35. The shawl - returning home
Many people across the world have heard the expression 'home is where the heart is'. Travelling bands of Native Americans have known that each time they broke camp and moved to another location, home moved with them. Home was not necessarily the movable dwellings or belongings of Tribal People but rather their connection with the Earth Mother and to each other. The home of any gypsy, nomad or wanderer lives inside the hearts of those loved ones who represent security and nurturing no matter where that traveller may be.
The sense of loss was devastating when the Native Americans were forcced to walk the trail of tears and leave the areas where they had been the Guardians of the land for centuries. The Living Teachings which bound them together were the Spirit of the People. Each tribe knew that a new home could be created in another place because as long as the Teachings lived, the Spirit of the People would live.
After the Trail of Tears many new traditions began to emerge from the ashes of the broken spirit of the people. The Peyote Ceremony, the Taking of the Shawl and many other Teachings marked the hard road back to finding the heart, the spirit and the home of Native America. The Ghost Dance became a tradition Prior to the Trail of Tears and was originally intended to call back the Buffalo, clean the waters , bring back the prairie grasses and rid the white eyes from sacred ground.
The Taking of the Shawl is a little known Paiute Teaching that came into being when some members of the Red Race could no longer live in the white world. Those Native Americans that chose to return home and embrace the teachings of their elders took on the Shawl. The shawl was a symbol of coming home to the arms of the Earth Mother and being wrapped in her nurturing love. To accomplish the taking of the shawl one would have to return to their original teachers of their tribe and ask permission to live among the people who honoured the ways of the Ancestors.
Those who had taken the shawl moved from the clapboard houses provided by the Board of Indian Affairs and took up residence in the Traditional Paiute homes called Karnees. Although it was much warmer in the clapboard houses, those who had taken the shawl were very happy to live in karnees. Their hearts had once again found a home in the Traditional Teachings of the Good Red Road and the material things no longer mattered.
Many Native Americans who left reservations during the years following the Trail of Tears lost touch with the Traditional Teachings when they moved to cities in order to find work. Many generations have married into each others races and some have lost touch with the Earth Mother. In the ensuing years as the Traditional Teachings have come to the attention of the public, the return of the Native Americans to the ways of their Ancestors increased. Many of the mixed blood children of the Red Race have chosen the good red road as wel. it is now the time of the White Buffalo and people of many races are taking the shawl.
The Grandmothers of the sisterhood of the Dreamtime Buffalo taught me that the Time of the White Buffalo would mean many things. The prophecy said that the return of the buffalo to turtle island would mark the return of many Red ancestors who would not necessarily come back to the good red road in red bodies. Many people would feel confused having no Indian blood and yet be red on the inside and white on the outside. Grandmother Cisi told me that the Great Mystery was going to play Heyokah with everyone who refused to honour the paths of others.
Grandmother Berta told me that some native people would deny other native teachers who shared their tradition with all races. Then grandmother cisi laughed at the raucous battle of egos she had seen in her medicine bowl that would be caused by the fighting of those people claiming to be the only true native teachers. The grandmothers promised me that this jealousy and envy would eventually serve as a growth tool for all concerned and would iron itself out as the Fifth World of Peace continued.
The difference between 'the people' and 'those people' is that 'the people' have stayed on the Sacred Path because of the behaviour of 'those people' has reminded them of why they need to walk in beauty. This teaching applies to every race. The people are those who have taken the shawl and live in harmony, honouring the Sacred Space of all life forms.
In taking the shawl we were taught that the earth mother loves all her children and welcomes everyone home no matter how naughty they have been. We are not here to heal the Mother Earth she is quite capable of doing that herself. We are here to heal ourselves so we may discover our roles in Creation. During the former fourth world the earth mother purged herself of many civilisations that did not honour her right to life. Mother Earth has the potential and the abililty to cleanse herself again if the need arises. This is not to say the two leggeds should not be mindful of assisting in cleaning up any damage that has been done, on the contrary, that is part of our human role as children of the earth.
