The Ancestors speak of a time when all of Creation spoke the same language. The Plant People were able to communicate with the Swimmers, the Four-Leggeds could speak with the Tree People, the Stone and Crystal People could speak with the Wind. Even us Two-legged humans were able to speak with the other Sacred Life that was shared here on the Great Mother Earth. It was a time that all existed in balance. The Plant People, the creatures that lived peacefully among each other, the Elementals all understood that were the humans to survive all would have to help them to exist.
The Animals gave of themselves freely, so that the humans could have food, clothing and shelter. They knew that their skins were much better suited to survival than that of the humans. The Swimmers, The Winged Ones, the Creepers also gave of themselves to ensure that the humans would survive.
The Plant People, the Tree People, and the Stone and Crystal People also shared themselves in order that the humans had what they needed to exist and flourish. But in order to do so a balance needed to occur and so an agreement was made with the Humans would have to ask permission for these gifts, give thanks for the sacrifice, and take no more than what was needed. And so it was, and life was good.
But soon Humans grew in population and began to feel superior over the rest of creation. They began thinking that the Great circle of Life revolved around them, that they were better than everything else around them, ignoring the simple truth that they were just one small part of the Great Circle. The Humans began killing without asking permission taking more than what was needed. They stopped honoring and giving thanks for what was taken. The agreement that was made… was broken.
So the Councils of All Life, except that of the humans, gathered together to determine what they should do to restore the balance that was required. They had to protect themselves from the humans ignorance and disregard, or they would cease to exist. So it came to pass and decision was made by the entire Council that if one of their own was killed by the humans and gratitude and prayer was not offered for the sacrifice, the Councils would gather and choose an affliction and bring disease upon the disrespectful human.
The Plant People felt sorry for the humans and spoke out to the Council, “They disrespect us as well. They dig us up, step on us, set fire to us and refuse to listen when we try to share knowledge with them. Yet, we feel compassion towards the humans. They do not understand their place in the Great Circle of Life and will not be able to learn if he is wiped out by disease. They need our help, so for every disease the Council sends to them, the Plant People will offer them a cure. All the humans have to do is “Listen” when we talk to them.
This is how it was said to be, and this is how it is…if we but open ourselves to the agreement that was made so long ago… honor the Sacred of All…thus bringing balance back to the Great Mother Earth
As it was shared to me I now share with you…The Cherokee Rose
More than 100 years ago, the Cherokee people were driven from their home mountains when the white men discovered gold in the mountains of Tears. Some of the people came across Marengo County in West Alabama. It seems that after they had left the mountains, they came this far south so not have to climb more mountains.
It was early summer and very hot, and most of the time the people had to walk. Tempers were short and many times the soldiers were more like animal drivers than guides for the people. The men were so frustrated with the treatment of their women and children, and the soldiers were so harsh and frustrated that bad things often happened. When two men get angry they fight and once in a while men were killed on the trip. Many people died of much hardship. Much of the time the trip was hard and sad and the women wept for losing their homes and their dignity. The old men knew that they must do something to help the women not to lose their strength in weeping. They knew the women would have to be very strong if they were to help the children survive.
So one night after they had made camp along the Trail of Tears, the old men sitting around the dying campfire called up to the Creator in Galunati (heaven) to help the people in their trouble. They told Him that the people were suffering and feared that the little ones would not survive to rebuild the Cherokee Nation.
The Creator replied to them, “Yes, I have seen the sorrows of the women and I can help them to keep their strength to help the children. Tell the women in the morning to look back where their tears have fallen to the ground. I will cause to grow quickly a plant. They will see a little green plant at first with a stem growing up. It will grow up and up and fall back down to touch the ground where another stem will begin to grow. I’ll make the plant grow so fast at first that by afternoon they’ll see a white rose, a beautiful blossom with five petals. In the center of the rose, I will put a pile of gold to remind them of the gold which the white man wanted when his greed drove the Cherokee from their ancestral home.”
