earthFIRE Australia is dedicated to holding sacred fire circles where people can co-create through the pathways of dance, voice, music, and seva (to serve freely with love and compassion). This gathering is organic and spontaneous. Each person who attends helps to create this space whether it be through personal offerings of music, spoken word, art or ritual theatre or simply by witnessing the beauty that unfolds.
At earthFIRE gatherings we seek to 'dance up' the earth with respect and love. Our wish is for these fire circles to be a celebration, full of joy, art, creativity and play and where necessary, a space for healing. A place where we can consciously connect with ourselves, each other, the earth, nature and spirit. We will strive for this to be a safe space to explore our depths, to experience open hearted interactions with others, and a sense of oneness. Sacred fire circles seek to support both personal transformation and group consciousness.
Each circle is unique to a particular time, place and group of people. Each circle weaves its' own magic.
There are only a few agreements that we ask all who attend to support. These agreements between the pathways seek to support us creating a deep, safe container and remind us of how our actions affect others.
earthFIRE gatherings weave together people who wish to experience community, who wish to explore the highest vision of themselves and who are conscious of the footprint they leave on the earth. People from all paths and traditions are welcome, as the gathering is common ground for everyone to share their individuality, savour our humanity and honour all that is sacred. Whether you are a drummer, a dancer, a meditator, interested in shamanism and earth magic, energetic healer, chanter, massage/body worker or someone who simply believes strongly in community and service you can play a vitally important part in co-creating the magic that happens at an earthFIRE gathering. We invite you to be part of this co-creation.
earthFire Gatherings are something completely different. While improvisational performance and creativity is part of a fire circle, it is also much more than this. It is intentional ritual shared by a community. The sacred container created also draws on other musical instruments, voice, dance and seva. Drumming is in seva of deep sacred play and trance dance and as such requires a consciousness of what is happening in the entire circle. So while everyone is invited to play what is in their hearts and spirit, we ask that you maintain connection to what is going on in the circle around you.
The fire circle is co-created by all who enter the space. You will be invited to participate in a cleansing and centering process, and to bring in your intention, be it to explore your creativity, flow with the energies, or celebrate.
The fire circles themselves are co-created spaces. They are organic, spontaneous and mindful events. Even the process of observing others is done with intention of witnessing the beauty of community and what is unfolding. During the circle there are four primary pathways through which to participate: music, dance, voice and seva. You are encouraged to experience and move between these pathways during the course of an evening. The fire circle is a co-created container that draws on the interchanging relationship between the four primary pathways:
The musicians agreement is to be in a balanced and harmonious relationship with people accessing the other pathways.
Music making is a mindful practice requiring focus and sensitivity. The circle honours musical diversity but appreciates the deep steady groove that is foundational to trance. In addition to djembes and dun duns space is provided for showcasing other instruments such as frame drums, doumbeks, congas, didjeridoos, crystal singing bowls, gongs and chimes, temple bells, berimbau, mbiras, mouth harps, conch shells, shruti boxes, rattles and rainsticks. Generally melodic instruments such as guitars are not part of the fire circle as they are less conducive to supporting trance but wind instruments and harps have made some beautiful contributions in the hours just before dawn. When playing an instrument remember that you are in seva to the fire circle. This can mean that rhythms played can go on for a very long time. We avoid starts and stops in order to allow us to journey from from the outside to the inside and to nurture trance, allowing the music to gently fade away into silence. We allow complete stillness to hold us for a while in rich anticipation of the next offering to emerge. Many instruments are provided for people to explore their musical creativity with.
For eons many indigenous communities have danced in circles around a fire. earthFIRE draws on this tradition. Dancing is not a matter of physical prowess or technique but rather a personally created and styled physical movement that expresses a person’s inner being. At some stage during the night, while dancing within the circle, a dancer will have many different experiences, which may include walking in deep meditation with the earth, engaging in ecstatic dance, journeying within and entering a state of deep trance, or connecting through playful movement with others in the circle.
There is a gratitude zone on the edge of the circle in front of the drummers. This is a space where a dancer can honour the drummers for their sacred sounds and ‘dance in gratitude’ to the drummers. The drummers love to exchange energy with the dancers in this way.
The agreement held by the pathway of dance to the other pathways is to keep moving. Faster movements are closer to the fire with slower movements towards the edges of the circle.
When stillness beckons the dancer takes their place at the perimeter of the circle (and not in the circle where they can inhibit the movement of others) bearing witness to all that is unfolding in the circle. This is an opportunity to support the space with the rattle.
