A Ritual for those Facing the Future after Bushfire Devastation.
On two occasions I have very nearly had a property burnt by bushfires – the last time fire went right to the back wall of the house and it was only saved by the firefighters. I remember trying to decide what to take in my car as I was ordered to evacuate.
What was it that I held most precious in that house?
After the second fire, I walked down into what had been my garden and saw the stark tree trunks, some of them surprisingly ocre red among the black and the bare earth and uncovered rock faces sprinkled with ash.
I knew the Australian bushland is to some extent regenerated by fire – that we are intruders in an ancient pattern of death and renewal which was deeply understood by the original custodians of our land. But that was of small comfort at the time, although I did marvel at the eucalyptus springing forth with new leaves within days of being burnt, one would have thought, to extinction.
What I remember most is the bush suddenly becoming my enemy rather than my friend – its closeness a threat rather than a gift to my life. That faded as time went on, but I now look at it with different eyes.
This ritual is for those who live in the bushland after the fires. It is not intended to do full justice to a situation in which people have died, although it could be adapted for that. It also does not strongly recognise the wonderful efforts of firefighters and others who serve people during the fires, although it does touch on that.
The function of this ritual is more an acknowledgment that there is complex and widespread grieving going on.
You Will Need:
- A large green cloth
- To invite people to bring images or symbols of anything they feel that they have lost – for example, photos of particular people if anyone died, photos of homes before the fire, children’s drawings of the wildlife, leaf-covered branches and flowers, the names on cards of any precious possessions and anything else which reminds them of life before the fires
- To invite some people to tell their stories
- Local musicians (especially children) to pray or sing at various points, or you can use recorded music.
- Poems, songs or dances which are suitable for the occasion
- A supply of cut flowers or cuttings from bushland trees which have not been burnt.
- A party meal for afterwards.
Dorothy McRae McMahon
You are invited to read a Ritual written by Dorothy for Bushfire Victims here:
Image: Bushfire Devastation by Terri Sharp obtained from Pixabay. Used with permission.