A Short Tale

Benedict Fluff padded into a clearing where the air smelled faintly of smoke. In the center, a glowing ember pulsed like a heartbeat. His floppy ears twitched as he leaned in—nervous, uncertain.

From beneath a charred log scurried a small, sleek salamander with skin that glistened like embers. Tiny sparks flickered across his back with each step.

“I’m Blaze,” the salamander said, curling his tail proudly. “You’ve found the ember of courage.”

Benedict hesitated. “But it looks too hot. What if I get burned?”

Blaze climbed onto the ember, unharmed, his skin glowing brighter. “Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the choice to touch the fire anyway.”

With trembling paws, Benedict brushed the ember. Warmth surged through him, and a deep streak of red shimmered into his fur. He lifted his ears with a shy smile. “Maybe I am brave enough after all.”

*Benedict Fluff & The Red Keeper Blaze*, AI Image design and idea by Rooted Ravens

Science

Red is the longest wavelength of visible light, which is why it’s the first color we see at dawn and the last we see at dusk. It signals urgency and vitality—think of stop signs, ripe fruit, or fresh blood.

Culture

In European folklore, salamanders were often associated with fire, believed to be born from flames or resistant to them. They became symbols of transformation and resilience, embodying the courage to endure.

Spirt

Red grounds us in the raw energy of life. It fuels passion, survival, and renewal—but it also asks us to step forward bravely, even when we feel afraid.

Why it Matters

Red reminds us that survival isn’t only about fight or flight—it’s about courage. Courage to rest. Courage to begin again. Courage to believe we’re still rooted even when the ground feels uncertain.

What’s Next

If red is the ember, orange is its spark of play. Next, we’ll meet the Orange Realm—where fire turns to laughter and creativity.

Creative Companions

If you’d like to start playing with color in your own space, here are a few of my favorite tools that spark creativity and connect beautifully with this series:

• 🕯 Red candle that is unique, Cherry Bomb Candle for courage rituals

• 🎨 Bold Paint Markers to ground your creative practice

• 🔮 Tarot deck suggestion: one with deep reds, like the Tarot of the Divine by Yoshi Yoshitani

• 📖 A companion journal page (downloadable in “The Nest”) to explore where courage lives in your life

(Some links may be Amazon affiliate, which means if you purchase through them you’re helping support the work of Rooted Ravens at no extra cost to you.)

Join the Journey

Benedict’s colorful adventures are just a playful glimpse into what each realm teaches us. Inside The Nest, you’ll find the full immersive story of the colors—woven with myth, depth, and guided practices to help you explore the many colors in your own life. Each session comes with a recorded episode and printable companion page to support your journey. Benedict is here to guide you in, but the deeper story waits for you inside.

Next stop: The Orange Realm. Subscribe so you don’t miss the first full step into color.