The Creator continued to explain that the green leaves would have seven leaflets, one for each of the seven clans of the Cherokee. The plant would then begin to spread out all over the land for like the people the plant would be strong and resilient. It would grow into large and almost bush like taking back and rooting into some of the land that they had lost. It will have stickers on every stem to protect it from anything that tries to move it away.
The next morning the old men told the women to look back for the sign from the Great One. The women saw the plant beginning as a tiny shoot and growing up and up until it spread out over the land. They watched as a blossom formed, so beautiful they forgot to weep and they felt beautiful and strong. By the afternoon they saw many white blossoms as far as they could see. The women began to think about their strength given them to bring up their children as the new Cherokee Nation. They knew the plant marked the path of the brutal Trail of Tears. The Cherokee women saw that the Cherokee Rose was strong enough to take back much of the land of their people.
To start the week off remember and honor all things Sacred…. within and outside of our Sacred Hoops. It should not be something that we have to make time for, or schedule in our days…it should be the way we walk, live and breathe each moment we are here walking the human. For when we do this, and it becomes part of who we are… our lives find balance.
White Buffalo shares with us that it is time to honor all that is sacred in and around us. It is about the power of Prayer. It is time to feed our souls, our spirituality. That in order to allow abundance into our lives we must walk the Sacred Path, but also be open to the fact that all life, all that has been shared with us no matter how small …how large, is Sacred.
The White Buffalo is connected to the teachings of the original people, the things that often are forgotten by us in this modern day world that is filled with material and greed. The White Buffalo warns us and gently nudges to remind us that we must not forget to be grateful, thankful, and take care of our Sacred Hoops.
To talk to the Universe and God Creator often, to share with others the simple positive things such as prayer, ritual, ceremony, traditions. To slow down so that we do not forget the lessons of old and where it is we come from. When we honor that process we will assist in manifesting our dreams, our goals in a more positive light. White buffalo will help to keep us grounded and on the right walk, allowing us to realize that when we are walking correctly the path is much easier to move upon.
Honor Self, Honor Creator, Honor All Life as Sacred.
Mitakuye O`yasin
~ bear Medicinewalker
Buffalo Thunder by Big City Indians and available thru bigcityindians.com
As Fall begins to settle into its cycle sharing with us that Winter is soon approaching, it reminds us to honor the motions we must go through for that preparation. Our Sacred Hoops need to stay aligned, and we must not forget the traditions, the ceremony, the rituals of everything that we hold Sacred in our lives as we move into a time of Dreams. A period of creativity and thoughtfulness, a time when we share stories and create new ones in order to teach what we have been shown, The old ways that have been handed down from generation to generation assisting us to move in positives in a forward motion on our paths.
Snow Goose
Snow Goose teaches us to respect traditions; for the past indeed holds keys to our futures it reminds us of what is important so that our own Sacred Hoops remain healthy and balanced. teaching us it is a cautious time with the energy shifts that are occurring, to be making any large changes in our lives with out great thought and preparations.
Snow Goose also teaches us about asking for help and support, working together with others within your circle to accomplish more than what could be done alone. Working alongside another or in a group teaches us the benefits of cooperation and belonging. Snow Goose shares the talent of communication through writing and storytelling. Stay open to new ideas, to spiritual quests, and traveling just be prepared before you do so.
It’s time to move forward with your life. Move with care and enjoy. Be flexible. Let go of the old allowing yourself to move into positives with an ease of motion.
Spirit wants Spirit gets…lol Today as I worked the deck two cards fell out simultaneously side by side and this was the message that is to be shared with them both…
Today is about honoring the relationships with all people, creatures and things …but as we do we need to make sure of the care and placement of our steps and how we walk with them. It is not enough simply to acknowledge the Sacred around us… we need to respect it, honor it, understand it so that the world can move in more positive steps in unison.
Today we need to not only pray and think about the changes that need to be made in our lives, in the planets life, so that we can maintain and live healthy lives… We must remember that we are merely here borrowing what is here on the Great Mother Earth.
