Shamanic Fire Ceremony
- written by Jessica Mallock (edited by Pete Lawrence)
The allure of fire is undeniable. It ignites the very essence of our being, calling us on a souls journey, prompting us to answer its call, we find ourselves gathered in a circle or standing alone in a sacred space, surrounded by its warm glow. In these moments, we often experience a sense of deep remembrance, as if our ancestors are with us, sitting around the fire, finding warmth, nourishment, and storytelling.
The fire ceremony is an invitation to partake in an ancient tradition. As we approach the fire, it awakens all our senses, grounding us in the present moment. It offers us a chance to transcend the confines of our everyday reality and enter a realm of timelessness, wonder, and infinite possibilities. We connect with spirit and consciousness, both on a personal and collective level.
This sacred space becomes a catalyst for rapid transformation, providing a pathway to release old narratives and dramas that no longer serve us. By offering these patterns and structures to the fire and surrendering them to spirit, our souls find healing. In the weeks that follow, we may notice a shift in our perception, a change in our physical sensations, and a new perspective on life.
The fire ceremony presents an opportunity to envision a new world, one that is not shaped by our past, but rather informed by the beings we will become in the next 10,000 years. Here, we call upon our future selves to download a quantum piece of energy that is whole and healed. From this place, we can dream a new world into being, not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come, our children’s children.
In this sacred space, we listen to the stories whispered by the fire, gaining wisdom and insight from the sacred other. We connect with our fire teacher and receive its teachings. Shamans say that in the past, it took years to learn how to be a fire keeper. However, nowadays, we don't have enough time for such lengthy training. If you feel a strong calling to make a fire ceremony, then it's the right time for you to do it. Remember that everything is exactly as it should be, embrace the sacred, stay present, and you will create a truly beautiful ceremony.
Here is a plan for your upcoming fire ceremony:
Prior to the ceremony, take a few days to venture onto your land with a sense of reverence and appreciation, taking gentle steps collect a bundle of sticks allowing them to dry. In addition to the sticks, gather newspaper, kindling (extra dry wood), pinecones or natural fire starters, matches, rattles, drums, and olive oil.
Next, determine the location for your fire. You can make a fire on the earth, use a fire bowl or create a space in your home with a candle. If you opt for the latter, ensure that the fire is not placed near trees, as their roots can catch fire. If your land is particularly dry, consider finding an alternative approach. It is crucial to leave no trace, as if you were never there, shaman leave no tracks, so approach this decision with integrity.
Feel free to invite friends to join you by making a call out and see who responds.
Before the fire ceremony begins, ask each participant to bring a personal offering in the form of a stick. This stick represents an opportunity to release any burdens or negative narratives that no longer serve them. Additionally, inquire if anyone would like to create a Pacha Mamma Stick. This special stick is made by binding together flowers, herbs, and leaves found in nature. It serves as an expression of gratitude for our lives on Earth and a vessel for our hopes and dreams for future generations.
Designate a gathering spot for everyone and provide instructions on how to build a fire, passing the Pacha Mamma Stick, and teach the fire song.
Your job as space holder is to hold stillness
To ground both your guests and yourself, consider playing or singing a song and leading a meditation.
Fire Song: Witchi Tai To
At its core, “Witchi-Tai-To” is inspired by Native American spirituality and the quest for enlightenment. The title of the song is derived from a chant used by the Native American Peyote religion, which holds sacred ceremonies involving the use of peyote, a small cactus with psychotropic properties. The origins of the chant can be traced back to the Kiowa tribe, who believed in the healing and transformative powers of peyote.
The song’s lyrics are imbued with themes of unity and inner peace, urging listeners to embrace spirituality and let go of their worldly burdens. The repetitive and mesmerizing chant of “Witchi-Tai-To” serves as a tool for transcendence, inviting listeners to embark on a spiritual journey of self-discovery. The song’s melodic and vibrant rhythm further enhances its uplifting message, evoking a sense of joy and connectedness.
The exact meaning of “Witchi-Tai-To” is open to interpretation. The term has been associated with various translations, including “it is springtime” and “I’m walking in peace.” Ultimately, the title represents the spiritual essence of the Native American chant and invites listeners to embrace a state of harmony and inner peace.
The song was popularised in the pop charts run the late 60s by Harpers Bizarre with another iconic version by Jim Pepper in 1971
There are numerous derivations, notably 'Niche Ti Ti'
N - U - Y
Ora Nika Ora Nika
Hey hey….Hey Hey
Yoorori
Loosely translated
O Great Mother, Mother of the Waters
We call on you, Waters of our Birth
Waters of our Sustenance
Waters that cleanse us on our death
Waters of Life
Walk to the place you have chosen to make fire in silence.
