So what kind of festival is SpiritFire? Is this a pagan festival?
SpiritFire
is a retreat gathering, as opposed to a public or open-ended festival.
We are non-denominational festival based upon music, dance, voice, art,
and the many pathways that connect to them. We honor and welcome all
paths, and recognize that in the circle, we are unified through our
song and our joy. So the answer is, no, it's not a Pagan festival at
all - but you'll find Pagans present, as well as Sufis, Buddhists,
Hinduists, Yogis, Christians, Atheists, African traditionalists, and
everything in between. You'll also find people who aren't following any
particular path at all, and just enjoy the groove and friendly
community of SpiritFire. So whatever your belief system, as long as you
enjoy sharing sacred space with others around a fire with respect and
an open mind, you are welcome!
Are SpiritFire circles "staged" performances, or can I drum and dance as I feel called?
Parts of the night-time rituals are pre-organized, such as the fire lighting each night. But the general course of the evening is meant to be a container in which you are encouraged to sing, recite poetry, dance and drum as your spirit calls. Every gathering has it's unique set of aesthetic and artisic agreements, and we try to make those things as explicit as possible via this FAQ and at the opening circle, or at meetings for drummers, etc. during the event. Both experienced and newer participants will all benefit by taking time during the night to breathe, view what is going on, and get a feel for how everyone is interacting with each other. You are welcome here, and we encourage you to ask questions of any of the staff or teachers. We only ask of each other that voices be honored and heard as each of us would want from our community, in a respectful and conscious way.
For more information:http://spiritfirefestival.org/faq.php