Earth Medicine: Ancestor's Ways of Harmony for Many Moons [1 ed.] 0062510630, 9780062510631

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\

MEDICINE

^'

NCe$TORS WAYS OF HARMONY z

Dreamwalker comes Bnnging

visions oj delight,

Where

dreams he

in

Mv slumber My

heart

in

is

softly,

visited

last night.

your pocket,

So tenderly refrain

From

pressing on

Lest

it.

should break

it

Before

we meet

again.

Dreamwalker come hold me Against your breast tonight,

So

I

may know

Of two

And you Has

will

the ecstasy

hearts burning blight.

know my

visited

spuit

you once more.

With devotion as resounding

As waves, crashing

103

to the shore.

MOON

FOURTH

WOMAN

LOOKS FAR Mother, teach

15

me how

to see

The shining hght of stars, The faces of

the Ancestors,

In worlds both near

Show me how The

to

and Jar

welcome

visions appealing to me,

Seeing the truth

in detail,

Unraveling each mysteiy.

Walk mc through

Of altered That

I

the

Drcamtime

time and space.

may

share these visions

With every creed and

race.

Doorkeeper of all dimensions, seek

I

your Medicine Ways

Of how

to

earth

my

visions.

Seeing truth, inside me, today.

Looks Far us that

Woman,

we

the

Clan Mother of the Fourth

are in the ever-present

the ability to see past, future,

and

all

Moon

Cycle, reminds

of eternal Creation.

probabilities

when we

We

have

are fully pre-

mean to be fully present? It means to have no attenor thought on how it will be in future. It means freeing ourselves of re-

sent.

tion

What

moment

does

it

gret or lament about our past.

control

It

means ridding ourselves of the need to in the moment. It means seeing

any outcome of what we create

ourselves clearly without masking our personal intent.

means having no chatter what

is

happening

in the

in

ultimately

moment. Being present takes practice and

sure route to seeing the truth in every

104

It

our mental process and being attentive

moment

of your

life.

is

to

a

FOURTH

WHAT

AT

What

MOON

16

COSTS?

we neutered or suppressed we use to hide our common human

senses and perceptions have

through the

false sophistication

frailties?

The wise person knows

that those healed senses

can bring

re-

newal, making us aware of the multitude of worlds that surround us.

This simple understanding stands

tial,

at the

core of

holding the open door that invites us

Without the blinders, we may remember who we

powers of perception we hold. At the nate

enough

105

to

rehabilitate our

ver)' least,

human

poten-

drop our masks.

to

really are

and the

we could be

human compassion and

fortu-

sensitivity

FOURTH

MOON

A FINAL TEST OF D RE AMI NO

The ultimate

initiation of a visionan^ or

dreamer comes when

that

individual dreams of abundance for everyone. This selflessness

is

not an act of conscience, but rather an act of wisdom, forged from experience.

If

humans

exist

on our planet whose most

are not being met, while others have

something

is

drastically

Any dream

that does not include ever^'one

regime of the Southern Seers

in

is

some

who were

this regard. If ever\'one is not

the Circle of Life

will ever need,

wrong.

from limited perception, or

unbroken family

more than they

basic needs

m\' teachers

vision created

The training is

emphatic in

considered worthy of having plenty,

not being honored.

circle created

is a

cases, greed.

by

all life

If

dreamers cannot see the

forms, they have not

grown

into their potentials nor ever really experienced the reality of

Oneness.

When is the last time you remembered to include the needs of every single human in your prayers or in your vision of what the future should become?

106

'^fmrfw^sm IRIDESCENT REALITY

The

pristine edges of reflection

That border the intuitive mind, Refract the prisms

and concepts,

Multiple mirrors of humankind.

Somewhere

in the

house of mirrors,

The mysteiy begins

to unfold.

The blending of every nuance

Bnnging

the

Oneness

to behold.

Iridescent reality blends

Every shining moment

in time,

Every awakenmg revelation, That marks humanity's climb.

Spiraling

onward

Beyond

We

the place

have named "The Void of the Unknown.

Embracing

the newness.

In spite of Is

107

—

the

our fears,

Good Medicine we've learned

to

own.

FOURTH

MOON

INTERNAL REVELATION 3-C

The predawn darkness reflected the last sUver light of the waning moon. She watched the ghostly shapes of the naked chokecherry trees as they seemed to dance. With expectation and a Uttle fear of waiting m the dark, she remembered that her Elders had told her that Grandfather Sun would return from his lodge after his rest, bringing the dawn.

She shivered while she waited, wanting desperately

to give

thanks for this precious day. She had come to understand things

her

m her young

latest

The

warmth come to

life,

but

it

was

many

important for her to share

understanding by returning thanks. hrst rays of sunlight

touched the

sky,

of expectation. She told Grandfather find the

Totem who had pledged

She cried as the gratitude for her spilled

ver\'

new

to

hllmg her with the

Sun how she had

be her Spirit Helper.

Creature-teacher silently

from her heart.

Suddenly, out of the center of the brilliant sunbeams, she saw the figure of her

Totems

Spirit

was the Golden Eagle whose

emerge, bathed in amber spirit

light.

There

had plucked something out of

her eyes during the previous nights healing ceremony. Her eyes, crossed since birth, were

now aligned,

giving her perfect vision.

illuminating healing had given her

more than

of her internal revelation that she

was

could clearlv see with love.

108

The

clear \ision; because

a sister to Eagle, her heart

FOURTH

MOON

20

DELUSIONS ZrC

The delusions

we

that

are

humankind buys

that

bound

to

the beUef systems that paths.

frightens

we have encountered along our

most human beings

could melt, giving

ality

the

It

into are astounding.

same time/space

It

new awareness

individual

to think that the tangible re-

of other worlds that exist

Going beyond the seen and the that

humans

solid

has

its

own

rewards.

usually create their personal delusions:

By denying or doubting Faulty perceptions that

their

own

perceptions.

come through

accidents of untrained senses.

109

m

as the physical world.

MayanA'aqui/Aztec teacher Joaquin Muriel Espinosa taught

ways

seems

our Hmited perceptions of hfe, based upon

the

My

me two

FOURTH

MOON

21

BLINDED BY ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY s-c

The organizations and groups

that

have tried to

set

themselves up as

the absolute authorities in any culture have tried to blind the

masses. These organizations have used absolute authority to twist the truths of any

who spoke

They have used

tion.

creating hypocrisy and to

out, trying to discredit

guilt to rule the fear.

any opposi-

opinions of the undecided,

The resulting witch-hunts were used

prove that their way was the only true way. The desire to destroy

or slander anyone

who was

not a part of their belief system, religion,

philosophy, or Tradition has created mass separation.

The mark

of any group that uses this kind of despotism

is

their

use of scapegoats to cover their true intentions to set themselves

up

as the ultimate authority.

ity

on anything,

drives

a tragic

and having no

We

need

to

allows us to see. tility,

is

desire to be the only real author-

desire to serve

humanity

selfish

as a whole.

be grateful for the truths that this type of behavior

We

clearly see the truth of absolute authority's fu-

trying to destroy that

sonal inner

The

misuse of power, being based on

knowing

which cannot be destroyed

— the per-

of each individual's honest connection to the

Great Mystery. That sacred connection, and the inner knowing creates,

cannot be controlled by misplaced

tality

110

guilt, lies, or

it

pack men-

FOURTH

MOON

21

LOSING SIGHT OF THE PATH

The Clan Mother grieved dren. Looks Far

the

wandering ways of her human

Woman knew

that her

own

her children to see for themselves, were a part of her growth.

Human

so difficult to see the

It

Tribe hurting themselves. Their

too-human lessons were painful that

chil-

lessons, in allowing

to

bear

when

was all-

she saw the anguish

was created through the hard knocks they continually experi-

enced.

Her took.

mmds

eye flashed with the pictures of the sidetracks they

Some wandered away from

woundedness, broken

empty paths

hearts,

the sacredness of

and

lost

life

through their

dreams. Others followed the

of greed for money, fame, or power,

glittering, superficial values. In truth, those

which promised

who had been seduced

by greed just needed the affirming recognition

that they

were loved.

