G is for Great Balls of Fire

I'm not talking about the song, though it is a toe tapper.  And I admit, it's possible that I'm cheating the system just a bit here using 'G' to talk about fire.  But hey, it's my blog and I'll do what I want to.

Fire is ....

The fun in the center of the beach party.  The method of cooking and staying warm outdoors.  The sight, smell, and feel of so many memories when it's cold outside, "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care....".  It holds primal importance in the human subconscious mind instinctively and symbolically.

What I'm really talking about though, is the ethereal flame of Spirit that burns away impurities, inspires, guides and protects.  Like tempering a sword, the human Spirit could be said to be alternately placed in the fires and the waters in the process of perfecting it.  Here are four of my favorite expressions of the Sacred Fire.

From the bible is the story of the Pentecost:

Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13)

1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.

I love the idea of the Holy Spirit as flame.  I've often experienced heat when praying, meditating, or in other Spiritual workings.  One of the most effective meditations I use involves building a flame in the heart through breath.  

From the realm of music, a song by one of my favorite bands, Live, "Meltdown":

From the realm of movies, a scene with  my Magickal hero: 

Each example expresses an aspect of this Divine Fire of which I speak.  It's transforming, protective uplifting, frightening, destructive, restorative, insightful ,life altering.

One more thought which is born from Gandalf falling into darkness.  Every Spiritual Path requires sacrifice.  Every goal accomplished requires sacrifice.  We get nothing worth anything without an equal exchange; we get out what we put in.  

Goodness gracious, Great Balls of Fire!

Think about it.