NB: Everything that is placed on the fire is blown into, our breath like the wind blows our essence into the fire.
Place two sticks one across the other, which represent the four directions on the ground.
Then starting with paper and the driest wood build a tepee fire adding more wood as desired.
Call in sacred space - turning to each direction:
South
To the winds of the South
Great Serpent
Wrap your coils of light around us
Teach us to shed the past the way you shed your skin
To walk softly on the Earth
Teach us the Beauty Way
West
To the winds of the West
Mother Jaguar
Protect our medicine space
Teach us the way of peace, to live impeccably
Show us the way beyond death
North
To the winds of the North
Hummingbird, Grandmothers and Grandfathers
Ancient Ones
Come and warm your hands by our fires
Whisper to us in the wind
We honor you who have come before us
And you who will come after us, our children’s children
East
To the winds of the East
Great Eagle, Condor
Come to us from the place of the rising Sun
Keep us under your wing
Show us the mountains we only dare to dream of
Teach us to fly wing to wing with the Great Spirit
Mother Earth
We’ve gathered for the honoring of all of your children
The Stone People, the Plant People
The four-legged, the two-legged, the creepy crawlers
The finned, the furred, and the winged ones
All our relations
Father Sun
Father Sun, Grandmother Moon, to the Star Nations
Thankyou for overnighting this space
Teaching us to shine like bright stars in the light sky
Fire Song
Great Spirit, you who are known by a thousand names
And you who are the unnamable One
Thank you for bringing us together
And allowing us to sing the Song
Of Life, Love, Joy, and freedom
One more day
Ho
To begin the ceremony, ignite the fire (if needed, you may ask someone else to assist with this task). As the fire lights, we will commence singing the fire song, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of rattling and drumming. These melodic elements aid in shifting our focus away from our analytical minds and alter our consciousness.
Next the space holder will nourish the fire by feeding it with olive oil three times. The first offering will be made to the four directions, followed by an offering to the heavens and the earth. Lastly to everyone in circle..
As the fire becomes more welcoming, we enter a phase of learning. Take a moment to observe the dancing flames, allowing their energy to guide you.
The designated space holder approaches the fire, holding a stick. They blow into the stick, infusing it with their intentions, before placing it into the fire. With their hands, they draw energy from the fire, replenishing their three centers: the third eye for wisdom, the heart for love, and the belly for the power to serve. If you are alone, call upon your ancestors to stand behind you during this process.
The space holder expresses gratitude to both the fire and the person who supported them, then rejoins the circle. Following their lead, everyone else does the same.
Meanwhile, the Pacha Mama stick is passed around the circle, allowing each person to blow their dreams into it.
Once everyone has made their personal offering to the fire, the space holder requests the singing to cease. They then invite the person who created the Pacha Mama stick to choose someone of the opposite gender to bring balance to the fire. This act symbolizes the harmonization of masculine and feminine energies. (remember also that we carry both energies within so you could choose in another way)
From this point forward, the fire becomes the children's fire.
Take a moment to be present and observe your surroundings. Allow yourself to be completely awake, notice what you notice
The space holder requests everyone to take a step back and invites the guardians and keepers of the land to come forward and make their offerings at the fire.
Take a moment to notice what you notice.
Proceed to close the sacred space.
Space Holder asks if anyone wishes to remain by the fire until the last flames extinguish, hear the stories of the fire,
During this time, spontaneous moments may occur, such as holding hands, singing, dancing, or simply sitting in silence. It is truly beautiful to witness the fire without physically interacting with it.
Afterwards, we can come together for a potluck supper. Fire has a unique ability to bring people together and foster a sense of community. When individuals embark on their healing journeys, we have the opportunity to create new ways of being together.
If you choose to conduct a ceremony at home, you can incorporate elements from the previous instructions. Begin by calling in sacred space, creating an altar adorned with stones, pinecones, flowers, and lighting a candle. Use pieces of paper to burn or cocktail sticks, either by blowing them into the fire or writing on them anything that no longer serves you. Nourish your three centres from the flame light of the candle .
Finally, we will close the sacred space. Embrace the beauty of this moment, invite the sacred into your space, and allow spirit to flow through you. Take note of any observations or insights that arise.
Please note that the shaman kindly requests that no alcohol or drugs be consumed during the fire ceremony. As we work with energy and consciousness, it is best to avoid mixing these substances.
