#ChrisFerree | bear Medicinewalker

May 12, 2016May 12, 2016

Smudge and/or Smudging with bear Medicinewalker

From many ancient traditions, herbs and plants are used to perform the sacred smoke blessing. Smudging is also a ritual of cleansing and purification for the physical and spiritual bodies. Smudging calls on the spirits of scared herbs and plants to drive away negative energies and to restore balance.

Smudging is often used to cleanse and balance the aura energies of people, and used to clear space energy within home and work environments. Smudging is also used to cleanse and remove negative energies from crystals, gemstones and other natural and healing objects.

Mixtures of sacred herbs and resins are burned in a special bowl or shell. Smudging sticks are now available, which are made from dried plants and herbs tied in a small bundle. Smudging is viewed as a way of shifting between the levels of the material, physical, and spirit realms. There are many methods of smudging. The most common method is by lighting the herb or plant, extinguishing the flame, and wafting the rising smoke around the person, area or object, while sending out a prayer or blessing.

Herbs most often used in smudging are white sage and sweet grass. Sage drives out negative thoughts, energies, spirits and influences. Sweet grass is used to attract positive energies, after the negative energies are banished. Other herbs and plants used in smudging are, lavender, copal, cedar, juniper and mugwort.

So today take some time and honor what is Sacred…. take time to cleanse and honor your day and all that is… SMUDGE!!!!

“I am Dedicated to Educating and sharing the Native culture with the World. It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth. Through the Music… the Arts…the stories…”
Mitakuye O’yasin
~bear Medicinewalker

“Join Me as I continue the Sacred Hoop Project into this Year 2016…the year of Truths!”

Earth Dance by Chris Ferree and Brad Horne available at http://www.chrisferree.com

May 3, 2016May 3, 2016

“Pipestone” Lesson From the Stone Keepers

Catlinite
Also known as Pipestone is the Sacred Stone of the Native People. It is a clay like mineral that is red to red/pink in color. Catlinite, in the very deep red color is symbolic of blood of the Ancestors and the Sacred Buffalo.

Although the words Catlinite and Pipestone are often used interchangeably, there can be a great difference in the two stones. Catlinite, with its dark red color and has an exceptional ability to be carved, is only found in the Minnesota mine. Pipestone found elsewhere in the US and the world has a different composition, is often a pale terracotta color, and cannot be carved like Catlinite.

The primary source of Catlinite is in Minnesota along Pipestone Creek that flows from the Big Sioux River. Currently protected land and under control of the US National Park Service it is known as the “Pipestone National Monument”. Native Americans can apply for a permit to quarry Catlinite there. Catlinite is named for the New York artist George Catlin (1796-1872), who was the first white person to visit the Minnesota quarry from which it was obtained.

Mostly used in carvings and pipe making it is considered a Sacred Stone and one that should be cared for and used with respect.

The Lakota Sacred Pipe, the “Chanunpa”, is an important part of healing ceremonies within the Native culture. When a pipe is crafted, it must be blessed in a special ceremony that connects it to the original Sacred Pipe that was brought to the People by the White Buffalo Calf Woman. This is to ensure that a good spirit resides in the pipe.

A pipe is not restricted to being used only by Native Americans, but as a spiritual object symbolizing healing work it must be respected by everyone with its use and proper ceremony. Other types of pipes used in ceremonies were the medicine pipe and the war pipe. Those that carried peace pipes often passed through enemy territory out of respect. A war pipe is different in that it had red feathers symbolizing blood and was smoked before going into battle.

What a was and is still to this day made from will vary from tribe to tribe. The Cherokee and Chickasaw tribes often used river clay that was formed into a bowl shape then “cooked” by putting it over a hot fire for the bowl of a peace pipe.

Bluestone is hard quartzite that is greenish blue. Found in the Appalachian Mountains, it was used for the bowl of a pipe by the Cherokee, Creek, and Chickasaw as well. Eastern, Western, Great Basin and Plains Tribes mostly used red Pipestone (also known as Catlinite) to make their pipes.“

Another form of Catlinite called blue Pipestone is used in some Native American peace pipes. This type of stone can be found in South Dakota. The Plains tribes also use black Pipestone while the Shoshone and Ute sometimes use green Pipestone. The Ute of central Colorado utilize salmon colored alabaster to make their peace pipe bowls.

The Plains Indians often carried pipes in a bag called a pipe bundle. This bundle was decorated on the outside and also was used to carry the tobacco that would be used in the pipe. Considered sacred, tobacco was and still is considered today as a powerful plant. If help is needed from “Spirit” tobacco is offered in return for that guidance. Smoke from the pipe carries our prayers up to the Creator.

