Wild Wisdom of Pele

This morning, I started my day with intention and connection with myself. I laced up my running shoes and headed out, moving my body like I love myself, a practice that feels like a daily act of gratitude for all it does for me. As I ran, the horizon greeted me with the most breathtaking sunrise. The sun, a glowing orb of fire, illuminated the sky with hues of gold and orange, a reminder of the power and beauty inherent in both beginnings and endings. There is something truly magical about witnessing a sunrise that feels like a sacred moment—a chance to reflect, reset and reconnect with myself and with the natural rhythms of life.

I initially planned to share this blog last week. I held off considering the devastating fires that recently swept through The Palisades and San Diego. This feels like a fitting and timely moment to bring these words together and share them with you.

Fires, both literal and metaphorical, have shaped landscapes and lives across Australia and the world throughout history and will continue to do so.

In times like these, we can turn to Pele—the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire, Volcanoes and Transformation—for profound and timeless wisdom. Pele embodies both destruction and creation. The raw, transformative energy of nature itself, teaching us that even in devastation, there is the potential for renewal and growth. Her lessons resonate deeply with me, as I am sure they will with you as we navigate the aftermath of such powerful events.

We are currently experiencing the other side of the spectrum here in Australia, with relentless wind and rain connecting us to the essence of Oya, the Yoruba Goddess of Wind, Storms and Transformation. Oya, a fierce and powerful force of nature, embodies change, movement and renewal. She reminds us that just as the winds can uproot and reshape the land, they can also clear the way for new beginnings. I will be sharing more about her wisdom and wild spirit soon.

For now, it’s time to return to Pele, the fierce and evolving Hawaiian Goddess of Fire and Volcanoes. Her fiery wisdom reminds us of the cycles of destruction and creation, teaching us to let go of what no longer serves us to make space for renewal and growth. Pele is not just a symbol of destruction but of passion, creation and endless renewal. Her lava flows across the land, seemingly catastrophic at first, yet giving birth to new islands, fertile soil and landscapes teeming with life. She embodies the creative forces within each of us, reminding us that true transformation often requires releasing the old to make room for the new. 

The legend of Pele is more than just the story of a goddess who controls volcanoes—she represents the unstoppable power of passion, the importance of embracing change and the courage it takes to allow transformation to occur. Just as she continuously reshapes the Hawaiian Islands and other islands around the world, Pele encourages us to embrace our own fires of passion and creation, trusting that even in the moments of destruction, we are paving the way for new growth.

Keep reading to dive deeper into the wisdom and ongoing life lessons that Pele offers and explore how they ignite inspiration in the face of challenges to allow us to channel her fierce energy in our own lives.

Destruction paves the way for creation. At first glance, the volcanic eruptions from Pele seem purely destructive, with molten lava consuming everything in its path. Beneath that fiery exterior lies the promise of new beginnings. The land created by these eruptions, though born from destruction, becomes rich with potential, offering new life to those who can endure the process of change. I feel this is the most powerful lesson from Pele—destruction and creation are two sides of the same coin.

In our lives, we often fear destruction—the end of a relationship, the loss of a job or the breakdown of a long-held belief, we tend to associate these moments with pain and loss. Pele teaches us that these endings are often necessary for new growth. Just as her lava flows destroy, they also give birth to fresh landscapes; the endings we experience can clear the way for new opportunities, passions and adventures.

Wild Lesson: Instead of resisting the destruction that comes with change, we can embrace it as a necessary step toward creation. When faced with the end of something significant, remember that the fire of Pele is at work, preparing the way for something new and beautiful. Trust that what is lost will make room for something greater to emerge.

Pele is often depicted as a goddess with a fiery temper, but this fire is not something to fear. Passion is the fire of life—fire represents the intense passion she brings to everything she touches. Her energy burns bright and fierce, reminding us that passion is the driving force behind all creation. Without passion, there is no life, no creativity and no forward movement.

In our own lives, it is easy to become disconnected from our passions. Routine, fear and self-doubt can extinguish the flames that once burned brightly within us. Pele shares a clear lesson here: reignite your fire. Whether it’s through art, love, work or adventure, find the things that set your soul ablaze and pursue them wholeheartedly. Passion is the fuel that keeps us moving, growing and evolving.

Wild Lesson: Pele teaches us to follow our passions without hesitation. When we embrace the fire within, we tap into a limitless source of energy and creativity. Never be afraid to let your passions burn brightly—this is where true transformation begins. Like Pele, let your fire reshape your world.

