TriFire 2019

What is TriFire?

 TriFire is an Alchemical Fire Circle event dedicated to personal healing and transformation through song, dance, meditation, and drumming in the tradition originated by the Vegas Vortex and MayFire. We hold three all-night fires on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 11pm until dawn (approximately 6am), each night with its own theme. The first night is the Fire of the Four Elements, the second night is the Fire of the Seven Planets, and the third night will be the Fire of the Three Principles. During the day we have workshops and playshops for exploring the deeper themes of alchemy, rhythm, and community.

  By creating a space where we can fully express ourselves, our hurts and our triumphs, we do the work of turning our Lead into purest Gold. The ritual space is our laboratory, the circle is our alchemical vessel, and we are the ingredients. Together we circle the fire, which acts as our furnace, propelling us through the night, connecting us to the above and the below. We work with intention and compassion, holding space to play, experiment, and witness our collective transformations.

Who is TriFire?

 TriFire is a collection of people of all ages, genders, abilities, ethnicities, and experiences. All faith backgrounds and spiritual practices are welcome in our laboratory. We play with the planets, the chakras, the elements, the angels, and our ancestors. We sing spirituals and showtunes. We recite poetry from Rumi and Rollins. We twist, two-step, and Time Warp around the fire. We are store clerks, therapists, scientists, entrepreneurs, nurses, artists, students, parents, and accountants. TriFire is YOU. TriFire is US.

 If you’ve attended an alchemical fire circle before, coming to TriFire will feel like meeting an old friend. The spirit remains the same, after all, with the fire connecting us into one beautiful family. If you’ve never been to an alchemical fire circle, we hope you’ll find TriFire to be a welcoming, intentional space to do your personal work and a compassionate community to call your own.

 So what can you expect from TriFire specifically? Why should you come to TriFire? What makes TriFire so special? There’s no short answer to that, but let’s give it a shot!

 TriFire was created in order to continue the tradition of alchemical fire circles established on the east coast by Jeff McBride and Abigail Spinner McBride. Your co-labs and fellow fire family wanted to take what they have learned from years of experience attending, facilitating, and coordinating alchemical fire circles and bring a new fire to life in a space where we could all feel welcome and respected. We found a wonderful venue in Gita Nagari Eco Farm & Sanctuary in Port Royal, PA. This community has been living and working as an intentional community since the 1970s. As the only no-kill cow sanctuary in the United States, Gita Nagari is founded on the principles of ahimsa (“do no harm” compassionate living). Their dedication to intentional living and open communication is refreshing and reassuring.

 Those on the team of TriFire collaborators (“co-labs”) have been attending and/or facilitating alchemical fire circles for years. Together, we have spent over 125 nights circling alchemical fire circles across the country. We are alchemical nerds who love this work and view the creation of this event as an act of service to our community. Our experience helps create a solid foundation for TriFire, but we are not the most important part of TriFire - you are! Each and every attendee who steps into our circle is a fantastic ingredient that deepens and transforms our experiment. Part of the magic of alchemical fire circles is that no two nights around the fire are ever the same, and that’s because of you and the energy you bring to our circle. 

 The TriFire planners receive no financial benefit from the event.  We pay our own registration, lodging, and meal plan fees just like everyone else. We, and our affiliate, Stone Circle Council LLC, believe in transparency and will post our financial information after settlement with our hosts has taken place.

 TriFire is a brand new event that is anchored in years of experience. If you join us, you’ll be a part from the start! You’ll get to shape and influence what this event can be for years to come. We have the opportunity to weave our own creation story and we’d love for you to be a part of it - it wouldn’t be the same without you!
   

Our Venue: Gita Nagari Eco Farm and Sanctuary https://gnecofarm.org/

 Located over rolling hills and valleys, Gita Nagari is a beautiful site with farmland and forest trails. Founded on the principle of ahimsa, or non-harm, GN demonstrates respect for all living things and avoidance of violence toward others. Gita Nagari is the only non-kill cow farm in the country, the home of an intentional community and of roaming peacocks! They are always open to visitors, and offer an interfaith temple as well as a forest trail. A sweet little stream runs through it. They offer tours of their dairy facilities and cow homes. The Fire Circle will be located in a nook where sunrise over the hillside will be marvelous.

