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APRIL WOMEN'S FULL MOON SACRED FIRE—— --
Tuesday, April 23—Fire starts at 7 pm
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The energy of the Full Moon is a time to witness our actions and assess what we're bringing forth. A time to consider life's flow and contemplate choices about how we want to honor and navigate "what is".
Come share, care, and repair around the medicine of a sacred fire! The more you can attend these fires, the more benefit you'll experience. Your relationship with Fire and with those who attend will deepen into a real resource that feeds your spirit.
NOTE MAY DATE CHANGE FOR NEXT MONTH'S WOMEN'S FIRE:
FRIDAY MAY 24
Save the dates on your calendar! Here's the 2024 schedule. No RSVPs are ever required for a Women's Fire
Please note: while we promote these fires as being on the full moon, some fires will occur the day before, or possibly the day after. Some months are TBD for a Full Moon fire for scheduling reasons.
| Wed, Jan 24th |
Fri, May 24th |
Sep. 17th TBD |
| Sat., Feb 24th |
Fri, June 21st TBD |
Wed Oct 16th |
| Mon, Mar. 25th |
Sat. July 20th |
Fri, Nov. 15th |
| Tue, Apr 23rd |
Sun, Aug 18th |
Sat, Dec 14th |
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APRIL MEN'S FIRE ON WEDNESDAY—
Wednesday, April 24—Fire starts at 7
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We gather every fourth Wednesday, 
On the 4th Wednesday of the month, we gather around the fire in a setting that contains us as men, to learn and share how we move in the world.
The Fire House and consecrated fire pit afford us an opening, a doorway that allows for certain boundaries to be crossed and understandings to take place. Come sit with us around the fire and warm oneself.
For more information, please contact Peter Brown at 360-561-8772 or peter@peterbrownhealing.com
Here are the planned dates for the 2024 Men's Fires. Add them to your calendar now. If dates change in the months to come, we'll note the changes in red in future email announcements.
No RSVPs are ever required for a Men's Fire
| Wed, Jan 24th - No Fire |
Wed, May 22nd |
Wed, Sept. 25th |
| Wed, Feb 28th |
Wed, June 26th |
Wed Oct 23rd |
| Wed, Mar. 27th |
Wed, July 24th |
Wed, Nov. 27th |
| Wed, Apr 24th |
Wed, Aug 28th |
Wed, Dec 25th - TBD |
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MAY COMMUNITY FIRE—DATE CHANGE
Friday, May 10— Fire starts at 7
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 NOTE DATE change! Our First Friday Community Fire is on the SECOND Friday this month.
We humans are a diverse bunch of unique individuals—but inside we each experience similar highs and lows, joys and challenges, fears and longings.
We're all related beings, making our way through life in the best way we know how. Share your stories in a safe, respectful place where our purpose is to listen to connect with you, not to correct you.
Come transform your life through the gift of Fire!
Everyone is welcome!
As humans, we've had a relationship with fire since the beginning of time. Anthropologists even say that having a relationship with Fire is what made hominids human.
Fire lights our nights, keeps us warm, helps us cook food and make things. Everyone is drawn to a fire. And there's more to our relationship with Fire. Fire is part of our spiritual DNA. Fire lifts our spirits, warms our hearts, and can melt the stuck emotions we feel inside or between people. Fire is good medicine!
Here's the complete "First Friday" Community Fire Schedule. If we need to change a date due to travel or a conflict, we'll mark the change in red. It's always good to check a current newsletter for changes.
| Fri, Jan 5 |
Fri,, May 10th |
Fri, Sept. 6th |
| Fri, Feb 2nd |
Fri, June 7th |
Fri, Oct 4th |
| Fri, Mar. 1st |
Fri, July 5th |
Fri, Nov. 1st |
| Fri, Apr 5th |
Fri, Aug 2nd |
Fri, Dec 6th |
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UPCOMING SEASONAL CEREMONIES
Celebrating Life's Changes
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Every year is a wheel--we roll through familiar cycles into an absolutely unknown future.
By honoring the Divine Forces who give us life in their own time— the seasons, the weather, the lands, the waters, the plants, animals and spirits—we are doing our part to maintain favorable balance in the world. Our ceremonial offerings of gratitude are the fuel that feeds the Earth and Sky. They return the thanks to us. by providing us with what we need to thrive.
