Water, Fire and Smoke

Tonight in my group another person shared their story. It was incredible to bear witness, and to mark this day I'm sharing the beautiful song that the group leader uses in preparation for each person to tell her story:

It's been a long journey to come to this place
I've traveled in time and I've traveled in space
And I've traveled in circles til I've come face to face
With the water, fire, and smoke

I've pondered and worried, I've tightened the rope
I've feasted on sorrow and starved out my hope
now I come like a lover, my heart in my throat
Give me water, fire, and smoke

Water for cleansing my eyes and my ears
Fire the transformer of sorrows and fears
Smoke for the ancestors drawing them near
With the water, fire, and smoke

So run from the churchyard, the word and the cross
Run to the forest to the rivers and the rocks
You will find a green altar deep in the moss
You'll find water, fire and smoke
Water, fire and smoke

Ancient the wisdom of rocks, trees, and wind
Ancient the rites of the green sacrament
Long before judgement, atonement and sin
There was water, fire and smoke

I lay down my burden, the weight of my years
Gods I have worshipped and causes held dear
And who will I be when they all disappear
Into water, fire, and smoke

I've knelt in the ashes, in peace may I rise
Empty of knowing and full of surprise
Clothed all in silence a baby baptised
Into water, fire and smoke

So run from the churchyard, the word and the cross
Run to the forest to the rivers and the rocks
You will find a green altar deep in the moss
You'll find water, fire and smoke
Water, fire and smoke
Water, fire and smoke