Phoenix Rising

The Phoenix is a bird that's been the talk of legends and philosophies throughout history, and has influenced many artists, poets, writers and storytellers the world over. The Phoenix is often portrayed as a mythical golden bird with bright and fiery colored feathers, and a long tail. It has appeared in Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and other cultures.

The Phoenix has been associated with the myth of the Firebird in Slavic folklore. It's a mystical bird that flies around and gives hope to those in need. It has also been associated with the Thunderbird in Native North American societies. It's a bird that has the power to heal people, and the ability to affect the weather by making it rain and thunder, regenerating the earth with an abundance of crops.

Many traditions have appropriated the story of the Phoenix Rising as a symbol of transformation, renewal, self-regeneration, good-fortune and a long life. The tale is told that the Phoenix was destroyed in a fire of it's own creation. But then a new youthful phoenix rises from the ashes of it's former self, born out of its own blazing destruction. The Phoenix comes to life from the symbolic death of something within itself.

"In times of doubt and confusion, the Phoenix symbolizes strength. The power of transformation and renewal. For only from the ashes of who we were, can we rise up to become who we're meant to be."

What feels like tragedy in our life isn't the end, but can be the catalyst of a promising new beginning. Many of us have often heard the saying "Our greatest glory is not in ever falling, but in rising every time we fall." We often glorify the rise, but forget that something must fall first. When we're going through hardship, it can feel like we're stuck and trapped in darkness with no hope of escape.

When we plant a seed in the ground, it must die for the plant to be born. Just like the seed, it can feel as if we're buried when life feels as if it's piling up around us and the darkness overwhelms. It seems like we're attending our own funeral, because it feels as if something within us is dying. What we're experiencing is a living death.

But dark times can help us sprout and grow into beautiful flowers that will eventually bear fruit. The planting of the seed in the darkness of the dirt is a symbol of life. It's a fertile opportunity for growth. The sun offers nourishment that causes the plant to seek it by rising through the darkness of the dirt up towards the blue sky and sunlight of optimism and renewal.

"Sometimes when you're in a dark place you think you've been buried, but you've actually been planted." -Christine Caine

Just like the plant that arises from the seed that was buried in the dirt of darkness, the Phoenix rises from the dark ashes of its own demise. It's a symbol of hope, life and of better things to come. It can mark the start of a new chapter in our life born from the knowledge and experience from persevering through painful predicaments, hopelessness and periods of darkness. We can use these afflictions to learn, grow and develop resilience, courage and strength.

"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are. What you can rise from and how you can still come out of it." -Maya Angelou

The phrase "Phoenix Rising from the ashes" is a metaphor that describes experiencing what feels a complete catastrophic failure, which in the Hero’s Journey is called the "All is lost moment," and then to rise triumphantly from that cataclysm a stronger, wiser and better version of ourselves. It's the idea that something devastating like hitting rock-bottom in our life can lead to a positive new beginning.

It's about finding hope, happiness and joy from loss, sadness and grief, and a renewed meaning, outlook and purpose in our life gained from the wisdom of having been through various calamities. The Phoenix has been a symbol of the indomitable human spirit. And just like the Phoenix, and in the lyrics of lead singer Richard James Page from the band Mr. Mister… let’s “Take these broken wings and learn to fly again, learn to live so free.”