Fire + Water: Strategies for Working with Overwhelming Energies

It’s October and while we typically think of this time of year as the end of Hurricane season, we just had a major category 4 storm in Florida.This time also marks the ending of summer and the beginning of autumn, the transition from the season of fire to the season of water.

When the image of fire meeting water first became clear to me, it felt so empowering. This season has the opportunity to teach us to work with powerful and transformative energy. We don’t need to fear it or be a victim of it, but instead we can learn to understand it.

Transitioning

Fire and water create a transformative and cleansing energy, powerful in its ability to clear out whatever is not in alignment. Hurricanes provide countless (horrifically) clear images and examples of this energy. Whatever gets in the way of rushing waters or powerful winds (especially those things that are not properly secured) gets swept away.

Think for a minute about the energy created around this time of year. Right now is an amazing time for you to work with it to create positive change in your life!

Consider these questions:

Are there things in your life, your work or your community that need a major overhaul?
Are there things that just need cleaning up?

Allow the energy of the seasonal transition from fire to water to support you in letting go of what isn’t serving you: the things, people or experiences that aren’t aligned with your highest vision of your life.

Times of transitions are powerful periods when things aren’t fully moving in one direction. In the seasonal example here, we still have the lingering heat of summer reflected in the hot ocean waters and yet the air is cooling off and the days are getting shorter indicating that fall will soon be in full force.

This time allows us to quickly realign our energy and intentions with what we truly want so that we are ready to fully embrace (or fully take advantage) what comes next. We are ready to ride the next big wave of energy (of life) with confidence and clarity.

This summer was especially hot in most parts of the U.S., and there has been a tremendous amount of disruption in society. Looking through that lens, consider what is working and what isn’t working in your life.

Examining the things in your life, relationships, experiences, activities, things, beliefs, goals, and ask yourself:

Are these things life-enhancing? If the answer is no, then it’s time to let go and realign.
How much life force, energy, vibrancy are these things adding to your life? Enough to keep them?
Are these things taking ALL your energy to keep them alive and going? (i.e. Are these things taking WAY more energy than they are giving?) If so, it’s time to let it go and realign.

Securing

Consider the things in your life that need to be secured or protected. Powerful cleaning energy, like a hurricane, can kill and destroy things that aren’t well developed or established.

This often looks like new things: new relationships, new ideas, new ventures, new habits. Or maybe it is something that you are intentionally growing, some aspect of your work or life that you love and want to expand.

Securing these things that you want to protect and nurture through the storm takes effort to do so. Put the necessary boundaries in place to make sure your new things get the nurturing required to grow and thrive even during times of stress and upheaval.

Are there things in your life that you value, treasure or appreciate, but aren’t solidified or secured in your life?
Are there things that are at risk of being carried away in the hurricane?

If so, it’s time to do what needs to be done to fully and solidly keep those things in place.

This is a major point of reflection that can help you live an intentional and vibrant life. There are so many things we take for granted, or we don’t give much consideration. During intense times, we may be at risk of losing those things all together.

Harvesting

Now think about the things that are currently in full bloom in your life, things that need to be harvested.

It’s time to celebrate the success of those things because they won’t survive the change in seasons or the turbulent environment ahead. The time is NOW to celebrate the harvest and then let go!

**Bonus: Check out my piece about how to handle overwhelming energies at work here!