Posted by timethief in 
During this time of healing, hibernation and incubation I am conscious that I am preparing to move forward.
These night I dream of fire, ashes and, of the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes. It seems we are refined through the fire of passion. Just as metals become malleable under heat and pressure we are likewise shaped by the fire in our bellies, shaped by our attachments and our aversions.
Just as the fire of the sun is central to our solar system, the fire in our heart is the center of our physical universe. Spirit of Fire radiates warmth and light as does the human heart and connects us with our divine nature and wisdom. Spirit of Fire dispels loneliness and teaches us the value of community that assists with our emotional transformation.
The Gift of FIRE
By Tina Olivero
Fires come into our lives for all the right reasons.
Out with the old world, this fiery time for change calls the new.
As it ignites we realize we have also been ignited
and in so we have been granted permission to move forward.What was, is no longer, what is to be… awaits.
New doors open and new realms become available.
Is it not fascinating to witness nature clear the past on our behalf?
Curiously we may now ask, “Where to from here?”Completions rest in the ashes and the past disappears in the wind.
Speaking to us we hear, “We are not our possessions,”
“We are not our former knowledge,”
“We are not our circumstances.”Suddenly we have a seed deep beneath the rubble,
one that pushes to the surface, like phoenix it whispers softly,
“The power of this fire will never exceed
the power of community, love and kindness.”Seen so clearly when we get to nothing,
when everything is burned to the “ground,”
we are finally grounded in the greatest gift of knowing,
from nothing we can create anything.The fire has spoken, taken and given
all that was is gone, all to be is now here;
and who we are is a new set of eyes that clearly sees through flames.
Sparks from nothing, we are the light and the possibility of anything.
Hi Brightfeather
Did you know that in Spain this week they celebrate the vary ancient festival of St Antony which involves a purification by fire ritual. I saw it featured on Sky News website yesterday. It’s actually pretty scary as the local horsemen ride their animals through big bonfires much to the horror of the modern world but all the same it is obviously a true ancient and pagan ritual of interest to all of us who look for signs of those things left today.
Here’s the link - it might shock some:
http://tinyurl.com/2szd6g
Of course we have Imbolc/Candlemas coming on Feb 1/2, Imbolc celebrates the germination of the seed. Candlemas echoes it in the Catholic calendar - church congregations carry candles which are lit during the service to represent the return of the light.
hi Brightfeather, Gina here from Syros Paintings. I have another blog called Passing English which is for my language teaching and today I have done a post about a website of two friends of mine called Active Remedy. They are Stella and Tara Joy and they are doing something really wonderful in India. You can see my post at my blog here:
http://passingenglish.wordpress.com/2008/01/20/writing-about-environmental-problems/
which will take you to their site…I think you and yhour readers will like it very much in fact.
Do you think you could help out by giving my post a push or writing up your own? Stella’s getting married to a sadhu, to say they need the help to bring off their Sacred Grove project and raise awareness of what it means is an understatement and I have a terribly strong feeling that this is a special thing they are doing which deserves support.
Love your blog!!
I’ll be doing a separate project on tarot and mythology in the coming months and I’ll let you know about it. I have to keep it distinct from my teaching.
Kind regards
Gina (Syros Paintings and Passing English)
Hi Gina,
I have been enjoying viewing your art work very much. You are a talented painter and I particularly love your use of colour.
I’m glad you stopped into visit my blog and to share on this topic. Although I’m not Catholic I am very much aware of the Celtic Imbloc Goddess tradition that was usurped by early Christians and given their own unique “patriarchal” spin.
Originally, this holiday was known as Brigid’s Day or as Imbolc was one of the 4 Celtic “Fire” Festivals. Brigid’s Day is the spring festival commemorating the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year. It commemorates the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden through the celebration of the first signs of spring and the return of the Sun.
You may be interested to know that this tradition is very much alive in the small community where I live. It’s a community where most have rejected Christianity and are more inclined to celebrate the events in rhythm with the passing seasons rather than those associated with religiosity. We also celebrate the spring and fall equinoxes and the summer and winter solstices.
I was appalled to see the fire riders but I was even more appalled to hear that it is associated with Saint Antony. It is said that Saint Antonio Abad (San Antón in Spain) was born in Egypt in the year 251 and spent most of his life praying and fasting in the desert, where he was purportedly tempted many times by the Devil, who would appear dressed as a woman. Since the Middle Ages he has been acknowledged as the Patron Saint of domestic animals.
Anyway the horse is my favourite animal and I have had many very close relationships with horses throughout my life. In fact, I have had to evacuate horses from burning barns twice so I can attest to their terror and confusion in a fire.
Frankly I think this primitive “macho- man” domination rite is utterly asinine. However, I’m not surprised that in a paternalistic country where the church dominates today that it still exists. I agree with the animal rights people; in our day and age this fire riders rite, bull running and bullfighting should all be banned. Thankfully, I don’t have to be anywhere near it and it’s not likely to be adopted where I live so, I don’t have to organize a protest in response to it.
P.S. I’ll check out the Sacred Grove project later today or tomorrow.