Wayfinders Circle Fire Ceremony: 'An Intimate Connection Between Humanity and the Cosmos'
ноября 4, 2025
Fire Ceremony: 'An Intimate Connection Between Humanity and the Cosmos'
Story by Nils Cowan, Images by Alexander Khamaganov and Tuyana Khamaganova/WUISP
As the first rays of the Autumnal Equinox slowly lit up the surrounding peaks and rocky slopes of the Chon Kemin Valley in Kyrgyzstan, a group of elders and spiritual leaders greeted this new day with blessings, prayers and deep anticipation for the week’s forthcoming activities and rituals.
On a bright morning in September 2025, this moment of delicate balance between night and day marked the official beginning of a powerful gathering with Wayfinders Circle members from Kenya, Thailand and the Russian Far East that would culminate in the Sacred Fire Ceremony invited by the World Union of Indigenous Spiritual Practitioners (WUISP). Held with the support of Wayfinders Circle co-conveners Pawanka Fund and Nia Tero, the Ceremony is a living bridge between worlds and beings – a tradition carried forward for many years that honors ancient fire ceremonies held since time immemorial in sacred sites like the Chon Kemin, among spiritual leaders such as those assembled under the day’s blue sky.
“This is not merely a ritual but a wondrous convergence, an intimate connection between humanity and the cosmos,” said Professor ‘Chi’ Phatthanaphraiwan, a respected spiritual practitioner from the Hin Lad Nai community in Northern Thailand and academic at Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok.
“I am truly honored [to be] counted among the participants,” he added.
While being greeted by the sun of the equinox, the gathered leaders partook in a Sunrise Ceremony, in which each shared reflections and rituals from the heart, setting an atmosphere of mutual learning. Then the participants were welcomed by leaders from WUISP in a ritual known as the Light of Hope, where each Wayfinder and their region was recognized and blessed.
The gathered participants included Wayfinders Circle Members from Hin lad Nai Community, Thailand, Udege Comunity, Russia, and Gabbra People, Kenya.
From distant forests, mountains, waterways and steppes, the gathered participants shared that they felt drawn to this unique place and time.
“The place, from the icy mountain ranges to the tranquil waters of the lake is a natural poem reflecting the inseparable relationship of earth, water, wind, and fire. Each element weaves together a tangible and vivid energy of life," Prof. Chi noted. "This place is where the spirit truly dwells alongside all beings.”
In addition to the towering mountain ranges, lush vegetation, lakes, waterfalls and caves, the Chon Kemin Valley is also home to Turkestan lynx, snow leopard, Tien Shan bear, red deer and argali sheep, as well as several species of birds including the black stork, saker falcon, bearded vulture and golden eagle.
During their time together, participants noted the increasing calm and sense of reverence that preceded the Fire Ceremony. The strong presence of women spiritual leaders was central to bringing the participants into the circle and creating an experience that radiated peace, unity, and deep spiritual resonance.
On the day of the Ceremony, joined by local Kyrgyz women, these women leaders of WUISP tended the flame and invited all participants to do the same, and to share prayers, blessings and guidance from their own cultures. Photography during the Ceremony was not permitted, preserving its sacredness, and allowing all present to immerse themselves fully in the feeling of renewal and connection that permeated the physical and spiritual realms.
Afterwards, participants spoke of the power of the experience: the silence of the valley, the warmth of the fire, and the profound sense of being part of something larger than themselves. What remains is not only memory but transformation—a collective reminder that the flame of connection, kindled through years of ceremony and shared devotion, continues to burn across lands and generations.
Reflecting on the experience, Professor Chi added, “With a heart full of respect and humility, I will cherish this experience within my soul, as a reminder of the immense power of nature and humanity co-creating endlessly together.”
