Burn the Fields, Burn the Boats!
Farmer clearing a field with fire for new crops
Welcome to the final few days of 2023.
There is a bit of coincidence that I am writing this on December 21 – the winter solstice.
Today, we finally stop losing minutes of daylight, confront the longest night of the year (at least in the northern hemisphere), and begin gaining more light tomorrow.
This is a day of shifting energy and a time for reflection.
Today is the day to decide what you are leaving behind, personally, professionally, energetically, in 2024 so that you can clear space for abundance and new creation in 2024.
I’m reminded of the power of fire as a metaphor.
Cortez famously burned his boats to create commitment in his crew as they moved to conquer the Aztec empire. They landed, they destroyed their only avenue of escape, and created full commitment to move forward to succeed or die in the process.
There’s no going back, kids. We can only go forward.
I’m also reminded of farmers around the world who burn their fields to clear weeds, old crops, and waste, as well as create nutrients for the soil, so that their new crop is healthy, can grow without invasive plants, and be clean for harvest.
Clearing the field physically and energetically opens up new abundance and opportunities.
Fire is also used in many religious/spiritual ceremonies, such as a Burning Bowl Ritual. Similar to the farmer clearing his field, this event is designed to clear space in your mind and being so that you can open up to creating new opportunities. (New Year’s Eve is a great time to do this exercise.)
Facing Fear
When we commit to burning the past, it’s common to experience the fear of a barren field and the ‘there’s no going back now’ commitment to create new outcomes.
The seemingly charred field appears devoid of life and possibility. Looing at just the surface, we wonder “What tragedy happened here? What was destroyed?” instead of looking deeper to see what is growing.
Empty spaces seem like they are full of nothingness at first. That can be a gut-wrenching experience.
Yet, the opposite is what is true: Empty spaces are full of possibilities.
Sometimes the idea of the clear field can create fear that keeps us stuck in the comfort zone of what is rather than taking bold action to make changes.
The known, the familiar, particularly when it’s good, can keep us from releasing it to create room for greater things to appear.
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”
– John D. Rockefeller
This fear is a projection. It’s a protective tool that, when not overpowering, helps us to take a moment to consider obstacles and outcomes before we take action. When it is debilitating, and we allow it to prevent us from making changes, that is when we need to address what we are truly afraid of.
Moving Forward with Commitment
Once your deeper fears have been brought to conscious awareness, explore them, understand them, thank them for keeping you safe up to this moment.
Then decide what you will allow to be stronger: Your dreams/goals or your fear.
When you commit to your dream, you’ll burn your fear to make space for its growth.
(Conversely, if you give the greater power to your fear, you’re burning your dream before it’s realized.)
Choose wisely.
My wish for you as you close 2023 and open up 2024.
Embrace the final days of this year and rather than looking back, be right here, right now.
What things do you need to release to grow opportunities in 2024?
What do you wish to create in 2024? What exists in you that will hold you back?
Who are you right now? Who do you want to be in 2024 and beyond?
Applying the Burn
1. Burn what no longer serves you to create space for the new creations of greater success.
2. Burn your boats, your retreat plan, to create commitment
3. Burn your old self to allow your new self to rise like a phoenix.
Burn Brightly!
Keep your fire burning!