We need to honor a very old tradition of walking the seven plants and replanting one for the generations to come for every plant we take. Honoring our water systems by not simply praying about it, but doing things that can and will make a difference. It is time to stop whining about it and figuring out what we can do to impact positive healings to not only ourselves as humans, but to the Sacred Life around us that gives moment to moment without second thought.
So for Today… I ask for all the creatures that have lost their lives, the plants that no longer exist, the air that is full of pollutants … we stop and impact change. Be conscious of each step that we imprint does not harm but rather nourishes not only our life… but the lives that we coexist with bringing about once again the balance of the great Sacred Hoop!
Mitakuye O’yasin
~ bear Medicinewalker
Elk brings in the energy that is needed to slow down and pace ourselves. It’s all about seeing the goal and reaching it without killing ourselves and depleting our energy in the process. Elk helps us to understand that we do not have to do it alone and that companionship and group support are available we just have to ask.
Elk signifies abundance and is a sign that all we need will be provided for. To remember that we do not need to rush, for sometimes the reward is in the journey itself. .
Elk symbolizes strength and endurance. It teaches us to spend more time with our families and friends. Elk are also very seldom alone, preferring to live in large herds, yet knowing when they need to have some personal space. They are very well prepared to take on a challenge, they can fight passionately about what is important to them, sometimes can be unpredictable being passive one second and aggressive the next, it is their nature.
Believe in yourself…Empower Yourself…Connect with those you love and hold a good sense of Community… and your goals will be met with positive outcome.
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 ask we Gather in Peace this moment… this day…
Let us focus on causing a change of Positive thought
Of positive being….
For all those who have dreamt, for all those who have sacrificed, and for those who continue the fight for peace… may the light of the Holy Father Creator Shine on you and continue to add strength and courage to your being….
I call to the sacred winds…to carry my words
To the Grandmothers and Grandfathers of the North, the south, the east, the west, Above …below and within…
I call to the sacred winds to carry my words to the Winged ones…the Four Leggeds…the Plant People…the Crystal Keepers, the Thunder Beings, the Angelic Realm…Mother Mary and Magdalene…my Brother Christ and all the nations that love us.
I thank you for all the many blessings that you have shared with us today and beyond and I ask that you hear our prayers whether spoken our held silently within our hearts.
Today I ask that you hear our prayers as we stand humbly before you, small and human.
Help us to remember we are all but a tiny part of a great universe, that we are all connected as one…
Bring us the strength we need to walk our paths without ego or judgment…
Allow our hearts to hear what our ears are missing
Teach us how to allow forgiveness for others and ourselves
Fill our being with the unconditional love that you so freely offer all.
I call that we be reminded we are all no better than or less than one another.
Guide us through our days, to help us with our humanness…that we learn to reconnect with others in gentle and positive ways.
May our energies join together and be added in a never ending stream of healing, Grace and Understanding… may it encompass and wrap around all life …in gentleness
I call to you oh Ancestors … who have sacrificed so much and asked for so little in return… help to guide and encourage us to walk a dream that is not forgotten, a dream that will guide us to a way of peace for all living things….
As we speak these words and they fill our hearts and spirit… may it be so…
I thank and honor all that have heard our prayers and answered them…
Aho…
To you all take this peace we have shared with each other this day…and spread it around to all those who will listen and more so to all those who will not… Be the light of reminder… the dream that is not forgotten … the dream of one nation of human living in peace…
If not now, when? If not me, who? To walk the path of the heart and of higher self is a great honor. Every human has the choice to walk this path, but very few will decide to make it. Why? Well, because you can’t act and behave like everyone else behaves. You must be the person who will learn to look within. You must be the person who will be fully accountable for yourself. You must be the person who prays and meditates. You must be the person who will sacrifice. You must decide to be a Peaceful Warrior. What will you decide today?