These pain-filled children were unaware of their broken connections, to the Self cuits that ers

and

caused them

were betrayed by

of her

to the

Maker, that had created the short

cir-

Some sold out, oththeir own pain, but all

to lose sight of the path.

their inabilities to heal

wandering children had

lost the insight that

could point the

way home. Looks Far

Woman

stood between worlds,

of Illumination, finally realizing that she had

at the Golden Door some lessons of her

own. She could learn many things while holding the door mination open

for others.

Reminding

ered that her lesson in this situation was to learn patience!

111

to illu-

herself of this, she discov-

MOON

FOURTH

23

OBVIOUS STUPIDITY

Ulien the

tiiith is sitting

Right in front of our noses,

We

are asked the question,

Of what the truth exposes! Were we afraid to look? It

wasn't hard to see.

Were we afraid of change? The truth holds

blame

Let's

He

it

the key.

on Coyote!

tricked us again!

All the time pretending

That he was ourfiiend! Say, "Ouch," to the lesson,

Then maybe

We

we'll agree,

can also see our lessons

Through obvious

Sometimes stupidity,

saying

is

backdoor lessons are the

the

can also give us the right,

we should

you take the game, you

stupidity!

to lighten

time for us

best.

abilities to

the less chance

up and laugh

^n

human

to

If the old

The more

seriously

you have of winning!

Is

at yourself? Forget that question;

beings, didn't

we?

be obvious

laugh at ourselves.

appreciate the laughter:

to see ourselves as Tricksters!

into beconiing

What seems

After

all,

we

it

time for

it's

always

tricked ourselves

MOON

FOURTH

^

24

OBSERVATION OF HUMAN NATURE

Those who observe human nature see that THOSE who observe NOTHING THINK THAT LIFE HAPPENS TO THEM. WhAT HAPPEN ED TO TH E FREEWILL CHOICE OF DECIDING TO BE?

who hold the \'iewpoint that hfe happens to us, and is not of own making, forget that the Creator gave everyone freewill.

Those our

Some people to

have

say that they did not ask to be born, they did not ask

and they did not ask

a rotten life,

to

have everything go

wrong. This sibility

an interesting idea

IS

—

total

negative, victimlike experiences, inability to

ness.

and ultimate lack of respon-

Denial of freewill, the lack of gratitude

We

respond

go

to life

and

numb when we deny

can't feel,

Mystery of

Life.

feel?

113

it is

How

setting

comes when we no longer

up more The

feel the alive-

any feeling that comes up during

our experiences, creating an unnatural barrier

When we

—

self-created blindness.

to self-expression.

almost impossible to be a witness to the

can we truthfully observe what we refuse to

1 H-FOURTH

MOON

25

SILENT VISION

The four-day Ceremony was for the

over.

The Holy People returned thanks

powerful Medicine and visions that had been bestowed on

the participants. Life-changing events

witnesses air still all

who had

had happened

in front of the

willingly stood as supports for the dancers.

The

crackled with the sacredness of Spirit, touching the lives of

the People.

Back ther,

Fox had quietly approached

in the lodge, Little

wanting

to

know what

his father

Having passed nine winters,

had experienced

his curiosity

outweighed

his fa-

in his vision.

his sense of

proper attitude and reverence. Gently, and with ultimate patience, the

boys

father replied.

"Little

Fox, there are

some

be experienced wordlessly son's

life,

the heart

of the heart

explain

it

is

to

that sacredness

and the vision become

made

another would

soil the

frailty

as one.

persons

a part of the

Medicine's strength to the

114

things so sacred that they

When

of

may

happens That

only

in a per-

silent vision

spirit forever.

To

try to

sacredness, reducing the

mere human words."

MOON

FOURTH

BUILDING THE DREAM

Truthspeaker

with her niece in the cool afternoon breeze, mend-

sat

ing moccasins. Little Beaver loved to be with her aunt because the

younger a

woman

always got truthful answers to her questions. Being

young mother,

Little

Beavers questions multiplied as

her

fast as

children grew.

would like to make my dream for a larger lodge for come true, but something always comes up, taking away materials we have gathered for another purpose." "Auntie,

my the

I

family

Chuckling

Truthspeaker replied, "That

softly,

The lesson

Beaver.

in learning to build

is

is lifes

way.

Little

your dreams the way your

namesake builds her dam. To understand how

to

do

that,

you must

observe everything Beaver does. The truth of your observations

show the way." Two moons later,

will

Little

Beaver was back

at

her Aunties lodge,

grinning from ear to ear and talking incessantly Auntie;

posed

We

did

to save

it!

1

watched Beaver and found out

understand.

'T

that

1

wasn't sup-

our materials, gathering everything before we

started.

new lodge one room at a when we used up what we had,

used everything we had, building our

time.

the

I

was frightened

1

new

adding

how

materials

to her

how

but

we needed were

dam, cutting new

she taught me.

Sccuij:^

at first,

1

lo build out

trees

easily found. Beaver kept

when

copied her and built

chcams, one slcp

she needed them.

my

the tnith in ecuh step on xout path b\ usmy^ the

115

on

saw

dream."

at a /inu\

blinded by oveiwhelnimy^ and conjusiny^ visions.

I

Is

it

keeps us jrom

/\-ini;

time joi \ou

to see

lesounes xou have now?

FOURTH

MOON

UNLIMITED $IOHT

True sight

is

Taking form

many-faceted, in

niany ways.

Like mental image pictures.

The ideas our thoughts convey. The mind's eye can embrace

The dreams of what The

visions

and

will he.

aspirations.

Or

the daydream's fantasy.

We

can see with our eyes.

Or

with a heart that can feel;

We

can use our fingertips.

To see the body's need

We

can use our

To see

Some

spiiits

other, intangible worlds.

And we To see

to heal.

can use our reason

how

solutions can unfiirl.

say seeing

is

believing,

But the tine witness surely knows.

Through

Of

believing,

the worlds

116

we can

see all facets

our imaginations can show.

\

FOURTH

MOON

28

MASKS OR MIRRORS a-c

The

roles that

can

reflect

human beings

all

our

versatile natures.

are asked to play

We become

providers, teachers, messengers, students, tities that

skills

round out our human

required to

fulfill

these roles,

skills.

m the course of

life

friends, parents, lovers,

and

a host of other iden-

Through developing

we develop our

the

potentials.

The masks that can inhibit our growth are also found in the roles we play. The teacher who degrades a very bright student because his intelligence threatens the instructor wears a jealousy or fear

mask. The parent

costs too

immature

much

who shames a child for having an illness that money is wearing an insensitive mask of

time and

selfishness.

The mate who,

in front of

gingly speaks of the other mate with contempt of resentment

is

anyone

else,

nag-

wearing the mask

and revenge.

All of these

masks

reflect

what needs

to

be healed inside the

person wearing them. The astute observer makes a note of the be-

way of judgment. These masks can mask wearers ask for help, ha\ing cre-

havior and says nothing in the

only be peeled off

when

the

ated miserable consequences with their behaviors. Sometimes see-

ing the truth can be a burden, because the observer

what

IS

creating the upset or imbalance.

knows

within themselves, deciding to heal any similar masks they wearing.

117

exactly

The wise observers look

may be

MOON

FIFTH

FIRST

The

first

In our

SOUNDS

sound every human being hears

is

mothers watery womb, we experience

belonging because

mother who

we

hear our

and

own heartbeats echoed by that of the moons.

carries us for nine

the double heartbeat. a sense of security

When we

are

drawn

into our

Earthwalks through the miracle of birth, the second heartbeat dis-

Human

appears.

missing and

beings

many

know on

a

deep

times go through

life

level that

something

is

looking for the missing

heartbeat.

The missing heartbeat

found when we

is

Mother and enter Tiyoweh, the

we can hear

the small,

experience,

we can

still

our Earth

voice within our hearts, and through that

rediscover our sense of security and belonging.

The Earth Mothers heartbeat reminds us

Our

listen to

Stillness. In that place of silence,

true Mother, the Earth,

give us rest. All she asks

is

is

that

that

we

are never alone.

always present to nurture us and

we

stop and listen for the second

heartbeat.