Lodging Options

 TriFire offers a broad selection of lodging options, from camping (tent, car, RV, oh my!) to suites featuring air conditioning and a kitchenette. Camping and bunk bed options are paid on a per-person basis. The private rooms and suites may be shared by more than one person, but their complete cost is collected with one individual’s registration. If you are sharing a room but not paying its cost with your registration, we ask that you indicate that in your registration, including the name of the person who registered for the room in which you are staying. Please contact us with any questions!

 The lodging options are as follows:

1) Camping! Tent/car/RV or trailer (no hookups), $10/night – with access to indoor bathrooms, showers, and flush toilets.

2) Bunk in shared room, $15/night – with linen included and access to shared bathrooms. Four to ten bunks per room. Sixty-seven bunk beds available.

3) Private room with one double bed, $60/night – with linen included and access to shared bathrooms. Sleeps up to two. Four rooms available.

4) Private room with two double beds, $120/night – with linen included and access to shared bathrooms. Sleeps up to four. Four rooms available.

5) Luxury suite, $180/night – two queen beds with linen included, as well as air conditioning, a private bathroom, a dining area, and a kitchenette. Sleeps up to four. Four suites available.

Meal Plan

 Gita Nagari’s community kitchen preps meals all day, every day, so they have a vast body of experience in creating delicious, hearty vegetarian fare. We’re offering a full meal plan for the duration of the event, beginning Thursday morning, through Sunday morning (early morning, right after Fire Circle pack-down). Tea and other beverages will be available with meals, and gluten-free and vegan options will be offered. The kitchen will be able to accommodate most dietary restrictions and allergies. Please inform us of any restrictions that you have when registering.

 Gita Nagari is offering the full meal plan at the rate of $56, which includes 4 to 7 meals (depending on your arrival). Attendees not on the full meal plan can purchase up to 3 meals à la carte for $15 each.

 Meal Plan registration will close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, May 14th, 2019.

 The meal plan schedule will be:

Thursday 6/6 – 10am

Thursday 6/6 – 6pm

Friday 6/7 – 12pm

Friday 6/7 – 6pm

Saturday 6/8 – 12pm

Saturday 6/8 – 6pm

Sunday 6/9 – 8am

 If you do not usually follow a plant-based diet, this is an excellent opportunity to try something new! Gita Nagari plans a menu of hearty offerings – vegetarian lasagna, and so on.

 Per their policies, Gita Nagari does not permit individual campfires or camp stoves. Due to their spiritual practice of ahimsa, and their values of ‘no kill’ and ‘compassionate living,’ they and we both ask that we do not bring animal-based food items onto their grounds, including meat, fish, fowl, egg, and dairy products.

 For those who choose not to participate in the meal plan, there are two diners within a ten minute drive of the site. Parking is adjacent to the main facilities and camping areas that we will be using at Gita Nagari, so your vehicle will be readily accessible should you decide to go this route.


Child and Teen Registration

 Children and people of all ages are welcome at TriFire, although there will not be specific child or teen programming. We are offering discounted registration and lodging rates for children and teens as follows:

 Child (under 13) – no registration fee, $5/night for camping, $10/night for a bunk, $10/meals à la carte up to a maximum of $56 for the full meal plan

 Teen (13-17)  – reduced registration cost of $100, $5/night for camping, $10/night for a bunk, $10/meals à la carte up to a maximum of $56 for the full meal plan

Gate registration

 Beginning 12:00 am on Wednesday, May 15th, registration for Adults and Teens will be an additional $15. Gate registration will be available at the event.

Rules for an Alchemical Fire Circle

1. This is a sober event. For more information, please see our sobriety policy.

2. No glass in the fire circle space. This helps keep the feet of our dancers safe and happy. Furthermore, our fire circle space will return to being a grazing pasture after we leave, so this policy ensures our bovine friends will also have safe and happy feet (well, hooves).

3. No jumping the fire.

4. Do not put anything into the fire without the permission of our Fire Tenders.

5. Only enter and exit the fire circle space (our “laboratory” or “sacred vessel”) by the gate. Do not pass under/over the line of prayer ties.

