Tarot and the Four Elements: Fire

Just like Air, Fire is a masculine (yang) element; it is vital, energetic and vigorous.

Fire energy is difficult to control, and it can easily destroy everything in its path. Yet when contained, the energy can provide light, warmth, comfort and used to prepare food.

When our ancestors learned how to use fire, it transformed their lives.

In religions, fire is regarded as a great purifier, cleansing sacred space. It is also a symbol of the soul, a metaphor for spirit.

Fire cannot exist without fuel to consume including oxygen. In order to put it out, it needs to be dowsed with water or the air supply needs to be cut off with soil or a wet blanket.

Fire energy is the hot, devouring power of the most intense emotions: anger, lust, love.

Just like a real fire, people with a “fiery” temperament need the element Water in the form of feelings and emotions to calm down and find balance as well as the Element Earth for grounding and stability.

Positive: creativity, enterprise, drive, enthusiasm, passion, determination.

Negative: restlessness, wilfulness, pride, reckless behaviour.

Tarot Cards

Major Arcana: The Emperor, Strength, Temperance, The Tower, The Sun, Judgement

Minor Arcana: The Suit of Wands; Kings

In the Tarot, the element Fire represents growth, inspiration, energy, creativity, self-development and passion. 

Fire refers to career, work, enterprise and ambition.

Fire Correspondences
Astrological signs	Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Atmosphere	Hot and dry
Direction	South
Moon	Full
Season	Summer (Spring in Tarot)
Time	Noon
Animals	Komodo dragon, fire-breathing dragons,  desert-dwelling animals, lion, horses (when their hooves strike sparks), salamander
Chakra	Heart
Colour	Red, orange, gold, crimson, white (the sun’s noon light)
Plants	Sunflowers, basil, fennel, onion, garlic, hibiscus, mustard, nettle, red peppers, red poppies, chillies
Places	Deserts, volcanoes, hearth, bonfire
Jungian Function	Intuition
Stones/Gems/Crystals	Amber, ruby, carnelian, garnet, lava, Bloodstone, Tiger’s Eye, topaz
Spirit	The joyful, exuberant Salamander
Tools	Censer, wand, candle
Tree	Almond in flower

How to get in Touch with the Fire Element

1. If you have a fireplace, kindle a fire in the comfort of your home, or make a fire safely outside. 

If this is not possible, light a candle instead and watch the flames; observe its movements, change of shape and strength. 

Watch it flicker and flare up, when you add more fuel or the flame is affected by a draught or wind. 

If you burn a fire in a fireplace, experiment with burning different fuels: coal, wood, paper, some twigs and leaves from the garden. 

If you burn a candle, add some essential oils, but keep the candle safely on a fireproof surface. Notice the different colours of the flames; orange, yellow, white, blue, sometimes green. 

What sort of emotions does the fire or the burning candle invoke in you? Energy, passion, anger or a feeling of warmth and cosiness?

2. On a sunny day, take some time to sit outside and enjoy sunbathing. Sunlight is relaxing, and after a while, you can feel your skin slowly warming up. Just be sure not to get burned!

After a long winter, sunshine is invigorating and enhances our sense of well-being. The heat of the sun gives summer life an “easy” feel, but tempers and passions can also flare up quickly.

Notice the impact sunbathing has on you: do you feel relaxed, enlivened, cheerful, or irritated and unnerved? This may depend on how long you are exposed to the sun 😃

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