From Fight-Flight to Intuition and Transformation
The past few days have felt surreal, as the LA fires blaze nearby, not just in the physical world but also within me. Being in the middle of this chaos feels like standing at the center of a cyclone—an experience vastly different from watching it unfold on the news. When you’re living it, the intensity is unrelenting: boiling water for safety, wearing a mask to filter ash falling from the sky, navigating false evacuation alarms, and not even being able to step outside for a simple walk. It’s a disruption that seeps into every part of your being, heightening the sense of fight-flight and making it difficult to connect with intuition.
Yet, as the flames swirl around me—both real and metaphorical—a fascinating synchronicity has emerged, revealing fire as not just a force of destruction but also a spiritual teacher.
Fire in All Its Forms: Physical, Spiritual, and Symbolic
Fire is relentless and demands attention. Physically, it burns and transforms. Spiritually, it purifies and catalyzes change. For me, this has shown up in three powerful ways:
1. The Literal Fire: The LA fires have brought the raw, destructive energy of fire into my daily life. There’s no escaping its impact—it alters the air I breathe, my daily routines, and my sense of security. Yet even in its chaos, fire holds lessons, forcing me to confront uncertainty and find resilience in the face of unpredictability.
2. The Violet Flame: To counter the external chaos, I’ve turned to the Violet Flame meditation, a practice of spiritual fire. Unlike the LA fires, the Violet Flame is gentle yet equally transformative, helping transmute negative energy into calm and clarity. It’s a reminder that not all fire is destructive; some forms of fire heal and elevate. I have been doing this Violet Flame meditation every day sometimes twice a day to ground me.
3. The Arrival of Hi’iaka: In the midst of this, I’ve felt the presence of Hi’iaka—whom I lovingly call Little Pele—the younger sister of the Hawaiian fire goddess Pele. Hi’iaka embodies a balance of fire and water, destruction and renewal. Her arrival feels like a guiding hand, offering a spiritual perspective on the transformative power of fire. She actually came to me the night before the LA fires. How odd is that?!
The Cyclone of Chaos and the Call to Center
Being at the center of a cyclone, surrounded by fire, ash, and disruption, shifts your perspective entirely. Unlike watching these events unfold on a screen, you’re living it moment by moment. It’s inescapable. The fight-flight response becomes your default, leaving little room for grounding or accessing intuition.
However, this chaos has also offered an unexpected opportunity: the chance to work with fire as a spiritual ally. Fire, in all its forms—whether it’s the flames outside my window, the Violet Flame meditation, or the energy of Little Pele—is impossible to ignore. It demands acknowledgment and presence, teaching me to navigate transformation with grace.
How to Tap into Intuition During Times of Chaos
1. Acknowledge the Cyclone: Chaos demands to be seen. Whether it’s boiling water, false alarms, or internal emotional storms, recognize the disruption as a call to pay attention. Fire, even in its harshest form, holds the power to teach and transform.
2. Embrace the Violet Flame: This meditation is a powerful tool for transmuting fear and anxiety. Visualize the Violet Flame burning away the chaos within and around you, leaving space for clarity and calm.
3. Work with Fire as a Teacher: Whether it’s the literal flames of transformation or a spiritual guide like Hi’iaka, open yourself to the lessons fire has to offer. Fire isn’t just here to consume; it’s here to clear the way for something new.
4. Balance with Water: Just as Hi’iaka bridges fire and water, we, too, can seek balance. Engage with water’s calming energy, whether through visualization, drinking water with intention, or immersing yourself in its soothing presence.
5. Find Moments of Connection: Even amidst chaos, look for ways to connect—to loved ones, guides, or even your own breath. Connection grounds us, reminding us that we are not alone in the storm.
Fire as a Portal to Transformation
Living through this has shown me that fire is not just destruction—it is also renewal. Whether through the external fires forcing me to re-evaluate my routines, the Violet Flame helping me shift my energy, or the guidance of Little Pele, fire is teaching me to embrace transformation. It’s asking me to step into the discomfort, trust the process, and let go of what no longer serves, so that I can rise renewed.
If you’re facing your own cyclone—whether it’s external chaos or internal storms—remember: fire clears the way for new beginnings. Embrace the lessons, trust in the process, and let the flames guide you to your own renewal. Even in the heart of the storm, there is clarity waiting to be found.
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