Five of Fire
The Five of Fire energies prompt: Anger is sacred. Burn through the slumber of helplessness and complacency. Resist! Feminine rage is a force that will change the world.
Five of Fire: Wands
The Five of Fire energies manifest in Black Cohosh.
Black Cohosh
Honor the fire that rises up within. Neither deny your anger nor let it rule you. Discern whether your rage is righteous or if it is rooted in fear and insecurity. Though the survival of black cohosh is threatened by loss of habitat, it remains and important medicinal.
The tincture supports the female reproductive system, alleviating pain and releasing stuck fluids from the body. Black Cohosh reaches us to harness the power of our own creative source.
As the tall flower bends easily in the wind, cultivate a strong flexible backbone. The folk name, snakeroot, signifies transformation. Rattle like a snake and shed your skin.
Qualities
| Positive | Negative |
| peaceful resolution moving on compromise communication ending conflict | defeat surrender change walking away self-sacrifice self-sabotaging behavior underhanded behavior deception bullying intimidation abuse violence crime rape murder assault |
Crafting With the Five of Fire
The five energies feature plants that are listed as threatened or endangered with United Plant Savers, an organization whose mission is to protect the native medicinal plants of North America. The plants of the Fives have been affected by climate change, over harvesting, deforestation, development and disease. They require specific conditions for growth and are difficult to cultivate. They are among some of our most potent healing plants. Their loss would be devastating.
The Challenge the herbcrafter faces in the second mini-drama comes from the larger world beyond herself. She has created sanctuary with the Fours in her own garden, but she sees the threats from the outside world to these beloved botanicals. The herbs of the Fives specifically confront humanity’s relationship with nature. The herbcrafter becomes aware of how the choices of the dominant culture influence the ecosystem. She will be charged with standing up for what is right. The fives spark action that leads to community and conservation.
Craft
- Channel anger into activism, support United Plant Savers’ efforts to preserve this planet.
- Use black cohosh tincture to harness the power of your changing energy shifts
- Craft a rattle of power with black cohosh seeds.
Mini Meditation
Meditation
Get into a relaxing position and close your eyes, make sure you are a comfortable temperature and not likely to be interrupted.
- Take three deep breaths
- Feel your tension melting away.
Imagine yourself doing one of the crafts mentioned above. Use your imagination. Make it as elaborate or as simple as you like. Have whomever you would like to be there come and share the time with you.
Imagine what it would look and feel like, as if it were really happening. Use your five senses and imagine all the sensory details as though you are really there.
Be creative and indulge in this moment.
Spend as long as you like in this visualization and feel the benefits of crafting with nature. Think about your meditation as often as you like as you go through your day. If possible, create it in reality.
The Herbcrafter
Herbcrafter
An herbcrafter is an afficianada of the botanical realm. She is in love with plants and longs to know them more deeply.
Her approach is driven by a playful, wild spirit.
The herbcrafter embraces the plant world as her teacher and friend through observation and botany, gardening and wildcrafting, medicine and kitchen craft, fiber arts and weaving, art and magic.
She recognizes herself as part of nature. She seeks reciprocity in all things. Through the relationship with the botanical world, she learns how plants and people can be of service to one another.
If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.
Margaret Thatcher