Each person who takes the shawl comes into alignment. We are being taught to acknowledge the beauty in each unique expression of creation whether it be human, creature being, plant person, stone person or enemy. The shawl may be too heavy for some people to carry on their shoulders if it means that daily lives must be lived in harmony. Taking on the shawl also means one is willing to exchange information and allow all Traditional Teachings to live so that the goodness of each can be shared by many. it is time to let go of the I and take the shawl that covers the eternal We.
If the shawl has fallen across your shoulders you are being invited to return home. If you have forgotten yourself recently it is now time to remember your essence and potential. If you have falsely judged others it is now time to see the value in all paths and chosen lessons.
You may be coming home to the magic that you once believed in or to a new sense of well being, but in every case you are returning to a temporarily forgotten state of being, In every life there is a need to return to the simplicity of happiness. If you have forgotten how to find the simple truths that supported your inner joy you are invited to return home.
Wearing the Shawl is coming come to the arms of the Earth Mother and being loved. The responsibility of taking the shawl is being loving to others who have forgotten the Sacred Path or way home.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Monday, 7 February 2011
Card for today - Storyteller - expansion - Sacred path cards
The storytellers of the Native America are the Guardians of our history and sacred traditions. They ensure the future expansion our children will bring to the earth by keeping our ancient knowledge alive. Storytellers travelled among the bands and tribes of various nations carrying news of the events that affected the whole. The storyteller would recount the events of other camps at the communal fire after dinner. The Storyteller would tell of brave deeds, coups that had been counted, a medicine dream that prophesised coming events. Medicine stories that kept tradition alive or the latest news of births and deaths.
The Plains indians sometimes called their storytellers twisted hairs. These storytellers wore a small knotted and twisted bun that fell in the centre of their forehead and marked them as historians and teachers of the tribe. The male twisted hair was not expected to go into back into battle but observe and recall the fight blow by blow. The female twisted hair was the historian of womens lore and medicine stories that assisted young women in mantaining pride in their tribal roles.
The storytellers of all tribes and nations are the bridge to other times and ancient teachings. The children of future generations learn from the storytellers and apply lessons of the medicine stories to their own lives. Although the grandparents would tell medicine stories to their children as they tucked them up under the medicine robes each night, it was not the same as when a storyteller of the nations arrived for a visit.
Medicine stories are told and retold year after year to keep the teachings of the people alive. Every story has many meanings and relates to life in a multitide of ways. Each time a story is retold, the level of understanding grows and expands along with the maturity of the listener. The same events inside a story may be repeated many times in different ways to allow listeners to discern how the story applies to them.
The Red Peoples way of thinking is very different from that of other races. We do not tell others what the true message is in our Medicine Stories but rather allow people to use what their individual gifts of intuition and observation to discern what the true message is for them. In this way, the teaching of the Red Race insists that everyone be allowed to learn at their own speed, in their own way and to apply or not apply the teachings to their lives.
The storytellers were trained to allow freedom of thought among those who sought wisdom. In this manner children were taught that they had a perfectly good intellect and the storyteller was placed on an eye to eye level with the twisted hair as an equal. If children were being silly or disruptive they were simply ignored, this put a stop to bad behaviour.
Memory is a special part of our Native American Tradition since our histories are passed down orally, the remembering is an art. Every herb, flower or plant used in healing must be remembered for future generations. Every dance, ceremony, ritual, initiation and teaching must be committed to memory. All tribal laws and prophecies must remain intact for future generations. The Coups and losses have to be remembered for future strategies. It is obvious that one person could not remember all these things or be an expert on every subject. This is why various clans had historians who held the oral tradition of an area of expertise in their memory. These fragments of tribal teachings were passed down to the next generation and each person held one fragment that was part of the whole way of life.