Listening that

Woman,

the

Clan Mother of the

we can learn more by

Fifth

that every living thing in nature speaks to us.

the Great security, listen.

human

Moon

Cycle, teaches us

listening than by speaking.

She teaches us

Through the other

life

forms

Mystery placed upon the Earth, we find relationship, belonging,

and wisdom.

Then we come

if

we

learn to

understand the Creator's purpose

in

sending

All living things can be our teachers to

beings on the mission of searching for the second heartbeat

finding that second heartbeat, we

119

know

that

we

are never alone.

—m

FIFTH

MOON

1

TIYOWEH, THE STILLNESS

When you for

learn to enter the Stillness

and you

sit

hours without movement or sound, you may

hear the

From

Oneness.

that understanding,

you may discover the

sounds of the

All-Unfolding.

Just

make

sure that the Divine Trickster has not fooled

that the gurgles in

120

your bowels are

you

into believing

the All, literally unfolding!

MOON

FIFTH

LISTENING TO THE HEART 3-C

Be

mountain, reaching

like the

watchful, majestic and

you

will

know

still,

the inner

for the

enduring and

fire

deep within her breast there

of the Earth Mother. is

—

silent

Then,

You

how to listen to

and

my child,

will see that

constant creation. This

Sacred Mountain shows Two-leggeds

own

Sky Father reflective.

the

is

one way

fire in their

hearts.

Listening

Woman

Mother of the

the

is

Fifth

Moon

Enter the Silence and

Keeper of Tiyoweh, the Cycle teaches

how

to feed their

all

of her

hungry

Clan

Stillness. This

human

hearts.

children

The

passionate desire to create, to he, to understand, to love

how

heart's food

life,

and

to

to is

con-

tinue growth.

All of the

answers

the Stillness.

afraid;

it is

to

any questions

When you go

there,

that

your heart seeks can be found

you may encounter an

echo.

Do

m

not be

only the second heartbeat of our true Mother, the Earth. That

second heartbeat signals that you have found your Sacred Path and turned home.

121

re-

FIFTH

MOON

ALIVENESS

When we

enter the Stillness and listen,

to feel the aliveness that

is

around

us.

we

are given the opportunity

We

give ourselves the oppor-

tunity to be a part of the vibrant, living, natural world. This place

we call Tiyoweh can open new understanding if we put the minds voice aside. The Stillness brings a deep serenity into our hearts and vital life force into our bodies. When we practice that

Entering the Silence in nature, there the creatures of the forest

Taking the time

the Oneness.

no

frantic separation

to seek the silence of

the act of a wise person. For

come

is

and the gentleness

Through

it is

in

between

our hearts.

Tiyoweh, and

to listen,

in that place of serenity

the Oneness,

we

we

is

be-

discover the joyous

truths of being alive.

If

time

is

of the essence, taking the time to find

and

to listen to

your

may be very revealing. Are you at one with all that you can be? not, may need to take the time to be silent with yourself and honor you If essence

the listening opportunity

122

you can

give to the Self.

MOON

FIFTH

5

LISTENING TO THE WHISPERS

Listening to the whispers

That come through time and space,

The voices of the Ancestors

OJ eveiy

Our

creed and race.

silent spints are waiting;

Inspiration

is

our

desire.

The spark of understanding Will set our hearts on fire.

Within thatfieiy

The whispers

call

Asking those who To

cany

our names, listen

the Eternal Flame.

The Flame

Of

vision,

is

illumination

the love that

within,

lies

All creatures. Tribes,

Become family once Are we

really listening

To the whispers voices

calling for

Where peace Where no

around?

the circle

common

is

ground.

the message.

child stands alone.

hearts are broken,

Because we've

123

all

withm

The Are

And no

and Nations again.

all

come home.

FIFTH

MOON

TALKING CIRCLES

Whenever Native Americans come

together

discuss, there are certain rules that

m groups with things to

we always

observe. Those un-

spoken rules show whether the participants were reared

No one

way.

havior;

it is

has to

make

a

comment about another

evident through their actions. Listening

rule that determines a persons integrity

Talking Circles are what

we

is

in a

good

person's bethe foremost

and substance.

use to bring problems out into the

open, to find solutions, to share our feelings and experiences, and to

honor the Sacred Points of View of rupt a speaker

is

to bring

words a

family, Tribe, Clan,

other cultures, this practice

inter-

may seem

and Nation. alien because

are not considered part of the Sacred Breath of Life that holds

persons Sacred Point of View.

not listening. spect

person present. To

dishonor on his or her words, to bring dis-

honor on ones upbringing, ones

Among

ever}-

is

When

people are talking, they are

When one person interrupts another, the lack of reWhen people are constantly talking about any-

apparent.

comes to their minds, it is a sign that they have no selfand do not feel the weight or sacredness that their words carry. If the words that are spoken carry no commitment or thing that

reflective skills

carelessly hurt another, the speaker

is

not

m

tune with Oneness.

Anyone can claim to be spiritual. The truth of how far they have come on the Sacred Path is noted by simply seeing how they listen and

how

they speak.

124

FIFTH

MOON

MURMURS

7

THE BREEZE

IN

a-c

WTien

/

walk the meadows,

Searching for rainbow's end,

The colors

distance

in the

Bring voices on the wind.

And I

there

listen

The

amid

the flowers,

without a sigh;

spirits of the

Echo

Ancients

their hearts' reply.

Sacred murmurs on the breeze,

What would you say If

I

Or

became

to

the rainbow.

the standing tree?

Would you ask me

Or add my

to listen.

voice to yours?

Becoming a Guardian

Of

If you life

Spirit

these ancient woods.

can imagine, you can learn

forms. Iniagining

ercise.

me.

It

how

it

to

understand the viewpoints of other

feels to be another part of nature

is

broadens our perspective and sometimes allows us

viewpoints of our Relations things through

125

your feelings

in the is

a good ex-

to

hear the

natural world. Touching these living

always very healing.

FIFTH

MOON

LISTENING WITH OUR SENSES

Two young women

Grandmother. They had come

to

The first young woman was was nervous and could not look in her The other young woman was serene, but she had a

Wise Elder

their

sat before the

to settle a dispute.

quite a speaker, but she

Elders eyes.

problem speaking because of

The nervous

why

the

girl

a

speech defect.

kept twisting a lock of

Grandmother should decide

the Elder

how

the dispute

hair,

babbling about

m her favor, but she never told

had happened. The other

girl

simply an-

swered the Old Ones questions with short sentences that her mouth could form, looking into her Elder's eyes without shame.

The dispute was

settled in the favor of the quiet

and the Grandmother explained why. She she Ustened, she listened with failed

that

all

young woman,

told the girls that

when

of her senses. These senses never

her because they showed her the truth. She taught the

sometimes human beings need

to listen to

saying, rather than listening to their words.

126

what people

girls

are not

FIFTH

MOON

9

MACIC AND SWEET DREAMS

Crazy Raven comes cawing, Flying through the night,

Lookingjor the children

Who

need some

delight.

These are the wounded children

Who

have forgotten how

to play,

Losing the magic of sweet dreams,

Having suffered along

the way.

But Crazy Raven finds them, His antics bring such cheer.

He flies

through the Dreamtime,

Collecting all their tears,

ffyour

And

life is

full of sadness,

nightmares mirror the flaws,

Listen

—for Crazy Raven,

And answer

his

magical caw.

Rest again in sweet dreams,

Know

A

that

blessing

magic

is

here to stay,

from Earth Mother,

To the wounded,

who

seek

the Bcautv Way.

127

MOON

FIFTH

10

LISTENING TO THE WILL

Human

beings are very adept

could make them happy. This response.

We

are taught

patterns of those ily

sabotaging the specific things that subterfuge

art of

our

role

models, and usually these fam-

taught not to Usten to their feelings. The

directed by our emotions and intuitive feelings.

from these is

feelings,

usually a learned

is

modem society to take on the habits and

by

who were

members were

ai

we

When we

enter a state of confusion.

lack of direction or a lack of the sense of

are cut off

An example

wrong and

will is

of this

right.

In Native culture, the Ancestors taught that listening to our feel-

would

ings

give us a guideline. This lesson

the people of that day were deeply to all living things.

ored

It.

