The Opposite Energies Of Water And Fire
Water and fire represent two opposite directions of energy in this world. Water flows from above to below. As the water flows to the deepest recesses, it is absorbed into the earth, replenishes and returns balance to all existence.
However, fire expresses the opposite energy: the nature of fire is to rise up from below. Fire flows, in a manner of speaking, upwards.
Philosophers of the past claimed that fire came from the sun, and therefore, would always seek to return to its source. As every element in nature strives to return to its source, fire would always be compelled to rise.
While water nurtures and makes fertile - fire burns and consumes. When water is given to a tree, it grows and flourishes. Fire not only takes its life, it reduces the tree's reality. A tree on fire transforms into a small pile of ash.
And so, wise men of the past recognized water and fire as symbols representing the two opposite flows of energy in the universe. In the language of Kabalah this is referred to as 'right line' and 'left line.' The right line is the expanding line represented by water, and causes all reality to broaden and grow. The left line is the line of fire, the diminishing line.
Left And Right Lines Working Together
Obviously, both of these lines are important and necessary for a complete and correct energy flow in the system. In a healthy state both the lines are open, and energy can flow down in a relaxed manner from the right line, and up freely from the left line and back again.
It is the activity of both these lines that is, for example, responsible for the cycle of water in nature. Water flows down with the rain and the rivers; if not for the actions of the fiery sun, our world would be afloat in water. The fire heats up the water, steaming it, and returning it to the atmosphere as a state of gas.
In our inner world both these powers are at play. We have water and fire in our souls. The water is abundant grace, the will to live, to give and nurture. And the need to transcend the material reality comes from the power of fire.
Fire Of Judgement
The power of fire in our souls is expressed, for example, with the power of judgement. If I were to write a mediocre stage play, the friends that love me are likely to encourage me to continue to write, because it's wonderful that I write plays; and so because of their intention to support my new direction in life, they are likely to ignore the fact that the play is mediocre.
The loving and compassionate power of water in our souls will compel them to water the new sprout, and it is very important to do so because without water, which is to say - without an abundance of love and support - the young sprout will fade as quickly as it appeared.
But there will also be friends that will tell me, out of their love for me, that it's nice that I write plays, but with all do respect - what I wrote is unworthy of publication. This kind of criticism burns like fire. It's likely to burn my play to ashes. I would probably actually set the manuscript to flame!
But if this fire is in the right proportion, than it will not harm my play writing, on the contrary it will benefit it. The fire of criticism will help raise me to a higher level. It will burn but send me a clear message - you must transcend! Fire, as has been stated, is drawn upwards. It will consume the play at its present stage, in order to raise my writing to a higher level of existence.
Fire of Enthusiasm
In addition, this fire can keep me alert. Like the oxygen heating our blood, as a delicate inner furnace; fire has the power to heat us from within. Excitement, enthusiasm, being turned on, any situation in which I'm 'hot' about something - all of these come from the inner fire.
We all know people that are missing a little fire; they lack excitement, or some kind of 'pepper.' They lack a sparkle in the eye because the power of fire within them is latent, or otherwise not working correctly. When fire is working incorrectly, it can be expressed in non-beneficial areas, as for example, anger and frustration.
When a person lives a full and exciting life, he often doesn't have the time or energy to waist on unnecessary anger. Even when things happen that are frustrating, they can be handled with inner strength.
Fire of War
The fire of war often breaks out in places where people are missing enthusiasm for life and creativity within them. Every time we find ourselves fighting a battle, be it with a person or with another nation - it is our responsibility to thoroughly examine if we have not become addicted to the state of war because with its help, something is lit inside us, because, otherwise our lives seem gray, boring, lacking excitement.
We can ask ourselves: Is there enough creativity and joy in our lives to give up on separation and conflict? Is the fire burning in our lives capable of turning reality around - from the fire of war to the fire of the creative collective?
Conclusion
It is possible to go much farther in depth regarding the subject of fire. This is only an introduction to becoming acquainted with the inner power of fire. I will conclude by saying, a person with too much fire in him, even if he is a creative person is likely to burn himself.
There are artists that burn in the fire of their own excitement. There are creative people who's inner fire compels them to work constantly, their eyes become red (from the power of fire,) and if they continue to work too much, they are likely to burn up or dry out.
In order to become balanced I believe they must give them selves the gift of water - with love that is soft and sweet, with pleasure, with something gentle and relaxing, that can replenish the soul when it becomes too dry from an excess of fire and excitement.
It is important to remember that fire always causes transformation. Fire is a concentrated energy causing change essential to existence. For the alchemists, transformation was symbolized by fire. The fire of creativity can change lead into gold - in the symbolic and metaphorical sense.