by Mz. imani

The Center for Symbolic Studies welcomed CoSM Fire back to its
property and provided the space for this most amazing mergence of Fire
Tribe, CoSM and the local CSS communities. It was an expression of art
in action I will loooong remember and hope to share with you next year!

As is true for all "new" events, there were many unknowns. In addition
to the unknown "bumps in the road", there was one significant known
potential road block. CSS has a neighbor who has built his home at THE
apex point of sound from both sides of the ridge. Argh, right?

You can well imagine that there were concerns as to how it would all
play out. Rather than get stressed, I chose to trust that we would
find our way thru the night with grace and amazing moments of
discovery. Steven Larsen and the staff of CSS did lot's of negotiating
for us, and as is true for magic that "wants" to happen, the way was
opened for us.

CoSM Fire was collaboratively created by Conscious Collaborations,
CoSM, The Gossamer Court (the Faery King) and Phantomime. Brian James
and Phantomime, a collaborative crew of Shadow Dancers and Fire
Spinners opened the night with some AMAZING displays of fire play and
skill.

As dusk was falling, you could feel the excitement in the air. The
performance stage (that was built on top of Brian's van)was designed
for a summer (or many summers) of a traveling road show. Brian and
Sarah showed up early to set up the temple of Bast (which will be
present at SSF-NY) and the stage. Their presence (and props) raised
the bar of artistic excellence higher than i ever could have imagined
prior to seing it set up. Complete with back lighting and a full
skrim, these folks can go anywhere, and "steal the show". What is even
more amazing is that they are both real Team Players. They supported
all ofus, by doing what they did.

Shadow dancing called in the attention of the participants and was
subtle and sweet. The Goddess was taking form. Slowly folks turned
their gaze to the stage. Everyone knew this opening fire show was not
to be missed.

The show started with a blast. Literally! Fire Breathing from the
stage (on top of the van) ignited the night air. From a fire whip to
poi spinning and hula hooping, everyone present was in awe of these
dancers and fire artists. It was a well orchestrated and professional
show. Quite honestly, it was the best show I have seen in my years
with the Fire Tribe Community.

Now let your imagination run with me a little here. Folks are getting
charged up by the fire spinning, the drums are HOT! The music is tight
and solidly connected.

As if we have not already enjoyed enough "eye candy", out comes some
more. Again, think literal: Eye Candy.

Brian built an eye in the triangle (think CoSM logo)! With a blast
from a fire breather, the eye gets TORCHED! Before you know it there
are flames rising 15 feet in the air!!! As if this is not enough,
there is more! The (absolutely beautiful) men who were holding this
flaming eye, begin to spin it! Can you see it? The eye in the triangle
is rotating, 360 degrees,

WOW! what a trip...After a climatic final burn, with all members of
the troupe spinning, there was much applause and a tight ending of the
rhythm.

Now was the time to turn to the central fire.

As we were shifting gears, I was wondering how our fire lighting could
actually meet and expand that energy that we had just experienced.
Gotta admit, I was a bit nervous. I reminded myself to get out of the
way and to let spirit move. As is true, more often than not, when we
get outta the way, things work. it was purrfect!

Once I garnered everyone's attention, i opened the space for Alex and
Allyson Grey to speak for a few minutes. Cleverly and succinctly, they
wove us into their experiences of the days proceeding CoSM Fire, while
they were at Omega.

The Grey's brought a bundle of drawings that were made by students of
their annual intensive at Omega. These drawings contained the
intentions of the artists, and were a gift to the community of CoSM
Fire and the Fire itself. While at Omega, Allyson and Alex gave the
opportunity for the artists to either take these drawings home, or to
offer them to the fire at CoSM Fire. There was 100 percent agreement
from the Omega students that they wanted their art (and their
intentions) to feed the heart of CoSM Fire.

WOW! This thread that the Greys brought in allowed us to explore and
to track how we are all connected. Those we know, those we don't know.
Those we agree with and those we don't agree with. It was a sight to
watch how in those few moments, we all became bridges of connections.
We were able to focus on our similarities rather than our differences.

With support from the community we called in the directions in a way
that was open and eclectic. The magic was in the moment and
unrehearsed. It was reminiscent of a CoSM Full Moon, and a RoS Fire,
it was a living dream for me, one that i hope to live over and over
again.

As we transitioned to make space for our own intentions to be given to
the fire. Emily Sparkle, SaraLuna and myself offered sticks to those
gathered to feed the fire by calling out intentions and/or prayers,
and placing these sticks into the heart of the fire.

Around 40 people came forward and offered a brief statement of intent.
It was beautiful, inspiring and deep. There was laughter and tears,
loud voices and quiet. The myriad of expressions showed up and held us
all in the arms of the divine. The night skies were clear, and the
stars reflected back our hopes.

