My first article in the "Calling the Quarters" series explored the element of Air. Moving around the circle clockwise, or deosil (in the Northern Hemisphere), the next element I call is Fire, in the South.
At noon, the Sun is as far south as it will go in the course of any given day. At noon, the Sun is also at its most intense heat. This seems as likely a reason as any to associate south with Fire. Living in the US Mid-Atlantic, all the nice warm tropical places are also to my south. I've been to a few tropical places, so it isn't difficult for me to conjure up the beautiful sandy beaches of Cozumel (in Mexico) or Rio de Janeiro (in Brazil) when I call the Element of Fire.
Fire is heat and passion. Fire is untamed. Fire can be gentle, as it is with the warming flames of the hearth... or it can be the uncontained destruction of a raging wildfire. Fire is an odd element, just because of the material properties of fire. (See http://www.straightdope.com/columns/0211... for some interesting fire facts.) The main color associated with this element is red, which shouldn't be a complete surprise.
When I call Fire energy into my circle, I call the Guardians of Fire. Some call the Guardians of the Watchtowers of Fire or South instead. These Guardians are the embodiments of the Elemental energy. Take a minute to think about Fire. What do you associate with the element? What form do you think a Guardian of Fire might take? This one is a bit trickier than other elements, as there are few creatures that I immediately associate with fire.
I envision a salamander when I call up the Guardians of Fire. She is curled upon herself in lazy eights, an orange curlicue that would easily find camouflage among tongues of lava. I picture something that is sort of a cross between a dragon and a gecko, no wings, but large, with slick-looking scales. There is actually an animal called a Fire Salamander. (http://www.livingunderworld.org/gallery/... for photos) Salamanders tend to be a traditional association with fire, though I'm not entirely sure why.
You may wonder why I have given my Guardian a gender. As I worked through the symbolism of the Elements and meditated to meet my four Guardians, I discovered that two of the elements feel masculine to me, while two feel feminine. You may or may not feel the need to incorporate this layer of symbolism as well. Although I do associate the altar tools with elements, the candle I associate with Fire doesn't have any overt female symbolism. Fire feels feminine to me because it has the power to create as well as destroy, and life is created through the female. Certain plants and seeds, like pinecones, can only fully sprout when touched by fire. (Fire will open the pinecone, releasing the seeds.)
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