This past Full Moon in Aries, the Harvest Moon, I performed a ritual that left me deeply moved and inspired. It was one of those experiences where the universe speaks directly through symbols, fire, and the energy of your own body. I want to share it because I feel the messages are relevant not just to me, but to anyone navigating cycles of creativity, manifestation, and personal transformation.
I created a sacred space in a quiet, spacious room. I made a circle with twelve tea-light candles — six yellow and six purple — on the floor, and placed my altar inside it. On the altar were:
My handmade moon candle, red inside, representing the heart of the ritual
Orange and yellow candles for courage, drive, and joy
Bougainvillea and passionflower, symbolic allies of resilience and grace
A ceramic chalice filled with water
My eco-notebook for intention burning
Incense — frankincense, dragon’s blood, and myrrh — to open, empower, and ground the ritual
I had written an intention on a slip of paper with my menstrual blood and prepared to release it into the flame using a metal-safe burner.
When I lit the intention the first time, the flame almost disappeared immediately. But beneath the surface, a slow, smoky fire burned steadily for over twenty minutes. The ash floated and moved when I gently blew on it. As I gazed, a clear message emerged from my unconscious: “fire under water.”
At that moment, I realized the profound symbolism:
Fire = willpower, drive, creative energy
Water = emotion, intuition, the subconscious
Fire under water is your inner power operating quietly beneath the currents of emotion. It’s persistent, transformative, and patient. The smoke and ash represent energy being purified, refined, and released — a slow internal alchemy that prepares your intention to emerge fully. Even if the flame isn’t visible, the energy is potent and real.
Later, when I lit the second piece of paper, a bright, dancing flame appeared above it. This fire moved with me as I danced, almost alive, playful, and joyful. At the same time, my unconscious gave me a second phrase: “fire above water.”
This second fire symbolizes manifestation and outward expression. After the internal work has been done, the energy rises to flow freely — joyful, expressive, aligned with your emotions, and visible to the world. It’s where your internal alchemy meets external action, and where the joy of creation becomes tangible.
This ritual reflected my own energetic design in a remarkable way:
Astrologically, I’m around 60% fire — naturally courageous, passionate, and driven
In Human Design, my Solar Plexus is undefined — meaning my emotions amplify and absorb from my environment
My motivation is Innocence, which brings a playful, open, and curious energy
The ritual perfectly mirrored these traits: the first fire was deep, transformative, patient, and hidden — working quietly with emotional currents. The second fire was playful, responsive, and alive, reflecting the Innocence motivation and fire-dominant energy in my chart.
Patience is power. Internal transformation often happens quietly beneath the surface. What’s unseen doesn’t mean it’s inactive.
Manifestation is playful. Once the internal work is complete, your will and intentions can rise above emotions, expressing themselves joyfully and creatively.
Trust your cycles. Both the menstrual and lunar cycles were integral to this ritual. They showed how timing, energy, and alignment guide manifestation naturally.
Your energy is your oracle. You don’t always need cards or external tools — your own body, mind, and fire can deliver profound insights if you listen deeply.
The two fires — one under water, one above — captured the alchemy of creation itself: internal work + external manifestation. Sometimes your will burns quietly beneath emotional currents. And when the time is right, it rises to dance freely in the world.
For anyone feeling impatient, blocked, or unsure of their next steps: look at where your fire is under water. Trust it. Nourish it. And when it rises, let it play.
Questions for Reflection:
Where in your life is your fire currently under water?
Where is it ready to rise above and express itself fully?
How can you align your will with your emotional and intuitive currents for manifestation?