Ceremonial Fire

The Ceremonial Fire represents the one light from which all beings have arisen. During most ceremonies a fire burns in a large pit in the center of the Arbor and during special ceremonies there will be seven small fires around the large fire. In the Cherokee tradition the men build the Ceremonial Fires and carefully tend the seed of light. The women carry a fire within and carefully tend the seed of life. The Ywahoo Lineage Firekeepers at the Sunray Peace Village are trained for 3 years before being empowered to tend the Sacred Ceremonial Fire.

The Firekeepers stand as guardians over the Fire to ensure that it is fed properly and stays burning. They sit to the north of the Fire day and night in any weather regardless of the activities of the around them. As they watch over the Fire, they meditate and pray, often receiving visions of what is needed by the people or the land.