A3 books Fire - handbook for guardians Fire has been essential to humans since the beginning of time. Fire played a significant role not only in daily life but also in ceremonies. Our ancestors believed that every sacred fire is connected to the great Fire of Life, to the fire deep within the Earth, and to fires of all time. The Elders knew when the time was right to pass on knowledge to others. For example, Immia Schellevis felt at one point that it was her turn to pass on the knowledge and experience she had acquired in nearly twenty years of firekeeping, in the form of a book. "It was outside during the third round of a sweat lodge ceremony, as the sun was almost setting, and I realized I was getting older."
In this handbook for keepers (fire women and fire men), she first shares her journey to becoming a fire woman and fire priestess. She then provides extensive practical information and advice on topics including tools, clothing, safety, gathering materials, team tasks, building a fire for a sweat lodge ceremony or firewalk, and the flow of such ceremonies. But above all, she focuses on the language of Fire. Fire communicates with you. This requires you to be aware of everything that is and isn't within you, and to allow Fire to feel this. Fire has its own language, and understanding it begins with contact with trees, grasses, and reeds, the seasons and wind directions—during the gathering of materials, choosing your tools, preparing for the ceremony, and ultimately tending the fire. The more you connect with nature, Mother Earth, and the Great Knowing, the more you understand the language of Fire. Fire, by definition, cannot be controlled, but you can cooperate with it if you are deeply connected to it. Fire will guide you to what it needs if you open yourself to it. Fire releases knowledge and wisdom, giving you deep insights and answers that you sometimes don't immediately grasp. Understanding fire requires you to be guided by something greater than yourself.