If

When

was

in the context that

committed

the Ancestors

taking an action did not

felt

to the Creator,

and

something, they hon-

feel right,

it

was not carried

through.

Doing anything

that

would harm another

living thing

was

a

matter of conscience and will that could result in bringing harm

back on ones Relations or the teaching us tual,

how

we must

Self.

Today, the Ancestor Spirits are

to listen to the will again.

take our

own

If

we

counsel, feel what

be on the receiving end of any action we take,

claim to be spiri-

would be like to and then make our it

decisions.

The ancient law thing or

human

128

Smoking Mirror still applies: / am we do anything harmful to another living we are ultimately doing it to ourselves.

of the Great

another one of yourself. being,

If

FIFTH

MOON

HEARING THE PATTERN

Water droplets course over the edge of the window, creating an uneven cadence as they drop

below the cabin. As

my

arrowlike cloud cuts

moves

in

to the

boulders that

line the hillside

meanders across the Rio Grande

it

river, a low,

view of the emerald timberline. The fog

from the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains, changing as

that the seasons are

1

quietly monitor the

me

telling

movements

of

nature.

Today, the rain could change to snow. Inside the cabin, with the

damp

hre warding off the the forest. to

me,

I

chill of

morning,

1

relish the silence of

Even with the rushing waters of the mighty

feel

my awe

of these majestic

river singing

mountains and

watch-

their

ful stillness.

Through teacher.

my window,

this

The teacher speaks

me

drama, asking

to

glimpse of

to

me

life's

at

the waters edge,

lence, listening to the rivers cleansing flow. For I

become

through the

the trees, seeing

fog,

my

the eternal pattern.

human

mingle with the fog that covers the valley

below. Like the giant Firs standing

ment,

my

becomes

holiness

of the unimportance of

all

one

stand in

infinite

that has passed before.

senses are pierced with clarity It

I

contains the music of

I

all life

si-

mo-

Then,

have heard

forms and

breathes in unison with the heartbeat of every living thing. In that eternal

and

my

heart

129

is

moment, while hearing

touched by the

light of

the pattern, the fog

Grandfather Sun.

lifts

FIFTH

MOON

12

HEARING THE HEART

S

VISION

3-C

When we

listen

and hear the

small,

still

voice

withm our

can access our greatest potential joy and desire. This sion

—

the personal

dream

When we

and

accom-

fulfillment.

hear the hearts voice and fling our deepest longings

desires toward that heart vision, the that are

of personal creation

and manifestation

who knows

body and senses merely

made from our

low the heartstnngs seeker

that

faith.

This

is

the magic

that miracles are real. This individual creates

and willingness

a partner with the Great Mystery, allowing personal desire to

own

selves

the

be

to the

Unknown, we show our Maker. The harvest we reap shows our faith in our-

red heartstnngs of

m

to

mani-

wa\-.

By flinging our dreams and greatest desires, attached trust

fol-

marks the wholehearted

the miracle of cooperation through the faith

fest in its

we

hearts,

the hearts vi-

that will allow the individual to

plish the things that bring happiness

and

is

faith, into

the Void of the

and our joyful connection

130

to the Great Mystery.

t

MOON

FIFTH

13

THE QUIET MINP

Caution,

There

A

is

a silence.

stillness,

An

deep within.

absence oj patterns,

Where

light

and shadow

blend.

Hearken, To the darkness

OJ the

Unknown.

Void of the

Hearing Total nothingness

That thunders

all

alone.

Travel into the pulsing of Silent time or space.

The quiet mind brings calmness, Infinite, eternal grace.

Born inside Is

the will

silence,

—

to be.

Chaos becoming

order,

The holiness of life

—

The unfolding of Great Mystery.

131

FIFTH

MOON

14

LISTENING WITH THE OTHER SENSES

The pleading eyes

of a child can speak a thousand words.

and broken body of an Elder speaks of in the face of another for

many

enough

Many

years.

to

human

hard

a

life.

The

The bent

lines of pain

being can speak of burdens carried

people in these conditions

speak of their pain or

know how

may

not

feel safe

to release the weight of

their burdens.

Silence

and patience can open the space

express those feelings that have been shut

have born the brunt of abuse use

munication to relay their

many

feelings.

lenced by those around them anger that the fury of feelings

other

for the

tener

adept

is

need

to

of subtle

so involved in their

no space

The wise individual looks and hears scream

The timid ones who

means

com-

The shy ones may have been

who were

left

that allows another to

off.

for another's expression.

the

unspoken

signals that

be recognized. The gentle and sensitive

at the art of creating safety

si-

own

and

lis-

a space for sharing that

allows others to express their needs. This kind of listener observes the subtle language of the heart within others, respecting the ap-

propriate timing needed for the trust to be present between the

speaker and the of the spirit

is

listener.

how

healing to occur.

132

Hearing with the eyes, nose,

ears,

and heart

the astute listener reaches out to others, allowing

FIFTH

MOON

15

DEFENDING WITH WORDS

Defending

spond

is

viewpoint without allowing another to

ever)' personal

the act of an insecure person.

Having

be right or accusing another of making others wrong

The

based in

is

of projecting ones personal insecurities on others

act

human

The

trait.

be healed

when

a

astute listener can detect exactly

person

is

defending their

re-

to accuse in order to

right to be

fear. is

what needs

a

to

through using

these means.

not appropriate to volunteer to assist in correcting this type

It is

of behavior in another. tifications of

why

only be corrected criticism

or

is

The

offer will

that person

when

always be met with further jus-

right.

is

This precarious situation can

the speakers internal self-rejection

and

self-

confronted and healed by that individual. To offer advice

methods

to heal this type of self-hatred is a

healing will occur in

its

own

time and

is

waste of energy. The

between the individual

and the Great Mystery. This healing occurs when the person defending with words makes a conscious choice to change the inse"1,"

cure, self-important

making

a partnership

with the Creator to

the eternal "we."

Listening struggle

Woman,

the

Clan Mother of the Fifth

der the selj-important yet insecure ego time to ask ourselves

how

often

ter of our mind's criticism to

time to

make a

strength

Moon

Cycle, hears our

when we defend with words. She knows how hard

it

we

make

sensitivitv.

133

let

and

to surren-

it is

Great Mystery.

It

may

he

disconnected, allowing the chat-

us feel

conscious choice to

takes to love ourselves

feel

to the

unwanted or unloved.

that behavior

go and

to

It

ma\

be

ask for the

others without judgment

and with

MOON

FIFTH

16

WOMAN

LISTENINO

Echoes of the Ancestors Ride the Winds of Change, Voices of the Creatures

Calling out

my

name.

Singing spiiits on the breeze,

The crashing of waves

to shore.

The pounding of Earth Mother's heart. Teach

me what

hstenfor

to

dusk and dawn.

In stillness, before

Hidden messages are

set free.

my

People,

Like the chants of

Their rhythms speak

My

to

me.

ears can hear this music,

And my

heart can understand.

Clan Mother of Tiyoweh, I

am yours

I

Hstenfor your whispers

On

to

command.

a course you

Searchingfor the

That

lives

will chart, still

wiihm my

voice heart.

that all

Woman, the Clan Mother of the Fifth Moon human beings have the potential to hear the still

hearts.

We know

Listening

fills

us

this voice

when we follow

the place of inner

we

by the serenity

the messages

When we

134

the joy that

heart's voice leads us to

harmony with who and what

we

and feeling marvelously

Stillness.

The

knowing and at-one-ment cannot be taken

seek the heart's voice,

serenely balanced

Tiyoweh, the

in

voice within their

makes us feel and

gives.

peace where we are

are. This place of inner

away.

it

it

Cycle, teaches us

Those who seek

it

reside in the safety of being alive.

will

The Ancestors

always find

it

called

within.

it

.i.»i(nw.'«ra»M««««»..«>w»K.i

.ii.i.M.nn iii ^

I

i

ii iiij

iMn

i»«««i»«»^Mi!.j«^>«ae«imm^MyMy

n

THE UNBRIDLED RESPONSE OF INNOCENCE a-c

people

All

ing around child

who

who

have the sensitivity to really hear what

them warm

to the

is

happen-

unbridled response of innocence. The

looks deep into your eyes, trusting you enough to ask a

whose answer you know could make the needed difference in that young life. The excitement of the elderly, when they have been told that someone remembered to visit them, just when they thought they had been forgotten. The pleasure of learnmg that question,

has come to the

illiterate

when

they realize they can

make

sense

out of the marks and scribbles they have seen but never understood.

