The Alchemy of Fire, Flow and Shadow
I feel the weight of my intention settling in my body. My altar holds everything I need—elements that ground me in this moment. For Kali, a red candle that pulls my attention with its boldness. For Oshun, a golden bowl of honey and marigold petals bring softness to the space. For Hecate, a key that presses cool against my skin and a mirror that reflects exactly what I bring into this work. These offerings are mine, and they carry my energy.
I place one hand on my stomach and the other on my lower belly. My breath feels shallow at first, tight around the places that have been holding so much. I remind myself to slow down. I close my eyes and exhale fully, letting the air carry out the tension building inside me.
“I’m ready for this,” I whisper, barely audible, but I feel the truth of it. My hands press more firmly against my body. I feel the warmth there, the parts of me that need my attention, my care.
“Kali,” I say, my voice steady now. “I’m calling on you. I need your fire. Help me burn through the things I don’t need to carry anymore. Help me break free.” I strike the match and hold it to the red candle, watching the flame rise and flicker.
I focus on the heat, the way it grows strong and steady. My body starts to respond. My feet press into the ground, and I stomp, feeling the weight leave my legs with each motion. My hands clench into fists, punching through the air, releasing whatever feels stuck in my chest and arms. I let out a low, guttural sound—something primal and unfiltered. It feels like a release.
“Kali Ma,” I say, louder this time. My breath comes faster, my movements are more deliberate. “Burn through my fears. Burn through my resistance. Leave me with strength.” I keep moving until I feel the fire settle in my belly. I breathe deeply, holding onto the heat that still lingers there.
I lower my hand to my sacral area and let my focus shift to Oshun. I light her golden candle, the flame steady and calm. “Oshun,” I say, softening my tone. “I call on your sweetness, your flow, your abundance. Help me soften. Help me let this energy move.” I pick up the honey and let it drip onto my finger. I press it to my lips, savoring its warmth and richness. The taste spreads through me, and I feel something inside me loosen.
I start to move my hips, slow and deliberate. The motion feels like a release, like water rolling through me. I imagine golden streams flowing through my sacral chakra, washing away the tightness, the numbness. “Oshun,” I say, my voice low. “Help me honor my emotions. Help me honor my desires. Help me feel that they are sacred.”
My hands glide over my body, slow and intentional, tracing the parts of me that crave connection and care. I sway with the rhythm of my breath, letting the motion remind me of how good it feels to simply move.
I pause, my hands resting over my lower belly, and shift my focus to Hecate. I pick up the key and hold it tightly in my palm, its weight grounding me. “Hecate,” I say, keeping my voice firm. “You hold the wisdom I need. You see what I’m ready to release and what I’m ready to embrace. Please guide me through this.”
I hold the mirror in front of me, looking directly at myself. I take in my expression—the tension around my eyes, the fullness in my lips, the quiet strength I’ve carried here. I search for the parts of me that feel hidden, the ones I’ve pushed away, and I hold them in my gaze without judgment.
“Hecate,” I say, my grip tightening on the mirror. “Help me see the truth. Help me walk this path with clarity.” I lower the mirror and close my eyes, breathing deeply as I feel her energy settle into me. I feel the crossroads—where I’ve been, where I’m going. Her presence steadies me.
I stand still momentarily, feeling the energies of Kali, Oshun, and Hecate moving through me. Kali’s fire burns steady in my solar plexus, its heat strong and unwavering. Oshun’s golden flow moves through my sacral chakra, soft and soothing, filling the tender spaces with warmth. Hecate’s guidance wraps around my thoughts, sharp and clear, illuminating the choices that lie ahead.
I press my hands over my heart and speak their names again. “Kali. Oshun. Hecate. Thank you for your strength, your love, your guidance. Thank you for holding me through this.” I bow my head and breathe deeply, letting their energy anchor in me. I blow out their candles, one by one, sealing the work I’ve done. The smoke rises, but I focus on what remains—what I feel in my body and know in my heart.
I stand tall, feeling the fire, the flow, the clarity. My skin tingles with the energy I’ve created here. I feel alive. I’ve let go of what needed to go. I’ve made space for what’s ready to rise. This is my transformation. This is my alchemy. I am whole. I am ready.