fire ceremony

Nov 15 2023

Make a Circle

make a circle and put a fire in it
put a stake in the ground
tie yourself to it

take a stand—for yourself
and you’ll know what to do
lead with love

there is nothing love cannot handle
come from love in everything you do
you were made in love, by love, for love.
love is the only way

release your judgments and forgive
yourself first, and then the others
this is the depth of self care

be gentle with yourself now
so that your capacity
to be gentle with others can expand
light as a feather…

your purpose is to love
and to forgive anything
that appears unlike love

begin right where you are

Love and Blessings,

Tom

Sep 02 2022

What Does it Mean to Come to the Fire?

community sitting around a fire ceremony at night — Fire ceremony in the mountains of Colorado lead by Dr. Tom Garcia

My eyes pop open in the hours before dawn as though a dim voice has spoken plainly into my ear, “Time to get up. Come to the fire.” I swing out of bed and whisper to my wife, Carin, who is still asleep, “I’m going to the fire.” I quietly get dressed, drink ½ a cup of coffee, and head out the door with a medicine bag over my shoulder.

“Come to the fire” is a silent whisper, a gentle call to slip into the woods in the morning stillness.

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Jul 16 2022

What Does Sacred Mean?

sacred place Chaco canyon ruins in northern New Mexico — Chaco Canyon in Northern New Mexico

The wind was so fierce that I couldn’t keep a fire and so cold that I couldn’t sit still. It whipped wildly through the canyons and across open fields as if the spirit of the place had broken free.

In the pitch-black night I walked away from my camp along a narrow dirt road. Deliberately veering off the road, I stumbled through a choke of bushes and brambles descending into a dry river bed. I knelt down in the soft, cracked soil, thankful for respite from the incessant wind.

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Jun 22 2022

Overcome Fear by Forgiving Yourself

The dusk deepened and the moon rose higher, arcing across the darkening sky. We sat together staring into the fire, two men, friends, brothers. The wind kicked up and the air suddenly grew cold. I fed more wood to the fire, the expanding firelight illuminating our minds.

“Look at me,” I said gently, tears in my eyes. “What story have you made up about love, about your love? I’m listening–tell me.”

May 16 2022

Spiritual Altars

ceremonial fire spiritual alter — Spiritual fire altar built by Dr. Tom Garcia for a fire ceremony

An altar reflects beauty: flowers, candles, photos, art, a rosary, a braid of sweetgrass, arranged in a particular way. An artistic presentation of your own design at home or office, a reflection of something personal, heartfelt, and sacred.

As a chiropractor, I had altars everywhere in my office, in the reception area and treatment rooms, on tables, windowsills and desk corners. To the ordinary observer, they were just part of the decor. For me they were touchstones.

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