Unbridled response of any kind makes us tention, but the simple

and joyful

of innocence are

remembered

sounds can write

a million indelible

to

understand

why

all

sit

giggles, laughter,

of our days. To

up and pay

at-

and "Oh, my's"

thmk

that these

messages across our hearts

is

caring people find such happiness in giving to

others.

If you

would

like to

hear the unbridled responses of innocence, making

them some of your treasured memories,

—

self

especially

135

when

it

is

unexpected.

it

may

be time

to

give of your-

FIFTH

MOON

18

SPIRITUAL CRATIFICATION 3-C

When we

look

mankind can

at all of the

kinds of spiritual gratification that hu-

receive, these could

fill

recorded as personal experiences. time

we become

These experiences allow us the quick intake of breath, to

feel,

who

and

to

remember

to

if

they were

are hlled with Spirit every

inspired by something

read, touch, perceive, taste, smell, or

feel

entire libraries,

We

we

hear, observe, think,

remember.

hear our hearts pounding, to

measure the differences

the specialness of these

moments

in

in

how we

our

lives.

For some, the

silent

compassion and gentle touch of someone

cares inspires

them

to take courage. In all instances, the silent,

through the human we are willing to hear through using our sensitivity. This ability comes from letting go of the mental armor we use to protect this same sensitive vulnerability. Our spirits are then

yet thundering rush of inspiration can be heard

senses

—

as long as

grateful for being allowed to digest the inspiration that feeds them.

136

FIFTH

MOON

19

TRANQUILLITY

Tranquillity

—the

perfect

too much human you have been the sponge

If

television, sad story, ringing

remedy for

interaction.'

for every

loud conversation, blaring

phone, and

silly

argument

range of experience, take a break! There are times of

human interaction needs to be cut off. One of my wise Grandmother teachers used

rocking out the frustration

m

thought

when

a

It

curious

at

the time

when

to talk to

two,

I

find the

there

rhythms of

Her words

—

"set

our minds

137

1

was nothing outside but

me

that the

are treasures to

tranquillity in the gentle

rocking chair. In these rhythms, thing

about

mo-

back into the rhythm of tranquillity Being tw^enty-

didn't really understand.

We can

me

the front porch rocking chair.

seemingly unchanging view of the desert. She told

tion gets people

your

in

the faucet

now.

sameness of the

we can do Grandma

to relaxing."

me

Cisis favorite

FIFTH

MOON

HEARTBEAT OF WHOLENESS

It

is

a rare breed of human who can spirit, a decisive nature,

blend a free

a deep

respect for

life,

love for

adventure, and an uncompromising sense of integrity into personal happiness. Such individuals hear the heartbeat of wholeness. Nothing

We

impossible

IS

when we

are dealing with

human

potential.

can hear the heartbeat of wholeness, never knowing what toward our desired

that leads us

feels right to us,

and we

will

goals.

We can simply be

it is

doing what

be using the heartbeat of wholeness as

our natural rhythm.

We

have been taught by the technical society that

most things

are complex.

be time for

all

When we

If

we

believe this,

becomes

live in that

true.

It

may

of us to use the hearing that exists without sound.

trust the

soundless feelings, we can hear the wholeness

that leads us to personal happiness.

138

it

we

LEARNINC OBEDIENCE

Nothing

stirs the rebel

Like having to obey All oj the signposts that

Guide

the

Beauty Way.

Nothing makes the ego fear

The point ojno return Like the idea oj obeying

The inner voice of concern. Nothing fills the heart Like the spiiit on the wind, Reflecting truthful answers,

Like the guidance of a friend.

When we honor

the sacred whispers

Of the small, still voice of will. Our obedience becomes a pleasure,

Our

The voice of

realized

will

is

dreams

reflect

139

skill.

our deepest desire for wholeness. To ignore

courts disaster; to obey our will

hear your small,

our

still

is

voice saying?

to

this voice

become svnchromstiL. What do vou

FIFTH

MOON

LESSONS OF THE CREATURES CALLS x:

No

Trails

was

a great tracker

and hunter among

his people.

He had

earned his name because he could locate any person or beast that

roamed and

the Earth. His

uncanny

ability to see

to hear the calls of the creatures

allowed him to follow the invisible

One morning. No mountains

that

Trails

what was not apparent,

when no one

was deep

bordered his homeland,

else

was

able to,

him to his goal. high meadows of the

led

trails that

in the

silently passing

naked aspens. He motioned the man beside him

to

through the

be

silent,

not

moving. His companion, Drinks the Sun, had not noticed Mother Grizzly Bear or her cubs until

They stood and watched a

renegade male

Trails

motioned with

his chin.

Mama

Bear and

ensued between

who had wandered

were bone-shaking

downed

No

as a fight

into her territory.

The sounds

as the bears fought for the right to claim a

deer as their food. The cubs scampered up trees and were

wailing in fear until

Back

at

camp

Mama

ran the old rogue

that night. Drinks the

off.

Sun learned something

No Trails explained that the Great Mystery did not give human common calls like the creatures. The Creator blessed human beings with the gifts of being able to listen, and to mimic

new.

beings any the

the calls of their Creature Relations. Creator

ing that

humankind would never

had

forget to listen,

a

plan for ensur-

and

to learn the

languages of the Creature-teachers. Without understanding these

sounds,

human

beings would never see the value of survival in-

stinct.

Believe

ing

it

what

or not, our survival does depend on life is

140

asking of you?

how we

listen.

Are you hear-

FIFTH

MOON

23

PENSIVE SILENCE 3-C

To DENYTHE NEED FOR REFLECTION

THOUGHT LIFE ITS

IS

SILENT

TO DENY THE

PROCESS

THAT

GIVES

NEEDED PERSPECTIVE.

In pensive silence, the

mind calms enough

to

review and to sort

out the feelings, perceptions, events, ideas, and conversations of the day.

The Elders say

that this

is

one reason

why

Great Mystery di-

vided the light into day and night. Activities are reserved for daytime. Sunset brings the quiet time for thoughts. to replay

our memories of the days

follows,

we

workable solutions It

dream

are able to

must be

a

to

all

are then able that

lives.

we listen to our thoughts, we feel them or see them in The thought process is most potent when we use trait to forget that

our ideas, and our memories as

our minds eye.

We

During the night

the results of our reflections into

enhance our

human

activities.

much

as

of our senses, creating and recreating the smallest nuance that

could give

If you

new meaning

to the

whole

picture.

haxe not been allowing yourself the time needed for pensive

confusion

may

tening to what

141

be knocking at your door is

Is it

time

silence,

to sort things out

being replayed through your memories of today?

by

lis-

MOON

FIFTH

24

HONORING EVERY PERSON 3-C

In ancient times, Native Ancestors

was no judgment

being. There

honored every kind

against the ones

heterosexual sexual preferences, the ones

who were

ones

who had

who were

human

eccentric, or the

touched with hearing voices.

The nonlogical or

different behaviors of others

because our Medicine People understood that actly

of

other than

where they

The experiences

are

supposed

of any

people so that they

life

may

to be,

were accepted people are ex-

doing whatever that

entails.

mystery that the Creator has given

are a

learn.

all

The Ancestors'

practice of noninter-

ference allowed each person to act out these lessons to the fullest.

Those

who

heard voices and talked to unseen

up with very unusual and workable

spirits often

came

solutions for Tribal problems.

These touched individuals did not operate from the same logical viewpoint that blocked others from seeing nonlogical solutions.

Many

times the lives of these individuals were considered Holy be-

cause they stood in both worlds nontangible, world and

Is

our lesson

ical

in this

behavior?

instances,

lesson to

learn a

lot if

who are talking speak may be for you!

in the street

they

modern era

Or is our

we can

142

at the

same

time, the spiritual, or

the natural world.

to

to let let

we

go of our judgments about nonlog-

go of our fear of hearing voices? In listen.

