The Butterfly flutters in to our path today and say we are to enjoy the day! Be light and frivolously go about enjoying small pleasures of the day such as a cookie or donut with your coffee that you may not normally have! Or perhaps its an extra moment from your day to touch base with a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in awhile, but whatever it is…. ENJOY IT simply because you can. We so often get caught up in the mundane and routine things of our daily life, forgetting that each and every moment we have is a rare and beautiful gift. So instead of sitting grumpy this morning add some positives to that cuppa brew and enjoy…. breathe in the aroma of it and let it set your path to a great pace for the day!
The Butterfly is connected to the elemental Air. It represents to many cultures the story of Transformation. It teaches us how to shift, change and move with whatever life brings to our paths. This helps us to learn how to work through events and situations that we encounter in our lives so that we can move through changes in what appears to be effortless with grace allowing our Sacred Hoops to come into and stay balanced.
Butterfly shares with us the gift of understanding that we all have purpose, we are all part of a grander plan, that we all exist to complete the balance needed in the world we live in. Without each of us inputting our energies, our purposes… other things would not come to fruition. Such as the pollen that is collected when they land in a grouping of flowers, when they move from place to place they assist the species in continuing to exist. We too are much like the Butterfly, for without each of us to contribute our efforts, our knowledge sharing it with our young people, with each other… ideas and cultures would eventually cease to exist.
Butterfly teaches us that we need to quiet our minds to hear the echoes of our souls, to look around you and appreciate all that is Sacred. Teachings are also about how we move through our lives transforming and constantly changing. As we are seeded into the womb where we begin our earth journeys growing and nurturing to prepare to enter the world, we are much like the Butterfly in the cocoon until we emerge slowly transforming into what and who we are to become.
Throughout our lives this occurs as we move through the changes in our life. So don’t fight the changes, rather honor the process of it as your Soul grows and expands into all that it can be… the beautiful soul that is an intricate part of the Human Race.
So today take time and honor who you are, remembering that you and all that you are is meant to be for a purpose and wonderful reason…. Take a moment to breathe, take a moment to revel in becoming understanding that you are important to all life!
“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!”
Today a card from the new sub-deck turns up the “Medicine Bag” reminding us to hold Sacred who we are and not to give our power away. It is about honoring the sacred within each of us, knowing that it is the right thing to do to take care of self first. To honor and be thankful to the Ancestors… to Creator God… to become who we are meant to be by allowing ourselves to heal and balance our own Sacred Hoops.
We are brought up in a society that we are told to put ourselves last, but this should not be the case in all matters… for we must learn to stand on our own, be strong in the person we are to become, allow our own Souls to Dance in their own light and energy. For to allow others to step in and steal that energy, hinders us from being us, from being the beautiful people that we are meant to be as individuals. When we accept that, honor that, walk that… then and only then can we truly assist others.
So today is about honoring your own medicine, your own personal power to balance your OWN hoops and lives… remembering it is okay to put ourselves first!
A Medicine Bag ( also called a Medicine Pouch) is traditionally a small pouch filled with talismans such as stones, herbs, found objects, personal memorabilia and its purpose is protection, to remind us of our human and All that is Sacred and to assist us in healing and keeping our Sacred Hoops in balance. Native Americans have carried these bags for centuries, but in recent years, they’ve also become popular in our modern day culture but most are unaware of the intent/purpose of them.
Traditionally a medicine bag or bundle contains something from the plant, animal and mineral kingdoms and from the life of a person. Meant to be kept close to your person so that the spiritual power surrounds you and becomes one with your energy. In a sense it becomes one with who you are. What goes onto the bag is your personal medicine, things you draw “power” from that will aid you as you walk your paths. If you receive one as a gift, the maker or person gifting it should add something of their own to help you on your journey.
Understand that a traditional Medicine Pouch is Sacred. The bag should not be opened by anyone else. It is up to the individual whose bag it is if they choose to take items out in order to share with others the story behind them, or to use them for healing purposes. Each item is considered Sacred and is meant to assist its owner with power and spirituality while they walk the Human. Allowing others to access the bag and it’s contents, ‘steals’ the power and lessons its intent for the owner.
“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!”