6. Respect the architecture of the fire circle by observing the following “orbits” of our Solar System:

   1. The Sun: the sacred fire at the center of our circle.

   2. Mercury track: the orbit closest to the fire where dancers move the fastest.

   3. Venus track: the orbit outside of Mercury where dancers move in more flowing ways

   4. Earth track: the outermost moving orbit where folks walk, march, stomp, and trudge.

   5. Mars line: this line of torches is for standing and bearing witness to the dancers as they orbit the fire. Sing, shake a rattle, make eye contact - hold space while staying in one place.

   6. Jupiter orbit: the track where our temples sit, several feet behind the Mars line.

   7. Saturn orbit: the outermost orbit inside the prayer ties. This is the space for brief rests and quiet conversation about your work and the processes of the night.

   8. The Prayer Ties: this line of prayer ties marks the boundary of our fire circle.

   9. The Outer Field of Stars: the space beyond the prayer ties where attendees can make their own constellations of chairs and “nests.” A place where they can store belongings, rest, and have quiet conversation not pertaining to the work of the circle. This is also home to the Food Altar, water station, port-a-potties, and sinks.

   10. The Oort Cloud: the designated smoking area by the entrance to Gita Nagari. Smoking, including vaping, is not allowed on Gita Nagari grounds.

7. Drums stay in Temple Azul - unlike many general drum circles, we keep our drums together in one place so they can played as a cohesive group. Rules for drum & instrument etiquette are as follows:

   1. Feel free to bring your own drums and musical instruments to play and share!

   2. Instruments are to be kept at Temple Azul, in the designated instrument storage area, or in your personal space in the field of stars.

   3. Drums that are covered or laying on their side are not to be played. Uncovered, upright drums are free to be played.

   4. Remember to remove any bracelets, watches, or rings you may be wearing when drumming to avoid damaging the head of the drum.

   5. Small percussion instruments like shakers, tambourines, and bells may be taken around the circle and played within the space. Please make sure to return these instruments to Temple Azul when you are finished playing them.

   6. Listen and play together! Alchemical Fire Circles function best when the drummers, dancers, and chanters are all feeding off each other’s energy. This means paying attention to each other, making eye contact, and responding to shifts in energy throughout the night.

8. Showing Gratitude - the purpose of our circle is to raise energy to facilitate the personal work we do throughout the long night. When someone does something in circle that moves you, that you want to celebrate, we ask that instead of offering a round of applause, you find a way of showing gratitude that doesn’t release the energy that has been built up. This can be done through many ways - holding a hand to your heart, raising a hand up in the air, bowing, holding out your hand to them. Experiment with how it feels to let the moment and energy linger.

   1. To show love to our drummers specifically, we have the Gratitude Zone. This is a designated space in front of Temple Azul where dancers can move out of the normal flow of the orbit around the fire and momentarily dance in one space to show appreciation for whatever delicious beat the drummers and noise-makers are creating.

9. Offerings left on the Food Altar for communal sharing must be shelf-stable and in single serve packaging. This helps keep us safe and healthy. Multi-serving offerings will be disposed of.

 Listen to your body. This process is designed to be an ordeal but that doesn’t mean that you need to push yourself beyond your means. Stretch often. Rest when you are tired. Eat when you are hungry. Drink water whether you’re thirsty or not. Be kind to yourself.


Sobriety policy (aka Being a Clean and Sober Event):

 TriFire is an event dedicated to personal healing and transformation through song, dance, meditation, and drumming, in the Alchemical Fire Circle tradition originated by Vegas Vortex and MayFire. As such, this is a sober event, meaning that the use of mind-altering substances is not permitted. This includes alcohol and other psychoactive substances, but does not extend to caffeine or prescription medicines. The goal is for attendees to form greater connections within themselves, with their community, and with the energy that we raise around the fire. We aim to enter altered states through rhythm, movement, and chanting – trancing in to the present moment, rather than trancing out through the use of substances.

  This is not intended to be a value judgement against those who use substances in their spiritual practice or daily life. This is simply to say that this is not the place for that behavior. If you are someone who regularly uses substances at events, we invite you to experiment with new behaviors and to experience this event fully in touch with your mind, body, and spirit.

  TriFire is also a community that meets each others’ needs. Some of us come to this event to process trauma or experiences that deal with substance abuse. While we are not equating substance use with substance abuse, it can be detrimental to people trying to do their work surrounding substance abuse when they are sharing space with someone who is under the influence. We ask that our community works to ensure that everyone attending our event is in a safe space to do their own important work. We ask that all be aware of the effect that our actions have on others, and be mindful to minimize harm and discomfort wherever possible.

