The fire keeper plays a key role and has a great responsibility in all Native American traditions. It is often a life-long role that has much learning and wisdom associated with it. The Prayer Vigil for the Earth begins after the fire is lighted.

My relationship with Fire goes back many years, even into childhood. It is the Great Mystery that called me to Itself. In recent times, my role has been as an active participant in the area of the Sacred, by which I mean, Fire has becomemy heart's work. It was Thomas Banyacya, Hopi Elder, who noticed me at the Prayer Vigil for the Earth and recognized in me what comes so natural to me -- that I become quite intimate with fire and regard itas a sacred being. I often loose myself. So, I have been serving thefire for the Vigil for over ten years. I have supported an Inipi Sweatlodge community for more than five years, too. For four years until last year I performed Vedic fire rituals called Yagnas, often as many as four a week. For all this, I can truly say that I am still learning, because there is also something more to understand, with which to resonate and intimate.

Keeping fire is as old ashuman society and culture. I could go anywhere and tend and keep firewith indigenous people. It is a language -- as often without sounds andin silence as with chant, music, and movement. I relate to it, however,in a singular way -- as steward.

There are some attributes relating to fire that I experience:

Higher energies from the etheric... Guardians, Ancestors, Angels;

Being One with the Fire. The Fire is sacred.
Loss of self

Focus on Something Greater and Universal (Great Spirit, Brahman), even greater than the Fire.

Prayerfulness and awe

Concentration and attentiveness, one pointedness to the fire and surrounding area. Constant care of the site is important.

Guardian and Keeper of the sacred fire area (perhaps, also, a Lodge)

Inviting in prayerful ways the Four Directions, Mother Earth, Father Sky, and Spirit to bless and support everyone present.

Mindfulabout all Beings, especially the Grandfathers trees, sacred plants, androcks that willingly give their lives for our healing or blessing.

Guardian for all prayers so they can travel the Sacred Path upwards and be received by Spirit.

Self-sacrificeand willingness to experience pain or suffer for others, e.g., heat ofthe Fire, lousy weather, great heat from the Sun, long hours, stayingawake sometimes to serve others, long preparation, closing downactivities.

Invite and welcome others to come to the Fire for prayers or encourage them just to be quiet and reflective at the fire.

Be "on duty" constantly to guard (in a good way) against inappropriate intrusions and violations of the sacred space.

Respect the protocols about caring for and maintaining the Fire.

Nurture ("tend") the fire and keep it happy. Listen to and watch it, and learn its language intuitively. Talk to it.

Feed it appropriately and with the right kinds of wood. Take care of yourself so you can take of It.

Thisis an approximation in words of what is really un unspokenrelationship, totally non-cognitive, completely heart-giving and agive-away. I have seen only a few natives and others who really knowthe Fire. Most of us are journeymen/women.