“Pathways” from Pathway to Destiny: Songs of Healing and Contemplation by Louie Gonnie. Available at http://canyonrecords.com/shop/
Heron steps up to share that today is about diving deep into our souls and reminding ourselves to set aside the ego’s and step carefully, patiently one step at a time. In order to balance our Sacred Hoops, we must learn the art of Patience. That our walk may not be that of others, and that is okay. Simply because we are not moving in the same direction as the masses, does not mean it is not our path. Through careful thought and consideration we need to learn to follow our instincts, our souls guidance. Remember to listen to that little inner voice for it is there for a reason.
How often do we hear the little voice and because at the moment it seems easier to follow the world around us, we push it away allowing other things to over shadow it? Then later we say, oh man shoulda listened, I knew it wasn’t right for me! Well You are right and now is the time to do just that…honor and Listen to our inner guidance. Walk forward and own your day… own your life… Balance Your Hoops!
Heron brings with it the strong connection to the Great Mother Earth. It teaches us to channel that inner strength and using it to ground and remain strong in the course. Be strong and balance so that you can accomplish many things at the same time. Heron shares with us the ability to become independent and self reliant, yet knowing when to change and adapt in life when needed. Follow your own path, not necessarily the direction that others tell you to walk. You have this, and are capable.
They teach us to be comfortable in our own being, and happy. To love self and understand we are all worthy of good and positive things. Typically they spend much time on their own, but know that it is at times better to be more social and step out of their comfort zones to add experiences and keep the balance of all things in their Sacred Hoop. Use your steps wisely as the Heron does, and take advantage of the exact moment when it is time to move in a positive motion on your path.
“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!”
“Healing Song” from Lakota Pipe And Ceremonial Songs by Wahancanka available on I tunes
It is time again for a teaching of the Medicine Wheel. I have been asked over and over about them, so as I have been taught I will now share those teachings with you. Please know that there are various interpretations of the teachings, but what I share is what I have been taught by my Teachers and my Elders over the years. So let us enter this journey today in the time of the Snow Goose, the Time of Renewal as it sits on the Top of the Medicine Wheel beginning December 22nd through January 19th.
Being born at this time puts you into the Time of Renewal with the main influencing wind being the North Winds! The Totem that walks with this birth sign is that of the Buffalo, it rests within the Turtle Clan. The polarity totem that shares balance for the Snow Goose is the Woodpecker.
The Plant Totem for Snow Goose is Bramble. also known as “Blackberry” This is commonly used by the native people in healing work by helping deal with cholic, diarrhea in tea forms and berry form, and also the leaves are used to assist with bleeding gums. This bush also has thorns for protection and yet represents also the renewal and transforming aspects of the Snow Goose People. It represents Courage, Inspiration and Persistence assisting with them getting what needs to get done taken care of. It also blends well with the Earth aspect of this totem.
The Mineral/Crystal is Peridot. This is a stone thought to be sent directly by the Ancestors and the Creator as it sparkles and has a heavenly radiance that helps with clarity of thoughts. It assists with the Spiritual side of things as well and adding strength when needed.
The Snow Goose Affinity color is White. White is the reflection of all other colors. It also in this case represents psychic energies. It represents the Snow Goose Peoples pure intent and the fact they simply do what they say they will, without a second thought.
Elements that influence the Snow Goose as born to the Time of Renewal are that of both Earth and Air air is strongly associated with our minds, thought patterns and new ideas. this assists Snow Goose people to achieve their dreams and goals by transforming their creativity, their ideas into reality. The Element of Earth continues to ground and help balance them and also cause almost a pattern of predictability and dependability. Making them stable and conscientious people.
Snow Goose Peopleare hard workers that when in that mode do not like to be disturbed. They are mostly healthy except have tendencies to have knee and spinal problems and arthritis. You will find that they do not go down easily however when suffering form these ailments, and often will be found pushing through the pain and getting it done, long after others would have stopped.
Relationship compatibility’s are best with those born under the signs of the Beaver, Brown Bears or that of the Raven.
Their Life Path is all about Adaptation and Completion; to complete and develop new things, new ways of doing things.
Being of the Turtle Clan they are born into and effected by the Earth’s stability. Word and Deed represent the same to people of this clan, so they are dependable, reliable and can become extremely agitated when things do not get done what had been promised. They are most often extremely self sacrificing once they decide the path they will walk.
Snow Goose people are people that are practical and ambitious. They like being around people but rarely allow people to get to close. They hold fear that if they allow people in too far they will be emotionally hurt. If they do and it occurs, they will find it difficult to allow anyone else in and often keep more to themselves.
