We send people out to find wood; it is important that they thank the Standing People by giving them tobacco and that they ask permission to break branches before doing so. We need a good deal of wood since we are to keep it burning for 4 days. We dig a pit for the fire and make ready for the ceremonial fire. When preparing a ceremonial fire, you place sage or cedar on Mother Earth (or juniper). On top of this you place the wood together with birch bark for kindling (do not use paper). Before lighting the fire you offer tobacco, sage or smudge by laying it on the wood. You do this in prayer for healing for yourself and for those who are unable to take part in the ceremony.
The fire is then lit in the east to symbolise a new beginning. From now until the fire has gone out, it is treated with deep respect. Rubbish or cigarette butts are not thrown into the fire. Nor should one spit into the fire. At the centre of the wheel lies the fire pit, sometimes called the Creator's eye.
This is surrounded by seven stones that represent: the four clans, Grandfather Sun, Grandmother Moon and Mother Earth.
To complete the circle, you place four new stones as direction stones, beginning in the north, then west, south, and ending in the east. When you lay the stones in this order, you keep the "spirit door" open. We always enter the wheel in the east and leave in the west. To find these directions we use the nature around us. We consecrate the fire; since we are so few, everyone will have to be fire keepers over the course of the four days. The spirits will visit this fire, and the time we spend there is a time for reflection and prayer.