Who

knows,

imaginary friends,

if

all

you pass people

listen

—

the

message

FIFTH

MOON

FEAR OF SILENCE

In every part of lence, or so

sound of

it

humankind, we

find people

would seem. Some people

their

own

needing

really tr)ing to

are afraid of

love to talk, just to hear the

to tell

Some people

chance

The

talk

you why you should think they

convince themselves.

When

any person

out allowing others to speak, and then does not listen gets a

from

talks with-

when another

to reply, the talker is afraid of silence.

fear of silence

is

most prevalent

in cultures that feel that

lence or quiet reflection a virtue. Fear of silence usually

talking, the

in-

are great,

people need to be entertained, or in cultures that do not consider

people have

si-

voices. Others talk because they are self-

conscious, uncomfortable, or nervous. security,

who

a lot of

negative chatter

m the

mind.

si-

comes when

When

they are

mental criticism cannot run simultaneously

Astute listeners pick up the warning signals and realize that they will lose energy cessant chatter.

and

is

if

A good

they stay to listen to the fearful persons inlistener really hears

deal of energy to be authentically present

Such

what

a

not thinking of what the reply should be.

listeners

and

person It

is

saying

takes a great

truthfully listening.

have a quiet mind and a very good memor)' because

they are only hearing the conversation, not talk mixed with other

thoughts of their own.

IJ you feel

that keep

have.

We

uncomfortable reading

you from being a good can

all

membering what

143

use IS

this,

you may want

listener,

work on

the parts

or any fear of silence you

work on being authentually

said.

to

present, hearing

may

and

re-

FIFTH

MOON

:26

INNER POTENTIAL

swampy

In the

glades that surrounded the lake, the

little girl lis-

tened intently before stepping off the foot-beaten path. There were

many

creatures

who

lived near the water that could

beings. Thus, caution and listening were the

harm human

lessons the chil-

first

dren of the Tribe were taught. Blue Bell was returning from the lake with the water her mother

had requested, when she heard like

her

own

voice,

which

a voice in her head.

related her thoughts to

It

did not sound

what she was ex-

periencing, and so she stopped in her tracks.

Night

fell,

to the

little girl

and the warriors Medicine

Woman

finally

found

her.

They took the

because she was pale and disori-

ented. After a gourd of healing herbal tea, she could speak.

Medicine

Woman asked what

happened, and Blue

ing the voice. The voice had spoken of

pen

in Blue Bell's

by being

silent

The Wise was

as

tential.

It

life.

The Medicine

and nodding

Woman told

many

things that could hap-

Woman

until the story

The

Bell told of hear-

encouraged the child

was complete.

Blue Bell and her anxious mother that

all

should be. The voice had told the child about her inner po-

The voice had given

to fulfill the

the

little girl

a

map

that

would allow her

mission she had come to accomplish. This was no voice

from another

spirit; this

was the voice of Blue

Being a child and not being afraid to

listen.

Bell's

inner potential.

Blue Bell had done what

few adults would do. She stopped, and she heard the small, voice within.

144

still

MOON

FIFTH

INVESTINC IN

harmony

Investing in the

We want

to rule

our

Comes by making To

lives

the effort

and then

listen,

HARMONY

realize:

Just one discordant comment

Can wreak havoc

to the

whole,

Shatte ling precious harmony,

Or

the serenity of the soul.

Listening to the talk of others,

Then

listening to

our own,

Allows us vivid comparisons.

Of all

the seeds we've sown.

Gossip breeds ugly judgments.

And

lies

can bring us pain.

The negativity we Kills the

listen to

harmony we've

attained.

In listening to bitter resentment.

Or hearing jealousy used By refusing The

listener

Harmony

is

to

defame,

to stop the speaker, is

also to blame.

an investment,

Fed with each thought and deed,

We

can choose

Or

let

145

to

Walk

in Beauty,

discord take the lead.

MOON

FIFTH

^8

HEARING THE TOTEMS

human

In ancient times, our legends say that the creatures spoke to

beings.

not clear to modern-day

It is

metaphor or tale

How

legend.

that hearing

and ways

We

humans whether

The skeptic would assure us

not.

can

it

that

it

this

was

was

a fairy-

be explained to the pseudo-intellectual,

comes from knowing many

different kinds of languages

to listen?

can hear the animals' voices

when

they are wounded, their

screams reflecting agony and pain. In any nature biologists held recordings,

warning

we can hear

calls.

Human

the difference in their mating calls

and

their

beings can mimic the creatures' voices, and

hunters can bring them to any area with replicas of these sounds.

The Totems'

call is different

though; the messages are

The Totems' consciousness Tribe of that species.

silent.

the essential spirit of the entire

cannot be heard with the

ears;

it is

a living

human being and speaks to that persons knowing. Some may hear it as a voice in their own minds,

spirit that aligns

inner

It

is

while others

feel

with

the messages form as emotions that urge

follow a certain path. pictures in their visions.

a

Some people hear

minds and must then

their

them

to

Totems through seeing

intuit the

meaning of those

To invalidate the message, or the way we perceive

it, is

to ig-

nore the language of the Totems. Messages from the Totems have to

be experienced firsthand; otherwise,

who

has forgotten

146

how

to

hear

Spirit.

it is

merely

a

myth

to

anyone

SIXTH

MOON

PERCEIVING

1

LIFE IN

CONCEPTS

>z

Native children are taught by their Elders to see to all things.

Through

Many

other cultures see

life

life

in relationship

in a linear fashion.

stories that reflect relationship, Indian children are taught

about the interdependency of

all

living things.

When

all

beings can grasp the conceptional idea of the Circles of

and relationships

that

make up

the

able to understand the purpose of

human

life

whole of Creation, we

forms be

will

harmony

One way that the pieces of the seemingly discordant puzzle can come together is through storytelling. Stories show people how problems are worked out and lessons are learned.

ilarities

using the

when we

common

part of Creation

how

We

expand our

how other cultures do things, we see simbetween ways of living, and we grow through finding and

viewpoints

learn

thread that makes us a planetary family Every

depends on every other part

these relationships

Storyteller, the

work

in

—even

if

we cannot

see

harmony

Clan Mother of the Sixth

trust these connections to all things. This

Moon

Cycle, teaches us

Clan Mother gives us

how

to

stories that

point to our place in the whole and show us our correct relationship to

When we find

all life forms.

to

make our

strength,

our place, we find ways we can use our

bodies, hearts, minds,

humans can

cious Earth resources.

148

and

spirits strong.

From

skills

that inner

take their places as generous Guardians of pre-

MOON

SIXTH

THE CHILP AND GRANDMOTHER

MOON

Grandmother, Teach

me how

touch the stars,

to

To give the sky a smile. To wait for the rainbow after the storm.

And

I

will

share with you

The laughter

my

in

eyes,

The warmness of my

my

The

trust within

And

the innocence of

Knowing

Storyteller, the

I

am

it

heart,

my greatest joy

Clan Mother of the Sixth

place so that

—

watched over by you.

ture of the child within every ical

love,

human

Moon

Cycle, can

pamt

the pic-

being and bring us back to that mag-

we may remember through our feelings. How

long has

been since you remembered the smells, textures, sounds, and tastes of

something that was good

149

in

your childhood?

SIXTH

MOON

TALES THAT NEED TELLINO

Storytellers hold a place of respect in Indian Nations because of the truthful solutions laced in their tales that can be applied to any

The spoken truth, based in ancient wisdom, stands apart from the apparentness that "times have situation at any point in time.

changed."

When we Ancestors of

forget the truths that gave courage

all

races

and creeds, we have

and strength

lost ourselves

to the

and our

roots.

It

may

tions to

a

be time to seek out the stories that formed the ancient connec-

your Ancestors

new inner

—

every bloodline you carry. Then you

strength, well-being,

150

and sense of worth.

may find

MOON

SIXTH

SPEAKINO THE TRUTHS OF THE PAST 3-e

The

myth, the rivers of legend, and the rivers of history

rivers of

flow in

many

directions.

tain race, Tribe, or

Each

river holds the

viewpoint of

Nation and captures the flow of

life

a cer-

that each

believed to be the truth.