*This is the Second in the series of “Lessons from the Stone Keepers” I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy working with them!

“Join Me as I continue the Sacred Hoop Project into this Year 2016…the year of Truths!”

Earth Dance by Chris Ferree and Brad Horne available at http://www.chrisferree.com

May 2, 2016

“Carnelian” Lesson from the Stone Keepers

Carnelian is one of those stones that I just have to keep around me at all times. It has been one of my favorites since I can remember. Doesn’t have to be in gem form, can be in raw or tumbled… but I feel comfort and good when I have it. It is a stone fro me that sings our an earthiness feel that is part of who I am and walk as.

Carnelian
Enhances creativity it is also known as ‘The Artists Stone’. It also provides you with confidence, motivation and the individuality needed to succeed. Its rich earthy color and grounding energy is helpful for anyone to carry.

Normal color ranges from an orange to a deep burnished reddish orange. This is one of my favorite stones and always has been. Carnelian helps with how we see and view things. It also is said to provide a link to the spiritual worlds and inspires people in positives. In ancient Egypt it was believed they offered protection in the afterlife and warded against evil spirits. Many priests and nobles were buried with this stone, which shows just how important carnelian was at the time..

It is said to protect against fear, rage and envy ( you know that green eyed monster) and helps one to release sorrow so that they are able to move forward once again. It assists one to bring about stabilization in the home and heart by cutting through things so that one can get to the truth of the matter reconnecting the emotional and inner self in a more balanced way.

Also a great stone to use to get rid of negatives for cleansing other stones/crystals and acts as a great clearing stone for people as well, dispelling negatives from our life when we keep it close.

Works with the 1st thru 4th chakras. Often used on conjunction of treatments for neuralgia, allergies and kidney issues, as well as spinal and pancreatic disorders

This is the First in the series of “Lessons from the Stone Keepers” I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy working with them!

“Join Me as I continue the Sacred Hoop Project into this Year 2016…the year of Truths!”

Earth Dance by Chris Ferree and Brad Horne available at http://www.chrisferree.com

April 26, 2016August 19, 2017

April 26 2016 Totem Insights for the Day – Bear

Today Bear steps up this day to remind us to choose words and actions wisely. Stop being so quick to judge others without walking in their steps, or understanding what is real and what is illusion. Often as we walk our paths we get lost in the negativity of others, or perhaps it is because we are not doing what we are meant to do and seeing that others are walking their truths it triggers jealousy and other negatives. So you lash out… and it is easy to do, we have all done it at one time or another. But what we fail to recognize or consider what we say or do… often causes harm or sends out negatives to a world that already has enough. So today as the Bear stands and roars for all to hear… perhaps stop and worry about your life, your actions, your words … and begin work on your own issues and faults to better balance your own hoops.

Bear is all about fertility (creative and manifestation), instinct, protection and solitude. Those that walk with Bear are often somewhat reclusive requiring a great deal of personal space to renew and create. Bear people will often “disconnect” for awhile as they pursue projects becoming deeply involved in what they are working on. Deeply protective and territorial, Bear also is extremely loyal and dependable.

Bear teaches us when healing of any sort is needed to use that time for introspective work in order to grow Spiritually, Emotionally, Mentally and find answers to problems within yourself. Travel deep into your soul find the purpose in your own path and journey and walk ahead in positive steps.

Bear shares with us that in this time hibernation is not only good but needed, yet respect our natural hibernation cycle and remember to reawaken in the spring, in doing so awaken the potential within ourselves and the power of our unconscious mind.

Bear teaches us there is a time for playfulness and a time to be assertive, and perhaps a time for both in balance.

“I am Dedicated to Educating and sharing culture with the World. It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth. Through the Music… the Arts…the stories…”
Mitakuye O’yasin
~bear Medicinewalker

“Join Me as I continue the Sacred Hoop Project into this Year 2016…the year of Truths!”

Medicine Bear by Chris Ferree and available at http://www.chrisferree.com

March 31, 2016March 30, 2016

March 31, 2016 Totem Insight for the Day with bear Medicinewalker – Desert Wolf

Desert Wolf steps in to help us see the Truth and reality of life around us today! And okay so we all know we have been feeling out of sorts this week, and actually some of last week. Well most of us at least. The reason is we all have been unloading the negatives, the junk the crap from our lives. getting rid of the trash and setting it to the curb. The issue is however that we have held on to it for so long that it has piled high and some of it is slipping off the pile and trying its best to reattach to us. But Stand STRONG folks… and muddle through til the end of the week and you will be able to see daylight again!