Be part of the annual spiritual cycle of life. Open your heart to the living world through ceremony.
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GIVING THANKS FOR THE SKY WATERS—
Sunday, June 9 — 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
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 A Family-Friendly Community Ceremony of Gratitude for the Rains that Bring All Beings Life
Born of Sun and Ocean. Lifted by Wind. Carried by Clouds. Called by Mountains. Announced by Thunder. Since earliest times, humans have cultivated reciprocal relationships with these powerful, sentient Weather Beings.
As the human people give thanks and offerings to the Weather Beings, the Weather Beings give blessings of fresh water and beneficial weather in return.
Fresh water is the essence of life for plants, salmon, animals, & people. And every drop that exists comes to us from the Sky. Join us for an ancient ceremony of gratitude, performed in the Nahua tradition.
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SUMMER SOLSTICE NAHUA FIRE CEREMONY—
Thursday, June 20 — 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
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 Complete your Summer's spiritual work!
The change in the Sun's direction holds a powerful potential
for personal receptivity and activation. It's the perfect time to assess how you're moving in the world and how you might benefit from changes.
We gather on the night of the peak of solar stillness.
Bring your precious fears and limitations and transform them in the flames. Receive guidance and support from the special helping spirits present at this time.
Open yourself to the healing power of Nature. Be part of a ceremony of meaning and purpose.
Reserve your place with this Summer Solstice RSVP.
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GRANDFATHER FIRE SPEAKS:
THE STORY OF RAVEN AND THE MOUNTAIN
Saturday, Aug. 10 — 4:00 pm - 12:30 am
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 Grandfather Fire returns to Olympia to answer your questions and tell us the "Story of Raven and the Mountain." The Mountain known as Water-Mother-Father-Sky-Holder, Tahoma, Tacobet, and mapped as Mt. Rainier.
There's nothing quite like sitting around a sacred fire and asking questions of Tatewari, the Spirit of Fire. Also known as Grandfather Fire, Tatewari has been advising and inspiring people all over the world since 1998.
Speaking through don David Wiley, an elder Huichol shaman chosen to be his "god speaker-man," Tatewari cuts through today's illusion with a timeless perspective that delivers tried-and-true ways to find connection, learning, growth and healing by living from the Heart. Grandfather is wise, funny, provoking and astonishingly insightful.
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FALL MOUNTAIN SHRINE FIRE VIGILS --
New Moon Vigil Wed, Oct. 2 — 5:15 pm until Thur, Oct. 3 — 10:30 am
Full Moon Vigil Wed. Oct 16 — 4:45 pm until Thur, Oct. 17 —10:30 am
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 Spend a night communing with the presence of Water-Mother-Father-Sky-Holder at a sacred fire vigil
On the Spring Equinox of 2022, the Olympia Sacred Fire House welcomed the presence of the Mountain* and all Their expressions, who have taken residence in a ceremonial shrine dedicated to Them on the property.
The full and new moons of the Equinox are times for Mountain Shrine visitors. If you feel called, consider spending the night with the shrine and others around a vigil fire. This is a time for wisdom, community and dreams.
Register your interest in attending with this Fall Vigil RSVP. After receiving full vigil information, you'll be asked to Confirm your attendance. Attendance is limited.
*Currently mapped as Mt. Rainier and ancestrally known as 'Tahoma', 'Tacoma', 'Tacobet', 'Water-Mother-Father-Sky-Holder' and other names.
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RAVEN'S FALL EQUINOX FEAST--
Sunday, Sept. 22 — 12:15 - 3:00 pm
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 Let's Thank Raven for His Watchful Wisdom
In November, 2017, Raven agreed to watch over our fires and community and connect us with the ancestors, land, waters, plants, creatures, and spirits of this place. In return, we feed him twice a year, on the Equinoxes.
In Fall, we're to offer him a feast of the things he likes at mid-day.
Be part of this family-friendly community ceremony. Join us for the procession of offerings followed by a community potluck lunch.
Reserve your place with this Fall Raven RSVP.
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CALLING THE SKY WATERS-
Sunday, Oct. 13—11:00 am - 2:00 pm
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 What Happens If The Rains Don't Return?