Where

all

Remembering

—

waters the place

truths that bring the

When

the listeners^

truth

of

humankind

What would happen you hold dear

if

you

is

the

where the truth touches every

delta heart.

spirit

The

grows. To w^eave these stories

to grasp the truths of the

to the

whole

is

a rare gift.

personal stones and memories of the Elders

do not ask

and record

these stories?

IJyou were suddenly taken from your family through accident or

what would you have wanted them Before any disaster threatens,

is it

to

know about your personal

illness,

history?

time to leave a legacy that will be a

source of strength and joy to the next generations of your family?

151

of

Remembering are spoken by the Storyteller. hearts are opened to new understandings

through ancient teachings, the that teach

converge

SIXTH

MOON ANOTHER

VISITORS IN

Native Americans have

LAND

S

many unspoken

The im-

rules of conduct.

proper manners of an uninformed guest have frustrated Indian people for years because the host itor for a

is

usually not willing to correct a vis-

breach of etiquette. The standards of proper behavior are

taught from the time a child

is

old

enough

walk and

to

are so in-

grained that natural respect for others simply becomes a

way

of

being.

When we

are guests

m another s home

m another's land, we m order to

or

are required to follow the Tribal Traditions of that land

show

respect to our hosts.

If

we do not know

ask permission before doing anything.

It is

these Traditions,

proper

to offer to

we

help

with the work involved getting meals, doing chores, and cleaning.

We

never carry feathers or other Medicines with us

The same things

that bring us strength

may

when

visiting.

offend another or their

Tradition.

We

never look in drawers or closets, or pick up any object

without permission.

We

do not eavesdrop or observe any

ment, removing ourselves to allow privacy anything that

We

is

not our business.

We

for others.

never assume

never do a Ceremony on land that

is

We

—we

not our

disagree-

stay out of ask.

own

without

being invited or receiving permission from the local Elder or Medicine Person of that

show our we honor as their

area.

These are simple rules of respect that

gratitude for being hosted by others.

Through

respect,

the spirits that are the Guardians of others' lands as well

customs and

152

their Ancestors.

STORY OF REVENGE 3-C

Mole was

burrowing into the

living in the forest,

hill,

when he

heard the screams of his family. Hurrying home, he found the

for-

est ablaze and heard from other fleeing creatures that Coyote had

started the

fire.

Moles family had not survived. Mole's anger was so

vow

he made

a

until the

end of

Mole

killed

to get revenge

great that

upon every Coyote he came upon,

his days.

many Coyotes

over the years, shutting his ears to

and shutting his eyes to their pain. came across another who had fled the forest on day long ago. Mole was eager to gather more hateful informathat would give his old bones the new vitality he needed to

their pleading for their babies

In his old age, he that

tion

carry out his brutal revenge.

As Bluejay relayed

all

that

over Mole. Mole was sick.

had happened,

He wanted

to die.

a strange feeling

He could

came

not believe

what he was hearing.

Grandmother Moon rose. Mole screamed forest. Mole cried out to Earth Mother, and she

Later that night, as his

agony into the

answered him saying, "Mole, you have finally heard the truth of Coyotes

was burned started

alive trying to save

by lightning hitting

be blinded by will forever

light,

a tree.

your ears

stor)'.

will

From this day forward, you will be bound to your head, and you

bear the symbols of your need for revenge."

153

Coyote

your family from the hre that was

SIXTH

MOON

7

HURRIED WORDS

The rush of explanation Stifles the fullness to

When Seeks

slick,

to

he gained,

unfounded patter

befuddle the brain.

But words that speak offeelings,

And

of the patterns

Leave

we weave,

conclusions open.

all

Without trying

to deceive.

Those who share their story

Are the messengers that we meet,

Who

show us some

alternatives,

Instead of bowing to defeat. If

we honor eveiy

And

the stories that they

We may From

Every

human

speaker,

learn

how

to

tell.

draw

the depths of wisdom's well.

being

is

a messenger of some kind; having

sage leaves the listener in confusion. Time can

make a

wise take the time needed, never needing to explain. gotten explanations

thought?

154

and simply stated your

to

hurry the mes-

difference.

When

Only

the

have you for-

truth, not caring

what others

MOON

SIXTH

SPEAKINC ANP TRUST

Among

Indian people

m ancient times, some of the rules of etiquette

regarding speaking were

Never discuss anothers business, and never presume to speak for anyone other than yourself. Respect the privacy of a trust

if

all

you have been

people, and never break

told

something

in

confidence.

Never repeat ugly rumors about another, and remove yourself from any group or person speaking in that manner.

Never

offer advice unless

it

is

discuss anothers situation, as

asked

you

for,

see

it,

and never without

permission. If

someone

that

is

having a conversation or argument

does not concern you, leave the

area;

do not

eavesdrop.

Never bring your burdens into anothers home by talking about your troubles, unless that person has agreed to be an adNiser; then listen to the wisdom offered and take the advice given. Never that

tell

you

These rules were

a

lie

strictly

of others in their Tribe.

words they speak legnty that in the

is

or half-truth, or alter any message

are to deliver for another.

adhered

arc truthful

by those

and

who earned

speakers must

their

words

the respect

uses these rules of thumb, the

be trusted. The level of in-

to

required to speak the truth in this

modern world For

155

to

When anyone

manner

is

a rare find

to attain this level of respect,

live in truth at all times.

MOON

SIXTH

CURRENTS OF THE RIVER

The currents of the

me

Take

rixer

'round each bend,

Over wfhite-water

rapids,

begin to blend

Until

1

With

the

Water

Spirits.

As we journey on our way. Past the shores of

The sun dawns on

memones, today.

The flow of life engulfs me.

My passage,

the river's sounds.

The currents take me 'Til I

safely,

stand on sacred ground.

The songs of the river Still

ling within

Asking

As

1

me

my

to sing

soul,

with them,

stand upon the shoal.

"Allow

all

those around

To follow their

own

you

trails.

Finding their uniquenesses.

And

telling their

Every current Every lesson

And

is

own

tales.

different.

will unfold.

the flow of each river,

Brings blessings to the soul.

156

"

SIXTH

MOON

10

HUMOR The laughter

happy

of

hearts has healed a world of woes throughout

Humor is one of the most powerful tools that the Creator given humankmd. The ability to laugh at ourselves has given time.

Human

Tribe a

way

to

shake

off the seriousness that

has the

sometimes

masks our arrogance and our fear. Indian people have used sometimes called Heyokah by the Lakota people or to play harmless jokes on their Tribes Koshari by the Hopi people so that the laughter can balance the sacredness of a Ceremony with

clowns

—

—

joy and irreverence. This ancient custom

seriousness of

human

is

life.

one way we can balance the sorrow and

With

the outpouring of belly laughs,

nothing can stick that could harm or limit our

ability to create.

We

can change our negative viewpoints in an instant with side-splitting laughter. If

you

are taking yourself too seriously,

some Heyokah Moon Medicine. Go drop your drawers, and

157

moon

into

the world!

you may want

your backyard

to try

at night,

SIXTH

MOON

STORY OF THE TIDES a-e

The children

sat

above the

watching the ocean waves from the

sea,

listening to the soft voice of a

cliff,

Grandmother showed

Grandmother spinning

living inside the shells in her basket, telling the shells taught the

One

Human

Tribe

of the curious

how

little

way she had each

that each child

day return

felt

would be

ones

the

question, and the

a

The Old One had

Along

the chil-

every feeling

sea, explaining that

sent into the world but

would one

to the sender.

The children watched

as

some flowers were drowned, others

washed ashore, and some, v/hich had not been thrown sat in the

how

the group to the shoreline.

child pick a flower.

dren throw their flowers into the

little

to listen to their feelings.

ones posed

Grandmother responded by taking the

a tale.

the children the sounds of the tides that were

far

enough,

sand waiting to be taken out to sea by the incoming

The Old One explained

that like the flowers

ings should be placed far

the feelings could not

enough

on the shore, good

into the seas of

come back

to the

tide.

life

to

feel-

be shared, or

sender as blessings. The

flowers that drowTied represented the bad feelings that needed to be

cleansed by salty

were meant

tears.

