Fire dancing is defined as a group of performance arts or skill that incorporate the manipulation of fire. This can be done with many different types of items, like fans, poi (a chain with a ball at the end), staffs, sticks, hoops, etc. Pretty much if you can figure out a way to light in on fire and manipulate it while dancing and performing, it counts. It has been used across the world since roughly 10 AD in places like Bali, Samoa, the Aztec empire, St Lucia, Jerusalem, Antigua, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, and India. In recent years, thanks to festivals like Burning Man and raves, fire dancing has seen an upsurge in popularity in alternative subcultures and the arts community.
One of our local beaches hosts a group of fire dancing enthusiasts that comes out every Saturday and preforms for free with a chill DJ to whomever wants to watch. Show starts about 530 ish, right about dusk. What I didn't know is that they also offer a class to whomever wants to show up, practice and learn for an hour beforehand, for roughly the equivalent of $6 USD.
My neighbor asked if we wanted to go down about 4ish. We went over with kiddos in tow and all the kiddos were welcomed into the practice and teaching sessions like they had been just waiting for these three littles to come on over. By the time I wrapped up a conversation down the beach and wandered over to where my neighbor, husband and the kiddos were, all three had some kind of stick, fan, ball or apparatus in their hand (unlit) and each had an adult showing them how to manipulate it safely. Over and over again, these adults who just loved the art were working with the kids on the hand movements, correcting without being overbearing. Complimentary and patient. They learned each kiddos name. Had it down flat by the performance. I know that because they cheered on the kids loudly and proudly.
This nervous mama, who has a thing about fire, didn't want her own fears and anxieties to rub off on the littles. So when my daughter excitedly told me that they were performing for people in the next hour with their sticks dipped in kerosene and lit on fire...my immediate reaction was no way. Then I looked to my husband, who was a fire dancer with sticks way back in his hippie Ocean Beach days in San Diego. And pulled him aside and asked if I was out of pocket...was I being too over the top. He said he thought it was safe, and they'd be fine. I thought he was certifiable at that moment. But, I saw how important this was to my daughter and her confidence that I believe she could do this. I knew my husband would never put her in a situation he was not confident about and he had a shit ton more experience on this that I did.
As we are trying to have that conversation, she is coming around and asking if this is possible...and the other kiddos are participating and they've been practicing, and please mom? And I look at her, swallow the lump forming in my throat, and tell her "of course, I can't wait to see it!"
So there we were, waiting for the night sky to darken just a bit so that the fire dance could be all that much more dramatic. I walked down the beach to get a water. I came back to "oh my god mom I thought you were gonna miss it" as she can running up to me. Kiddo I wouldn't miss this for the world...even though I was starting to feel a bit nauseous.
And then all of a sudden, my daughter had a stick on fire in her hand. All the kids did. They performed their little hearts out, so excited and so intimidated by those sticks. Their confidence with the sticks stuttering just a bit when they were hot and on fire. But they persevered and knocked me out with how great they did. And people I don't know, who had no skin in my kids game, cheered them on something fierce. So relieved and so happy in a moment of collective tension and joy. We were all proud parents in that moment.
Then the adults performed, then our kiddos again. As we were leaving, the kids overflowing with barely contained joy, were bouncing as they walked. All three of them practically shouting at us in unison begging to come back next week. My daughter informing all of us this was a lifestyle and she was here for it.
I'm blown away by this place a lot. I feel profound joy and gratitude here a lot. But...here in this place, at this moment walking away, this unexpected turn of events so impactful and synchronous, I can't help but feel this is another sign of the magic of this place at this time on our path.
Recently, I've asked for bigger, more obvious signs from the universe that this is the right path. I can't help but feel this was a big nod yes.
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