Imagine what happens if we don't receive Winter and Spring rains. Our lands, waters and all beings thrive because of plentiful fresh waters. When we forget this, we lose touch with life.
Let's joyfully gather to show the Weather Beings how much we appreciate their life-giving gift of rain. Let's show up and celebrate Them—because we need Them to show up for us!
We'll come together for an ancient Nahua ceremony, intent on making offerings and prayers for the gift of fresh water. We'll be doing our part in the dance of reciprocity with nature. It feels so good to engage with spirit.
Reserve your place with this Fall Rain Calling RSVP.
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WINTER SOLSTICE NAHUA FIRE CEREMONY--
Friday, Dec. 20, 6:30 - 10:00 pm
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 The time is coming to step into light's return
After months of growing darkness and "going within" to focus on your inner work, cleanse and fortify yourself with a ritual that helps you complete your Winter self-reflection.
Prepare yourself for the coming shift to six months of increasing "external activity." With the support of four helpful spirits, surrounded by the warmth of community, we will sacrifice our limitations, burnish our heart's knowing, and call on what we need to take right action.
Energize your journey from here to next Summer Solstice.
Reserve your place with this Winter Solstice RSVP.
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SACRED STORY TELLING: THE HUICHOL CREATION STORY—
Friday, Jan. 3, 2025
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 A Story of the Beginning of the Time We Call This Time
Start your year with something sacred. Join us for the 13th annual telling of the Huichol Creation Story: The Part About People.
The Huicholes say this story is from "the beginning of the time we call this time...when there lived a race of Wolf People who walked on the land and were great shaman because they could do many things."
Curious about the state of today's affairs? This story may give you some perspective about why things are the way they are. Wonder why we walk counter-clockwise at our Sacred Fire ceremonies? You'll discover the answer to that question, too.
Because this is a monthly Community Fire, no RSVP is required.
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YOUR FIRST FIRE?
What to expect. What to bring.
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There's Something Special About Fire
Fire's warmth, the flicker of light in the darkness, always draws us closer together. Sacred fires touch something ancient in our spiritual DNA. Our souls crave it.
We're healed by sharing nature, spirit and community person-to-person, heart-to-heart. Listening to stories, sharing laughter, connecting more deeply than technology can offer— we reconnect with our essential humanity.
What to expect: Dress for the weather in clothes that won't mind getting a bit smoky. Wear outdoor shoes for the uneven, 200-foot, mowed-field walk from the barn's gravel parking lot to the Sacred Fire House. (We're hoping to someday purchase an electric golf cart to make it easy for less-abled friends to attend.)
Community, Women's and Men's Fires are typically held from 7-10 pm, though it's not required to stay until the end. Please arrive on time. If you're going to be more than 30 minutes late, plan to be with us on another evening. You can expect at least a few other folks to be attending--or maybe we'll have two dozen. We don't require registrations so never know how many will show up for our public fires, athough the typical sizes is 5-15 attendees.
If you're attending a Seasonal Ceremony (a Weather, Raven, Salmon, Mountain, Grandfather Fire or Solstice ceremony), you'll be asked to RSVP to reserve a seat. You'll receive event details in the registration confirmation--which disappears when you close the web page, so you may want to copy-paste the content before closing the window. You will also receive event information and protocols via email to know what to wear, bring, or other details.
Children are welcome at the public community fires, Raven Feasts, Salmon Honoring ceremony, Fire Speaks and Weather Calling ceremonies. It's wonderful for young ones to bring their enthusiasm and curiosity to ceremonies. It's also a good opportunity to help them learn how to be respectful of ceremonial space. Please recognize your child's unique personality and their capacities. Learning is an active process, and sometimes it might be necessary to step away if others' ability to participate in the event is being affected. If you have specific questions about kids and events, contact Sharon.
All public community fires begin with a simple, optional, ceremony that honors Grandfather Fire and opens sacred space. We focus on opening our hearts to nature and to each other, on letting the sacred fire light our troubles and melt our fears, and on listening to each other deeply and with respect for all ways of being. We're attend to connect with, not correct, each other. We listen to understand someone and their experience, to let them feel that they're not alone, but not to "fix" them. This is a safe space, where all opinions are valued.
