What kind of daft blog title is, “Grounded in the Air, Watered in the Fire’”?

One which was inspired by a visit to Williamson Park’s Butterfly House, Lancaster. Lady Penelope and I stopped off on our way up to Gretna Green for her son’s wedding. We’d visited years before and were keen to reacquaint ourselves with this restored Victorian masterpiece again.

https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/sites/williamson-park/mini-zoo

The Butterfly House was originally built as a Palm House. A catastrophic fire in 1949 led to a rebuild which remained faithful to the original. Over time the use of the glasshouse has changed. Now it is home to a Tropical Rainforest, complete with Koi Carp, Terrapins, Tortoises, Frogs, Tropical Plants, and, of course, the Butterflies. It is gorgeous – even Edenic. The fountain that feeds the water channels that line the interior of the glasshouse on three sides gave me pause for thought. Here, in the one handmade Ecosystem, Nature’s Elemental Forces of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire come together perfectly.

You are welcomed by the sight and scent of damp, fertile earth as soon as you enter the sanctuary. You are immediately awestruck by the height of the building, filled with Life at every level – with giant Blue Morpho Butterflies flying in the air high overhead. The air is humid – in a rather comforting manner.

Everywhere, there is the sound of ‘living’ water – running water… which in most locations around the Butterfly House is also visible. From the waterfall to the koi carp area, you get a sense of flowing abundance. Occasionally, you’ll hear the ‘plop’ of a terrapin diving into its next aquatic encounter.

But what about the element of fire? The bright light of the Sun can be directly experienced on any clear day, no matter what the temperature is outside. And yet, even on a cloudy day, you sense the fiery heat of the systems that keep this a Tropical Haven.

Earth, like a mountain is firm – it grounds us.

Air, like the wind is clear – and clarity brings focus.

Water, like a lake, is calming.

Fire, like the Sun, is bright.

(See: https://www.tetramap.com/all-four-elements/ for more.)

Could consciously adding aspects of each Element help us to grow?

I believe so!

How could you and I add more confidence to the way we come across this week?

How could we get more soil into our living spaces so that we could really smell the earth?

How could you and I gain more clarity about where we’re going?

How could we channel more fresh air into our living spaces?

How could we produce more harmony in our relationships this week, and discover more flow in our work?

How could we bring ‘living water’ into our environment in a good way!

How could we become more bright and sparky – especially when we’re naturally feeling tired?

How could we ‘see’ fire in a safe way in our working and leisure environments?

Let’s assume we can grow by paying conscious attention to enriching our experience. What action will you take this week to enrich your home and work environments?

Lex

A Moodscope member