  Additionally, our sobriety policy is rooted in a place of personal responsibility and response-ability. Circling the fire puts people in close proximity to both the fire and each other, with people often moving in opposing directions and at different speeds. Maintaining our sobriety helps us keep each other safe. Furthermore, if you are under the influence and become too intoxicated or have a “bad trip,” it will force someone else to take time out of their process to care for you. In the event of injury or sickness, we will of course attend to the needs of our fellow attendees, but we prefer that you do not create a situation that increases the likelihood of that happening.

  Finally, our host, Gita Nagari Eco Farm & Sanctuary, does not permit any intoxicating substances on their property, regardless of legal status. Gita Nagari is a sacred place, dedicated to living intentionally and abiding by the principle of ahimsa (living compassionately and doing no harm). You agree to comport yourself according to their Code of Conduct for this event, and violating this agreement would be profoundly disrespectful and would reflect poorly on the entire TriFire community. Additionally, state and federal law still apply to this space and this event. Please do not put TriFire or Gita Nagari in jeopardy by bringing illegal substances onto the property.

  If at any point you are struggling with maintaining your sobriety, there will be people you can speak to throughout the event. Please contact a co-laborator for more information.


What to Bring to TriFire
- Tent, sleeping bag, & air mattress (if camping)
- Folding chairs
- Blanket
- Refillable water bottle  
- Jacket or hoodie (it can get cold at night!)
- Layers to wear at night (long-sleeve shirt, pants, etc)
- Sturdy footwear
- 2x the amount of socks you think you’ll need
- 2x the amount of underwear you think you’ll need
- Clothing to wear during the daytime
- Poncho or raincoat
- Umbrella
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellant
- Reliable flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- First aid kit/health supplies as needed
- Any prescription medications if needed
- Allergy meds as needed (this is a farm in June, there are cows, birds, grass, and flowers)
- Shower kit (toiletries, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc)
- Sunglasses
- Electrolyte drink packets
- Hand sanitizer
- Swimwear IF choosing to go to the stream (located about ½ mile from camp)
- Non-meat non-dairy snacks (energy bars, dried fruit, nuts, trail mix, etc)
- Coffee (there will be coffee-makers available)
- Dairy-free creamer and sugar or sweetener (there will be dairy-free creamer and sugar available, but just in case you like a particular kind)
- Individually wrapped offerings for the food altar
- Notebook and/or journal for taking notes, recording experiences, etc
- Writing implements (pens or pencils)
- Musical instruments (if unsure if appropriate at fire circle, ask!)
- Drums
- Trash bags (trash receptacles will be provided)
- Offerings to decorate the temples - the color themes for the temples are black, white, orange/yellow, and red (please be sure to retrieve them at packdown on Sunday morning!)
- Tealights, pretty candleholders to decorate the temples
- You are invited to participate in our color themes for the three nights: black, white, and red, respectively. That being said, there is no need to dress according to the theme if you do not desire. Please be comfortable and well-layered for the cool evening air
- A willingness to open up and experiment in new ways


What Not to Bring to TriFire
- Alcohol, including hard liquor, beer, mead, wine, etc
- Any illegal substances, including cannabis
- Meat or animal food products, including dairy products
- Firearms and weapons
- Pets
- Personal grills, propane stoves, fire rings, and other cooking tools (if longing for bacon, there are multiple diners within a ten-minute drive of Gita Nagari)
- Extremely revealing/immodest clothing (per GN’s Code of Conduct)
- Fireworks, noise crackers, and similar items
- Cell phones and other electronics (outside of tent - we invite you to unplug and join us in the here and now)

Code of Conduct

 Gita Nagari has asked that our attendees review and agree to abide by their general code of conduct. You will find it in the registration form below.

Scholarship/work exchange

 For those attendees who may be of limited financial means, a scholarship fund has been established to help defray some of the costs associated with attending TriFire. Scholarship funds can be applied towards general registration, camping, and meal plan fees but are not available for those staying in upgraded accommodations such as private rooms or suites. Please understand that these funds are limited and are entirely dependent upon the generosity of your fellow attendees who elect to contribute to the Sunshine Fund.

Contact Info

 Please reach out to us at TriFire333@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or inquiries.