What to bring to a Community or Women's Fire:
- An emotional ache, struggle, or block to work on. Fire's medicine is here to illuminate and transform it!
- Something you're happy, proud or excited about. Fire's medicine is here to amplify and spread your joy.
- A headlamp for pathways in the dark.
- Layers, and if it's cold, a blanket to block wind or sit on
- Water in a non-glass container
- Tobacco for smoking in ceremonial space, if that's your thing
- Something to share with others. Chocolate is always appreciated. Or you might have a poem or song.
- Summer Women's Fires often feature drumming and rattling, so consider bringing your own.
- A donation of $5-20 to help us buy wood, ceremonial offerings, and structure maintenance. It's not required but is deeply appreciated. Thank you for supporting the Olympia Sacred Fire House.
What not to bring:
- Furry friends
- Alcohol or recreational drugs of any kind, including sacred plant medicines besides tobacco
- Ceremonial offerings - we'll provide what you need if you choose to be part of the ceremony
Questions? Reply to this email, or call Sharon at 360-561-8773.
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LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS
How to use your GPS to get here
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The Olympia Sacred Fire House
3024 12th Ave NE
Olympia, WA 98506
Directions using GPS - NOTE Google and Apple maps are not always accurate for this address
- Set the destination to "Skateland, Olympia, WA" (12th Ave NE at South Bay).
- When you arrive at Skateland, turn right off South Bay and drive east up 12th (past Skateland, on your right) to the dead end at the gravel drive. Drive past the Dead End sign.
- Follow the gravel drive 1/4 mile to the end. At the Y, drive to the left to park at the barn.
- Park in back and walk toward the treeline behind the barn up and to the right. You'll see a gravel driveway that runs past a tiny house. Follow the rope lights to the Olympia Sacred Fire House.
Without GPS:
- I-5 to Olympia and exit on Pacific Ave.
- Turn right toward Olympia (and away from Lacey).
- At your first street light (Pattison, turn right.
- Cross over Martin at the street light.
- Take Pattison to the "T" stop at 8th; turn Left on 8th.
- Take your first right, on Fenske.
- Take Fenske to the "T" stop at 12th, turn right on 12th Ave NE.
- The road immediately becomes a gravel drive. Drive past the Dead End sign.
- Follow the gravel drive 1/4 mile to the end. At the Y, drive to the left to park at the barn.
- Park in back and walk toward the treeline behind the barn to the right. You'll see a gravel driveway that runs past a tiny house. Follow the rope lights to the Olympia Sacred Fire House.
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KEEPING THE FIRE
Sharon and Peter Brown
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 The light, heat and energy of Fire has been a companion, protector and teacher to humans since the Time Before Time. The Huichol Indians of Mexico say that Grandfather Fire was the first shaman, one who shares wisdom, gifts, and lessons especially during times of confusion, isolation and spiritual darkness. The 21st Century is one of these shadow times. Around the fire, we open ourselves to the "fire effect," which warms the heart, melts frozen emotion and connects one’s heart and spirit to the living world. An evening around the fire has an undeniable way of rejuvenating and re-connecting us to our deeper selves. Peter and Sharon Brown have made life-long commitments to hold sacred fire circles monthly. As trained and initiated Firekeepers by Sacred Fire ( sacredfire.org), they have received permission to hold space using a traditional fire consecration ceremony of the Huichol people of the Sierra Madres. Both are also initiated Granicero, Weather Workers, in the Nahua tradition of Mexico's central highlands, and for nearly 20 years have performed ceremonies that build relationship between people, earth and sky to bring health and balance to our lives. 1n 2007, Peter received his first of two initiations as a M ara' akame, an initiated healer in the tradition of the Huichol people of the Sierra Madres. Peter is also an initiated Nahua traditional healer on the Nahua Tepahtiani path.( peterbrownhealing.com). Sharon offers personal and spiritual counseling and limpias rooted in her traditional Nahua cosmovision and supported by her certificates in Processwork and Polarity Therapy principles. She is completing her apprenticeship as a traditional healer on the Nahua Tepahtiani path.( followingheart.com) Sacred Fire --Transforming lives through the gift and medicine of Fire. Sacred Fire rekindles Fire's presence in the world to cultivate community, learning, growing and healing. sacredfire.org
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