Pagan Etiquette Series: Firepit Etiquette

I hope I have covered the main points, but if I'm missing anything, please
let me know! Also, keep in mind that I will be covering Bardic, Dancing,
Nudity, Drumming, and Photographs as separate topics.

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2. Firepit Etiquette

One of the main attractions at pagan festivals is the firepit. As with the
ancient people, the presence of a fire naturally draws people together,
creating instant community (just add wood!). What happens around these
firepits greatly depends upon the people, the program, and sometimes the
weather.

What you can expect around a firepit is as follows:
* conversation and socializing
* bardic performances (singing, dancing, poetry, storytelling, etc.)
* dancing
* drumming
* ritual
* discussion
* all of the above
* none of the above

The firepit should be a safe place where everyone is welcome to share in the
fire's heat and light. This shared experience creates a bond, but it is
everyone's responsibility to maintain it. The firepit is a magical place
where friendships are forged, beauty is celebrated, stories are shared, and
where laughter reigns supreme.

But a firepit is also a surprisingly delicate environment. It can be easily
distroyed by ego, rudeness, carelessness, or even physical danger.

Potion Bottles
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As with many outdoor pagan gatherings (such as festivals), there may be a
wee bit of alcohol making the rounds. Pagans tend to be quite generous in
sharing their grog, but you should always wait for the offer rather than
raiding someone else's cooler. But because many people walk in their bare
feet around a firepit, especially when it is covered in sand, you should
NEVER bring glass bottles to a firepit. No matter how careful you think
you're being, it's very easy for a glass bottle to shatter and sow its sharp
seeds into the sand, and more importantly, into people's feet.

Discarded glass bottles are also a danger because it's easy to trip on them
or even shatter them with your feet. Leave your glass bottles at your
campsite and out of foot-traffic's way.

Transfer your festive potions (alcoholic or otherwise) into a plastic
container (like a water bottle or travel mug) before you approach the
firepit. You may want to identify your potion bottle in someway to
distinguish it from all the others (after a few potions, everything starts
to blur together).

It's also a good idea to bring a water bottle filled with plain, refreshing
water. Dancing around a hot firepit can dehydrate you in a hurry, especially
if you are being constantly libated with mystery alcoholic drinks. Pacing
yourself with water ensures a safe evening and a (relatively) pain-free
morning after.

Firepit Romance
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Pagans are an affectionate crowd, but sometimes the firelight can raise more
than just the body temperature, if you know what I mean... *waggling
eyebrows* Please keep in mind that the firepit is a social gathering where
everyone is enjoying the same space in friendship and community. If you are
connecting with a new found love, or rekindling an established flame (pun
intended), please take your public displays of suck-face affection away from
the firelight and to someplace more private.

No one is saying that you can't be affectionate with a friend, but not only
does overt sexual expression shut everyone else out. It's distracting,
uncomfortable to watch, and even harder to ignore.

Once you make that connection with someone, go for a walk and enjoy their
company without the prying eyes, allowing the rest of the people to enjoy
the fire rather than your firey passion.

Firekeepers
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Most firepits have a firekeeper, which is a person in charge of keeping the
fire bright, strong, and hot. Firekeepers also maintain a level of security
around the fire to keep the people safe. In recent years, some firekeepers
have also taken on the task of keeping the fire dancers hydrated by having
drinking water on hand.

Firekeeping is more than just tossing the odd log onto a blaze. There is
skilled technique at work, there is strategy, and there is a living
relationship being forged between the fire and the firekeeper. The
firekeeper creates the fire, tends to it lovingly for hours, and
extinguishes it when the celebration ends (sometimes as the sun is rising!).
Some might even see firekeeping as a sacred ritual being performed with the
fire and firekeeper as the only participants.

Unless the firekeeper says otherwise, only the firekeeper is allowed to feed
a fire. Just as you would not give candy to a child you did not know (or
whose parents you did not know), you should not poke, prod, or throw
anything into a fire without the firekeeper's permission. The sacred fire is
not a place for your garbage, no matter how pretty its firey consumption
might be. Aside from upsetting the delicate balance that the firekeeper is
trying to maintain, it can also create sudden sparks and floating embers
that burn, scald, or set others alight.

If a firekeeper asks you for help, be honored by the request and do your
best to help. Don't be afraid to thank the firekeeper for his quiet, yet
essential role in the evening's festivities. Enjoy the firelight, enjoy the
fire's heat, and respect the firekeeper's responsibility in creating that
sacred, magical space.