Fire Initiation for adults

The challenges we encounter as we navigate our life path are greatly supported when we take space away from the fullness of life to reflect.

Fire Initiation is a transformative journey of self-discovery for those seeking guidance and support in the heart of nature.

It is inspired by ancient traditional rites of passage, when people ceremonialy marked significant times in their life. These initiations often involve pushing oneself to the limit – physically, mentally, or emotionally – in preparation for the challenges that lie ahead. We believe that honoring these traditions and ceremonies is crucial for helping us find our way in the world.

The Fire Quest provides an opportunity to step outside the ordinary world and spend time alone in the wilderness, guided by experienced mentors. To challenge yourself, to develop greater self-awareness and to experience your edges. It is a journey that will build confidence and help you transition from one phase of your life into the next.

Join us as we create a safe and sacred space for you to explore your strengths and embrace the next chapter of your life.

For more information please contact Circlewise info@circlewise.co or 07891062769

What to expect

Over the four days we spend together, you will participate in a solo fast out in nature, supported by experienced guides and mentors. After preparing and setting your intentions for the Fire Initiation, you will find your own spot in the woods and collect wood for the night's fire. As the threshold time approaches, we will come together to build a sacred fire. Then, at nightfall, each person will take a burning ember and ignite their own fire. Throughout the night you will tend to your fire alone, reflecting on yourself and your journey. Before daybreak, you will slowly allow your fire to die before returning to the communal fire for a period of feasting, sharing, and celebrating.

There will be online circles via zoon before the ceremony to help you prepare and afterwards to support you to integrate what you learned. We encourage you to invite a trusted friend to support you in the preparation as well as afterwards. They can witness your journey and share insights with you however if that's not feasible, it is not necessary as you will be fully witnessed and supported by the team and your fellow participants.

A month after the Fire Initiation, we'll reconvene to support the process of incorperation with an online circle via Zoom for further integration of the experience.

To express your interest in the camp and learn more about the application process, simply email info@circlewise.co or call 07891062769

Testimonials

“……perfect location and great experience, brilliant event , beautifully held......”

".......I loved the ceremonial wisdom and the holding, the play and joy, the celebrating and seeing each other for our gifts. Such, such a beautiful space that was co-created. Thank you"

"Giving & receiving time from others with open hearts ready to listen to your story was a beautiful experience. Also forming & watching relationships grow throughout the 4 days was very fun......also to have full freedom & a chance to just be without worrying about life back home!"

"I seriously can't thank Heidi, Sam & Nat enough. The experience was life changing to all of us. Being given time, energy, love, support, respect, healing, I could go on, was an extremely beautiful thing to be a part of. I have made life long friends & now have a much deeper understanding on where I'd like to take the next chapter of my life. P.S. food was amazing! "

"The camp was a life-changing experience that I will carry with me forever. Heidi, Nathalie and Sam were amazing guides—I felt safe, held and honoured. It was a profound journey and I feel deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to participate alongside some incredibly powerful individuals, immersed in the beautiful land."

"I feel I've crossed over a potent threshold into my adult life through having the gift of a dedicated, safe container to continue processing my childhood/adolescence. I communed with the Earth in a profound way, confidently tapped into my intuition and feel I've made a significant step on a gradual, sacred journey of reconnection.......The learnings I've gained feel wordless—it's like the vibration of my body has changed and my ability to relate with life has widened. I feel strongly that this experience will ripple out into the rest of life in unimaginable ways... this is only the beginning!"

"I had such a beautiful and nourishing time these four days. Each facilitator brought their own much needed gifts and presence, and the land also offered so so much. I loved feeling the holding offered by land and people; it was truly a very meaningful and healing experience. I think it's an incredibly important experience for all young people, especially those who haven't had opportunity or access to nature, ceremony and deep listening before. It's a deeply supportive and transformational practice, and I believe it can bring out the best in us all, provide a deeper sense of meaningful direction, compassion and contentment, all of which is so crucial at this time. Thank you."

“The facilitators for the quest held and tended to a space with such kindness and precision. They created a safe space for me to explore my relationships with myself and the people around me. Those relationships have changed on a deep level and my friendships will show evidence of this incredible process for years and years to come.......This has truly been an experience that is unique and off the radar for many young people but has aided a huge amount of development and room for processing that I would love to see spread and made accessible in the world, particularly amongst young adults experiencing transition periods in their lives as it creates opportunity to come to terms with our stages of life.”

"The fire quest was a deeply nourishing, transformative, supportive experience. It was a chance to go deeper into myself and what’s important, and to really see myself and my gifts, with the amazing openness and support of the facilitators and the group. A space was created in which we were able to really open up to eachother and share laughter, tears and everything inbetween. A place where everyone was valued for being exactly as they are, and supported in their own unique journeys. The way each moment from start to finish was held was so supportive, nourishing, inspiring, transformative and beautiful. We were able to go deep into ourself individually and meet edges in a supportive and safe way. There was so much love, joy and depth and wisdom that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I made and strengthened amazing friendships and connections, and I feel more clarity about who I am and what’s important to me, and more empowered to live those things and see my own gifts. It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone. It was deeply healing and inspiring."

