Ritual Welcoming of Fire
A few suggestions for ritual fires:
I am not going to mandate any way to ritually light a fire, or how to conduct fire ceremonies as I do not attach myself to any particular religion, doctrine or tradition and I do not perform rituals from other traditions (as I personally see that as appropriation) but have made a few suggestions below. My fire rituals are my own interpretation of honouring the ancestral fire.
I'm also trying to stay away from saying lighting or making fires. You could say we don't make fire as fire could be seen as an ever present energy (lying dormant in wood \ stones etc) waiting to be kindled or welcomed out !! I like to say "welcoming fire" which for me is about "making" fire with a deeper connection, with intention, awareness and reverence. Many stories and legends tell of how fire was hidden in the wood and the only way to tempt fire out of the wood was through rubbing the wood together. Other phrases could be "kindling of fire", "invocation of fire" or "churning of fire" (Vedic term)
I will add to this page over time with links to rituals and friction methods used by various traditions and the woods which were seen to be more sacred. I'm only just scratching the surface here so this will be expanded on over time.
One of the key things about any ritual practice is doing it with intention and awareness.
I'm also trying to stay away from saying lighting or making fires. You could say we don't make fire as fire could be seen as an ever present energy (lying dormant in wood \ stones etc) waiting to be kindled or welcomed out !! I like to say "welcoming fire" which for me is about "making" fire with a deeper connection, with intention, awareness and reverence. Many stories and legends tell of how fire was hidden in the wood and the only way to tempt fire out of the wood was through rubbing the wood together. Other phrases could be "kindling of fire", "invocation of fire" or "churning of fire" (Vedic term)
I will add to this page over time with links to rituals and friction methods used by various traditions and the woods which were seen to be more sacred. I'm only just scratching the surface here so this will be expanded on over time.
One of the key things about any ritual practice is doing it with intention and awareness.
Holding the ceremonial space
As with any ritual\ceremony it is common for the ritual and space to be held and directed. In bushcraft\everyday fire lighting, the lighting of the fire is seen more of an individual's role but in ritual it is common across many traditions for it to be a more shared\communal role. Or if it is just one person, for the space to be held and all intention and focus is on the person welcoming in the fire.
It may be prudent to allocate "roles" beforehand such as those who wiil be involved in preparing and kindling the fire, and fire keepers.
As with any ritual\ceremony it is common for the ritual and space to be held and directed. In bushcraft\everyday fire lighting, the lighting of the fire is seen more of an individual's role but in ritual it is common across many traditions for it to be a more shared\communal role. Or if it is just one person, for the space to be held and all intention and focus is on the person welcoming in the fire.
It may be prudent to allocate "roles" beforehand such as those who wiil be involved in preparing and kindling the fire, and fire keepers.
Preparation
I feel preparation is very important for ritual fire, and I like to prepare the materials and kit with awareness and intention, and you may like to make blessings\offerings as you gather and prepare materials.
The choice of fire wood may also be important to you. I like to choose native local woods (to where the fire is being sited) where possible and to use dead dry woods with good burning properties - please see this blog post for some suggestions of fire wood.
You may also want to think about the woods to use in the friction set - here are some good combinations for the bow drill (dill / hearth) - hazel/ivy. hazel/ash, hazel/lime, oak/oak (it does work but takes a bit more preparation and patience.) Again if possible you may want to use woods local and native to where the ritual is taking place (this may not always be possible though.)
Oak was commonly used by the Celts and Slavs in kindling the Neid Fire, Banyan used in Vedic fire rituals and the Greeks used Ivy and Bay Laurel.
You may also like to prepare the fire pit in advance and have all the fire wood needed for the duration of the fire ready prepared. Or you may want to make and prepare the fire pit as part of the ceremony itself. I suggest a clean fire pit with no rubbish, no metal or stones in the base.
I feel preparation is very important for ritual fire, and I like to prepare the materials and kit with awareness and intention, and you may like to make blessings\offerings as you gather and prepare materials.
The choice of fire wood may also be important to you. I like to choose native local woods (to where the fire is being sited) where possible and to use dead dry woods with good burning properties - please see this blog post for some suggestions of fire wood.
You may also want to think about the woods to use in the friction set - here are some good combinations for the bow drill (dill / hearth) - hazel/ivy. hazel/ash, hazel/lime, oak/oak (it does work but takes a bit more preparation and patience.) Again if possible you may want to use woods local and native to where the ritual is taking place (this may not always be possible though.)
Oak was commonly used by the Celts and Slavs in kindling the Neid Fire, Banyan used in Vedic fire rituals and the Greeks used Ivy and Bay Laurel.