Best times of the year for people born to the Sign of the Snow Goose are from December 22 to the 19th of January, April 20th through May 20th and august 22 through September 21st.
The strongest day of the week when they can accomplish much is Saturday.
Best times of the day to accomplish things are 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
I hope you have enjoyed these insights and may they inspire you to look more into the Medicine Wheel teachings and how they can assist us all to bring balance to our Sacred Hoops! And make sure to add yourself to the mailing list if you are interested in learning more about the totems and the Medicine Wheel!
“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!”
“Discovering Years” from Pathway to Destiny: Songs of Healing and Contemplation by Louie Gonnie. Available at http://www.canyonrecords.com
today is about seeing into and past what some humans call the “Veil”, the inbetween here and there. This day is about diving into the Sacredness of You, the part that melds and retains the knowledge of the Ancestors and then honoring that. No more sitting and wondering, no more saying I don’t know how, I can’t do this… because we all have the answers and drive within our DNA. DNA that has been passed down through the generations that have walked alongside and before us. It is time to stand up, to own up, to be, to become with no more excuses. We all have got this! Just believe in all the countless people before us, that continue to have belief and help guide us from the Spiritual realms. and believe me… they do exist…they are working for the positives to occur in the universe…
If you have those that have walked with that are no longer here…HONOR their Lives, their Sacrifices, their Walks as Human… do not allow grief to cripple you! Celebrate them and their contributions. Look beyond the “Veil” and understand the immense possibilities that can be achieved in our own lives if we allow it.
Jaguar/Black Panther bringing us lessons of Mystical capacities. When I sat outside this morning watching Father Sun begin to rise in our skies, my thoughts ran to the East …of many years ago here on U.S Soil… and I sighed. How much has changed and how much has remained the same. Jaguar also represents one of the highest of Spiritual Sacredness. One that has been in place for ions and one that steps in to assist us ALL in attempts to set the human to right and positives.
Jaguar/Black Panther comes in to ease burdens of the negative side of our human nature. He will not tolerate poor behavior against humans, creatures, or the great Mother Earth, the Jaguar Medicine is very strong and very ancient. For those that walk with high integrity and honor the Sacred, he will bestow rewards of insights and old knowledge in order to assist us as we walk with positive steps. It speaks to us of always walking in a way that is with highest intent for good, that we need to remember compassion, dignity, respect and gratitude, to walk strong with resolve, no matter what surrounds the outside of our Sacred Hoop.
Mistakes can occur, but they are but lessons for us to learn and then with that knowledge help us to attain balance once again… remain humble. It shares Ying and Yang…and in understanding this that power is not aggressiveness, but rather the ability to control what kind of strength is needed in situations. They teach us to hear the unheard, to listen with our soul to other dimensions; to life around us for it all has voice. It is here to teach and share knowledge of old, so remain open to it. It teaches us to walk under the dark of Grandmother Moon sensing the life and energy that flows and then balancing it with the light from Father Sun.
Balance and Own Your Own Power….
“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!”
I learned of these teaching through the Anishinaabe’ people here where I live… it is a teaching that reaches within to my very core… and I would like to now share it with you…
Many Anishinaabe’ view the Seven Grandfather Teachings as traditional knowledge that represents what is needed for everyday life and survival, or simply put to walk the Red Road… a Good way of life. The origin of the teachings is unknown but my elders have shared that they are important and have long been a part of the language and handed down through generations of the People. These teachings have become known as the “Seven Grandfathers” once the Anishinaabe slowly began to control their own education during and after the American Indian Movement. As Our Elders began to retell stories they had heard as children it was realized once again that it was a connection from the present to a past when these values were a way of life.
The Ojibwas story of the seven grandfathers’ teachings was passed down from parent to child for many generations. The story goes…
The Creator gave the seven grandfathers, who are very wise, the responsibility to watch over the people. The grandfathers saw that the people were living a hard life. There was all kinds of illnesses and bad things around. The Messenger was told, “Go down there, look around and find out what is happening. Bring back someone who we can tell about what life should be, with the Peoples” He left immediately and went to all places in the North, South, West and East. He could not find anyone. On his seventh try, while he was looking, he saw a baby. The grandfathers were happy with the choice made by the helper.
