Final answer:
The phrase 'Orange swirling flame of days' most likely signifies the passage of time, as inferred by the symbolic portrayal of change and continuity in the use of color and movement descriptors present in the associated texts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The line "Orange swirling flame of days" most likely refers to B. the passage of time. This inference can be made by connecting the color and movement descriptors used in the phrase to symbolize change and continuity, staples in the representation of time's flow. Examples such as "Slumbering, fading purple fire burned over the undulating sage ridges" and "The sun had slipped, as if by magic, behind the tops of the cedars, and dusk fell quickly" depict transitions in nature that are also metaphors for the passage of time. The imagery throughout the provided texts consistently blends color transitions, day to night progression, and seasonal changes, aligning with this interpretation.