You may also like to prepare the fire pit in advance and have all the fire wood needed for the duration of the fire ready prepared. Or you may want to make and prepare the fire pit as part of the ceremony itself. I suggest a clean fire pit with no rubbish, no metal or stones in the base.
Welcoming the Fire \ Welcoming the Ember (embryonic fire) From The Wood
Through my research, it seems that across many traditions there is a commonality that is the use of Friction Fire for ritual \ sacred fires. I have not yet come across the use of other methods such as striking flints. In the Vedic fire rituals they still use friction fire today in places. And in many traditions, it is more of a communal activity rather than just one person.
The choice of the method may not be too important, and at first I recommend to start with the bow drill as a friction method and still it can take time to learn and perfect (see Learning Methods.) I would suggest to try and use all natural materials such as natural cordage with the bow drill for ritual once you have learnt (you can buy good flax \ sisal cordage rather than making your own cordage if needed.) I personally dislike the use of modern Ferro rods as they produce very hot metal sparks and maybe use matches if necessary - but again I'm not mandating what to use but for me friction fire is the way and is the primary reason I chose to learn it. I find the Hand Drill can be a profound method for ritual but it can take time and dedication to learn.
The Bow Drill and Hand drill are typically performed by one person, although people could take turns spinning the hand drill etc . And the same with the bow drill, several people can easily be involved with it - someone holding the bearing block, 2 people using the bow etc. The ultimate though for me is the fire churn!
Also, with ritual it's not about speed or efficiency, but more about welcoming in the fire with intention, focus and awareness and theatrics is seen by some as a vital ingredient in ritual so nothing wrong with a few failed attempts!
Below are a couple of methods used by other traditions. I will add to this over time. I currently like the "churning of fire" (strap drill) method as it needs to involve a few people.
Whilst the ritual of welcoming the ember (or the embryonic fire) is in progress, I prefer that the others watching, to focus their intention on the ritual and to be aware and maybe say blessings either quietly or out loud. I prefer all awareness and intention to be focused on the welcoming of the fire, and no other chatter \ distractive activity etc whilst it is in progress. You may want to do it in grand ceremony; give thanks or blessings ; or in reflective solitude. The Vedic Agni Manthan rituals are accompanied by chanting of the Vedic hymns associated with the ritual.
Through my research, it seems that across many traditions there is a commonality that is the use of Friction Fire for ritual \ sacred fires. I have not yet come across the use of other methods such as striking flints. In the Vedic fire rituals they still use friction fire today in places. And in many traditions, it is more of a communal activity rather than just one person.
The choice of the method may not be too important, and at first I recommend to start with the bow drill as a friction method and still it can take time to learn and perfect (see Learning Methods.) I would suggest to try and use all natural materials such as natural cordage with the bow drill for ritual once you have learnt (you can buy good flax \ sisal cordage rather than making your own cordage if needed.) I personally dislike the use of modern Ferro rods as they produce very hot metal sparks and maybe use matches if necessary - but again I'm not mandating what to use but for me friction fire is the way and is the primary reason I chose to learn it. I find the Hand Drill can be a profound method for ritual but it can take time and dedication to learn.
The Bow Drill and Hand drill are typically performed by one person, although people could take turns spinning the hand drill etc . And the same with the bow drill, several people can easily be involved with it - someone holding the bearing block, 2 people using the bow etc. The ultimate though for me is the fire churn!
Also, with ritual it's not about speed or efficiency, but more about welcoming in the fire with intention, focus and awareness and theatrics is seen by some as a vital ingredient in ritual so nothing wrong with a few failed attempts!
Below are a couple of methods used by other traditions. I will add to this over time. I currently like the "churning of fire" (strap drill) method as it needs to involve a few people.
Whilst the ritual of welcoming the ember (or the embryonic fire) is in progress, I prefer that the others watching, to focus their intention on the ritual and to be aware and maybe say blessings either quietly or out loud. I prefer all awareness and intention to be focused on the welcoming of the fire, and no other chatter \ distractive activity etc whilst it is in progress. You may want to do it in grand ceremony; give thanks or blessings ; or in reflective solitude. The Vedic Agni Manthan rituals are accompanied by chanting of the Vedic hymns associated with the ritual.
Some ritual \sacred methods
I'm only just scratching the surface here and still have much research to do across the many traditions and indigenous peoples around the world. So here are just a couple. The hand drill was \is common particularly amongst the Indigenous peoples of the America's, Africa and Australia. The Bow Drill was\is a common method amongst Inuit and Ancient Egyptians and many others, and Fire Saw in Asia. It would be interesting to know if they had variations of these methods for ritual rather than "everyday" use (if there is indeed any evidence of this.)
