Working with Fire with Herbalist Amanda Furbee
Amanda FurbeeShare
As I grow with my connection to the Elements my understanding broadens and my consciousness shifts. I continually am amazed at the different ways that learning and listening, watching and observing nature is one of the biggest ways that we learn to reconnect to ourselves, our communities and what is vitally important to opening our eyes and becoming aware. In this series of writings we will go through all 4 elements and what I have observed and found helpful as guidance.
Fire. Ouch! Fire is one element that you will know when you get to close to. It is Hot! What is Fire? Fire provides light and heat. It’s kindling makes life a delight and brings ease to our day. We can cook our food and warm our bodies up by a campfire, kitchen or fireplace. The light creates growth and rebirth with all sources of life. Gives Vitamin D to our bodies in need. Some plants need Fire to regenerate. Fire is the soul, passion and energy. One thing that is interesting about Fire is that it cannot survive with out the element of Air or Earth. Like all the elements in balance, Fire can do great things. Not one element is better than the other, but All out of balance can cause mass destruction.
In Astrology each sign is related to an element. South is the direction associated with Fire. We have three zodiac signs of each element. Dancing in the Fire is Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. All 3 zodiacs are known for their charisma, strength and spark of life. They tend to be the life of the party and often express their selves in an outward way. Radiant beings. Fire signs are the fire starters to life. They can ignite creativity and passion in projects and yourself.
Animals that are associated with Fire are often mythical beings. Like the fire breathing Dragon and the Phoenix who is the keeper of the fire. So blinding with their shiny beauty that we cannot see them without hurting our eyes and being mesmerized at the same time. Big predatory cats like the Lion, Tiger and Cheetah’s are often associated with Fire in ancient cultures and traditions. Leo the Lion is often put in the spotlight to shine and hear their roar. The invisible fox and the tricky Coyote are also paired with the element of fire. Animal medicine has been used for centuries with our ancestors as tools for guidance. Watch and learn from animals that have harnessed fire as a guiding tool. Their wisdom is so profound, their natural instincts are genuinely passed on to us as a lesson. How we learn from them is by observing their message by their natural actions. In the Medicine Cards, written by Jamie Sams & David Carson, it goes into old fables and tales of these animals that have been observed from ancient cultures all over the world. I have found this set of oracle cards to be an excellent tool for guidance and understanding. The element of fire has been a tricky one for me to embrace. However, step by step and with the knowledgeable source of trusting these animal allies for clarity I am learning how to harness my own inner fire.
-The Dragon, Strength, It Most often carries a reminder of strength, courage and fortitude. Dragons are messengers of balance and magic. If dragon has arrived in your life, it asks that you tap into your psychic nature and allow yourself to view the world through the eyes of wonder and mystery. http://www.spiritanimal.info
-The Phoenix, Keeper of Fire, Master of creativity, transformation, death and rebirth. Teaches us to continually rebirth ourselves in our processes. That not one is right or wrong it is an evolution of our souls to continually grow into our most aware selves. It is sending you a message of hope in the midst of despair. Strength and Renewal. www.sunsigns.org
-Lion, Courage, The lion spirit animal is generally associated with a representation of personal strength. If the lion appears powerful to you, its presence as a spirit guide can be interpreted as a positive representation of your self-confidence or personal power. As such, lions point to qualities of strength, courage, and assertiveness. http://www.spiritanimal.info
-Fox, Camouflage, The fox is asking us to observe and not be an active participant. Making your self invisible. While learning from fox, you might also gain confidence in your ability to know instantly what will happen next. Fox medicine teaches the art of Oneness through its understanding of camouflage. Animal Medicine
-Coyote, Trickster, If Coyote has presented himself to you it may be time to look at what is trickery in your life. Are you fooling yourself or is someone fooling you? What lessons are you repeating like a broken record? Find humor in our own error. Animal Medicine
There are many other animals that are totems of fire. If you feel one calling you, watch it and learn. It may be sending you a message or guidance tool. As with all symbols and patterns in life, they are messages to pay attention and learn from.
In the body, what is fire? Fire may show up in any part of the body. It is usually hot and inflamed. This can cause massive amounts of pain and discomfort. It may also show up in the body as circulation. Maybe you need to stimulate the body to create heat, increase movement or metabolism. You may also need to cool down the body from over-heating. Digestion and blood are a major source of our body’s fire that helps us to produce sustainable energy. There are many herbs out to help with inflammation and pain, cooling off the bodies over activate areas. Many folks use Turmeric and black pepper, while others prefer Yucca or Devils Claw. To stimulate the body and produce heat some natural healers may use Ginger Root, Cinnamon, Horseradish or Mustard. Fire is essential in keeping the body running smoothly and also to help purify and detox.
In a metaphysical sense, fire is here to help us with the bringing desire and passion. Inviting in creativity and endurance. It helps us to cleanse the soul of what no longer serves us and also rebirth ourselves as we grow into awareness. You can make a fire, light a candle, inhale some breath of prana in some fire starting breathing exercises or yoga poses or during mediation visualize the fire you need to embrace the soul path of harnessing our inner fire. My personal journey with understanding fire has brightened the path to my destiny.
In sharing my connection to fire, I hope that you find guidance with your own path on reconnecting with nature and yourself. May it be a tool that guides you when you are unsure. May you always know that your intuition and connections to spirit are by your side always.
Stop by and see us to view our complete line of THS products.
To set up an herbal consultation with me email: info@theherbshoppepharmacy.com