A tribes storyteller held a position in the council of elders. As a historian, the storyteller was called upon to recall past events with total accuracy so that the events could be used to pattern a present solution. The twisted hairs taught how to live life in a balanced manner through the actions of the characters in the medicine stories. A medicine story that was told in a timely manner could end arguments, change the course of a life, bring courage in hard times or encourage the youngsters to take on new responsibilities.
Without directly criticizing the actions of another, the storyteller could recount a story that could point out a trail of folly or fear. The listeners would then be able to discern for themselves. All native wise ones teach through stories rather than point any fingers at others. In our teachings we are always reminded, when we point a finger at another, there are always three fingers pointing back at us. On the other hand the storyteller can gently remind us of our wrong thinking and allow us to correct the erroneous behaviour without shaming in front of others. This teaching art is one way of allowing each person to decide what the story means to them.
Raised Hand was a twisted hair who came every summer to share his knowledge with the children of the Ogalas who had gathered before the Pow Wow before the sun dance. The horse had been used amongt the Sioux for two generations and so raised hand came to the Pow Wow on his paint called red arrow. The Children ran to the edge of the camp when they saw Raised Hand approach with his noble companion. Raised Hand had two Eagle Feathers tied to his scaplock and the twisted hair knot hanging in the middle of his forehead. 'The twisted hair has arrived' screamed the children as they ran to greet him. Eyes filled with wonder the children watched Raised Hand move into the centre of the camp. Raised Hand was the oldest Twisted Hair in the Sioux nation. No one knew how many winters he carried on his back. Even the Chief who came to greet him remembered Raised Hand as an Elder when he was a little boy.
Dismounting in the centre of camp, Raised Hand was greeted with great respect and warm Hau-kolas (hello friend). The council of chiefs was called and raised hand went to smoke the pipe with the leaders of the Ogalala. After the pipe was smoked, food was brought and news was shared among those inside the Medicine Lodge.
When evening came and the last light of Grandfather Sun's rays of love touched the swirling Buffalo Grass on the prairie, the feast began. Everyone always enjoyed a reason to celebrate. The return of the Raised Hand to this band of Ogalala was very special. The expectations ran high and all eyes were focused on the storyteller as he began sharing news of births and deaths, the coup that had been counted and the decisions of the various Councils in other bands over the last winter. When this oration was complete, Raised Hand told a medicine story.
'Many winters ago when the buffalo were plentiful and the only enemies of the Sioux were the Crow, i was nursing at my mothers breast. i was small but i watched the camp and heard the Drums of my Ancestors speak to the people. I understood what the drums were saying and the stories they told. For such a small one the stories were comforting when my mother was tanning hides or making a pemmican.
So it was that ten winters passed and I had become a young boy with responsibilities. At that time my name was Hears the drums because the Medicine Woman that assisted at my birth had noticed my fascination with the drumbeat. Crooked leg my father had been stampeded by a buffalo when saving the life of a careless youth on his first hunt. I was now partially responsible for hunting small game for my family. After returning one day with a squirrel and a rabbit i brought them to my mother and was greeted by the storyteller, yellow face. Yellow face was a twisted hair who had served our people since before my grandfather was a boy.'
Yellow face asked me what I had learned on the hunt and if I had heard the creature beings speak to me. I was startled because I had never told anyone that I had followed my own heartbeat to the place where the animals showed me where to find my familys next meal. Until the sun had died in the west I sat and told yellow face about the wonderous stories I had learned from my friends the Creature beings. i told him how I raised my hand and commanded from my heart to drum Hau - Kola to the sisters and brothers of the prairie. The 'hello friend' that my heart drummed brought creatures to me and they gladly shared their medicine stories. So it came to pass that I was chosen to train as Twisted Hair with the storyteller, Yellow Face. My name was changed to Raised Hand because I greeted all creatures with the open hand raised in friendship.
The Application
The storyteller card speaks of Expansion on all levels. You are growing and encompassing many new ideas if you have received this card. See which area of expansion needs your attention and feed your personal fire of creation. Create more and enjoy the expansion knowing you earned it.
