Fire Magic

Each of the five elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit) may be called in when doing ritual work or magic. It’s a question of understanding what each of them does, what they serve, and how they can best support your efforts.

The Element of Fire is connected to the tradition of alchemy, the transmutation of raw ingredients into precious metals but more importantly, the transmutation of our physical self into our spiritual and higher self.

We use the element of fire to represent transformation, as well as power.

The astrological signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are all ruled by Fire.

Aries: Martial (Mars) energy, the first astrological sign of the new year and ruler of the 1st House, representing the self and identify. Aries is dynamic, sociable, athletic but also sometimes confrontational, immature and obstinate.

Leo: Solar energy, closely associated with procreation and fatherhood – so much so that its symbol looks like a sperm! Leo is kindhearted, assured, skilled, but maybe arrogant, willful and argumentative.

Sagittarius: Jupiterian (Jupiter) energy, closely associated with the search for meaning and higher education, ruler of the 9th House. Sagittarius is curious, wise, and explorative but occasionally also erratic, unstable and impatient.

A reminder that all astrological signs have both positive and potentially negative traits. This is not to indicate that these three signs are inherently any more negative than the others.

The Element of Fire is called upon when we are intend to transform one thing into another, or to heal. Fire can also represent passion, romance, sexuality, and is used to cleanse negative energy in a powerful way. Here are some of the ways that we might utilize Fire Energy in our magical workings and ritual practices.

BANISHING RITUALS like burnings. Want something out of your life permanently? Write it on paper and set it afire. Of course, whenever working with the element of fire you want to be extremely cautious to create a safe space where the fire will be contained. Be super cautious about lighting anything out of doors since wind can carry even embers that you think have been extinguished, and people have been arrested for arson for failing to respect their fire. Fire burning is intended to take something (or someone) and transform them into a safe and neutral shell of what they were. It’s great for negative people – just write their name on paper, light in a safe container and cover with a mesh cover so that the air continues to fuel the fire without escaping. When the ashes are all that remain, you may discard them or transfer them into something else like your garden.

SMUDGING combines fire with air, using herbs sage, sweetgrass or fragrant wood like palo santo. The purpose of smudging is to clear the air, so you would use herbs for smudging anytime you wish to neutralize something powerful, and then move it out of your energy field. Smudging is a great way to ritualize a space so if you have set up a new altar, you would likely smudge the room and same with if you move into a new home or apartment. Energy lingers, and the act of smudging gives you the power to wipe the slate clean with your new space and release anything negative.

This is however a good time to mention the challenge of using some herbs like sage and sweetgrass, which are sacred native and indigenous spiritual resources. Did you know that Native Americans were not legally allowed to use sage in their own traditions by federal laws here in the US? Once that law was relaxed, it unfortunately also permeated the sale of sage into non-indigenous communities including the world of magic and ritual work. As a result, white sage has been overcultivated, at the cost of the Native people of North America. Be respectful and responsible with using tools that are not part of your ancestral heritage. There are many resources to learn more about what is appropriate – and what is appropriation – and we will talk a bit more about these concerns in the future.

Likewise, the Palo Santo tree of South America has been heavily overharvested by cutting down whole trees and splintering them for sale. True shaman and magi understand that you do not deplete a plant in order to responsibly use it in ritual work. The only palo santo that is safe to use is that from naturally felled trees, not those uprooted and chipped up.

A good substitute: cinnamon sticks!

Your altar will likely have a variety of fire-related tools and implements including candles, herbs for smudging, incense, perhaps a small cauldron.

We also honor the element of Fire when doing ritual work involving the sun such as the Solar Adorations.

You can also honor Fire with personal rituals such as making candles, or enjoying a campfire, but again you want to be cautious. Always have a large amount of water immediately in reach, and be sure to ask permission of anyone whose property you are on before starting a fire. I also personally advise against using lighters in any ritual work. Traditional matches are the appropriate implement, oh and you never ever ever want to blow out a candle. If you have lit an intentional candle and then need to leave, you want to snuff the candle gently – place a lid upon it and watch to see that the fire has completely gone out before you leave.

Smoke is also a way to use the element of Fire in your ritual workings. For some, that means smudging, and for others that means smoking powerful herbs and medicines. Each magi has their choice of what is sacred for them, and free will is what we are all about.

The element of Fire is connected to the direction of South, so when working fire rituals and spells it is often good to face South. Fire is connected to summer, and the heat of summer.

In the next blog, we will be talking about the Element of Water in Magic. In the meantime, please follow Divinely Designed at Facebook and Instagram.