Louisa Shorney

I mentioned in my post, Waking the Witch, about being a keeper of the Sacred Fire, so I wanted to share a little more about that.

This is not some grand title pertaining to lofty position or special reward, all of us who work with fire in a ceremonial or sacred way, are Sacred Fire Keepers. Our fire ceremonies can be of the simplest kind or grand and elaborate affairs: from a simple candle lit with purpose and intent to a pyre around which gather dancers, drummers, lamenters and ancestors in many numbers.

A Sacred or Ceremonial Fire is not just flames consuming fuel to produce heat and light, it matters not if it is a simple candle set at the centre of a bowl or altar. The fire is sacred because of the intent and respectful attendance of the provider of that offering. Treated with honour, respect and thoughtful, intent as it is brought into being, (constructed). The space around it has been prepared, honoured, purified and cleansed. The fuel carefully chosen etc. This is what makes the fire sacred, (filled with respect).

So at one time or another those of us that follow this path are keepers of a sacred fire each time we do ceremony with fire or flame, even if only a candle. When we come together and do ceremony together then it is good to appoint a Sacred Fire Keeper for each ceremony, so that respectful and focused attendance can be given.

Fire is a potent and powerful element, that has brought our species through ice ages, we would not have made it this far through evolution with out it. It has the power to give or take life, to purify and cleanse, to regenerate and renew, to give light and heat, it is the heart of our hearth.

On the Weaver’s Trail I have deepened that sacred relationship, added an extra layer of ritual to the fluid and heart connected ceremonies I create. In fact one of the things I love about this work the most, is that you work blind, trusting in the guidance you’re given moment by moment, but adding a little ritual (repeated, structured actions) into the mix certainly packs a punch.

So this is why I went hunting for my Hearth Stones (there only need be one). This is a stone you can take with you, it is placed as a marker, a sentinel of the fire that guards the hearth. As with any ritual object the intent and energy you bring to the fire will be absorbed into the stone and therefore adds its magic to each ceremony it holds. You can use your stone to mark the hearth even if you are simply using a candle, it becomes one of the sacred objects of that altar space.

Then there are offerings for the fire. Salt and Sage and Soil, for me they represent the other elements, salt for the sea and water, sage for air, soil for the earth, but of cause this is as fluid as spirit lead work always is, it may change each time and be different for each person making their offering. I wove this newly gathered piece of ritual into the opening and closing ceremonial fire at my “Teachings from the Sacred Wheel” workshop at Heartshore with Dawn. The deepening of connection with the fire as hearth and element was quite profound.

There are other offerings to bring to the fire, such as incense with its powerful aromats sending fragrant smoke prayers to the spirits. Not least the Ash, each new fire is seeded with the ash from the ceremonial fires before it, and when it comes to ember itself, before the hearth is cleared and cleaned ready for the next, a little of its remains will join the bag of ash to seed future fires.

Making the pouches for these offerings was as ceremonial and intent filled as building the fire itself, each one a sacred tool in its on right, and such a delight to create.

This is such beautiful work, it fills my heart and hearth with joy to be able to share it with you.

May your hearths burn brightly.

If you would like to learn more, to develop and deepen your connection or feel drawn to take your first steps on to this path, I offer an number of workshops, courses and groups in Dates for the Diary