Fire has always been one of humankind's most powerful metaphors. Over thousands of years fire has provided people with the comforts of heat, cooking, and protection. It also has posed danger and harm in its ability to destroy what people have built, and even burn down the forests in which many people of the Pacific Northwest live. Third, it serves as a symbol of cleansing by fire--helping to clear away underbrush so that the great ponderosa pines and Douglas firs can thrive. Fourth, it is a spiritual symbol which incorporates all three of these other meanings. Let me illustrate.
I understand that our Creator made all people from one person, Adam. Every culture's "fire", or ways of living, grew from the Flame of their first Father... made in God's image, noble and blessed (Genesis 1:26-28). To be human is good. Every tribe, every ethnic "race" is distantly related and bound together, like the many feathers of a raven's wing. We have a common ancestry. We have much to be thankful for, and can learn to value each other's cultural differences as well as similarities.
Next time I will write about the second symbolism of Fire in native and non-native cultures, that of destruction. I will continue after that to describe the third Fire as it relates to forgiveness and cultural transformation and revival.
Brian
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