Join us for this five-part programme as we explore our relationship to fire and the elements, and prepare for an ancient rite-of-passage known as a Fire Quest.
2025 Programme Dates – Bookings open:
Session 1- 22nd March 10.30- 5pm
Session 2- 6th April - 10.30-5pm
Session 3- 20th April - 10.30-5pm
Fire Quest Weekend- 9th-May 3pm- 12th May- 3pm
Session 4- 1st June- 10.30-5pm.
There will also be zoom calls between sessions. Dates TBC.
Exchange
**** £100 - EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT AVAILABLE UNTIL 10th JANUARY MAKING IT ONLY £630 ****
The cost for the programme is £730- All sessions, accommodation, food, quest expenses, additional calls included.
The programme fees are payable by bank transfer as either:
One instalment of £730
3 or 4 instalments.
Reconnecting to The Magic of Fire
In all cultures across the globe, humans have had a deep and powerful relationship to fire. We relied on it for warmth, light and energy, and in times gone by it would have been at the heart of the community. More than this, fire has been revered as a transformational force with a life and spirit of its own. These days, we might enjoy the sun, share a campfire occasionally, or (if we’re lucky!) have a log burner in our living room, but we no longer have that integral relationship and connection to this magical element.
The Questing With Fire programme is designed to reintroduce us to fire’s transformational force and elemental magic. Through a carefully planned process following the Eight Shields nature connection model (more about this below), we will take questers on a journey to discover their own hearts, minds, bodies and spirits in deep connection to the land and the elements.
What does this Fire Quest Programme involve?
This 5 part programme involves 3 initial day-long retreats during which the group will get to know each other and begin the deepening of connection to fire. We will learn about traditional ways of working with natural materials to make spark and flame, then spend time cultivating our collective and personal relationship to fire through practices and exercises led by the facilitators. As well as practical fire skills the sessions involve song, ceremony and sitting in circle together, sharing stories and exploring our intentions.
This is followed by 4 days together on a Fire Quest weekend where participants will prepare to spend a whole night, from sunset to sunrise, awake with fire on a solo journey in the woods. A group of supporting elders and mentors with tend to the central fire all the while, waiting to welcome the questers back at dawn and hear their stories and insights.
The quest will involve fasting from food and sleep for 24hours.
The final part of the process is to return to the group for a final day of Integration and celebration. This is a core part of the process. Full integration can take months or even years, so this process will introduce the tools and practises that will enable participants to make the most of their experience over time.
What is a Fire Quest?
A Fire Quest is a process that people throughout history would have undertaken at times of challenge or necessity in order to tune into the deeper wisdom of the world and their own intuition. It would have been natural to take ourselves away to sit for the night with a fire when a big decision had to be made, or when a significant event had occurred, such as a death or the beginning of a new stage of life.
A Fire Quest is what we would call a ‘rite of passage’, a process that takes us out of our familiar environment, sends us through a challenge, then reintegrates us into the world transformed in some way, perhaps with more knowledge, insight and wisdom.
In these uncertain times, a Fire Quest is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with ourselves and the more-than-human world so that we can live with greater clarity, connection, creativity and love. People who undertake quests report having transformational experiences that bring them more in touch with their deepest purpose and meaning in life.
What Others Have said
The Fire Quest is a radical, life changing experience that no other could quite match my needs at the time. Since the fire quest I have shared some of the songs with others, meet life long friends and companions, and I am on my journey now. As something has ignited in me that cannot be undone and this has all happened because I said Yes. Now it's your turn! : ) Fiona Pattison
I would recommend this to anyone who is open and willing to undergo a big shift and transformation in their life. You will not be the same before and after this journey. You will emerge stronger, clearer & with a deeper connection to life, nature and community. Anything that needs to change will change through the quest with the fire. Cleo
Just do it! You will not regret it. You may think, what is a fire quest? What will I have to do? and these are all valid questions, but the very fact you are here reading this testimonial is saying YES! Fiona
A really deep and beautiful experience which has brought me finally into a more intimate connection and understanding with nature, the elements and in particular the guidance and wisdom of fire. It was and still is such a powerful journey with practical fire skills and also on a deeper journey of personal initiation as the magic and lessons continue to reveal themselves and unfold. A powerful way to be in nature and to have what you need reflected back to you as opposed to what you think you may want. A deep, enriching and transformation experience held in a safe, loving and beautiful way. Thank you to my fellow questers and the team. Carl
By far the most powerful process of my life. My words don't do justice to the experience. So much learned and still to process. I can say with confidence I am a not the same person I was when I started this journey. I am wiser, stronger, more hopeful. I want to sing more. I am more connected. I am more aware and I am so grateful. Thank you for the opportunity and I can't wait to do more. Danny
The Lineage and origins of this Quest
The fire quest we will share is based on a tradition practiced by a powerful lineage of indigenous peoples of North America. It is also inspired by this land and what facilitators Leonie and Leona feel is needed for our culture and people at this time, based on their own training, personal experiences and visions. More will be shared about this on the programme.
Other commitments and Information
In order to maximise the potential life benefits of the programme, for the course of 3 months and beyond, participants will be encouraged to build in some of the Core Routines of Nature connection into everyday life. These come from the Model of the Eight Shields and will be introduced as part of the programme.
The programme will also include 3 zoom calls interspersed to support and encourage participants to build and maintain the practices in their lives at home and will also help participants to explore and hone the question or purpose of their personal Fire Quest beforehand.
So that we can provide a really supported journey we will accept a maximum of 12 participants to this programme.
Who is this for?
This programme is open to anyone who would like to deepen their relationship to nature and themselves. If you ears pricked up when you heard about the programme, or your heart flutters with nervous excitement to imagine a Fire Quest, then this could be the programme for you.
Likewise, if you work with people in nature, have children, want to learn more about the Eight Shields or are interested in rites of passage then this programme is for you, too. Whatever your experience, we pledge that you will be well supported, and that you will feel differently about life and your relationship to the other-than-human world after this programme.
We are also hoping that people who are interested in being involved in the supporting community for future Fire Quests will join this programme.
About the Eight Shields
The Eight Shields model is a cultural framework developed by Jon Young and the 8 Shields Institute. It takes inspiration from numerous land-based indigenous cultures from around the world, as well as patterns we see in nature.
It was created to organise a collection of design principles, practices and activities for deep nature connection and community building and when implemented helps to create the optimum conditions for meaningful and wholistic connection to life.