Sacred Hearth Friction Fire .....
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The ancestral fire continues to burn however SHFF is no longer active and not currently running workshops. Please do make use of the various articles and videos that have been produced over the years. Knowledge is to be shared!
The below give a little info about my approach between 2014 and early 2024. My connection to the ancestral fire and love of fire by friction will always continue and I may resurface again at some point in a slightly different guise. |
I am not a bushcrafter nor survivalist. In 2014, I was participating in sacred practice and rituals and wanted to learn a traditional way to welcome fire. I decided to learn bow drill and after a few months I was successful and started to use it within events I participated in to welcome fire as part of rituals. I then started researching into the folklore and sacredness of fire and became fascinated and passionate about rubbing sticks to welcome fire and Sacred Hearth Friction Fire has slowly evolved over the years.
My practice of rubbing sticks and honouring the ancestral fire is akin to a practice (as yoga and meditation is a practice.) Most of the time I am rubbing sticks to practice as a practice and not to “light” a fire. Occasionally I may feed the embryonic ancestral fire with a tinder bundle and breathe into life . So when I am practicing - if an ember is coaxed or not it doesn’t matter. It’s the practice that connects me and through the practice I honour the ancestral fire; my ancestors; the land and the world as a whole.
When I need a fire either when camping or as part of a ritual or an event then I will draw on my knowledge and experience to ensure fire is welcomed through rubbing sticks and tended with awareness . Outside (includes within large covered spaces/roundhouses etc) I will always rub sticks to welcome fire.
Since 2014 I have been teaching myself fire by friction skills and experimenting and challenging myself with various methods; as well as researching into the folklore, ritual and ancestry of fire ; and regularly practicing fire by friction - and sharing my skills and knowledge via this website, Insta , Facebook and Youtube. I am respected by many (inc instructors and professionals) as being skilled and knowledgeable in the art of rubbing sticks. I would never call myself a master or expert -
I am an apprentice of fire.
Please note: I don't have any certificates as I am not a bushcraft instructor and do not teach in a bushcraft way!
I am an apprentice of the ancestral fire.
For me it's far more than just the practical side of it - the main reason I do it is for the sacred connection.
I have over 20 years experience of participating in ritual and retreats and various "spiritual" practices which has helped develop my own approach of rubbing sticks in a holistic way. I have held various workshops and talks as well as guiding others to rub sticks and performing rituals with the fire churn.
I am always evolving and adapting and learning. I feel I offer something which is missing - guiding others to rub sticks for use in sacred/holisitic practice.
I have been recently focussing on further delving into Neid Fire and trying to bring it back into our cultural heritage as well as guiding people in welcoming fire by rubbing sticks for used in sacred practice.
I have been very passionate about sharing my approach with others ... the ritual welcoming of fire through rubbing sticks is a rich part of the cultural heritage of the British Isles and was practiced for hundreds of years well before the bushcraft and survival movement came along.
Just to add - I am not a bushcraft instructor and do not teach buscraft - friction fire is taught within bushcraft and there are many ways of going about rubbing sticks. There is no one way. I rub sticks in a holistic/sacred way which is quite a different to how it may be used within bushcraft.
SHFF has always been inclusive and embraces people from all walks of life and backgrounds and techniques can be adapted depending on physical ability. The bow drill is more about technique than speed or strength (as I prove in some of my videos) and you do not need to do it on your own - traditionally fire was welcomed communally!
Everyone can have a go at rubbing sticks!
Blessings on the ancestral fire!
Ian - January 2024
My practice of rubbing sticks and honouring the ancestral fire is akin to a practice (as yoga and meditation is a practice.) Most of the time I am rubbing sticks to practice as a practice and not to “light” a fire. Occasionally I may feed the embryonic ancestral fire with a tinder bundle and breathe into life . So when I am practicing - if an ember is coaxed or not it doesn’t matter. It’s the practice that connects me and through the practice I honour the ancestral fire; my ancestors; the land and the world as a whole.
When I need a fire either when camping or as part of a ritual or an event then I will draw on my knowledge and experience to ensure fire is welcomed through rubbing sticks and tended with awareness . Outside (includes within large covered spaces/roundhouses etc) I will always rub sticks to welcome fire.
Since 2014 I have been teaching myself fire by friction skills and experimenting and challenging myself with various methods; as well as researching into the folklore, ritual and ancestry of fire ; and regularly practicing fire by friction - and sharing my skills and knowledge via this website, Insta , Facebook and Youtube. I am respected by many (inc instructors and professionals) as being skilled and knowledgeable in the art of rubbing sticks. I would never call myself a master or expert -
I am an apprentice of fire.
Please note: I don't have any certificates as I am not a bushcraft instructor and do not teach in a bushcraft way!
I am an apprentice of the ancestral fire.
For me it's far more than just the practical side of it - the main reason I do it is for the sacred connection.
I have over 20 years experience of participating in ritual and retreats and various "spiritual" practices which has helped develop my own approach of rubbing sticks in a holistic way. I have held various workshops and talks as well as guiding others to rub sticks and performing rituals with the fire churn.
I am always evolving and adapting and learning. I feel I offer something which is missing - guiding others to rub sticks for use in sacred/holisitic practice.
I have been recently focussing on further delving into Neid Fire and trying to bring it back into our cultural heritage as well as guiding people in welcoming fire by rubbing sticks for used in sacred practice.
I have been very passionate about sharing my approach with others ... the ritual welcoming of fire through rubbing sticks is a rich part of the cultural heritage of the British Isles and was practiced for hundreds of years well before the bushcraft and survival movement came along.
Just to add - I am not a bushcraft instructor and do not teach buscraft - friction fire is taught within bushcraft and there are many ways of going about rubbing sticks. There is no one way. I rub sticks in a holistic/sacred way which is quite a different to how it may be used within bushcraft.
SHFF has always been inclusive and embraces people from all walks of life and backgrounds and techniques can be adapted depending on physical ability. The bow drill is more about technique than speed or strength (as I prove in some of my videos) and you do not need to do it on your own - traditionally fire was welcomed communally!
Everyone can have a go at rubbing sticks!
Blessings on the ancestral fire!
Ian - January 2024