So the messenger brought the baby back to where the Grandfathers were sitting in a circle. He was still very tiny and wrapped inside His cradleboard. One of the grandfathers looked at the baby very carefully. “This is the one. Messenger, pick up the baby. Take him all over; teach him carefully the way the People should lead their lives.” The Messenger picked him up and they travelled around the earth.
Seven years later they returned to the Grandfathers. By then He was a young man. The Grandfathers noticed that this boy was very honest. He understood everything that was taught. One of the grandfathers took a drum and started singing. Each of the grandfathers instilled within the boy a teaching telling him “These are the ones you will take with you, and share with the Peoples.”
The boy, because of all the time he had spent with the Grandfathers, was now an old man. So he returned to the Earth and gathered all the people around and shared his story of the journey to the seven grandfather’s lodge. He explained how to use the gifts and that it was now up to the people to try to follow the path of a good and healthy life using the seven grandfather’s teachings.
He shared each of these teachings and explaining that they must be used with the rest, and that you cannot have wisdom without love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility and truth. You cannot be honest if you only use one or two of these, or if you leave out one. And to leave out one is to embrace the opposite of what that teaching is.
Now to the Teachings…
The Beaver teaches us WISDOM
Nbwaakaawin pronounced Nbwaa kaa win
The ability to make decisions based on personal experience and knowledge and to cherish that knowledge is to know WISDOM.
We can acquire more knowledge by being open to others and applying these teachings to our own lives, and in turn it is also about the ability to value your own knowledge and share it with others.
The building a strong foundation in our lives is about the teachings shared with us by the creator and how we in turn use and share these gifts in our lives. The Beaver’s example of using his sharp teeth for cutting trees and branches to build his dams and lodges expresses this teaching. If he did not use his teeth, the teeth would continue to grow until they became useless, ultimately making it impossible for him to sustain himself. The same can be said for human beings. One’s spirit will grow weak if it is not fulfilling its use. When used properly however, wisdoms shared help bring about a peaceful and healthy life.
The Eagle teaches us LOVE.
Zaagidwin pronounced zaa gid win
Love must be unconditional. To feel true love is to know the Creator. Therefore, it is expected that one’s first love is to the Creator, the Great Spirit. Creator is considered the parent to all children, and the giver of human life. Love given to the Great Spirit is expressed through love of oneself, and it is understood that if one cannot love oneself, it is impossible to love anyone else.
To know LOVE is to know true peace. To be able to get along with others, sharing and being kind, willing to show that you care for others/self through sharing, being helpful and understanding the feelings of others; doing something that makes the day better for someone. To be accepting of each others’ differences.
The Buffalo teaches us RESPECT.
Mnaadendimowin pronounced Mnaa dendi mowin
Respect is the condition of being honored. The Buffalo, through giving its life and sharing every part of its being, showed the deep respect it had for the people. No animal was more important to the existence of People than this animal, and its gift provided shelter, clothing and utensils for daily living. Native people believed themselves to be true caretakers of the great herds, and developed a sustainable relationship with the Buffalo resulting in a relationship that was a true expression of respect.
To honor all of the Creations is to have RESPECT. Respect for yourself. To treat others how you would want to be treated. Making sure your interactions with others are positive by showing positive manners, speaking kindly and honoring a person’s human right to be who they are. Accepting feedback as helpful and considering different outlooks on things.
The Bear teaches us COURAGE.
mangide’
Courage is the ability to face danger, fear, or changes with confidence and bravery.
The Bear provides many lessons in the way it lives, but courage is the most important teaching it offers. Though gentle by nature, the ferociousness of a mother Bear when one of her cubs is approached is the true definition of courage. To have the mental and moral strength to overcome fears that prevent us from living our true spirit as human beings is a great challenge that must be met with the same tenacity and intensity as a mother Bear protecting her cub. Living of the heart and living of the spirit is difficult, but the Bear’s example shows us how to face any danger to achieve these goals.
We learn to deal with challenges positively without worry about the outcome. To work through and give all aspects of your life your best effort. Being able to accept responsibility for your behavior. Be willing to be a role model by standing up for your values/beliefs. Accepting challenges (conflicts) and learn from them.
The Sabe teaches us HONESTY.
Gwekwaadiziwin pronounced Gwek waadi ziwin
Honesty is speaking and acting truthfully, and thereby remained morally upright.