We called out in support and love for our sisters Bright Hawk and
Katlyn, and others needing healing or gentle support. We connected
with our families of origin and you, our Fire Tribe Family all around
the world. We intentionally wove a deeper and stronger cord of
connection to all the communities that we are connected to. We built a
foundation of love for those seen and unseen to feel. To dance and
drum and be present with the plethora of gifts that were (and are)
available to us at the fire.

mmmmmmmmmmmm.....
aaaahhhhhhhh.....

So now we come to the bump in the road that was known. At midnight,
the drumming needed to stop. Yikes! Even tho i knew this was coming,
it was a moment of "i dunno how this is gonna work: but trust is what
matters. wait for it....

As I stepped forward, I had no real idea of what to say. So I shut my
intellect off and poetically played with the fact that while I would
love to drum and dance and sing and listen and be able to witness all
gathered to play their drums, chant or dance ALL NIGHT LONG, with loud
moments woven together with quiet, expressions of mystery; Life Intrudes!

It was important to be authentic, so we sighed and were cranky for a
moment, then we laughed. Once that happened, i knew we would hold
space for the unexpected miracles of mystery to show up.

It really was not too difficult to dance through this one, as most
folks knew ahead of time that we would have to shift volume levels at
midnight. The other thing I noticed was that the last 20 minutes,
lasted a lot longer than 20 minutes! It seemed to last for about an
hour. It was wild and wacky!

I am pleased to report, our neighbors did not disrupt us. We all
graciously danced within the limits, and expanded our hearts. And then
after midnight we found ways to continue to expand and contract our
listening, dancing, speaking, playing in ways that continued to keep
us connected to our authenticity. My experience was that we expanded
this medicine path and our connections by finding a way for all to be
seen, welcomed and respected.

It seems to me that because we had the opportunity to be fully engaged
with the drum and chant and dance, we were able to shift to a place of
"hehehe we are still doing some really cool stuff, we are not gonna be
shut down!. We are here for a reason and whether we be loud or we be
quiet, we be here to help the heart of humanity heal!"

We don't really know, as in scientific discovery, what kind of
influence this work has in the day to day world, but within ourselves
we found harmony. Within ourselves we found courage to face the
unknown. Within the light of dawn and the coming day, we celebrated
how well we played with each other and how well we rose above any
obstacle that was placed on our path.

Initially our transition away from drumming, was a little too loud,
but Allyson helped us remember we needed to shift. We all know it is
tough, in any situation, to go from full out drumming to not drumming
at all. We remembered ways to shift into other ways of expressing our
art, by keeping our hearts open and respecting the neighbors. Within
about 20 minutes of modeling what that might look like, by several
members of the Fire Tribe community and a few "collective invitations"
by myself, we gently and clearly were in "3rd shift".

There was no "this is the way we do it here" (other than the volume
thang), just space. The energy was so strong that those who had an
offering were able to find the moment to share. Only once or twice did
it feel that we were off track, and gently we brought it back to the
heart of the fire. "We R the Ancestors" rose up gently and lulled the
focus of the circle back to the collective rather than the individual.
SWEEEEEET!

In the planning of this event, Yust and I made connections within the
community of local musicians, and fire tenders, hoping to build more
of a sustainable model for CoSM Fire. Brian brought in an amazing crew
of folks as well. Combine this with those who showed up; Fire Tribe
Family and the participants (all who were invited to bring a poem or a
chant or a story) we entertained (and entrained) ourselves all thru
the night. Nothing was scheduled for the circle at any time other than
the fire show and the fire lighting. The space was held collectively,
the intentions clear and many people were blown away at the success of
this circle.

It was a STELLAR event, just to remind us that whatever the form, The
magic works!

The rain in the afternoon bumped our classes off the schedule. Mark
Woods did teach his drum class, and at the beginning of class there
was one person. At the end of class, there were about 20 people, and a
whole community drum and dance scene happening.

We had time to meet and greet, with others gathered. We snacked on
fruit and cheese and a very refreshing Lime Spritzer. It seemed to me
that folks grew closer to each other, opened to new experiences and
got just enough information to allow their own experience to come forward.

Thank you so much for staying with me, and witnessing my story. Much
Gratitude to all who Staffed this event. It would not have happened
without us! i look forward to hearing your stories, golden moments and
hopes for the future.

In closing I want to share with you that CoSM Fire 2006 was one of the
highlights of my Fire Circle Herstory. There we were my friends, from
dark til dawn, weaving the mystery and the magic. Witnessing the magic
and the mystery weaving us. From 12:30am to noon, we stayed in 3rd
shift mode. We stayed in sacred space, and those who did not know what
sacred space is, now have a direct experience it.

Even while we were taking down the (props of the) circle, the work and
play continued. As Dee and I drove off site around noon, the CSS staff
was coming in to set up for their midsummer celebration. From one
celebration to the next, the gods and goddesses smiled, as they looked
in on us at the Center for Symbolic Studies. And we smiled to them as
we saw the gods and the goddesses manifest around that fire, and in
Dawn's light.

May all beings know peace in our lifetimes!

Peace Matters,
Mz. imani