Pele is a goddess of movement. Change is the only constant in this life, it is important to learn to adapt and to thrive.

Her lava flows shift and reshape the landscape of Hawaii in ways that are both beautiful and terrifying. Her presence is a reminder that nothing in life stays the same for long, and change, whether welcome or not, is inevitable. Pele also teaches that within this constant change lies the key to our survival and growth.

Many of us resist change, clinging to the familiar even when it no longer serves us. Just as the lava of Pele flows to create new land, change in our lives creates new opportunities for growth. The more we resist change, the harder it becomes. By learning to embrace the shifting tides of life, we align ourselves with the natural flow of the universe and open ourselves to transformation.

Wild Lesson: Embrace change as a natural and necessary part of life. When we stop resisting and start flowing with the changes around us, we can thrive even in the most uncertain times. Pele reminds us that every shift, no matter how disruptive is an opportunity for rebirth. When the landscape of your life changes, trust that you are being guided toward something new and powerful.

The energy of Pele is not only about destruction—it is about the courage to create. Creation requires courage and commitment. The process of creation, like the birth of a new island from a volcanic eruption, requires both courage and commitment. The continuous work of Pele reshaping the Earth is an ongoing act of bravery, as she destroys old landscapes to create new ones. She teaches us that to create something meaningful—whether it’s art, a business, a relationship or personal growth—we must be willing to embrace the discomfort that comes with transformation.

Creation is not a passive process. It demands our full attention, dedication and courage. Her fiery passion reminds us that to birth something new, we must be willing to take risks, face challenges and commit to the process, even when it feels difficult.

Wild Lesson: Pele shows us that creation is an act of bravery. To bring something new into the world, we must be willing to face discomfort and take risks. Whether you are creating a new chapter in your life or working on a creative project, remember that the fire of Pele is within you. Trust in your ability to create, knowing that it’s your commitment and courage that will see you through.

Pele is revered for her power, not only as a force of nature but as a divine embodiment of the power we all hold within ourselves. Her fiery spirit teaches us to honour the power within and own that personal power—to recognise that we, too, have the ability to shape our lives and the world around us. The strength of Pele comes from her deep connection to her inner fire, and she shows us that by tapping into this power, we can overcome any obstacle and create the life we desire.

Too often, we underestimate our own power, doubting our ability to make meaningful changes or pursue our passions. Her wisdom encourages us to step into our power, to acknowledge the fire that burns within, and to trust that we have everything we need to create the life we envision.

Wild Lesson: Honour your inner power and trust in your ability to create and transform. Just as Pele reshapes the islands with her fire, you have the power to reshape your life. Don’t shy away from your strength—embrace it fully and let it guide you toward your greatest potential.

Here are a few ways we can embrace the blazing spirit of Pele in our lives.

Like the lava of Pele, embrace destruction as a path to growth as you allow the things that no longer serve you to fall away, knowing that this destruction clears the path for new growth and opportunities.

Ignite the fire within you and fuel your life with passion. Follow your passions, no matter where they lead. Let your desires and creativity fuel your journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Understand that change is a natural and constant part of life. Intentionally chose  to flow with change. Like the way the lava of Pele is reshaping the land, let the changes of life reshape you. Adapt, grow, flow and thrive in the face of uncertainty.

To create something new requires bravery. You can always create with courage. Whether you’re building a career, a relationship, or a new chapter of your life, commit to the process with courage and dedication.

Recognise and honour your power— the passionate and potent power you hold within. Trust that you have the strength, passion and creativity to transform your life and the world around you.

Pele has a wild energy.
She is untameable and profoundly impactful.

As the Goddess of Volcanoes and Fire, she teaches us that within the fires of destruction lie the seeds of creation.
Her lava may burn away the old, but it also creates new landscapes full of possibility. The fierce spirit of Pele reminds us to embrace the changes in our lives, to fuel our passions and to step boldly into the unknown, trusting that transformation will lead us to something greater.

As I choose to honour the legacy of Pele, let us all carry her wisdom forward: to embrace the destruction that leads to creation, to fuel our lives with passion, to adapt to change and to honour the power within us. The fire of Pele burns bright within each of us, and by tapping into her energy, we can reshape our lives, creating new landscapes of possibility, growth, expansion and transformation.

Like Pele, we can live with wild hearts, unafraid of change and full of creative fire, ready to birth new worlds from the ashes of the old.