Earth + Fire: A Mystic's Guide to the Edge of Two Elements
Channeling power and potential at the intersection of Earth + Fire through The Edge Oracle
Context: The Edge Oracle
The Edge Oracle is a collection of original symbols, each representing a specific ‘edge’ or in-between place. The intention of The Edge Oracle is to provide tools and frameworks that integrate the wisdom and power held by the (often overlooked) liminal spaces of our world, into our everyday lives.
The first set of symbols within The Edge Oracle represents the 6 Edges that connect the 4 traditional Elements of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. For more background, check out my Introduction to The Edge Oracle post.
Symbol of Earth + Fire: Bonfire
The ritual of bonfire building is often inspired by a particular purpose or occasion, and involves collecting Earth that is offered to Fire. The bonfire must be both fed and protected, so that it neither starves, nor spreads beyond its limits. It is important to consider what sort of materials we feed to the flames — as they will return to us through the smoke that we breathe and the ashes we leave. Around the bonfire’s blaze, we gather to share and commune. The dancing flames inspire us to dance along with them. The flickering embers entrance us, drawing out what burns within our own hearts. The power of the bonfire is immediate and intense — every inch nearer or farther from the flame creates a notable shift in the amount of heat and light we experience. Engaging all of our physical senses, the bonfire snaps us into the present moment while also reminding us of the timeless and eternal nature of the flame.
Overview: Triangulating the Edge of Earth + Fire
In this post, I approach The Earth + Fire Edge as a source of power and possibility by exploring three topics:
1) Examples of the Earth + Fire Edge in culture and ecology
2) Qualities that emerge at the Earth + Fire Edge across the range of Examples
3) Prompts to connect the Edge of Earth + Fire to your personal life
This framework — Edge Triangulation — is designed to provide ways to access, understand, and reflect the wisdom of any Edge. This is a foundational aspect of The Edge Oracle, and subscribers to DEEPER will receive first access to future posts where I’ll be sharing more tools and methods like this for engaging with wisdom from the Edges.
Accessing the Edge: Examples of Earth + Fire
Below, I’ve collaged and listed some of my favorite Examples of the Earth + Fire Edge in nature and culture. I chose these Examples because (to me) they represent a diverse and inspiring range of how the Edge of Earth + Fire can manifest in physical and conceptual forms. As you view/read them, I encourage you to notice which ones spark the most curiosity or interest for you, and to take note of any Examples that come to mind which are not on this list.
Collage Examples of Earth + Fire Edge: Blacksmithing; Storytelling (Spoken; Written; Visual; etc.); Dancefloor; Smoking (Tobacco; Marijuana; etc.); Barbecue; Electronic devices; Internet; Wildfire
Additional Examples of Earth + Fire Edge: Bonfires; Fireplace & Hearth; Batteries; Volcanos; Smoke; Candles & Incense; Matches; Charcoal; Ashes; Cars; Welding; Safety & emergency plans
Understanding the Edge: Qualities of Earth + Fire
Reflecting on these Examples of where the Elements of Fire and Earth meet in our world, we may start to notice some recurring conceptual Qualities that exist at this Edge. Based on my own observation, research, and reflection, here are three key Qualities that emerge consistently at the Edge of Earth + Fire. I’d also encourage you to personally engage with the Examples of this Edge that resonate strongest with you, and see what other Qualities might emerge from them.
1) Intention
The Edge of Fire + Earth actively consumes and transforms a finite amount of limited resources. Through Intention, we seek to direct and channel this transformative energy toward potentials that can support us. Without a clear Intention, the Edge of Fire + Earth can be wasteful or even destructive. This Edge also has captivating and hypnotic qualities, which can carry us into new states of mind — ranging from enlightenment and revelation, to distraction and lack of focus. Intention helps in both leading and limiting how we collaborate with this Edge to arrive at different states of being.
2) Sacrifice
Sacrifice asks us to relinquish something of value as a means to serve something greater. It is an expansive Quality, and one that is often met with a lot of resistance. To reach for something aspirational, we must often release what is familiar or comfortable. There is always a valid excuse to not make the Sacrifice — but the power is in choosing to do so anyway for the sake of a new vision, even though it will often lead us into unknown territory. The Sacrifices we make (or choose not to make) will actively reshape the patterns and cycles of our lives by either strengthening, breaking, or transforming them.
3) Control
It is often believed that the more Control we have over our lives, the more empowered and secure we will be. However, life always reminds us that complete Control is an illusion that is neither possible nor desirable. Control is not mastered by how much of it we can attain — rather, it is served through the ability to discern exactly where and when to seek or release Control. When considered in this way, our relationship to Control might begin by bringing us back to the most immediate areas where we have agency (such as our breath and our body). Through sensitivity and attention to detail, we can begin to move outward from here, noticing where else we seek Control and why. Increasing our awareness (and then our practice) of how we relate to Control will teach us to dance through life’s ever-shifting currents with more ease and alignment.
Other Qualities at the Edge of Earth + Fire:
Community; Collaboration; Concentration; Direction; Dedication; Discernment; Attention to detail; Protection; Limitation; Allocation; Destruction; Creation; Transformation; Release; Cleansing; Hypnosis; Trance state; Distraction; Desire; Hunger; Consumption
Reflecting the Edge: Prompts for Personal Connection to Earth + Fire
After reviewing the Examples of this Edge and some of their overarching Qualities, you may already be sensing some ways that the Edge of Earth + Fire is reflected in your own life. To help us further access the power of this Edge, here are some Prompts to identify and strengthen your personal connection with the Edge of Earth + Fire.
When you see [Quality] and [Example] — insert any of the aforementioned Edge Qualities / Examples that most interest you. I recommend using a journal to write, reflect, and see where it leads.
Edge “Example” Prompts:
What do I find beautiful, admirable, or unique about [Example]?
What don’t I understand about [Example]? Through research or having a direct experience with [Example], what becomes revealed to me?
After noticing what inspires and/or intrigues me about [Example] from the previous two questions — what do these attributes of [Example] reflect back to me about myself, my desires, or my current situation?
Edge “Quality” Prompts:
Where does [Quality] feel most present or most absent in my life right now? How do I feel about that, and what can I learn about myself or my situation based on the presence or absence of [Quality]?
What are my biggest priorities right now? For each of those priorities, what is my relationship to / the role of [Quality]? How could I try shifting my relationship to [Quality] as a way to better support this priority?
What are some things I have learned about [Quality] through personal experience and/or from observing it elsewhere? How might I apply these learnings to support me now?
Closing Thoughts & What’s Next:
Through The Edge Oracle, my intention is to create more awareness, understanding, and collaboration with the possibility and power that exists at the Edges of our world. Through DEEPER, I will continue to expand upon this with upcoming posts about:
-Each of the 5 other Elemental Edges, and their unique Examples & Qualities
-How to work with the Edges in a Question/Answer format (and combine it with other practices like Tarot & Astrology)
-The Edge Temple: How the 4 Elements and 6 Edges work together
…. and lots more!
Thanks for being here. With love,
Dante Deeper