So why not be different? So why not make a path for people to follow? So why not emulate good things? You hear a calling, one that may draw attention, but attention for the good of all. As a Peacemaker, a communicator…as one who shares the knowledge of the old ways? Of the right ways… ways that remind and teach us how to treat each other as humans, to care for the Great Mother Earth as Sacred… to honor ourselves, our traditions, and to be thankful and filled with gratitude. To be a Champion of those less fortunate, to be that Peaceful Warrior…
Is that your path? Or has it occurred at moments in your life and you stood by and did not embrace what was to be? To assist someone in need because popular demand was to avoid it, to not draw attention to yourself? I say lets empower ourselves…lets be Brave and stand out…and one by one…person by person…we will all be part of a positive change… to a world that will be more joyful…more balanced… more human as we were meant to be.
So we step up, we teach by example, and wow children and people learn love, respect, hope and Faith. Imagine living like that. Imagine how you will stand out. People will think we are all crazy… why are they doing that for that person… why are they helping them? Why are they caring for the earth… ? the answer is Healing… we choose to walk as Healers, lightworkers, Peace warriors, Leaders, as the Humans that we are meant to be no matter what popular opinion is at the moment.
Many of us walk in this world saying we are following a particular path…we are called to it, some times pulled to it kicking and screaming our protests, and no it is not always easy to do the right thing in every situation. Yet when someone says they are going to do something, or say that they are something…wouldn’t it be a good idea to act and be that person? We go to lawyers for legal work …we go to doctors for medical treatment and they treat us, we go to financial advisers to advice us…and we expect them all to do their jobs… So now it is time all of us that are hearing the calls of peaceful, gentleness, love, hope, Faith, compassion, to start spreading that information, those emotions, to empower ourselves and others in the process…in good and gentle ways as Peaceful Warriors.
Warriors of the Rainbow
There will be a time when the Great Mother Earth will be ravaged of it’s resources, the sea blackened, the streams poisoned, the Four Leggeds dropping dead in their tracks. Just before it was too late, the Indian would regain his spirit and teach the white man reverence for the Earth, banding together with him to become Warriors of the Rainbow.
There was a Grandmother, from the Cree tribe, named “Eyes of Fire”, who prophesied that one day, because of the humans greed, there would come a time, when the fish would die in the streams, the birds would fall from the air, the waters would be blackened, and the trees would no longer be. Mankind as we know it will all but cease to exist.
There will come a time when the “keepers of the legend, stories, culture rituals, and myths, and all the Ancient Tribal Customs” would be needed to restore us to health. They will be mankind’s’ key to survival, they are the “Warriors of the Rainbow”. There will come a day of awakening when all the peoples of all the tribes will form a New World of Justice, Peace, Freedom and recognition of the Creator. The “Warriors of the Rainbow” will spread these messages and teach all peoples of the Earth. They will teach them how to live the “Way of the Creator”. They will tell them of how the world today has turned away from the Creator and that is why our Earth is “Sick”.
The “Warriors of the Rainbow” will show the peoples that the Creator, is full of love and understanding, and teach them how to make the Earth beautiful again. These Warriors will give the people principles or rules to follow to make their path right with the world. These principles would be those of the Ancient Tribes. The Warriors of the Rainbow will teach the people of the ancient practices of Unity, Love and Understanding.
They will teach of Harmony among people in all four comers of the Earth.
Like the Ancient Tribes, they will teach the peoples how to pray to the Creator with love that flows like the beautiful mountain stream, and flows along the path to the ocean of life. Once again, they will be able to feel joy in solitude and in councils. They will be free of petty jealousies and love all mankind as their brothers, regardless of color, race or religion. They will feel happiness enter their hearts, and become as one with the entire human race.
Their hearts are pure and radiate warmth, understanding and respect for all mankind, Nature, and the Great Spirit. They will once again fill their minds, hearts, souls, and deeds with the purest of thoughts. They would seek the beauty of the Master of Life – the Creator! They will find strength and beauty in prayer and the solitudes of life.
Their children will once again be able to run free and enjoy the treasures of Nature and the Great Mother Earth. Free from the fears of toxins and destruction, wrought by the Yo-ne-gi and his practices of greed. The rivers will again run clear, the forests be abundant and beautiful, the animals and birds would be replenished. The powers of the plants and animals would again be respected and conservation of all that is beautiful would become a way of life.
