| | Earth my Body,
Water my Blood.
Air my Breath and
Fire my Spirit The chant I'd learned to a slow and reverent tune now bounced and crackled off our lips . A chant once known as a slow glow blazed up in us all to meet the energy of the fire before us. We were once more on the bank of green where the walk was to take place. The ritualistically assembled logs, paper and wesson oil were now a mounded heap of glowing coals. The Firetender and The Facilitator took rakes in hand and split the mound into two mountains of orange glowing coals punctuated with little licks of flame. In between the two mountains, a valley of pulsing coals awaited. We were solemn on the walk down. We had been instructed to raise our energy up to meet the energy of the fire. If one felt called, then one could walk. I believe we were walking from east to west, following the path of the day's sun. A chant I don't recall and hand not known before, rose up among us. The first of us crossed the coals. Once more, the facilitator greeted the walker with a large hug. One could walk across the coals with any number of intentions. There were many reasons to walk: Transformation, Initiation, Gratitude. I watched as my fellow walkers made their ways across the coals. Periodically, the coals were recharged and replenished with new ones from the mountains of heat to either side of the valley. Focussing on the East end of the valley, at first I tentatively made my way to the head of the tide of fire. I became more sure of my self, less hesitant, the closer I came to the gate of transformation. Could I do it? Would I be the one to fail and without dignity go hopping across the valley of coals with howls of pain? Why would I be? I asked myself. I set my sights to the west and placed my first foot forward. The same foot that lead me forward into my power, into the arrow at my neck, now lead me clapping and chanting across the expanse of orange before me. As quick as that, I was now to the west, being hugged and commended, welcomed into the world transformed. I walked across the coals five more times. Four of those times, I walked alone. The sixth and final time, I walked across the coals holding hands as sisters with Ceredwyn. It was on the sixth pass that I received a kiss from the coals. A kiss is a mark on the bottom of the foot that one would most likely associate with a burn. However, this did not blister, did not welt. It stung a little when it came, but it was nothing not to be borne. Examination of the sole of my foot revealed a little purplish mark that was gone by morning. The soles of my feet were as before I walked across fire: smooth, white with just a little dirt on them. I have walked across the coals and returned to say it is not so bad. It is very good to walk upon coals, to test one's self and come away with knowledge of one's ability. Blessings abound |
