100 Day Project - Day Thirty

…and everything burned in blue, everything a star

Pablo Neruda

Fire; element of creation, transformation and destruction. I'm a redhead (with trademark fiery temperament), a Sagittarian (a fire sign, described as spontaneous, intuitive and passionate) and, in Chinese astrology, a Fire Horse (apparently the most unconventional, freedom-loving and adventurous of the Horse types).

Whether one sets store by these things or not, I feel that I embody something of all those things so it’s hardly surprising that I have an affinity for this element. Hardly surprising that I have to be careful not to consume myself or others with it. Hardly surprising that I have to pay attention to what my fire needs to keep burning. If it dies, I die.

When I was younger, my fire raged often un-controlled and the line between impulse and recklessness was not always well-managed. It could be wild and damaging. These days, I experience it less as wildfire and more as deeply flowing molten lava. Sometimes it erupts (and that can still be scary) but mostly it’s well contained below the surface.

I like to think that over time I’ve learnt some of the wisdom of the other elements and I also benefit from being surrounded by lovely people who bring balance to my world with their different elemental mojo. Earth grounds me in the tangible, here and now; Air brings breath to inspire thinking and perception; Water cools and enhances the emotional ebb and flow. But at the core, fire is my thing.

At the risk of suggesting I have leanings towards pyromania (I don’t) I do love a fire related ritual. They’re great for both letting go and setting intentions, releasing and igniting, in equal measure… Also great for just staring into. This photograph was taken sitting around the firepit at a friend’s house on the first warmish evening of the season and I love that, with the addition of some magic pinecones, we were able to transform the flames into this beautiful colour. Turquoise flame. Magical & meaningful for me.