Welcome
Sacred Hearth Friction Fire teaches and practices Friction Fire in a holistic way drawing on fire origin stories, sacredness of fire, indigenous cultures, honouring fire and with awareness for the natural environment.
Sacred Hearth has evolved from my passion for the ancient practices of friction fire. Sacred Hearth is exploring: the old stories and legends of the origins of fire; the sacredness of fire; the use of fire and friction methods as part of ritual and ceremony; as well as practicing and teaching the practical skills of friction fire in a holistic way. A common theme of this work is also to honour fire itself, our ancestors and indigenous peoples throughout the world who continue to practice these methods in a sacred way.
Fire has been here since the start of the universe, since the Big Bang created the world we now inhabit. It could be said that Human Kind "stole" fire for its' own purposes and all the advancements we see and use today would not have been possible without fire! Therefore, it is important for me that I practice these methods in a respectful and honouring way, especially in a world where most people take things for granted.
The web site includes some the practical techniques of learning the ancient art of "welcoming" fire as well as methods generally associated with ritual welcoming of fire. I feel that it is down to each individual on how they take forward the practical skills. Over time, the website content will grow to encompass stories and traditions associated with the origins of fire, including ritual & ceremony.
Sacred Hearth has evolved from my passion for the ancient practices of friction fire. Sacred Hearth is exploring: the old stories and legends of the origins of fire; the sacredness of fire; the use of fire and friction methods as part of ritual and ceremony; as well as practicing and teaching the practical skills of friction fire in a holistic way. A common theme of this work is also to honour fire itself, our ancestors and indigenous peoples throughout the world who continue to practice these methods in a sacred way.
Fire has been here since the start of the universe, since the Big Bang created the world we now inhabit. It could be said that Human Kind "stole" fire for its' own purposes and all the advancements we see and use today would not have been possible without fire! Therefore, it is important for me that I practice these methods in a respectful and honouring way, especially in a world where most people take things for granted.
The web site includes some the practical techniques of learning the ancient art of "welcoming" fire as well as methods generally associated with ritual welcoming of fire. I feel that it is down to each individual on how they take forward the practical skills. Over time, the website content will grow to encompass stories and traditions associated with the origins of fire, including ritual & ceremony.
I don't confess to being an expert in friction fire and there are lots of people teaching the practical methods and offering courses. I'm approaching this from a more holistic approach of it not just being a practical skill but more of a "practice". I also want to impart some of my practical knowledge in my own particular way which will be useful to everyone. I feel that if you are passionate about learning the methods, then it should become your own journey and for you to spend time on learning it yourself. There are many websites out there regarding friction fire and bushcraft, and they are all different as there is no one right way to learn!
When learning this ancient art, I feel the following are important... patience, practice, experimenting and continually gaining knowledge.... and for me it is important to do it with respect and awareness which is what Sacred Hearth is all about.
When learning this ancient art, I feel the following are important... patience, practice, experimenting and continually gaining knowledge.... and for me it is important to do it with respect and awareness which is what Sacred Hearth is all about.
My Offerings....
I am not a bushcraft instructor - there are many good bushcraft practitioners out there. I do have some bushcraft skills and knowledge as these are needed to learn and use friction fire, but this is not my primary focus. Currently, I demonstrate \ help on other peoples workshops. Over time I plan to develop a "workshop" encompassing story, ritual, and friction fire or offer my knowledge of welcoming fire in a ritual way to others. I'm also researching the stories and myths behind the origins of fire and how fire and methods are used by cultures in ritual.
I also like to test and prove many of the methods referenced in folklore and stories.
I am based in Bristol, UK. Please feel free to contact me for further information.
I am not a bushcraft instructor - there are many good bushcraft practitioners out there. I do have some bushcraft skills and knowledge as these are needed to learn and use friction fire, but this is not my primary focus. Currently, I demonstrate \ help on other peoples workshops. Over time I plan to develop a "workshop" encompassing story, ritual, and friction fire or offer my knowledge of welcoming fire in a ritual way to others. I'm also researching the stories and myths behind the origins of fire and how fire and methods are used by cultures in ritual.
I also like to test and prove many of the methods referenced in folklore and stories.
I am based in Bristol, UK. Please feel free to contact me for further information.
Story and myths
It's important for me to weave in old stories and legends...there are many myths and legends from around the world. Many of them have a common theme of how fire is hidden within trees\plants and the only way to coax the fire out is through friction! One of these stories is an old Māori story which is a perfect introduction to friction fire especially for children - "How Māui brought fire to the world". Towards the end, Mahuika the goddess took her very last toenail of fire and threw it at Māui in anger. The toenail of fire missed Māui and flew into the trees, planting itself in the trees. The trees cherished and held onto the fire of Mahuika, considering it a great gift. When Māui returned to his village he didn't bring back fire as the villagers had expected. Instead he brought back dry wood from the Kaikōmako tree and showed them how to rub the dry sticks together, coaxing the fire out of the wood, and bringing fire to the world.
