The celebration of Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is a day of ultimate Yang. This is the day when the excitement of Yang enlivening energy is exuberant and effulgent. The Yang energy can be a catalyst in illuminating anything we’ve hidden from ourselves in order to get through darker days. The traits of Fire manifest in the following relationships according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):
According to the Five Element Theory, the Water Element is the Grandparent and the Controller of Fire. The Controlling Cycle represents a set of relationships which balance the elements by making sure no element becomes too powerful in relationship to the whole. This means each element is in charge of keeping another element “in check” by acting as its grandparent in the cycle. This is often said to be akin to the “tough love” of an elder figure who can establish caring and clear boundaries with the grandchild.
Water is the Grandparent of Fire. Water is tasked with moderating the outburst of childlike Fire energy when it becomes unbalanced to a degree of destruction or danger. Taking care to moderate and moisten ourselves at the height of Midsummer Fire season invites us to engender the flame of transformation in the heat of moments when we may otherwise overreact in chaos.
An offering of rosewater to the Earth is a humble way to begin bestowing gratitude and setting intention.
