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Fire is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. Fire is considered to be both hot and dry. In the Hermetic and Wiccan traditions, it is associated with the South, Summer, and the color red on the physical plane. It is sometimes represented by a red upwards triangle, the athame, blood, candles, the guitar, rubies, and incense. many witches use a red candle on their altars to represent the element of Fire. It is normally represented in the southern part of the ritual circle. Fire represents energy, inspiration, passion, and masculinity. In rituals, Fire is represented in the forms of burning objects, love spells, baking, and lighting candles and fires.  The manifestations of the Element of Fire are the sun, lightning, fires, volcanoes and lava, and all forms of light. Cats of all types, especially the lion and tiger, are also thought to personify the element of Fire, as are all predatory creatures, such as the fox. Also the ram is a symbol of fire. Astral creatures of Fire (elementals) are the salamander, phoenix, drake/dragon and, sometimes, the falcon. (Although most associate this with Air). Fire's place on the pentagram is the lower right point. Fire is represented by the Greeks as an apple-bough and in Christian iconography by a lion. Fire belongs to the Tarot suit of Wands. Occasionally, the chemical element of Sulphur is associated with Fire.
Prayer of the Salamanders Immortal, Eternal, Ineffable and Uncreated Father of All, borne upon the Chariot of Worlds, which ever roll in ceaseless motion; Ruler over the Ethereal Vastness, where the Throne of Thy Power is upraised, from the summit of which Thine eyes behold all, and Thy pure and Holy ears hear all, hear Thou Thy children, whom thou hast loved since before the Ages began. Thy Majesty Golden, Vast and Eternal, shineth above the Heaven of Stars! Above them art Thou exalted, O Thou Flashing Fire! There Thou illuminateth all things with Thine insupportable Glory, whence flow the ceaseless streams of splendor which nourish Thine Infinite Spirit. This Infinite Spirit nourisheth all, and maketh that inexhaustable treasure of generation which ever encompasseth Thee, replete with the numberless forms wherewith Thou hast filled it from the beginning. From this Spirit arise those most Holy Kings, who surround thy Throne and who compose Thy court. O Universal Father! One and Alone! Father alike of Immortals and of Mortals! Thou hast created Powers marvellously like unto Thy thought Eternal and unto Thy venerable Essence. Thou hast established them above the Angels who announce Thy Will to the World. Lastly, thou hast created us third in rank within our Elemental Empire! There our continual exercise is to praise and to adore Thy desires! There we ceaselessly burn with Eternal Aspiration unto Thee! O Father! O Mother of Mothers, O Archetype Eternal of Maternity and of Love! O Son, the flower of all Sons! O form of all forms, Soul, Spirit, Harmony and Numeral of all Things! Amen. |
