Fire Tribe Gathering

In November of 2001 I had the distinct honor of helping to facilitate the extraordinary process of creating a brand-new fire circle community on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. There were so many wonderful, sacred, shining moments that it is impossible to write them all, but below are some of the highlights.

Fire Tribe is a new vision, a conscious creation of fire circle community initiated by Michael Wall, and based on rituals found at festivals such as Rites of Spring in Massachusetts and Firedance in California. The first Fire Tribe Gathering was by invitation only, and was meant to introduce the fire circle to the leaders of various local spiritual and musical communities. The idea was to develop a solid core of people who would help to continue the tradition of fire circles and be strong supporters of future, larger events. I was invited to come out and help lay the groundwork for people to understand how the fire circle is created, danced, chanted and drummed. I left Seattle with great excitement, because this was the first time I have witnessed a community with no prior exposure to fire circles build itself around this kind of musical sacred space.

When I arrived on the island, Michael and the other leaders responsible for putting the event together were in the midst of planning the ritual, and gathering needed items such as torches, firewood, chalk for marking the dance space around the fire, tents and various site adornments. The immense amount of thoughtfulness and intention put into this one night of music and celebration was extraordinary.

On November 18 - the night of the biggest meteor storm in over 100 years - we welcomed about 60 community leaders to the wonderful site, provided by Robrecht Troost, and generously opened for this event. It sat 100 yards off the beach on the North Shore, with the fire circle itself situated within a beautiful grove of ironwood trees. Severino headed the set-up crew, and worked tirelessly over the course of the day to clear and decorate the space, set the fire and firewood, and fill the torches.

People arrived early in the day and participated in intensives taught by Phaedra, Mischa, James, Evelyne, Michael, myself and other experienced fire circle participants - including Samina from Las Vegas. The principles of drum, dance, chant, and magic were explained in detail, with time left early in the evening for a potluck feast, and then some rest. A major feature of the intensives were the set of handouts that covered the musical and magical conventions of the fire circle ritual. Having read these handouts, all of the participants were able to step into a place of strong participation and leadership during the evening's celebration much faster than if they had been given no context. (For those of you who might be interested, the handouts are available online at the Fire Tribe web site, link below).

A rattle temple was available for people to create their own magical/musical tools, and space was available inside for face/body painting as well. A sacred food altar was set to one side of the fire circle.

Just before midnight the sound of a conch horn announced to the encampment that it was time for the ritual itself. 50+ people gathered on the beach and began to chant softly, building excitement and energy for the procession to the fire circle, which had been wonderfully prepared… and awaited us in the soft golden glow of torches. The procession arrived at the smudge gate, where two people silently greeted us with delightful incense (a surprise gift from Katlyn Breene, Firedance Advisor and owner of Mermade Magickal Arts!) that was fanned onto each person as they stepped through the decorated portal. Outside the gate, a bell ensemble played a beautiful 12/8 rhythm, and upon entering the circle, one was engulfed by the spectacular sound of five digeridoos playing and holding the energy. Once gathered inside the circle, a beautiful multi-part chant was sung to bless the sacred circle; a very touching moment. The four directions were called, the chants began, the first Fire Tribe fire was lit, and slowly the dance began. There was no hurry, no rush to the rhythms of the drums and percussion. The build from soft chanting to dancing around the fire, to the slow layering of drums was deliciously tantric!

The night was filled with spontaneous song, dance and music making. This circle in particular was fantastic in that the balance of drumming to other sounds -- didges, rattles, temple bells, singing bowls, chanting, silence -- was much more diverse than at any other fire I have ever attended. There was even a set of Guinean Krin log drums, which jammed through a short bit of rain in the very early morning. The rain was no setback, however - a canopy had been placed and was ready to move over the drum area so that the music could continue, just in case. The forethought of this tarp turned out to be a great idea, and the dancers certainly had no fear of the warm Hawaiian rain! Dancers and chanters were diligent about what they had learned only that afternoon, making eye contact with the drummers, offering food and water to each other, and maintaining a respectful and joyous sacred circle until dawn.

A personal high moment for me included the first time all the dundun players - of which there were many - locked in firmly together and created a *really* beautiful melody. When I looked out into the circle, with the dancers out in force, and so many people singing and rattling with joy on their faces, I almost broke into tears. The birth of a family of fire is a beautiful thing to witness. Other high moments came in waves as every single person expressed their individual highest self in dance, song and drumming. There were *many* times I just had to rattle and witness, because the moment was so beautiful.

That morning, many tears of joy were shed and many heartfelt moments of prayer and poetry were offered. I was touched deeply by this community's strength and connection to each other, and to the dedication shown by everyone to dance the night through and turn to gold. Fire Tribe's first gathering was a delightful alchemical success!

The Fire Tribe Web site can be viewed at http://www.firetribehawaii.org.