Waking from Amnesia in New Mexico

Ah, the satisfaction of completing another issue! Issue Nine will ship in a few days.

As we came together to review the selections for this issue of Sacred Fire, we discovered a hidden trend. Many, we can even say most, of this issue’s articles are connected in some way with the land now called the American state of New Mexico.

This had not been our initial intention.

Instead, this issue grew organically from the soil of staff discussions about the role Sacred Fire plays in the world. At one point last summer, we realized that our purpose is to be an antidote to human amnesia, that “great forgetting” of how to live in balance with the natural energies of the world.

Although the claim might be a bit provocative, we feel we can help reawaken the Indigenous heart in everyone. All of us, no matter the specifics of our cultural heritage.

With modernity’s wealth of achievements and conveniences, there has come a great poverty of spirit. Now more than ever, it is important to literally feed our souls and the soul of the world. Knowing this, contributors Martin Prechtel, Jesse Wolf Hardin and Lillian Pitawanakwat share words of wisdom, resonant with the rituals that keep the earth alive.

Expressing the Indigenous worldview through life action is the necessary next step. Articles in this issue feature Jennifer Wemigwans, Evelyn Arce-White, Chellis Glendenning and Jesus Sepulveda, all of whom work to empower , heal and give voice to those who have been oppressed and traumatized in their lives.

Bringing forth these stories of embracing our true nature, of opening our hearts to our innate and intimate connection with the living world, was our intention with Issue Nine.

But nothing is ever just one thing.

We found that this issue had its own purpose. Apparently the lands and ancestors and spiritual beings of New Mexico desired to speak. Without giving away the surprise, I invite you to immerse yourself in the winds of this issue, feel the warmth of its Southwestern sun and hear the crackle of its fire.

- Sharon Brown, publisher

Slow But Steady Burning

Today I wrote a letter to the subscribers of Sacred Fire magazine. It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but we got blown off-track during our Winter production cycle.

The winds have changed, the sap has risen, and we're flowing once again.

Here's what I wrote:

May 20, 2009

Dear Sacred Fire Subscriber,

You’ve probably noticed that it’s been awhile since you received our last issue, Eight, which featured a cover story about Melissa Nelson and her book Original Instructions, an interview with Nature and the Human Soul author Bill Plotkin, a ceremonial address by Mohawk elder Tom Porter and Charles Eisenstein’s essay, The Original Religion.

We are sorry for the delay in your subscription. Sacred Fire is an all-volunteer effort, and while our timing has been off this Spring, we anticipate mailing Issue Nine in the first week of July.

Inside, you’ll find a teaching on the Seven Directions from Ojibwe elder Lilian Pitawanakwat, an essay on the indigenous heart from the ineffable Martin Prechtel, the ecospiritual wisdom of Jesse Wolf Hardin, an interview with Chellis “I’m in Recovery from Western Civilization” Glendinning, a 21st Century take on intentional communities, plus fiction, poetry, columns and more.

We thank you wholeheartedly for your patience and for your enthusiastic support of Sacred Fire.

Warmly,

Sharon Brown
Publisher

Sowing Seeds

Welcome to the nascent Sacred Fire magazine blog.

We'll do our best to grow a little online word-garden here...to cultivate some tasty experiences that nourish.

We have yet to find our rhythm here, online, in the realm of "digital content." Our staff is small, and all-volunteer, and we dedicate every free moment to creating our next issue...how much time might this take?

We need to make sure that this new web garden doesn't find us sowing the seeds of distraction.

Hmmmm. People tell me a blog is a good place to talk about "what's new." Okay, here's something new....

Starting in about July, Sacred Fire will be available in Borders and Barnes and Nobles bookstores across the U.S. To make sure your local Borders/B&N will carry Sacred Fire, ask for it, and the the periodical manager will make sure to order plenty of copies.

Okay...gotta run. We're hoping to feature Ojibwe elder Lillian Pitawanakwat and her teachings from the amazing and beautiful http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/ website in our next issue; I need to go make some phone calls.

Sharon Brown
Publisher

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