Please see my blog and facebook page, where I will be continually adding posts about origin of fire myths, as well as the importance of fire within ritual and ceremony and I will be using these more like scrap books.
It's important for me to weave in old stories and legends...there are many myths and legends from around the world. Many of them have a common theme of how fire is hidden within trees\plants and the only way to coax the fire out is through friction! One of these stories is an old Māori story which is a perfect introduction to friction fire especially for children - "How Māui brought fire to the world". Towards the end, Mahuika the goddess took her very last toenail of fire and threw it at Māui in anger. The toenail of fire missed Māui and flew into the trees, planting itself in the trees. The trees cherished and held onto the fire of Mahuika, considering it a great gift. When Māui returned to his village he didn't bring back fire as the villagers had expected. Instead he brought back dry wood from the Kaikōmako tree and showed them how to rub the dry sticks together, coaxing the fire out of the wood, and bringing fire to the world.
Please see my blog and facebook page, where I will be continually adding posts about origin of fire myths, as well as the importance of fire within ritual and ceremony and I will be using these more like scrap books.
Friction Fire Methods
Fire by friction is an ancient method used by our ancestors for thousands of years, and many indigenous tribes still use friction fire today (e.g. in Africa and Australia.)
On a practical level, of learning about friction fire, this site focusses on the Bow Drill and Hand Drill, and touches upon some of the other methods and a brief history. I will also write about the methods for welcoming fire as part of ritual using by different traditions which can be slightly different to the everyday/bushcraft methods.
I also see friction fire set as a ritual in itself, and I like to do it with awareness and intention - acknowledging where materials have come from, not taking fire for granted and being thankful to the source of fire and to our ancestors for discovering these techniques.
On a deeper level, I have found the Hand Drill to be quite a profound experience (see my blog post .)
Fire by friction is an ancient method used by our ancestors for thousands of years, and many indigenous tribes still use friction fire today (e.g. in Africa and Australia.)
On a practical level, of learning about friction fire, this site focusses on the Bow Drill and Hand Drill, and touches upon some of the other methods and a brief history. I will also write about the methods for welcoming fire as part of ritual using by different traditions which can be slightly different to the everyday/bushcraft methods.
I also see friction fire set as a ritual in itself, and I like to do it with awareness and intention - acknowledging where materials have come from, not taking fire for granted and being thankful to the source of fire and to our ancestors for discovering these techniques.
On a deeper level, I have found the Hand Drill to be quite a profound experience (see my blog post .)
Legalities \ Good Practice
I do just need to add a note on knife laws, lighting fires and collecting materials. Please be aware of any local laws around knives and also for lighting fires and use good common sense (see this link regarding knife law in the UK,) Please also use discretion and awareness when collecting materials - you can see my blog post here.
Regarding fires - only light fires where you know you are allowed to do so. If you don't have a fire bowl to hand (you are in the wilds!), then build your fire on bare earth, dig a fire pit if you need to, and if digging turf - replace the turf before you leave. Be especially aware when lighting fires in woodland (especially pine forests) e.g. roots can potentially catch light (smoulder for hours afterwards) and the fire can spread under ground - don't build fires where there is an extensive root system close to the surface. Similarly if building a fire in grassland (especially if the grass is dead and dry) - dig a pit and line the edge with stones and cut back\flatten long grass in the vicinity. Only build a fire small enough for your use, be aware of your surroundings, never leave a fire unattended, and always put it out before you leave - dowse the embers with water to be sure - cover up the remains with earth - and always leave no trace!
I do just need to add a note on knife laws, lighting fires and collecting materials. Please be aware of any local laws around knives and also for lighting fires and use good common sense (see this link regarding knife law in the UK,) Please also use discretion and awareness when collecting materials - you can see my blog post here.
Regarding fires - only light fires where you know you are allowed to do so. If you don't have a fire bowl to hand (you are in the wilds!), then build your fire on bare earth, dig a fire pit if you need to, and if digging turf - replace the turf before you leave. Be especially aware when lighting fires in woodland (especially pine forests) e.g. roots can potentially catch light (smoulder for hours afterwards) and the fire can spread under ground - don't build fires where there is an extensive root system close to the surface. Similarly if building a fire in grassland (especially if the grass is dead and dry) - dig a pit and line the edge with stones and cut back\flatten long grass in the vicinity. Only build a fire small enough for your use, be aware of your surroundings, never leave a fire unattended, and always put it out before you leave - dowse the embers with water to be sure - cover up the remains with earth - and always leave no trace!
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Bow Drill - Fire Drill - Hand Drill - Friction Fire - Sacred Fire - Origin of Fire Story - Fire Ritual - Ancient Fire Lighting - Bow Drill Demonstrations - Bristol - South West - UK
Site Last Updated: 04/04/2017
Site Last Updated: 04/04/2017
