evil spirits that crossed the veil but also to guide their ancestors home.

Fire has also been used as a form of divination and as an omen. As mentioned earlier, the extinguishing of Hestia's and Vesta's fires were believed to be ruin and bad luck. The Banyoro in Central Africa and the people of British New Guinea will not hunt the following morning if their fire goes out overnight, an omen of bad luck and death. In modern Greece, the behavior of logs in a fire is said to foretell the future. Crackling means that good news or a friend is coming, while sparks and ash flying are believed to foretell trouble and anxiety brewing. On the other hand, in parts of Britain cinders were read to predict major future events, such as births, marriages, and deaths. 

The vast amount of folklore around Fire suggests a few things. First, Fire is an important source of life. It warms, cooks food, and inspires. Second, Fire is an important protector and purifier, yet has the ability to consume all that it touches. In modern times, witches use fire for these same reasons, often as in protection rituals, and to send messages to the spirit world.

Below is a quick correspondence guide for Fire, including a free printable page for your Book of Shadows!

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun, Mars
Time: Noon
Season: Summer
Direction: South (although in the Southern hemisphere, North may work better for you)
Tarot Cards: Wands or Swords (depends on belief system)
Zodiac: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius 
Symbolism: Energy, will, destruction, strength, courage, power, passion, lust, sexuality, anger, war, new beginnings, protection, loyalty, transformation, action, movement, achievement, creativity, desire, willpower
Symbols: Athame, candles, swords, wands, dagger, lamp, flame, volcano, Sun, stars, lava, heat
Deities: Vesta, Hestia, Morrigan, Brigid, Belenus, Freya, Ra, Horus, Prometheus, Vulcan, Hephaestus, Agni, Pele, Ogun, Oya, Sekhmet, Zhurong, Huilu, Jowangsin, Kojin, Fuji, Amaterasu, Arshi Tengri, Odqan, Yal-un Eke, Alaz, Vut-Ami, En, Eate, Alpan, Kamar, Aed, Grannus, Nantosuelta, Sethlans, Logi, Mariel, Cacus, Dazhbog, Kresnik, Peklenc, Svarog, Shapash, Gerra, Gibil, Ishum, Nuska, Chantico, Mixcoati, Xiuhtecuhtli, Iansa
Nature Spirits: Salamander, dragon, phoenix, chimera, djinn
Colors: Red, yellow, orange, gold, crimson, white
Food and Drink: Chili, tea, coffee, beans, curry, onion, garlic, cider, cloves, cinnamon, wassail, garlic bread, beef, ham, oranges, lime, lemon, lemonade, limeade, orange juice, marmalade, spicy foods
Herbs: Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, allspice, basil, cacti, marigold, chilis, garlic, mustard, nettle, onion, heliotrope, hibiscus, juniper, lime, orange, red pepper, poppies, thistle, coffee, jalapenos, lemon, cumin, saffron, coriander
Crystals and Gemstones: Carnelian, red jasper, bloodstone, garnet, ruby, agate, rhodochrosite, gold, pyrite, brass, fire opal, lavastone, tiger's eye
Animals: Lion, snake, coyote, fox, ladybug, bee, shark, scorpion, horse, mantis, tiger

How does Fire work with the other elements?

Fire with Earth: Fire can be used to melt Earth into magma or reshape it into precious crystals, while Earth can be used to smother Fire. Fire can scorch Earth, providing life-giving nutrients and allowing new life to prosper.
Fire with Water: While Water is often used to extinguish Fire, Fire can be used to heat Water, turning it into steam, thus connecting it with the element Air. 
Fire with Air: Fire can be used to connect with Air through steam and smoke, and while Air can use used to blow out Fire, Air also breathes life into it, allowing it to become uncontrollable quickly.

Your task for the next week or so is to track how the Sun moves over your home and how it affects the surrounding area. Which rooms receive the most light at which times? How does this affect the temperature in those rooms? If you have a green space or a yard, which parts of it receive Sun and at what times? Look at the plants that grow in these areas and make a note. I encourage you to make a sketch of both inside and outside your home and shade in the areas that receive Sun and mark which times they occur. Drawing hash marks is a great way to do this. Areas that receive Sun for most of the day will end up being darker than those areas that receive little Sun. Tracking the Sun's movement is another way to build a more localized practice.

Next week I will dive into how to connect more deeply with Fire using a simple yet effective ritual.

Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series

Introduction to the Elements
Water
Water Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Water Ritual
Tools of Water
Water Spells and Rituals
Earth
Earth Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Earth Ritual
Tools of Earth
Earth Spells and Rituals
Fire
Fire Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Fire Ritual
Tools of Fire
Fire Spells and Rituals
Air
Air Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Air Ritual
Tools of Air
Air Spells and Rituals
Spirit
Spirit Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting with Spirit Ritual
Tools of Spirit

Putting It All Together

Looking for more information on the elements? Check out my posts on the topic:

Representing the Elements with Crystals
Infograph: Water
Infograph: Earth
Infograph: Fire
Infograph: Air

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