Mostly we all move in the same direction so not to obstruct each other but the direction can change from clockwise to anti-clockwise from one night to another. It is simply what is for the highest good on that night. Movement continues in some way around the circle from the opening ritual until the closing ritual at dawn.
This pathway has many expressions – tones, laughing, whistling, poetry, words from your heart and even silence. Vocal percussion of all traditions are welcomed. Chant is a powerful form of meditation and singing a song together brings us into a shared breathing cycle. Anyone can start a chant. It is an easy way to energise the circle. Everyone is invited to join in. It does not matter what sound you make as long as you sing with spirit! It is often easier to join up with a few others to learn the chant and then collectively share it with the group. Some chants will split into layers with some singing the original chant line with layers of melodies interwoven through it. New chants and arrangements are often invented around the fire - feel free to contribute.
Spoken word segments tend to be brief allowing us to return to shared group expressions. Many practices and beliefs are represented in the circle, as we converge from various spiritual paths and traditions. Please choose chants and songs that are inclusive to everyone. By attending to what is happening, moment to moment in the fire circle, we can get inspired to know what the next chant could be. Look, listen and discover what is going on in the deeper layers, you will be guided and you will know what to do. Trust the process…breathe and release attachment to the outcome.
Seva is to serve freely with love and compassion (To be 'in service'). We are in service to the earth, the universe, spirit and also each other – our earthFIRE family.
Some ways you can be of service are:
The fire circle is a sacred mandala within which we co-create together. The magic is in the strength of the container.
In the middle is the fire and this will be tendered to by the Fire Tenders team. These people will take turns to tend the fire over a course of a gathering.
Around this is a circle for people to dance and move. It is important to avoid collisions. Usually the movement is in one direction although on occasions multiple rings or layers of movement can occur. The outer ring is generally slower, and is a good place to circulate while making eye contact with others. The innermost ring is generally faster and the tracks in the middle somewhere in between. For the safety of yourself and for others, it is important to be aware of what is around you. If you feel yourself go into trance or another deep state, you can ask for assistance from rattlers or other dancers in keeping space open for you to continue your circuits safely. Stopping in within the circle will most likely cut others off from the light and heat and can block the movement of the dancers. If you need to stand still while dancing, it is best to step outside the circle.
This is an area for dancers immediately in front of the drummers where you can more directly connect with the drummers. You can come into this space if no other dancer is there and express your gratitude to drummers through eye contact and all-out movement and then step out again to continue moving around the sacred fire.
The drummers and percussionists sit and stand together in a semi-circle, or rounded 'V'. There will be seats for drummers to sit on and areas for standing drummers/percussionists to offer their gifts through the evening. Bass drums - dun duns, surdos etc are set up behind the seated hand drummers. In the centre of the bass drummers is the OneDrum - this is for experienced drummers to hold the honour of keeping the "One" or the Pulse, of the rhythm so that the other drums may stay connected with each other. There is a percussion altar people can borrow instruments from.
We ask that you
There is a Grounding Zone where people who need to be grounded or would like the support of others can be tended to. If you find yourself feeling un-centred, sad or in need of a shoulder rub or just a shoulder, you can go to the Grounding Zone. Volunteers engaging in seva will be with you while you ground yourself.
When a desire or need arises to do contact improvisation, move to the Contact Zone. This is a space for you to engage in free form dance on your own or with a partner.
This is the outmost layer of the moving dance tracks. Slower dancers and rattlers can revolve around the fire here, and those in trance can orbit with rattlers supporting them. Usually, this track is not a place of excessive movement, but one of contemplative and rhythmic stepping or grooving.
This is the guardian and witnessing space. If you wish to be engaged but perhaps not by dancing or drumming, you can help hold the energy of the circle by standing at the perimeter of the circle and adding your voice and rattle to the mix. By being here, you support the physical boundary of the circle, giving the dancers and drummers a safe container in which to do their work. You can step in and out as Spirit moves you. We ask that idle chatter be keep outside the ring of torches and not at the perimeter of the circle; also please watch to make sure you are not standing or dancing in place inside the dancers tracks, which would block the movement of other dancers around the fire.
Around the earthFIRE mandala is a ring of torches and other boundary markings. Within this ring is where the fire circle ritual is enacted all-night long, and is sacred space. The Fire Tenders team look after the torches. Outside of the torch perimeter you can set your ‘nest’ - a blanket, beach chairs, drinks and other small (portable) items to keep you through the night. A communal nest will also be available.