Note that the expansion will continue if you are willing to share how you achieved your success with others. Many lives are influenced by another's story. in the good fortune of your present situation you may be instrumental in encouraging others.
In all cases expansion occurs when people are allow to grow at their own rate and with their own understanding. The wisdom of the storyteller is part of the art of remembering. Note that you are now remembering your own personal medicine and how to be your potential.
'Sing to me oh ancient ones,
of the history of our race.
That I may see in my mind,
the love in every face.
And every spirit that came before
The medicine they made
The sacred tradition they passed to me
so the memory will not fade.
Oh storyteller be my bridge
to those other times
So I may walk in beauty with
The ancient rhythm and rhyme.
The Plains indians sometimes called their storytellers twisted hairs. These storytellers wore a small knotted and twisted bun that fell in the centre of their forehead and marked them as historians and teachers of the tribe. The male twisted hair was not expected to go into back into battle but observe and recall the fight blow by blow. The female twisted hair was the historian of womens lore and medicine stories that assisted young women in mantaining pride in their tribal roles.
The storytellers of all tribes and nations are the bridge to other times and ancient teachings. The children of future generations learn from the storytellers and apply lessons of the medicine stories to their own lives. Although the grandparents would tell medicine stories to their children as they tucked them up under the medicine robes each night, it was not the same as when a storyteller of the nations arrived for a visit.
Medicine stories are told and retold year after year to keep the teachings of the people alive. Every story has many meanings and relates to life in a multitide of ways. Each time a story is retold, the level of understanding grows and expands along with the maturity of the listener. The same events inside a story may be repeated many times in different ways to allow listeners to discern how the story applies to them.
The Red Peoples way of thinking is very different from that of other races. We do not tell others what the true message is in our Medicine Stories but rather allow people to use what their individual gifts of intuition and observation to discern what the true message is for them. In this way, the teaching of the Red Race insists that everyone be allowed to learn at their own speed, in their own way and to apply or not apply the teachings to their lives.
The storytellers were trained to allow freedom of thought among those who sought wisdom. In this manner children were taught that they had a perfectly good intellect and the storyteller was placed on an eye to eye level with the twisted hair as an equal. If children were being silly or disruptive they were simply ignored, this put a stop to bad behaviour.
Memory is a special part of our Native American Tradition since our histories are passed down orally, the remembering is an art. Every herb, flower or plant used in healing must be remembered for future generations. Every dance, ceremony, ritual, initiation and teaching must be committed to memory. All tribal laws and prophecies must remain intact for future generations. The Coups and losses have to be remembered for future strategies. It is obvious that one person could not remember all these things or be an expert on every subject. This is why various clans had historians who held the oral tradition of an area of expertise in their memory. These fragments of tribal teachings were passed down to the next generation and each person held one fragment that was part of the whole way of life.
A tribes storyteller held a position in the council of elders. As a historian, the storyteller was called upon to recall past events with total accuracy so that the events could be used to pattern a present solution. The twisted hairs taught how to live life in a balanced manner through the actions of the characters in the medicine stories. A medicine story that was told in a timely manner could end arguments, change the course of a life, bring courage in hard times or encourage the youngsters to take on new responsibilities.
Without directly criticizing the actions of another, the storyteller could recount a story that could point out a trail of folly or fear. The listeners would then be able to discern for themselves. All native wise ones teach through stories rather than point any fingers at others. In our teachings we are always reminded, when we point a finger at another, there are always three fingers pointing back at us. On the other hand the storyteller can gently remind us of our wrong thinking and allow us to correct the erroneous behaviour without shaming in front of others. This teaching art is one way of allowing each person to decide what the story means to them.
