If you are new to taking part in a ceremony, it can be helpful to know a little about how you should conduct yourself. Even those of us who are well used to it forget ourselves from time to time. For many, being in ceremony is a kind of prayer; you are there to communicate with the spirits, to work on yourself or on a problem you have. Or simply to celebrate. That is why it is important to disturb the others as little as possible, and instead use the opportunity to look inward. All ceremonies in SF are divided into a ceremony space and a social space, and we try to make this as clear as possible. In the social space you can chat and laugh as much as you like and share food and drink with one another, drum together, sing and enjoy yourselves.
So how do you know whether a ceremony has begun?
There are many ways a ceremony can be started. But often you will see incense being lit, the fire being lit, or drumming, rattling or singing. Often a ceremony begins with the calling in of the directions as well. This is a sign that it is time to enter ceremony mode. By being quiet during this part of the ceremony, you help the others to look inward. Not least, you also quiet your own inner voices and gain the opportunity to experience lasting positive changes in yourself.
Some advice on what you should not do during a ceremony
- Avoid smoking, eating or drinking during the ceremony part.
- The fire is sacred; you must not throw rubbish, cigarette butts or spit into the fire. You should also avoid passing anything to others over the fire.
- Talk as little as possible
- Do not disturb the ceremony leader(s) during the ceremony. They are responsible for holding the energy up for the benefit of all who take part.
- Drums and other ceremonial objects have been consecrated and cleansed for this ceremony, so do not touch the ceremonial objects.
- If you give something to the fire, it should be placed on the fire and not simply thrown. The same applies if you add wood to the fire.
- Have your phone switched off or at the very least on silent.
- Do not take photos or video (In a few cases we allow this, for example during the opening ceremony at the annual gathering, or because the pictures are to be used for something, but ask before the ceremony starts and you will get an answer. Flash must not be used.)
- Often, as for example at the chaga ceremony, long preparation is required. This means that the ceremony has begun, but that the participant part has not yet been reached. It may look as if the ceremony leaders are just sitting there. But they are in deep concentration, prayer and trance. You are warmly welcome to enter the circle, but this is done in silence. Also try to avoid crossing straight across the ceremony area.
The ceremonial fire at gatherings
At gatherings, the ceremonial fire burns for as long as the gathering lasts. This is a ceremony in itself. You can read more about it here . It is everyone's responsibility to keep the fire going, and many choose to sit by the fire through the night. These people are in prayer, so if you talk together, you do so in a low voice. It is a good thing to add wood to the fire, and if there is something you want to be rid of, you can say a short prayer to the standing folk before you place the wood on the fire. You can also do this by writing a note on paper that you place on the fire. This ceremonial fire can also be used to give a gift to family or friends who have passed over to the other side. If there was something they liked to eat or drink, you can place it in the embers. Perhaps they also smoked; in that case you can place a pinch of tobacco there. Then they can once again taste what they like. In the same way, others also offer herbs on the fire when they pray, so you can do that as well.