We ask that there be no idle chatter and general discussion inside the ring of torches; if you wish to speak casually with another, please step outside the torches. Inside the fire circle you will encounter all sorts of sacred sounds - song, shouts, cries, laughter, vocal percussion - add your spirit and voice to the chorus and enjoy! Of course sacred work that includes speaking with another is wonderful - your epiphanies, our fears, songs, poems, and truths are welcome here.
This is the sacred entrance into and out of the fire circle ritual area. Please leave and enter through this entrance. At the portal we may smudge one another or ourselves with gum leaves, sage smoke or water as a purification rite. All are invited to breathe, ground, centre and be aware we are entering sacred space each time we step through the Portal.
This is where contributions of water and finger foods can be placed and taken. You can serve others by offering them food. Just grab a container, and hold the food or water where those who are able/willing to make eye contact can see it. They'll nod or let you know if they would like some. This will keep us fed, grounded and full of energy through the night.
This is a quiet, sacred space to meditate and commune with spirit on your own or to deeply connect with another.
You are invited to tie a your dreams, wishes and blessings to the Blessing Tree.
The container extends well beyond the circle. If you love to connect with that which is beyond the circle, to take some time to yourself while rattling or chanting, or to do sacred work with another or the earth while remaining engaged, you can "go walkabout" and orbit the circle from a greater distance. You can do more private work, and also give much support to the area inside the walkabout path. By simply walking and rattling, you can remind others that they are in sacred space when you pass, bringing them back into a place of mindful engagement.
We are all responsible for our own experiences and safety. We will have a medical person onsite and there will be those in seva to help ground, support and guide you. If during the course of the evening (or gathering) you feel the need to talk with somebody, there will be a Grounding Zone where you can sit, get a shoulder rub, have your hand held, or just sit and be near supportive people.
If during the fire circle your movements around the fire seem erratic, or potentially dangerous to those around you or to yourself, Rattle Guides may appear. These people will endeavour to ensure safety without speaking or intervening in your process. Please respect personal space boundaries. We refrain from touching, or speaking to a person deep in their process, unless she or he explicitly invites it.
If your process takes you to a place where you become too ungrounded, you will be guided to The Grounding Zone to re-centre. Here you'll be supported and gently guided in your breathing in order to regain equilibrium. If you wish to process further you can invite someone to assist you, or look to utilise other ritual spaces to complete your work. Deep emotional work does happen at the fire, and this is good! Please allow those facilitating the event to gently guide you if you are blocking drummers, dancers or are otherwise in an unsafe place. Jumping over the fire is not accepted behaviour.
This is a sacred space, alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted. People found with drugs on site will be asked to leave the gathering. There are many reasons for doing this. We will be engaging in the process of fine-tuning ourselves rather than doing anything that will remove us from one another or tune us out from our own potential. In our experience, we have everything we need to attain incredible heightened states of consciousness without the aid of any state altering substances. Furthermore, the ability to retain the experience and integrate it into our daily lives is far more sustainable without altering ourselves. Our sacred circle model offers an opportunity to step into an environment that truly holds us in the highest vision of ourselves. Thank you for respecting these boundaries. If you wish to smoke tobacco you are asked to go the designated smoking area.
Yes, these are family friendly gatherings. However, if you bring a child/ren you must plan to be 100% responsible for the care of the child/ren throughout the gathering - especially during the all-night fire circles. You may wish to team up with other parents to co-create activities for the children to participate in.
You are invited to express your aesthetic and authentic self. Body decoration may be simple or ornate which will add to the beauty and vibration of the circles. Each fire circle will have a common vision but on each evening will explore a different theme and be accompanied with its own ritual. You are welcome to use these themes to inspire your creativity for your clothing and body adornments.
Two vegetarian meals are provided each day. Hot and cold drinks will be available throughout the gathering as will fruit and toast. We encourage folks to bring additional snacks to share for the food altar such as fresh fruit, nuts and home made goodies. It’s important to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
People are welcome to use the night time fire circle as a space to work consciously on body acceptance. This may involve nudity with or without body art. We ask that you remain clothed during the daytime. Please remember though that whatever you choose to wear, make sure it is comfortable.
The number of attendees is currently capped at 60 people for the all-night fire circles.
You must be at least 17 years old, or accompanied by a parent or guardian.
If you wish to hang out, take a rest, or dance in a place by yourself, there will be special areas where you can create a 'nest'. People generally bring blankets and water to their nests in order to be comfortable throughout the evening.
Welcome. An introduction on ‘Finding your way around the fire’ will be provided at each gathering. You can also find out more by reading the ‘Finding Your way around the fire’ summary.
This is currently a vendor free event.