'The Quest was something that I didn't know would be right for me at the time of committing to it, but as it got closer it truly felt like the time had come to throw myself into something new and slightly daunting for me. I went into the quest with a feeling of being a little behind on things… and that is okay. I truly feel like the quest has opened up my mind about the possibilities in life, not for the physical things I can achieve, but how to slow down my mind and sit with myself, which was something that I had needed to do for a long time. The quest felt like a work of magic, which towards the end of my time there, it felt like everyone felt the same way. It was an unforgettable experience, strengthening my relationship with the flame, myself, and my ability to naturally integrate myself into nature, and new groups of people. “

"A truly life changing experience!"

Who is this for?

It is particularly for those who hold space or facilitate or support others. To support ourselves and our work.

The ceremony offers a space for reflection, support and celebration. During this time, you'll have the opportunity to explore life's big questions, realign with your core values, and connect with a community of peers who appreciate your journey.

This ceremony is designed to honour the past, embrace the present, and welcome the future.

We believe that each individual carries a special gift that deserves recognition and nurturing and celebrating. Acknowleding and embracing these gifts can support us to find our way, as our ancestors did, to step into the next chapter of ourselves.

When is it?

Dates: in May 2026 TBC

Arrival: between 14.00-15.00

Departure:between 12.00 -13.00

How much does it cost?

We want the Fire Initiation to be accessible to anyone who wants to participate, irrespective of their ability to pay. We have some Circlewise funds available to offer bursaries and subsidised places for those who need it. However, we also want to be able to continue offering this to others in the future, so those for those who can pay, we would appreciate it if you would consider what feels right for you on this sliding scale:

£595 upwards to pay it forward

£495 - £595 to cover costs

You can also apply for funded reduced rates for those who need it.

To secure your place please pay a £200 deposit to Circlewise.

Practical information

Location: South Devon

Guides: Sam Kouzarides and Anna Richardson

Dates: May 2025

For any questions about this please email info@circlewise.co

The ancient tradition of the sacred fire ceremony, passed down through generations from the esteemed Peacemaker of the Odawa people in the Great Lakes region of North America, has been reignited by the efforts of Paul Rafielle and brought to our community by Sal Gencarelle.

In the spirit of honoring this tradition while adapting it to our present needs, we will be hosting a special fire ceremony. While it won't strictly adhere to the cultural intricacies of the Odawa sacred fire, we aim to capture its raw, elemental essence.

Drawing from teachings rooted in the Odawa and Lakota lineages, as well as insights from the School of Lost Boarders and the Ojai Foundation, we've crafted a ceremony designed to resonate with our modern lives. Additionally, we've integrated wisdom gleaned directly from our connection with this land and the unique needs of its people.

It's essential to acknowledge and express our deepest respect and gratitude to the indigenous communities who have safeguarded these sacred ceremonies throughout the ages, as well as those who facilitate the bridging of worlds.

Our intention in offering this fire quest is to provide a space for reflection and transition, serving as a beacon of support as we navigate life's ever-changing currents. We hope that by participating in this rite of passage, we may find clarity and strength to navigate our personal transitions and contribute positively to the collective transitions of our time.

We warmly welcome you to join us in this timeless tradition, as we gather around the fire to seek guidance and unity.

Circlewise is a service that provides facilitated listening circles and the way of council training to community members, organisation's and those working in education. They are committed to supporting individuals, groups, schools and the community by building life skills in communication and empathy through circle practices.

CircleWise offers facilitated circles, support, training and resources to promote:

- Excellence in compassionate communication

- Social, emotional, mental well-being

- Empowered and relational learning

- Nature inspired ways of relating

Sam Kouzarides is a council facilitator , nature-connection mentor and rites of passage guide, Sam leads nature-based courses, events and youth mentoring programs, teaches nature studies, council and bushcraft and offers one-to-one mentoring.

Sam had been involved with introducing the Way of Council to schools in Devon and holds council circles in nature connection programs and for the land-based community in which he lives. He brings a playful element to awaken the child in all of us and likes nothing more than a good adventure.

Heidi Rose is a founding director of Circlewise CIC. She has been facilitating the Way of Council listening circles for over 25 years. Heidi is also a qualified Psychospiritual Counsellor, Eco Therapist, and Wilderness Rites of Passage Guide.

Over the years she has brought hundreds of deep listening circles to a variety of settings on many subjects and has a passion and devotion to the power, wisdom and simplicity held in the ancient practice of sitting in a circle, listening and sharing from our hearts.

Heidi's life has been profoundly impacted and informed by her own initiations and so wants to give back by facilitating these initiations through wilderness rites of passage experiences for others.

See more information on Circlewise facilitators here:

https://www.circlewise.co/people