Fire Transformation

This afternoon I've put off a fire. Literally.
This afternoon the caretaker from our ranch called us to say that there was a fire in the back of the property. We had so little experience with the theme that we wondered if we should we go, and if we were to go, what should we do? I quickly realized that I had to go, even if I couldn't "do" anything. Remembering that is subtle first, then it materializes, I was clearly I could make a difference, subtle, yet very real.
And talking about real, I wondered then how should I get dressed, it was hot, but clearly my tank tops could be too fiery for the occasion. Not to mention that I should wear something that would protect me from the heat, in case it was really bad, right?
I got to the ranch sporting my red rubber boots, a camouflage tshirt with an OM and the word love on it, jeans and cap. I was ready to anything, from chanting mantras to invoke water to putting the fire of, if anyone was kind enough to tell me how on earth would I do it.
I ended up doing both, and in case you are interested, the way you put off a fire is with a tree branch. You hit the fire hard with it, in places where the flames are low, and you beat until it respects you enough to retract.
The yogis say that fire is alive, and I can tell you that that's VERY true. And the most amazing thing is how it responds to momentum. If you let it spread, you can't possibly catch up with it. We fought for 3 hours, 7 people. There were moments were I thought I was just doing a gesture, that the fire was so overpowering that there was no way we would be able to control it. But we did. We did control it. And that felt like such a feat, a gold medal of fire-fighting.
How do we find energy to go beyond what we think our limitations are? Can you imagine me beating fire with a tree branch for 3 hours? Can you imagine my silky hands, the ones I treat with ridiculously expensive Jurlique organic rose cream, all cut and bruised by torns?
So many things went on my mind while I was madly fighting fire. I remembered my teacher talking about fire, and how we worship it in yoga, particularly in the tradition I follow. As transformation, as purification, as Divine Mother herself, she steps out of the fire. A mantra for agni kept coming to me, and I wasn't sure if that was going to help or hindered, so I pushed it away and brought on the bija mantra for the water element. I felt tired and helpless, but then I remembered of the samurai blood that runs on my veins and knew that I could do that and much more. And that how you handle these simple, yet multo-layered moments in life, define your character. I certainly wanted that definition to be a warrior.
It also brought me true appreciation for the great people we have in our lives, who we can count on. In addition to Adan, a strong and incredibly reliable guy that walks our dog and is willing to do anything we ask, and who by himself, put off a good 1/2 acre of fire, I had lots of people responding to a rushed email to send light and prayers, and I know that this makes a difference.
Now that the fire is off, in the midst of ashes and smoke, I stand trying to figure out what is the meaning of it. I will certainly leave some reflection for tomorrow, but a few things I already have clear:
1) What you don't use it, nature claims it back. We have not been to the ranch since May. This fire is a way of nature taking it back and transforming it into something else
2) What you are capable of when you are really present with what you are doing is amazing. I hope I won't need another fire to remember that.
3) Thank God for Neti-Pot and the ashes it will wash away...

It was a long day, time for bed...