Raised Hand was a twisted hair who came every summer to share his knowledge with the children of the Ogalas who had gathered before the Pow Wow before the sun dance. The horse had been used amongt the Sioux for two generations and so raised hand came to the Pow Wow on his paint called red arrow. The Children ran to the edge of the camp when they saw Raised Hand approach with his noble companion. Raised Hand had two Eagle Feathers tied to his scaplock and the twisted hair knot hanging in the middle of his forehead. 'The twisted hair has arrived' screamed the children as they ran to greet him. Eyes filled with wonder the children watched Raised Hand move into the centre of the camp. Raised Hand was the oldest Twisted Hair in the Sioux nation. No one knew how many winters he carried on his back. Even the Chief who came to greet him remembered Raised Hand as an Elder when he was a little boy.
Dismounting in the centre of camp, Raised Hand was greeted with great respect and warm Hau-kolas (hello friend). The council of chiefs was called and raised hand went to smoke the pipe with the leaders of the Ogalala. After the pipe was smoked, food was brought and news was shared among those inside the Medicine Lodge.
When evening came and the last light of Grandfather Sun's rays of love touched the swirling Buffalo Grass on the prairie, the feast began. Everyone always enjoyed a reason to celebrate. The return of the Raised Hand to this band of Ogalala was very special. The expectations ran high and all eyes were focused on the storyteller as he began sharing news of births and deaths, the coup that had been counted and the decisions of the various Councils in other bands over the last winter. When this oration was complete, Raised Hand told a medicine story.
'Many winters ago when the buffalo were plentiful and the only enemies of the Sioux were the Crow, i was nursing at my mothers breast. i was small but i watched the camp and heard the Drums of my Ancestors speak to the people. I understood what the drums were saying and the stories they told. For such a small one the stories were comforting when my mother was tanning hides or making a pemmican.
So it was that ten winters passed and I had become a young boy with responsibilities. At that time my name was Hears the drums because the Medicine Woman that assisted at my birth had noticed my fascination with the drumbeat. Crooked leg my father had been stampeded by a buffalo when saving the life of a careless youth on his first hunt. I was now partially responsible for hunting small game for my family. After returning one day with a squirrel and a rabbit i brought them to my mother and was greeted by the storyteller, yellow face. Yellow face was a twisted hair who had served our people since before my grandfather was a boy.'
Yellow face asked me what I had learned on the hunt and if I had heard the creature beings speak to me. I was startled because I had never told anyone that I had followed my own heartbeat to the place where the animals showed me where to find my familys next meal. Until the sun had died in the west I sat and told yellow face about the wonderous stories I had learned from my friends the Creature beings. i told him how I raised my hand and commanded from my heart to drum Hau - Kola to the sisters and brothers of the prairie. The 'hello friend' that my heart drummed brought creatures to me and they gladly shared their medicine stories. So it came to pass that I was chosen to train as Twisted Hair with the storyteller, Yellow Face. My name was changed to Raised Hand because I greeted all creatures with the open hand raised in friendship.
The Application
The storyteller card speaks of Expansion on all levels. You are growing and encompassing many new ideas if you have received this card. See which area of expansion needs your attention and feed your personal fire of creation. Create more and enjoy the expansion knowing you earned it.
Note that the expansion will continue if you are willing to share how you achieved your success with others. Many lives are influenced by another's story. in the good fortune of your present situation you may be instrumental in encouraging others.
In all cases expansion occurs when people are allow to grow at their own rate and with their own understanding. The wisdom of the storyteller is part of the art of remembering. Note that you are now remembering your own personal medicine and how to be your potential.
'Sing to me oh ancient ones,
of the history of our race.
That I may see in my mind,
the love in every face.
And every spirit that came before
The medicine they made
The sacred tradition they passed to me
so the memory will not fade.
Oh storyteller be my bridge
to those other times
So I may walk in beauty with
The ancient rhythm and rhyme.
Saturday, 5 February 2011
keep love flowing
Keep love flowing, from your heart to your mind to the mud on your boots, breathe love, be love.
