HotNews March 2013

Turning of the Tide: Experiences of Sacred Fire Community Solstice Fires

On December 21, 2012, whether you were paying attention or not, the world changed.

This change is spoken of in many traditional cultures, but is most famously known as the Mayan end of the 5th Sun and the entrance of the new era, the 6th Sun.

In many Sacred Fire Community hamlets across the world, this change was celebrated and honored by a special all-night “letting go” fire the night of the 21st, then greeting the new sun on the morning of the new era on the 22nd, and then lighting a new fire that night. Many lit the new fire in the old way, without matches or lighters.

These are some stories from that experience.

My heart is full of something I didn’t even know that I needed, by Annie Marra.

A New End of the World, by Trish Cannon.

El Fuego Neuvo: The New Fire, by Sylvia Malkah Calderon Couriel.

The Wind, by Elizabeth Kelly.

Heart on Fire

“Heart on Fire” is a new series of articles showcasing Sacred Fire Community perspectives on today’s issues in our news and in our world.

Here, Sacred Fire Community Firekeeper Phil Roberts responds to CNN Money’s “8 technologies to save the world” article, in their “Go Green, Get Rich” section.

“You Can’t Stand in the Way of Progress”

The presentation of new technologies in this CNN article is as shallow as it is common in today’s media. Surely the time has come for us to have discussions that go beyond merely paying homage to the seductive promises, the “miracle cures,” of technology. If we really are to “Save the World,” or perhaps more poignantly “Save Ourselves,” we need to explore the reasons behind our reliance on technology and we need to understand the consequences new technologies have on our lives and the world.

It is beyond the scope of this article to explore every facet of technology in detail. But it is worthwhile raising at least a few questions about our current relationship to technology.

Technology has become so pervasive in the modern western world that it seems almost impossible to imagine life without it. Throughout my life, I have often heard the expression “You can’t stand in the way of progress.” Implied in this statement are two messages. Firstly, progress and technology are so obviously beneficial that any critical questioning of technology is unneeded and unwarranted. And secondly, even if you were crazy enough to want to stand in its way, you are powerless to do so. READ MORE.

Honoring our children at the fire… and in a new Lifeways children’s program in the UK!

How are we honoring our children?

Recently, many Firekeepers participated in conference calls on the topic of children at our fires, along with a special guest, Nicole Colvin, who deeply cares about this Community, and is passionate about us doing a better job of nurturing the children and supporting the parents at all our events.

Community by its very nature encompasses all age groups. Children are an integral, honored part of that richness. Many important issues were shared as Firekeepers explored how they and the local communities can better hold the space for children to be naturally woven into the fabric of our community fires. If this is an important issue to you, please talk about it with your local Firekeeper, bring it to your community fires, and help us continue this discussion of how we care for each other and deepen into the experience of real community.

READ MORE.

What makes our lives meaningful? “Getting Ready for Deep Relationship” comes to Pepperell, MA

What makes our lives meaningful?

Well, there are many experiences that make our lives meaningful, and for me, one of those experiences is relationships. Not only a relationship with a partner, but with friends and family as well. Relationships weave the fabric of our lives, connecting us to someone and something beyond our own existence. Relationships are an expression of Fire’s attribute of connection moving in the world.

Since joining the Firekeepers’ Deep Community workgroup, I’ve been pondering – what creates deep community? And it hit me that relationships are what make a community. Relationships are the very core of deep community. Without relationships, we are just a group of people who get together once a month around the fire. Without deep relationships, deep community is not possible. And in order to have deep relationships we need to have courage, and, skills.

Relationships can be a vehicle for great learning and a source of great joy. But many of us flounder in relationships. READ MORE.

Help our Children by donating your time!

Help the Sacred Fire Community create space for our children – become our children’s editor!

We would like to create a children’s corner in our monthly HotNews e-newsletter. Our new children’s editor will spend 3-6 hours per month working with the Speaking department, the Firekeeping department and Lifeways to come up with content for this area and post it by deadline. Creativity abounds and the sky’s the limit! Contact SkyFox if you’re interested.

Find out about more FireWork positions open.

A fresh outlook on modern culture

In these crucial times of change, Sacred Fire shows people what’s cooking. Warm, illuminating, provocative–with a force of heat and transformation–we shine a brilliant light on the joys and dangers of life. Find out more…

Read more HotNewsTo read archives of previous editions of HotNews, please read more by following this link here.

Support the Sacred Fire Community.The SFC is dedicated to transforming our way of life as we foster deep community, heartfelt expression, and a more balanced relationship with nature. Your financial support brings more heart wisdom into the world. Help us feed the fire!

FireWork: it will transform you!

Have you worked with a team of people really invested in your path, your growth, your success?

Working with the Sacred Fire Community is an experience that can be life-changing. If any of these positions calls to your heart, make the leap and help spread fire in the world as you warm up the fire within yourself. Interested in any of these positions? Contact SkyFox. READ MORE.

Holding up the SkyOne day an elephant saw a hummingbird lying on its back with its tiny feet up in the air.

“What are you doing?” asked the elephant.

The hummingbird replied, “I heard that the sky might fall today, and so I am ready to help hold it up, should it fall.”

The elephant laughed cruelly. “Do you really think,” he said, “that those tiny feet could help hold up the sky?”

The hummingbird kept his feet up in the air, intent on his purpose, as he replied, “Not alone. But each must do what he can. And this is what I can do.” READ MORE.

Poetry from the Fire

By Andy Weatherly

Blue heron at the edge of the

brown flood

The river is full but

you are empty

The choice tastes

swept by storms and the sun

illuminates naught but the air

Snaggy shaggy river birch on the

bank’s brink the beavers

disembarked you

winter’s winds trimmed your twigs

mushrooms have mounted

the flood came and left

and still

you stand

waiting uncertainly

rooted READ MORE

Share your voice of Fire!

HotNews call for submissions

Submissions are due the first day of every month by 3 pm CST (USA). These submissions should only be 300 words in length. If you happen to have a picture that goes along with the story, please send it along with your submission, too. Send your submissions to me. If you have any questions; please send them to me, as well.

Warmly,

Robin Lockwood