The poor, sick and needy will be cared for by their brothers and sisters of that walk the lands. These practices will once again become a part of our daily lives.
The leaders of the people will be chosen in the old way – not by their political party, or who could speak the loudest, boast the most, or by name calling or mud slinging, but by those whose actions spoke the loudest. Those who demonstrate their love, wisdom, and courage and those who showed that they could and did work for the good of all, will be chosen as the leaders or Chiefs.
They will be chosen by their “quality” and not the amount of money they had obtained. Like the thoughtful and devoted “Ancient Chiefs”, they will understand the people with love, and see that their young are educated with the love and wisdom of their surroundings. They will show them that miracles can be accomplished to heal this world of its ills, and restore it to health and beauty.
The tasks of these “Warriors of the Rainbow” are many and great. There will be terrifying mountains of ignorance to conquer and they will find prejudice and hatred. They must be dedicated, unwavering in their strength, and strong of heart. They will find willing hearts and minds that will follow them on this road of returning “Mother Earth” to beauty and plenty – once more.
The day will come, it is not far away. The day that we shall see how we owe our very existence to the people of ALL tribes that have maintained their culture and heritage. Those that have kept the rituals, stories, legends, and myths alive. It will be with this knowledge, the knowledge that they have preserved, that we shall once again return to “harmony” with Nature, the Great Mother Earth, and mankind. It will be with this knowledge that we shall find our “Key to our Survival”.
This is the story of the “Warriors of the Rainbow” and this is my reason for protecting the culture, heritage, and knowledge of my ancestors. I know that the day “Eyes of Fire” spoke of – will come! I want my children and grandchildren to be prepared to accept this task. The task of being one of the……..”Warriors of the Rainbow.”
Let us raise our intentions to our consciousness and voice by sending healing energies and prayer up this day… Today I pray for all those who ask, all those in need, all those who do not ask … I pray that we are given the strength, the joy and the love that is needed in our days…
I call to the sacred winds to carry my words to the Winged ones…the Four Leggeds…the Plant People…the Crystal Keepers, the Thunder Beings, the Angelic Realm…Mother Mary and Magdalene…my Brother Christ and all the nations that love us.
I thank you for all the many blessings that you have shared with us today and beyond and I ask that you hear our prayers whether spoken our held silently within our hearts.
Today I ask that you hear our prayers as we stand humbly before you, small and human.
Help us to remember we are all but a tiny part of a great universe, that we are all connected as one…
Bring us the strength we need to walk our paths without ego or judgment…
Allow our hearts to hear what our ears are missing
Teach us how to allow forgiveness for others and ourselves
Fill our being with the unconditional love that you so freely offer all.
I call that we be reminded we are all no better than or less than one another.
Guide us through our days, to help us with our humanness…that we learn to reconnect with others in a gentle and positive way. Offering smiles when they are needed without thought, shoulders or ears to help ease another…and words that will uplift or soothe.
Keep our children safe and strong in this troubled world… I ask that on this day and days to come…guidance is shared with our children to help them as they walk their paths. Help open their eyes so they can learn and see the right way of things, teach them to respect all life no matter how small, open their ears and minds so that they may understand things that are being taught to them in a good and gentle manner…open their hearts so that when the harshness of the world falls at their feet, they can cope and handle it with compassion and understanding.
I ask that today and all days ahead that we each learn to step up, to make a difference, to practice what we preach, to live in honor, gratitude and thankfulness. To be Warriors for peace… remembering faith and hope, honoring the sacred, to pray and talk with Creator and all the realms, to set about making positive differences in our own worlds and the world around us.
I thank all those who have walked with us and answer our calls…this day and in days to come…and honor you …AHO
So my wish to you all today is that each of you embrace the walks of peacefulness that we are meant to walk. To make a difference in your world, to not worry if it is a popular choice to stand up against bullies, or negativity… and where the shadows fall, send them light in form of prayer…hope… faith and promises of a better day to come if we start with one person at a time.
I send you all peace…today… and may the love that is in my heart reach and find you all today, and fill your life with blessings.