Friday, 4 February 2011
Card for today - The Maiden.- Brian froud and Jessica Macbeth
Blessings to the fairies for such a joyful and inspirational card for us today.
The maiden is pure joy. She is the face of the force that generates growth throughout all the worlds. When she smiles, troubles melt. Where she dances, flowers spring from the ground and burst into bloom. It is from the Maiden that the pixies learned the dance that keeps the otherworld turning and probably our world too for that matter. She is newly born every morn and she carols her plangent song of growth for all beings in the worlds. She sees the magic and light in everything nd takes endless delight in it.
Yet even though the maiden is wonderful and powerful she is a child and she needs to be cared for nurtured and cherished. When she takes the form of a flower, someone must see that she gets enough water and sun. Whenever we look after something new or young, we are caring for the maiden, whether in the form of a blossom, a sapling, a baby or a new idea. She, in turn is likely to switch between joyfully and gratefully receiving such nurturing and insisting on independence that she really isn't ready for yet. She knows deep within herself what she needs to do and become and she moves towards this with the directness of a child.
the maiden also has the simplicity and curiosity of a child seeing with unclouded eyes. She has an openness to life, love, new things and new experiences. Every moment with her is an adventure filled with playfulness and hope. innocent, she is awakening to and learning about the world. Much of her learning comes with laughter and silly jokes and she trusts what life gives her.
Every time we allow ourselves to be filled with joy, we become more like the maiden.
Reading
The maiden signifies new beginnings and growth. You couldn't ask for a more auspicious card than this if you are beginning something new. Spontaneity joy, growth, exhilaration and promise for the future are signified here. We must note also that, in the early stages of any process there is vulnerability and a need for protection, shelter and guidance, but also a magical impetus towards burgeoning growth. Trust the process but take care of the details as well.
The maiden is also the inner child who needs to be under the supervision of a competent inner adult in order for her to feel secure and loved. She is not happy when we spoil her.
Consider what is growing in your life. Make a list of your hopes, dreams and plans. look for the growth within you and think about how you can cherish and nurture that. Bless the growth you see around you.
The maiden is pure joy. She is the face of the force that generates growth throughout all the worlds. When she smiles, troubles melt. Where she dances, flowers spring from the ground and burst into bloom. It is from the Maiden that the pixies learned the dance that keeps the otherworld turning and probably our world too for that matter. She is newly born every morn and she carols her plangent song of growth for all beings in the worlds. She sees the magic and light in everything nd takes endless delight in it.
Yet even though the maiden is wonderful and powerful she is a child and she needs to be cared for nurtured and cherished. When she takes the form of a flower, someone must see that she gets enough water and sun. Whenever we look after something new or young, we are caring for the maiden, whether in the form of a blossom, a sapling, a baby or a new idea. She, in turn is likely to switch between joyfully and gratefully receiving such nurturing and insisting on independence that she really isn't ready for yet. She knows deep within herself what she needs to do and become and she moves towards this with the directness of a child.
the maiden also has the simplicity and curiosity of a child seeing with unclouded eyes. She has an openness to life, love, new things and new experiences. Every moment with her is an adventure filled with playfulness and hope. innocent, she is awakening to and learning about the world. Much of her learning comes with laughter and silly jokes and she trusts what life gives her.
Every time we allow ourselves to be filled with joy, we become more like the maiden.
Reading
The maiden signifies new beginnings and growth. You couldn't ask for a more auspicious card than this if you are beginning something new. Spontaneity joy, growth, exhilaration and promise for the future are signified here. We must note also that, in the early stages of any process there is vulnerability and a need for protection, shelter and guidance, but also a magical impetus towards burgeoning growth. Trust the process but take care of the details as well.
The maiden is also the inner child who needs to be under the supervision of a competent inner adult in order for her to feel secure and loved. She is not happy when we spoil her.
Consider what is growing in your life. Make a list of your hopes, dreams and plans. look for the growth within you and think about how you can cherish and nurture that. Bless the growth you see around you.
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