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