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Summer Ember Days

The Ember Days of Summer fall on June 8th, 10th, and 11th this year.

If you aren't familiar with Ember Days or don't remember the details, refer back to my post on the topic back during the Winter Embertide.

Summer Ember Days: The Element of Fire

In Esoteric thought-- and in the ordinary way of thinking, for people on earlier eras-- the Springtime is linked to the element of Fire. Fire is understood as heat and dryness. Fire also has the following associations:

Among times, Noon; youth in a lifetime; the will in man; the Sun, heat, and energy in nature; among herbs, all those hot and dry by temperament; among animals, mammals and all those that dwell on the land, and all animals that live in hot countries, or in the fire; among professions, those related to Fire, from firefighters to cooks, and all those who do violence, such as soldiers and police officers, and those who have power or attention and whose work involves the exercise of power; in society, it is the leadership, the government, and the political system, and also the religious hierarchy;; among planets, it is Mars, though the Sun has a part in Fire as well; among numbers, the monad; among solids, the tetrahedron.

Every element is ruled by an archangel. It's worth taking a moment to consider the meaning of the word "angel." The word means "messenger." Augustine tells us that "angels" is their title; their nature is spirit. In the Christian tradition, mainstream as well as esoteric, they are given the government of the physical world and human society. At the same times, they are called "messengers." This is a bit of a paradox-- you wouldn't give the president of a country the title of "chief mailman." So what is going on here?

The resolution of the paradox is this: The angels govern the elements of the material world and the universe as a whole as an expression of the divine will. In earlier times, it was said that the whole of Nature was one of two books written by the Holy Ghost; as such, all of creation is a kind of message from God. And the angels that govern creation are the message-bearers.

The Ember Fast

This week, extend whatever fasting commitment you've made to Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. In addition, make at least one additional effort towards lightening your impact on the Earth. You might make an effort to reduce your own contribution to air pollution. As Air rules the system of economic exchange in society, you might keep a closer watch on your spending this week, and try to support local businesses and those which follow sound environmental practices. On at least one of these days, spend some additional time in Nature. Allow yourself to be aware of the Air element as it manifests in the wind and the atmosphere and in everything that is in motion, as well as those creatures that are specifically governed by it. You might also consider donating to an Air-oriented charity, such as an organization dedicated to helping children learn to read or speak, or any organization dedicated to bird conservation.

Prayer and Meditation

At least once, and preferably during all three days, practice a meditation like the following:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

2. Say the Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, and Glory Be.

2. Perform the asperges with holy water and the censing with incense, using the prayers previously given. In a pinch, you can use ordinary water into which a little bit of salt has been added. Before using it, make the sign of the cross over it and ask God for his blessing.

3. Pray the prayer of the Holy Spirit:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation,
through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

4. Kneeling or seated, take a few moments to relax your body and clear your mind with rhythmic breathing. Then call to mind the Fire element and the Summer season, and everything pertaining to them. Offer a prayer, such as the following:

Oh God, I thank thee for all the gifts of the element of Fire. For power and energy, the long days and the heat of the Sun, and all the gifts of the fire and the divine world. And I pray that thou wilt send thy holy archangel Michael, who governs the element of Fire, to be with us at this time. Holy Saint Michael, archangel who governs the element of Fire, grant that the gifts and virtues of Air, justice and self-mastery, integrity and order, may be manifest in our lives. And grant, too, that the unbalanced manifestations of Fire, including wrath and violence and impulsivity, may be kept far from us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

5. Take a moment to visualize the gifts and virtues of Air manifesting in your life. Then close your meditation with more rhythmic breathing.

6. If you like, you can repeat the asperges and the censing.

7. Close with a suitable prayer or prayers, followed by the sign of the cross. The Fatima Prayer is a good option:

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

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