The Water and Food Altar in the Fire Circle by Murray Willett “In serving each other, we serve ourselves.” Since the beginning of time, humankind has gathered together around a fire in celebration. We have sung, drummed, danced and sweated all day and night. Yes sweated! Lost precious water and energy in service of the Gods and Goddesses. Such a simple remedy for this hunger and thirst; just to eat and drink. But wait! There are still drummers out there driving the fire. How shall they eat? How shall they drink? Surely one cannot drum and dance and sing all night without sustenance. So one bright day many, many moons ago, an altar of food and drink was born out of an idea of service. The food altar can take on many shapes; it can be a beautiful hand carved wooden altar, a simple stump covered by a piece of cloth, or even a couple of milk crates. More important is what it supports. Ideally, the food altar will contain, at any given point in time throughout the night, food items and water for the dancers and drummers who are too busy sustaining our trance to get up and walk over to the altar. We ask that everyone bring a small something to contribute to the food altar. What to bring is as varied as the collective that makes up “us.” Generally, offerings to the food altar should be of an earth-friendly variety, small in size or portionable, and something easily fed to someone else. Good examples are: grapes, nuts, fruit slices, raisins, breads, etc.. Water on the altar should be in squeeze bottles (like those for bicycles) with a closeable tip. Now that we know what goes on the altar, the questions remain about: when to distribute it, how to do so, and who should do it? The easiest way is to go with your feelings; if you feel an urging in the night to be of service, then go with it. If you see someone that looks in need, claim the calling. If you notice there hasn’t been someone around the fire with water in a while, serve your trance by serving someone else. Ways vary in how to minister to our sisters and brothers around the circle. Some pick a small group of people and engage in a mass watering to all who need it. Some will discreetly ask if one is in need and then tend directly to that person. Some will just grab off the altar and dance around the circle answering to the unheard callings of their brothers and sisters until all have had their needs fulfilled. Please be mindful of the state a drummer or dancer or singer is in before talking to them, touching them, or offering them food or water. If they don’t make eye contact with you, leave them be. Text: ©2002 Fire Tribe Gathering