Light will prevail over shadow and dark! You will begin to see the opportunities you have been waiting for show up, so when you do see them don’t sit idle, do the work and grab them! You are Worthy! Stand Within your strength and shake your fist at the Universe and say Thank you for the assist, and together WE have got this thing!

Desert Wolf also known as Coyote, as trickster, comes to us this day to share its wisdom’s, teaching us that it is sometimes a good thing to laugh at oneself in order to not get caught up in the pain that sometimes comes with life choices and lessons. It is about finding the balance of learning what life teaches and has to share, and when it is time to relax, enjoy and have some fun.

Desert Wolf teach us to be stealth and observe what we need to see, opening our senses to see the bigger picture of a situation. They speak of using distraction to change outcomes to more positive ones, by utilizing intelligence and good common sense, which often many do not take the time to stop and remember.

One of the most amazing skills they offer us is the use of voice and communication to let ourselves be heard, but to also warn that at times, when people use their voices it can be for hidden agenda’s that will not be in positive tones. So pay attention, listen closely so that you may understand and decipher what it is that is actually being said and stay adaptable to what must be done in the situation.

Desert Wolf tells us above all make sure we look at our own self, walk in positives not in deceptive or manipulative ways to get what you want. Look at what truly is motivating you, be honest with self and then stand in the Sacred Hoop to balance. Remembering what you do to respect self, will mirror to the world around you.

“Join Me as I continue the Sacred Hoop Project into this Year 2016…the year of Truths!”

“MEDICINE BEAR” by Chris Ferree available on I tunes and at http://www.chrisferree.com

March 30, 2016March 29, 2016

March 30, 2016 Totem Insight of the Day with bear Medicinewalker

Seahorse brings for us lessons in persistence as we move towards our goals. Leave our stubbornness at the door and all things will move much smoother with our inner circles. It is time to take a closer look at things and get a fresh view of all things in your Sacred Hoop, physically, emotionally, spiritually for something has been out of balance and it is time to reset with purpose and unconditional.

Seahorse also speaks of serving others and caring for their needs, but while we are in that role we must not forget to nurture self as well. Slow down and do not over exert yourself for that will not assist in anything or anyone if you are too tired and/or worn out. Our purpose is not to serve others and loose ourselves in the process; it is about the Sacred balance.

Life is all about perspective and we must remember to approach with open eyes, mind and soul to stay balanced within the positives. Seahorses teach us how to move in and out of situations seamlessly, teaching us how to move through the currents of life and emotion and stay in a healthy state while doing so.

Be Bold! Adapt when the situation calls for it! Be colorful and enjoy Life! most importantly allow your souls to flow with the energy and waves of life around you allowing it to feed your spirit!

“Join Me as I continue the Sacred Hoop Project into this Year 2016…the year of Truths!”

March 29, 2016

March 29, 2016 Totem Insight of the Day with Bear Medicinewalker

Today Frog steps in to teach us about cycles! We all have them, we all travel them whether we know it or not. Sometimes we wind up getting caught up in cycles that hold us back from being who we are supposed to really be, cycles that have negative impact on our growth as Humans. It may be outside factors that influence us, events, people or even our own emotions that throw us into this continuing loop that plays over and over again, because somehow we loose sight of the outside world and the lessons from the continued cycle.

The Frog teaches us of transition and transformation, supporting us as we walk through times of change. Connecting us with the our deepest emotions and assisting us with the process of cleansing our physical, emotional, spiritual selves to attain balance. The frog represents the cycles of life, birth and rebirth. If we take a glimpse at the Frogs own journey through life from a tadpole to the adult state it mirrors the many cycles of transformation and rebirth in our own lives.

It can assist us with the process of owning our own personal power. Recognizing it by cleansing ourselves of what no longer serves us and embracing with open arms what is now possible.

“Join Me as I continue the Sacred Hoop Project into this Year 2016…the year of Truths!”

Category: #ChrisFerree

Smudge and/or Smudging with bear Medicinewalker

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“Pipestone” Lesson From the Stone Keepers

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“Carnelian” Lesson from the Stone Keepers

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April 26 2016 Totem Insights for the Day – Bear

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March 31, 2016 Totem Insight for the Day with bear Medicinewalker – Desert Wolf

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March 30, 2016 Totem Insight of the Day with bear Medicinewalker

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March 29, 2016 Totem Insight of the Day with Bear Medicinewalker

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