I'm only just scratching the surface here and still have much research to do across the many traditions and indigenous peoples around the world. So here are just a couple. The hand drill was \is common particularly amongst the Indigenous peoples of the America's, Africa and Australia. The Bow Drill was\is a common method amongst Inuit and Ancient Egyptians and many others, and Fire Saw in Asia. It would be interesting to know if they had variations of these methods for ritual rather than "everyday" use (if there is indeed any evidence of this.)
Neid Fire , Force Fire
Fore Fire is a method used by the Celts throughout Europe (Neid Fire, Force Fire, Tein'-éigin, Notfeuer, Nodfyr) and the Slavs (священного живого Огня - Sacred Live Fire) to welcome in a new pure fire in times of distress or as at auspicious times of the year such as Samhain and Beltaine. Please see more about this here. Oak seemed to have been the traditional sacred choice of wood for the Celts and Slavs. This is the method I most connect with as I have a cultural and indeed DNA Celtic ancestry.
Fore Fire is a method used by the Celts throughout Europe (Neid Fire, Force Fire, Tein'-éigin, Notfeuer, Nodfyr) and the Slavs (священного живого Огня - Sacred Live Fire) to welcome in a new pure fire in times of distress or as at auspicious times of the year such as Samhain and Beltaine. Please see more about this here. Oak seemed to have been the traditional sacred choice of wood for the Celts and Slavs. This is the method I most connect with as I have a cultural and indeed DNA Celtic ancestry.
Churning of Arani
The Hindu Vedic tradition is the churning of Arani (sacred wood) to invoke Lord Agni. The Banyan tree seems to be the chosen sacred wood. Please see more here. Again, this is similar to the strap drill. In the Vedic ceremonies they will sing\chant prayers as the fire ritual is in progress.
The Hindu Vedic tradition is the churning of Arani (sacred wood) to invoke Lord Agni. The Banyan tree seems to be the chosen sacred wood. Please see more here. Again, this is similar to the strap drill. In the Vedic ceremonies they will sing\chant prayers as the fire ritual is in progress.
Breathing into the Fire
Once you have welcomed the ember (or embryonic fire) from the wood, you then need to feed the ember with tinder and breath, to welcome in the fire. I like to use a nice big bundle of very dry dead materials such as bracken and willowherb seed heads, and place the ember in the middle with care and awareness, and then caress it with your breath to welcome in the fire. Depending on the number of people involved, you may like each person to blow onto the tinder bundle, , or you could ask everyone to make a collective symbolic breath towards the bundle if you like.
Once you have welcomed the ember (or embryonic fire) from the wood, you then need to feed the ember with tinder and breath, to welcome in the fire. I like to use a nice big bundle of very dry dead materials such as bracken and willowherb seed heads, and place the ember in the middle with care and awareness, and then caress it with your breath to welcome in the fire. Depending on the number of people involved, you may like each person to blow onto the tinder bundle, , or you could ask everyone to make a collective symbolic breath towards the bundle if you like.
Feeding the Fire
Once the fire has been welcomed into the tinder bundle, it then needs to be fed with small very dry kindling and then gradually add gradually bigger pieces of wood to the fire (again with awareness and attention rather than throwing it onto the fire...)
To keep the ritual fire clean and pure and to respect the fire it is recommended that no rubbish is put on the fire including cigarettes, paper, tissues, card, plastic etc.
However, you may like to ask people to place offerings on the fire such as chocolate or whiskey or incense and say a blessing
If you are in sacred\ceremonial space overnight or a few days then it maybe preferred to have a fire vigil and keep the fire burning for the duration rather than having to relight the fire. If the fire does die out, then you may want to first try using the embers from the fire before starting again to tempt the ember from the wood.
Once the fire has been welcomed into the tinder bundle, it then needs to be fed with small very dry kindling and then gradually add gradually bigger pieces of wood to the fire (again with awareness and attention rather than throwing it onto the fire...)
To keep the ritual fire clean and pure and to respect the fire it is recommended that no rubbish is put on the fire including cigarettes, paper, tissues, card, plastic etc.
However, you may like to ask people to place offerings on the fire such as chocolate or whiskey or incense and say a blessing
If you are in sacred\ceremonial space overnight or a few days then it maybe preferred to have a fire vigil and keep the fire burning for the duration rather than having to relight the fire. If the fire does die out, then you may want to first try using the embers from the fire before starting again to tempt the ember from the wood.
Extinguishing the Fire
In some traditions, the fire was left to die out naturally rather than be put out but this all depends on the situation and surroundings - don't leave the fire to die out unattended, especially if lit in the wilds or public space.
I personally prefer to ritually put out the fire with intention and awareness.
In some traditions, the fire was left to die out naturally rather than be put out but this all depends on the situation and surroundings - don't leave the fire to die out unattended, especially if lit in the wilds or public space.
I personally prefer to ritually put out the fire with intention and awareness.