Living tradition
Receive direct experience of Hungarian shamanic fire ceremonies preserved through generations of wisdom-holders.
MASTERY 2026 · ANCESTRAL FLAMES
The Fire Carrier’s Quest
An international certification masterclass in advanced, ritual and shamanic firewalking.
30 November–7 December 2026Sonora, California · USA
More than an advanced practitioners’ course
Seven days that will redefine your limits—and transform your practice.
This is an immersive encounter with advanced firewalking, ceremonial leadership and the living memory carried through fire.
Designed for experienced firewalkers ready to move beyond the ordinary, Ancestral Flames blends ancient ritual work with the dynamic modern practice of advanced firewalking. You will deepen your technical preparation, learn to lead firewalks in the shamanic tradition and explore how authentic ceremony can bring depth to contemporary events.
At the end of the training, successful participants will be certified as Masters of Firewalking and ceremonial leaders in traditional Hungarian fire ceremonies and ritual firewalks.
This will be one of the most dynamic, memorable and powerful firewalking experiences on the planet.
An experience of a lifetime.
Who is it for?
For the dedicated practitioner.
This is not a beginner’s course. It is a focused, intensive journey for people who already know the fire.
The programme is open to the public with a maximum of 20 participants, and is recommended for FIT™ Certified Firewalking Instructors, Masters of Firewalking and experienced practitioners who regularly lead firewalking events.
Come for first-hand experience of genuine shamanic firewalking traditions, creative ways to expand your firewalking practice and a deeper understanding of how ceremony can serve any contemporary setting.
“What I experience internally is what I will carry outward. I am ready to carry the flame.”
Teachers of the masterclass
Two masters. Two traditions. One living practice.
Bence László Tarr is a wisdom-keeper of the Hungarian shamanic firewalking tradition, with an academic background in cultural anthropology and the comparative history of religion. Certified by three contemporary schools as a Grand Master of Firewalking, he has led more than 300 firewalking events and serves on the advisory board of the Global Firewalking Alliance.
Kevin Axtell is Director of The Firewalking Center and carries forward the legacy of Tolly Burkan. Across more than two decades, his work has reached major television programmes, corporations, conventions, festivals and transformational communities around the world.
Together, Kevin and Bence unite reverence, education, empowerment and bold practical experience. This is not simply about bigger fires. It is about continuing the journey as a firewalker, teacher and seeker.
Presented with The Firewalking Center
Why Ancestral Flames is different
Walk into the Fire of Memory.
This course goes beyond delivering a regular instructor training. It explores how to ritualise firewalking authentically—so people enter the fire not to burn, but to be renewed.
Contemporary relevance
Learn how ceremony, preparation and intention can deepen retreats, community gatherings and even corporate firewalks.
Embodied transmission
Drumming, song, dance and fire create a field in which knowledge is lived before it is carried forward.
What you will learn
How fire can reveal you.
- Ancient rituals that connect practitioners to the ancestral heart of firewalking.
- Ways to ritualise a firewalk authentically, including in organisational settings.
- How preparation creates presence, trust and a meaningful ceremonial threshold.
- How to shape memorable initiatory moments without losing responsibility or clarity.
- Ceremonies, chants, songs, dances, offerings and the making of ceremonial tools.
- Drumming and breathwork practices that support focused, altered states of awareness.
Eight to ten advanced firewalks
A different relationship with fire, every day.
Collective fire rituals build progressively across the week. Some forms stand alone; others combine into a single ceremonial landscape.
01
Pillars of Fire
Move through a living threshold of heat, light and focused intention.
02
Medicine Wheel
A circular journey through direction, relationship and collective presence.
03
Fire Temple
A ceremonial structure built, entered and transformed through flame.
04
Pyramid of Fire
Learn the architecture, tending and ritual possibilities of a monumental pyre.
05
Creative Fire Builds
Work with symbolic forms, including the Turul—the Hungarian celestial fire bird.
06
Deep Coalbed
Meet an extended ember field that demands technical precision and sustained attention.
Also exploredSunrise firewalk · Daytime firewalk · Sun firewalk · Celtic knot and clover forms · Photo-session firewalk
Beyond the coal bed
A complete ceremonial toolkit.
The week also opens space for vision, craft, rhythm and the practical details that make ritual coherent.
Activities may include vision quest, breathwork, drumming circles, traditional songs and chants, dynamic ritualisation, the Fire Book ritual, building your own torch, fire-stick dance, fire staff, fire sceptre, fire drums, fire bubbles, fire board breaking, pyro powders and the Light Bringer ritual.
The international community around Ancestral Flames becomes part of the learning: firewalkers, teachers, healers and fellow seekers meet as practical allies and potential collaborators.
30 November–7 December 2026 · Sonora, California
Carry the flame forward.
Places are strictly limited to preserve an intimate, demanding and personally supported masterclass.
Seven-day immersion
Advanced firewalking, ceremonial practice, reflective work and international certification.
Maximum 20 people
Places are secured in the order that deposits are received.
450 USD / 415 EUR
The first instalment reserves your place. Personalised instalment plans are available by enquiry.
Training fee only
Travel, accommodation and meals are separate. Discounted lodging and full-board options are available at the venue.
Money-back guarantee
In the unlikely event that the organisers cancel the training, all payments will be repaid in full.
Answer the call of the flame
Reserve your place.
Tell us about your firewalking experience, your intention for the training and any practical questions. We will send the current tuition details, accommodation information and payment options.
International Master of Firewalking certification
Ancestral Flames · Fire Carrier’s Quest
Seven days of advanced firewalking, ritual leadership and direct experience with two of the world’s most experienced living firewalking masters.
