Fire Keeper Ways

While this story and accounting of the Fire is given as was given by a
Cherokee Wisdom Keeper, we find it Universal inasmuch as people all over the world
have strong basic similarities in their Origins.

Our Grandfathers would guard the Fires within our Mounds and keep it as
their child, nurturing it with love for their People.

We were important to each other in the earlier days. We depended on our
numbers to be safe. We live by the Principles of Nature as all living things did.

We did our labors and activities as the Sun allowed us and our Daytimes
were
productive time, our Nights were our gathering times. So the duties of
the Fire Keepers were to make sure all Lodges were warmed by our Sacred
flames.

They lived in the Fire Lodge and guarded it with their life. No stranger walked
on the Sacred Grounds of the Fire Lodge.

This fire came to be in the first world when as Beings becoming Humans we
lived in a gray world. The mist was thick and heavy. We cuddled in underground
shelters and caves for safety. To be alone was sure death.

On a wonder filled evening a bright light was heading toward our Earth
home.
It grew bigger quickly and soon hit our Earth. The great waters ran as
a
full force across the lands and many low places became rivers and
lakes. But
even more important the Land called Turtle Island began to break up
into masses and separate. Fire came from the place where the Ancient
One touched the Earth.

After
the many seasons it cooled and became possible to get close to it, our
people gathered some of its embers and brought them inside the caves and
underground homes.

Soon we saw less mist and more light. Our Forest gave us light in the dark
world. We begin to think of greater things and recognize the Earth as
beautiful and good. She began to allow us to see her mountains and her forest and she
fed us well. We grew from her love and the Wisdom Fire from Great Spirit. We
had Intent and Purpose.

As our courage drew we knew it came from the Fire Spirit. New ways of
thinking and all beautiful things were present. So we honored the Fire Spirit with
ceremony. We kept the first flame alive from that eon till this day.

Our Fire Keepers have survived all the wars and all the killing. The
Firekeepers have maintained a pure fire that gives Clear Mind. Many voices and faces
of our original wise ones come to us over and over again in the Fire. It is
our doorway to the many worlds of Great Spirits´ Medicines.