Summer Solstice and the Element of Fire

Often called Midsummer, the Summer Solstice arrives around the 21st of June. The sun is at the height of it's power and it's a time of abundance, fertility and the bounty of nature. Soon the harvest will come.  In the area where I live, it signifies the beginning of summer, as well as the arrival of fire season. I have great respect for the element of fire. Not only am I an astrological fire sign, but as a witch, I find myself employing this elemental ally in many of my workings.

As most of us know, fire can be a powerful and destructive element, as well as that which motivates us to action. I'm sure you are familiar with the term, "fire in the belly." Fire burns at the core of our Earth Mother, and fire burns within each of us.

Fire is the closest thing to the living spirit in our physical world. The discovery of fire changed us. We could now be a direct participant in our fate. It separated us from the cold, illuminated the darkness and protected us from other animals.

In spirit work, fire conjure is done by setting the lights. Known to most as candle magick. Although practiced under many names, candle magick is the most widely used by several spiritual traditions. Candles are lit for blessing, healing, banishing and a myriad of other workings.

It is fire, or the "fire within" that moves us. Passion is fire and that which we are most passionate about, calls us to action. It stirs deep within us and intensifies at some of our finest moments. But we must take care that it doesn't burn out of control and lead to obsession.

Our energy is our fire. The Witch Flame is the "summoning" and gathering of this energy and when released we refer to it as The Cone of Power. Thru movement, emotion, dance, and or song, we raise up our inner fire, swirling withing us and send it out to aid our working. This electric fire of the Witch's will is the same that flows within our planet.

Using fire in spirit work and magick has a long rich history due to it's life-force and the direct cord that flows from our heart to the heart of the planet.
Working with the Balefire (life flame) we call forth the life-force of the land, the sun and all of creation.
The Boon-fire is also known as the "wish flame" Either by out-door fire or within a cauldron, the flame lends it's power to the desire of the witch. It symbolizes the union of the Mother & Father God/Spirit. The boon-fire is an open door to spirit and the eternal stream of starlight.
Bone-fire is an honoring flame. Ancestral outdoor fires link the present to our lineage that shapes and informs us. Traditionally, the bone-fire contains the dried/aged bones of animals we have consumed that have been allowed to dry for at least a year. Bone fires are generally used at Samhain.
The Bonfire is the meeting place for the spirits of witchery. Big and bright, it's a portal for the witch to commune with light, dark and shadow lands of the soul. This fire is the flame of spiritual communion. Fire connects the core of the Earth to the lights of our Universe. The flame holds wisdom.

Fire is also a gatherer of souls... the campfire has long been a place of fellowship, story telling and the sharing of food. Fire brings us together and bares witness to our bonding over her hypnotic dance under the stars.

When constructing your fire, consider your intent when choosing what you want to use for burning, different woods have different associations. Adding dried herbs are used for cleansing and consecrating the space. I grow white sage and the dried hard wood trimmings make an excellent space smudge.

Fire is the source of our Creation. May we always have reverence for this sacred resource and love for all it gives us.