Centering

(Customize the following as you see fit)

So as you all likely know, we start our rituals with some grounding and centering.

To start, take a deep breath, and close your eyes.

Take a deep breath in… two… three… four… [drumming starts, sync your voice to that rhythm]
Hold, two…
Out… two… three… four…
hold, two…

and again, in… two, three, four;
hold…
out…
hold…

and with each breath in,
become aware of the fire
smoky, bright, and warm.

become aware of yourself
here, around, the fire
joined in this circle of community.

breathe in..(three, four)
and see in your mind
as that fire, sparks, in your heart
bright and warm, rich and bright

and with each breath in
let that fire swell and grow
swirling and filling through you
let your breath be a bellows,
stoking that fire we've built

feel it grow and flow
over shoulders, through chest,
down through arms and fingers.
down through hips, down legs,
down through to toes..

and with the next breaths in,
let that fire glow and swell
and fill up to the head
until all of you, all of you
is full of that fire

nourishing and bright
it does not burn
for it is the fire of your heart.

and with the next breath in
let that fire swell
out past the body, the flesh,

to wings, to tails,
to ears to paws to claws,
to all of the parts
that make you you

and wih one more breath in
let that fire settle
into your truest, brightest self

and when you're ready,
just, take a breath,
and open your eyes
and be with us
here, around the fire.