By Abigail Spinner Beth Aft McBride
Would you like to enhance your spiritual experience? At our Alchemical Fire Circles, we drum, dance, chant, practice rituals, and much more. During the day, a wide variety of spiritual workshops are offered. At night, we light the fire, which burns until after sunrise. A space is created for magic to happen, always different and new, growing out of what we bring to it each night. The Alchemical Fire Circle is a rare and precious jewel-experience, going through the dark night together, and being touched by the kiss of sun at dawn.
Our Alchemical Fire Circles happen in and around Las Vegas, and all over the world . There is a sweet smell of incense, plenty of good food and clean water. This is a place where beauty incarnates. We also have an incredible amount of fun.
Who comes to Alchemical Fire Circles? Social workers, doctors, musicians, spiritual leaders, scientists, people of many backgrounds, races, and religions. We’ve all found something in common: a safe container to explore creative expression, intensive meditation, focused awareness, and spontaneous music.
I’d like to share the magic of the Alchemical Fire Circle with you.
I am Abigail Spinner Beth Aft McBride, and I am one of the core team who helped shape this firecircle phenomenon. It’s been evolving since the eighties, and I’ve been returning, because I love the magic we co-create.
According to the alchemical story, we create a vessel, heat it with a bonfire, and turn base “metal” into Gold. Our fire circle has many different aspects. The main part of the game is to stay engaged, throughout the course of the evening. Find a way *you* can connect and be present with what’s going on. You may stand still and shake a little rattle, — yet– you’re still engaged. It’s a magical feeling to be one of a multitude of musicians, all playing as one. Those who find their way through the whole night, and remain engaged, have a far more intense spiritual experience at sunrise, than those who nap and wait and look at their watch…. For me, a huge part of the magic is about becoming fully present in the Here/Now moment. When you’ve drummed and danced for many hours, and your body is tired– I’ve learned not to turn to the clock and check to see “how much longer til we get there??” I breathe deeply, find a way to engage and surrender to the Now. I advise leaving the watch in the tent….
The Alchemical Fire Circle empowers us to become our highest visions. We polish the mirrors of our hearts, listen to our inner wisdom, become one cell in a body of a unified group of musicians and dancers. We share the beauty of an ever evolving circle of friends, who come together to find their way to Spirit. Alchemical Fire Circles help us learn deep lessons about patience and balance; we are witnessed, and move through our ego needs to ecstasy, and Light.
The Alchemical Fire Circle is a way to connect with my spiritual tribe, longterm friends and brand new “homecomers.” We call those who are attending our gatherings for the first time “Homecomers,” since so many of us share the same experience. No matter your spiritual path, once you spend the whole night drumming and dancing, rattling, walking, making music, singing and playing, then, when the sun comes up, you’re likely to have a deep spiritual experience. This is a reliable way to connect to the Divine, regardless of your path. The only condition is that your way must be tolerant of diversity.
Every circle is different. Our firecircle continues to evolve and shape itself. Lessons and blessings come from each night at the circle, if we are aware…. We are all-ways open to new ideas and ways to create even more “highest moments.” We open the portal, we open the doorway, and it is safe to enter. I look forward to seeing you at one of our Alchemical Fire Circles soon. If you’ve been with us before, I hope you’ll bring a friend.