About a month ago, I blogged about the element of Wood and its association to the season of spring. Wood exemplifies the energy of growth, setting goals and forging ahead through whatever barrier that stands between us and our dreams. Well…we have made it through the Wood season and are now in the season of the Fire element.

The Fire element is associated with summer and has a connection to the heart. This element is all about joy, being together and enjoying the fruits of our labor. The Fire element expresses itself as joy and manifests within us as love, laughter and enthusiasm. During summer, the season of maximum expansion, we can become aware of ourselves at our fullest. Summer holds the power of maturity; in summer, the buds of spring mature into full flowers and are able to share their pollen to make more flowers. This is the same with us; only in the fullness of maturity do we have the inner abundance and self-sufficiency to truly share with others. When Fire is balanced within us, we are able to give and receive warmth and delight in the company of others. But, when our Fire is low, we feel the lack of something to share- joy or compassion. We may experience anxiety and/or fear. At the other extreme, too much Fire can manifest as mania, that feeling of always being “on” and never able to relax and settle down.

In summer, the energy of Fire supports you in enriching your enjoyment in life, your relationships, and being receptive to others. Here are some ways to tend to your inner Fire:

• Have fun on a regular basis. Consider fun as important to your well-being as work or anything else you do.
• Give yourself to others- really listen.
• Live your passion…if you don’t know what it is, don’t stop looking. When you find it- dive in!
• Stay active. Keep your body moving- dance, run, play.