Burns: spiritual meaning and emotional causes

What burns are

A burn is damage to the skin, and sometimes the tissue underneath, caused by heat, a flame, a hot object, electricity, chemicals, radiation or extreme cold. A scald is a burn from hot liquid or steam. Burns are described by depth: superficial burns, like mild sunburn, affect only the top layer and are red and painful; partial-thickness burns go deeper and often blister; full-thickness burns destroy all layers of the skin and can look white, brown or charred, sometimes with little pain because nerves are damaged.

The NHS first aid for a burn or scald is to act straight away:

• Hold the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes, as soon as possible and within 3 hours. If there is no running water, use cool bottled water or a wet towel.
• Remove clothing or jewellery near the burn, but do not pull off anything stuck to it.
• Once it has cooled, lay cling film over it loosely. Do not wrap it round the limb.
• Do not put creams, oils or butter on a burn, do not cover it with sticky plasters, and do not burst any blisters.

Call 999 or go to A&E if the burn is large or deep, is on the face, genitals or bottom, or was caused by a chemical or electricity. Small burns usually heal at home in around two weeks, helped by painkillers such as paracetamol and, later, a moisturising ointment if the skin gets dry and itchy. Severe burns are treated in hospital with cleaning and dressings, fluids, pain relief, and sometimes surgery or skin grafts. Deep burns can leave scars that need follow-up.

The emotional meaning of burns

Spiritually, a burn touches the skin, the border between your inner world and the world around you. Something is burning inside: a deep pain, or strong feelings such as anger, sorrow or despair that have been pushed down. Instead of being expressed, they turn back against you as guilt and self-punishment. As with other accidents and injuries, an emotional or mental "burn" is read as showing itself in the body in a strong and sudden way.

Feeling burned, and playing with fire

A burn can sit with the sense of being "burned" by someone or a situation, present or past, that has stayed lodged inside you. You may feel caught, as if your freedom were held back. Spiritually, the question is whether you blame others when what you need is to take responsibility and respect yourself, so that others learn to respect you too.

A burn can also ask whether you are "playing with fire" somewhere in your life, and need to take more care with what you say and do. It may also point to a burning desire, to meet someone new, to start something, or to be with someone you love, alongside a fear that your plans could go up in smoke.

What caused the burn

Spiritually, the cause adds a nuance. A scald from boiling water or steam is linked to a violent emotional reaction. A burn from something solid, such as embers or hot metal, points more to a "burning" on the level of thought or of meaning in your life.

How deep the burn goes

The depth of the burn is read as the intensity of the feeling.

• A light, first-degree burn, like a mild sunburn, is linked to annoyance and frustration in situations of daily life. It is also a reminder to slow down, come back to the present moment, and stop scattering your energy over several things at once.
• A second-degree burn is linked to sorrow about one or more areas of your life that matter to you.
• A third-degree burn, through the whole thickness of the skin, is linked to intense anger and aggressiveness that pierce your natural protections, physical and psychological.

A serious burn cannot be undone. Spiritually, love, tenderness and respect can still help you live with the experience and integrate it, at your own pace.

Hands or feet?

Spiritually, the place of the burn shows which part of life is concerned.

• Hands are linked to the present. A burned hand points to guilt about something you are doing now, and to stubbornness towards a person or a situation. A burnt finger can be read with the meaning of that finger; see finger pain.
• Feet are linked to the future and the next direction of your actions. A burned foot can point to a fear of meeting a new person or a new situation, even one you are "burning" to discover.

Left side or right side?

Spiritually, the left and right sides of the body add one more layer.

• A burn on the right side, such as the right hand, is linked to action, work, decisions and direction, and to your relationship with the men in your life, such as a father or partner. The question may be about something you are pushing to do, or a stubborn stand.
• A burn on the left side, such as the left hand, is linked to feelings, intuition, tenderness and receiving, and to the women in your life, such as a mother. The question may be about an emotion burning inside that has not been said.

A gentler way to hold it

The closing movement here is to look for the love and the lesson in what you live, rather than only the difficulty.

• Cool down inside, too. Once the burn is cared for, take a few slow breaths and notice which feeling was strongest that day.
• Come back to now. Do one thing at a time, and notice when your attention is scattered.
• Let the fire out safely. Find a way to express anger or sorrow, in words, on paper or with someone you trust, instead of turning it on yourself.
• Take your place. Ask where you could stop blaming and start asking for respect.
• Look for the lesson. Stay open to what this experience can teach you, and let more love into the situation.