3/12/10 – Mallory Cave & Musings on Fire …

On my hike to Mallory cave I noted the distinct difference between life occurring in shadow and life occurring in the sun. On the cusp between Winter and Spring the distinctions between Cold and Warm are clearer to see.

When in shadow we’re cold and alone. When the sun comes out, everything warms, expands and moves out towards the sun in camaraderie. All the shrubs and bushes turn to the warmth. All the animals and plants start to hum and expand in its presence. It is spring – let us get into the sun and bask in it. Such is the need for Fire.

When watching people interact with each other it clear to see the function of the Pericardium (Heart Protector). The assumption for all interactions in this world is that it isn’t safe. We must be guarded and closed first and test the waters of safety. People must earn our trust and then we will open up. This can be seen in social circumstances as people fold their arms over their chest (protecting their Heart) or walk in a very self-contained, vulnerable and monitored way. Gradually as conversation and warmth is exchanged the barriers melt, people unfold their arms, expand and relax in chairs, exposing their chest and creating more space for the expansion of radiant warmth. Culturally the lands of every-present sunshine exhibit cultures of open warmth, exchange, and communication.

In a perpetual quest for warmth the Fire element will want to expand and open up for everyone. Bearing its heart on its sleeve, the Fire element will want for free, open, and in consistent communication and exchange of warmth with everyone. For fear of having its warmth rejected, the Fire element will reject first, flare up, scorch and be dismissive to anyone it suspects will not return warmth, will reject it or misuse the trust that is extended. In rejecting first it protects itself from being burnt in a one-sided pursuit of warmth with another. Feeling like its warmth will be used as a way of reaching its vulnerable inner sanctum, it will clamp down the Pericardium (Heart Protector) around itself. Cold and dismissive, it will avert its attention as if the person doesn’t exist – punishing them, it creates in them the very isolation and rejection that it itself suffers from the most.

In its interactions with the world it fears that people will only bask temporarily in its warmth and leave, failing to appreciate the unconditional love it has to give.

Natural leaders, Fire element constitutions will rule with understanding, and magnanimity giving warmth equally to all. Like the Sun which gives warmth unconditionally to all, the Fire constitution has people constantly around them so that it can manifest unconditional understanding and love to all. Like a fire that consumes all fuel available to it, it can be selfish and gather people around it to fan its flames, whether it is an audience or staff in the office. Having the need for showmanship, it consumes experiences, has great desires (sexual, material, relational). This will manifest as an individual who is the center (the sun) of attention in a constant need to perform for the entertainment of others, so that its fuel for warmth to quell internal loneliness doesn’t run out. Exhausting itself, it will exhaust others. This can manifest as someone who collects friends like a coin collection – always having someone on speed dial when they get lonely.

When the wounds to the heart are too deep and emotional blows have weakened the Pericardium, the Fire constitution will isolate themselves, becoming a hermit – licking its wounds in loneliness, sadness, solitude, and a feeling of being misunderstood. Feeling victimized it will avoid further hurt, or being burned out and used.

Seeing the potential of love, understanding and camaraderie in all, the Fire element falls in love with the fantasy of what a relationship could be rather than what a relationship is. Unaware of the availability of fuel that is being burnt, the Fire element will fall in love with love itself rather than the reality of the depth of connection. Burnt from failed relationships and communications, the ashen color will appear on a lifeless face. In desperation for contact, Fire will reach for intimacy (sexual, mental, spiritual) to complete strangers in the hope to kindle a spark through its outwardly warm demeanor. Like fanning embers where no real fuel is present, the Fire element will create warmth where no warmth exists. Seeking connection it will seek to be friends with all old lovers, distant acquaintances, and will seek to expand on what little influence or commonality it finds with people into epic dramas of deep connections that simply do not exist and which can burn out as quickly and easily as they were started.

Assuming warmth and connection can be had with anyone in a space of full disclosure and understanding, the Fire constitution will disclose itself to the degree of safety it feels abounds. Feeling brash, open, and free from personal attack (an open Pericardium), it will disclose intimate details of its life regardless of whether it is appropriate or not in an attempt to seek connection. Even if publication of such things is through something as impersonal as a blog ;)