Events

Sacred Hearth Friction Fire - Journey With Fire Offerings- 2023

Sacred Hearth Friction Fire is run by Ian. See About Me for more information on Ian

New for 2023!
I am pleased to offer a limited number of "Journey with Fire... the old way... " experiences this year. These can be booked for a specific date or purchased as a voucher valid for 12 months and can be for an individual, couple or small group of up to 4. Please contact Ian for pricing and availability as I am only going to be running a very small number this year from Spring onwards. Please note - this is not bushcraft friction fire but taught in my unique holistic approach!

4 Hour Journey with Fire..the old way.. Experience

The 4-Hour "Journey with Fire... the old way..." experience will be run by Ian and may include ... and every one will be unique due to Ian's approach:

An introduction to Ian’s approach to fire by friction and the ancestry of fire
Ian will guide you to make a bow drill set (if a couple or small group Ian will encourage you to do it together.) You will take the set home with you. Ian will guide you through preparing wood for a fire and a tinder bundle ready to receive the ember.
Ian will guide you to use the set together (couple / small group) to coax the ember out of the wood – and Ian is fairly confident (fire gods allowing!) that we will be successful! (you will also have the opportunity to try on your own )
We will then welcome in a fire blowing the ember to flame
and we’ll see what other fiery magic may unfold too….

This will be held outside in woodland in Bristol – it will be under parachute canopy if raining (tho we may need to re-arrange if it is really bad weather!) Tools and materials will be provided. Please contact Ian to enquire on availability (very limited for 2023) and pricing.

Embers of future offerings
I have ignited embers of possible future projects which are smouldering away in the background - including:
"Journey with Fire" 8 session course- potentially 2024. A course comprising eight 3-hour ish sessions in the evening

Session 1: Introduction, ancestry of fire, exploring our connection with fire, friction fire within story, folklore and ritual
Session 2: Exploring friction fire methods and learning methods together as a group; integrating story, folklore and ancestry of fire
Session 3: Walking the woods – identifying plants and trees suitable for friction fire; tinder bundles and fire wood. Practicing sustainable harvesting of materials for own use with awareness
Session 4: Walking with awareness, nature connection, collecting and processing nettle for making cordage. Learning to make cordage.
Session 5: Learning to make friction fire sets together with materials gathered. Integrating story and ancestry of fire.
Session 6: guided practice of using our friction fire sets communally and individually; troubleshooting; looking at alternative technique depending on person; tinder bundles
Session 7: Exploring friction fire within ritual; ritual welcoming of fire; exploring different fire rituals; the Northern Europe Need fire ritual ; guidance and avoiding cultural appropriation
Session 8: Fire Ceremony to close out the course – everyone working together drawing on what we’ve learnt over the course

"Journey with Fire" 3 day residential retreat - currently dreaming into this - a few years away at the moment. A residential retreat exploring story, ritual, and our connection with fire through friction fire and to intertwine Friction fire practice in a more sacred and maybe therapeutic and self developmental way over 3 days (this is currently more of an idea which I hope with come to fruition one year!)
"Neid Fire Pilgrimage" visiting places around Scotland where Neid fires once took place and engaging with the local community in some way. The dream would be to develop this into a group tour (maybe once I'm retired!!) It's good to have dreams! If you hold onto a dream they can come into fruition!

Some Previous Collaborations:

I have been sharing my skills informally since I first learnt in 2014. I've held various talks and workshops for local groups in Bristol and as part of other events over the last few years. These are two recent collaborations I have done with other organisations in the last couple of years.

Sacred Hearth has been part of a beautiful annual community gathering called Erti-Suli (2018 to 2021) where I offered my fiery magic including:

The Ancestral Fire workshop - exploring our connection with Fire
Teaching the bow drill to welcome fire.
How Rabbit Stole Fire - introducing the children to fire through story and theatre!

We also used the fire churn as part of a beautiful and powerful fire ceremony to light the opening fire; which was then kept alight during the event.

I've also been involved with "Nomad - Journey with Purpose", which is run by my good friend Tom, helping Tom integrate my approach with fire into Tom's offering. . Nomad was born out of a desire to do something different with outdoor education. Nomad offer journey retreats for adults which have a unique style that work towards reconnecting with nature, visiting ancient ways and story, journeying in a humble and beautiful way, and diving deep within ourselves to unlock something extraordinary. Go to www.nomadwales.com/