Long ago, there was a giant called Kitch-Sabe who walked among the people to remind them to be honest to the laws of the creator and honest to each other. The highest honor that could be bestowed upon an individual was the saying “There walks an honest man. He can be trusted.” To be truly honest was to keep the promises one made to the Creator, to others and to oneself.
The Elders would say, “Never try to be someone else; live true to your spirit, be honest to yourself and accept who you are the way the Creator made you.”
HONESTY in facing a situation is to be true to self. It is not backing down when the situation seems too hard and you know that it needs to be dealt with to make your life better. By looking at what you do and realizing how it affects you and others either positively or negatively. To approach life situations and challenges with an open mind and heart.
The Wolf teaches us HUMILITY.
Dbaadendiziwin pronounced Dbaa dendi ziwin
Humility is being humble and not arrogant Recognizing and acknowledging that there is a higher power than man and it is known as the Creator is to be deemed truly humble. To express deference or submission to the Creator through the acceptance that all beings are equal is to capture the spirit of humility. The expression of this humility is manifested through the consideration of others before ourselves. In this way, the Wolf became the teacher of this lesson. He bows his head in the presence of others out of deference, and once hunted, will not take of the food until it can be shared with the pack. His lack of arrogance and respect for his community is a hard lesson, but integral in the Aboriginal way.
HUMILITY is to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation. To be able to know that we are equal regardless of age, race or sex. Being able to be assertive, positively making your needs known, without becoming angry or withdrawn. Being able to listen to others with an open and non-judgmental mind.
The Turtle teaches us TRUTH.
Debwewin pronounced Deb we win
Truth is to know and understand all the seven teachings have been given to us by the Creator and we are to remain faithful to them. To know truth is to know and understand all of the original laws as they were shared with us. It is said that in the beginning, when the Creator made man and gave him the seven sacred laws, the Grandmother Turtle was present to ensure that the laws would never be lost or forgotten. On the back of a Turtle are the 13 moon, each representing the truth of one cycle of the Earth’s rotations around the sun. The 28 markings on her back represent the cycle of the moon an of a woman’s body. The shell of the Turtle represents the body real events as created by the Higher Power, and serves as a reminder of the Creator’s will and teachings.
TRUTH is to know all of these things. Be true to yourself and your fellow man. Be able to speak the truth. This is considered the final and last teaching because to live this teaching, one must achieve and understand the first six teachings. By being honest with those around you with your feelings and behaviors; by loving yourself and others; by respecting others with what they say and do; by being humble – knowing that everyone around you deserves your respect as you theirs; by being brave when facing new challenges and by accepting your own and others wisdom.
These are the seven Sacred Teachings as were taught to me…and now I have shared them with you….it is not so much that you all don’t know these teachings from what ever background or culture you walk in. but I hope it has served all as a reminder of how we all need to walk as Humans.
“I am Dedicated to Educating and sharing culture and our stories 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…” Blessings, ~bear Medicinewalker
Today the Leopard stops in not to tell us to change our spots, but rather to blend in to our worlds today!. Be part of the answers not the issues. Some days it is all about the subtle things that gets us through our days, and sometimes we can do more good, be happier simply by moving with the flow of things and getting the work done. You will get much done today if you keep that focus on the end result.
Leopard speaks to us that it is time to allow the healing to move forward and occur, we are entering a time of rebirth, so open yourself to embracing it and allowing us to be moved ahead from the shadows to the light. We all have the capabilities to take care of ourselves, for we were born with them, physical, mental, psychic, emotional and spiritual. It is time for us to now do the work with those gifts we were bestowed with to bring about balance within our Sacred Hoops.
Leopard says it is time to accept who you are, your own spots so to speak, and use them all to your advantage. Utilize your strengths rather than your weaknesses or bad habits. Belief, faith and confidence of self will lead you to where you need to be, where you are supposed to be at the exact right moment. Remember to work out things for all outcomes so that you like the leopard can change direction on a dime. Reach in and align the energy around you into stability and balance. To walk with the Leopard is to walk in the highest of spiritual and honorable way.
It is about freedom of self and ego, time to tap in to our own psychic abilities, solve our problems with clarity and positives, and remember to shift into what is needed to move on the paths you are meant to travel for the highest good.
“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!”
“Discovering Years” from Pathway to Destiny: Songs of Healing and Contemplation by Louie Gonnie available at Canyon Records