Grandmother explained

to hurt others

cause they, too, would eventually find their

The flowers erful ter

that rode

and the

tears that

way back

to the sender.

on the tops of the waves represented the pow-

image of all of life's

feelings flowed,

that the feelings that

should not be sent into the world, be-

feelings.

These feelings mirrored the laugh-

were lovingly shared with others. These shared

Hke the rhythms of the

seas, until the tides of

un-

derstanding brought them back to the shore that the heart called

home.

158

SIXTH

MOON

n

DEVOTION AND COMMITMENT

True devotion and commitment are never MADE WITH THE MIND. ThESE QUALITIES, WHICH ALLOW US TO EXPAND, TO CROW, AND TO BLOOM INTO OUR POTENTIAL, ARE DEVELOPED

THE HEART AND THE

Storyteller, the

lessons in

how

Clan Mother of the Sixth

to

them and can

Moon

Cycle, shows us

overcome our challenges through the

the responsibility of the listeners to sort out to

assist

them

THROUCH

SPIRIT.

many

tales she tells.

It is

which parts oj the story apply

in their personal

expansion or growth. The

application of the truths that each individual finds in a story must he

coupled with devotion and commitment. The individual's heart and spint

must desire change and personal betterment. Is

It

time to ask yourself

spirit in the

busy

life

again

in the

built

you have buried

you lead? Or has your

dom and apathy? Could imposed prison

ij

it

the desire of the heart

lack of desire brought bore-

be time to free the heart and spirit from a

from disappointments? Let

the past go

present by seeking any part of your personal

gave away through lack of devotion and commitment

159

and

to that

self-

and begin

dream you dream.

MOON

SIXTH

13

FRIENDSHIP 3-C

Friends selves.

show us many

The

words of

truthful

A

be bought or sold.

things about

how we

are reacting to our-

a friend are rare treasures that

cannot

speaks the truth in a manner that

real friend

who

supports our growth, never choosing to degrade or minimize

we to

are.

A fnend

add polish

at

accepts the rough edges that

our

own

time and in our

has the sensitivity to speak to us

we can

own

stormy waters. The lack of others

is

way.

and allows us

A valued

friend

upon

perfection.

are not fnends to themselves find themselves with

a multitude of acquaintances that will vanish

show

carr)-

m a way that urges us to be the best

personally be, without insisting

Those who

we

with the hrst sign of

sensitivity that these troubled people

merely a reflection of how they are internally treating

themselves. The inability to speak the truth to the Self destroys the potential of friendship sensitivity

toward the

between the

Self allows

into the circle of friendship that has

what we think and sensitive

direct

Self

one

to

its

and another.

draw others

basis in trust.

Stoiy teller, the Clan Mother of the Sixth

to us

Moon

mirror reflection that exists in every act of life.

selves with

it is

to

reflection

expenence.

Is it

and

we can

trust

to trust the

Cycle, reminds us of the If

of what we are

we

are seemingly being

internally doing to our-

self-rejection, the attacks stop

to stop the self-

happening

in

our

time to catch these negative, internal thoughts and

change them, finding something you can admire about you?

160

and

by another.

our own negative thoughts. Once we choose

hatred, self-criticism, life

a

If

toward ourselves, we can learn

words and thoughts presented

attacked by others,

Integrity

of high values

SIXTH MoohT^ir-^

'

'

-''^^-'^^^^^^*^-

APOLOCIES >z

Apologies come easily

To the insincere,

Who

never count the cost of

The words

that brought the tears.

Apologies are never heard

From

who blame

the ones

All others for their actions,

Instead of being ashamed.

The stubborn and self-righteous Refuse

to yield

or to obey

The quiet voice of conscience That knows the healing

way

Words hold much power,

And we can Our words Counted by

Our

choose

to

the love

we

sincere apology

When

use

as swords of anger, lose.

comes

our words have been

And our

unfair.

hearts can recognize

Another's feelings in need of repair.

Standing as the recipient of

Our

thoughtless actions or words

Gives us a

An

new

apology

161

—

perspective on

sincere

and

well deserved.

MOON

SIXTH

15

THE PEACE TREE

Great branches of the White Pine shaded the ground below as

Woodpecker gave eating the felt

good

little

to

the Peace Tree a

insects that

call

cleaning.

to feast

Wbodpecker was

on the inner bark.

It

be cleansed of the creepy-crawlers that had gotten under

the Peace Trees skin.

Pine to

good

had come

From time

on Woodpecker

to

to time,

perform

it

was necessary

this act of service.

for

White

Even the

Peace Tree had expenences that were a bother.

Woodpecker found joy

in eating the juicy

bugs that had

plagued his friend. White Pine. He realized that his mission of vice

was

to protect the peace

Peacekeeper of the

forest, of

feathers of Flicker, the

ser-

by ridding White Pine, who was the

unwanted

Woodpecker,

distractions.

To

this

day the

are highly prized for the

strength of their cleansing of negativity and for their protection.

Storyteller, the

thing

we allow

Clan Mother oj the Sixth

Moon

Cycle, shows us that any-

to get under our skin detracts from our

ability to find inner

peace. The judgmental words of others can reflect our need for outside ap-

proval.

We

can protect ourselves from the unjust opinions of others

through cleansing the negativity, adjusting our focus, and allowing the

Peace Tree

to

he our teacher

Is

something bothering you that should he

cleansed in order for you to rediscover and to protect your inner peace?

162

J

SIXTH

MOON

16

STORYTELLER 3-C Tell

me

Of the

a story, sweet Mother,

Ancestors and their days,

Ojhow

Walked with Beauty,

they

Learning the Medicine Ways.

As you I

am

relate the stories,

allowed

to see

The importance of every lesson

And how

it

applies to me.

Through another's example, I

share the laughter and the tears.

Through another's experience, I

learn

how

Together

love can

we can journey

Through those other Reclaiming

Of the

Storyteller, the

conquer fear

all the

legacies

left

times.

wisdom behind.

Clan Mother of the Sixth

Moon

Cycle, reminds us that

if

we

are willing to expand, growing beyond our former zone of comfort in a healthy way, is

we must pay

a story connected

How

to

attention to all of the events in our

every living thing and every person

that stoiy influences

our personal Earthwalks

willingness to see another's experience as a

way

is

in

lives.

There

our world.

determined by our

to learn

about ourselves.

We can become so self-obsessed that we never hear or see the opportunities surrounding us. We can be so numbed or broken by the burdens we carry that

we are

oblivious to the rest of

life

going on around

confusion, Storyteller asks us to see the similarities firuhng

ways

to learn

163

from the

stories

we

all

share

m in

us.

To unravel the

()urse/\es ar}d others,

common.

SIXTH

MOON

17

TRUTH TELLING

Having the audacityto tell the truth in the face of opposition and chaos, in the company of those who live with constant, self-created deception, is the mark of a peacemaker.

The choice

to dare to

speak the truth comes hard

fear retribution or lack of acceptance.

peace with the

Self,

for those

becoming accountable

for his or

tions, finds the truth easy to speak. Telling the truth

former the

lies

her

own

becomes

of being, rather than a dreaded experience. Learning to in all situations allows the

who

The person who has made

tell

a

ac-

way

the truth

speaker to be free from having to cover

with more deceptions. Peacemakers don't have to wage

war of fighting the enemy within; truthfulness has dissolved

their inner conflicts. Is

your

life?

164

it

time to apply the truth to

some turmoil

in

SIXTH

MOON

18

SPEAKINC WITH AUTHORITY

The person who speaks with authority usually knows what she or he

IS

about. Such speakers can use that authority to try to sway

others into accepting their point of view. This

person

who

is

not to say that every

speaks with authority has the best interests of others

mind.

in

True authority comes from the experience of having lived with

do anything our way, but

our decisions, not asking others

to

presenting another point of view.

When we

rather

speak from our personal

experiences and truths, our voices carry a certain ring of authenticity

This

the

is

There ter

way

to

is

sound of

sincerity

no substitute

for

communicate than speaking

rienced firsthand. Anything else or an intellectual belief.

and

in the

is

we open our

When we

is

no bet-

what one has expe-

someone

else's

opinion,

speak from the things we

know from

When

know

their expe-

we talk about heard another expound upon, we lose the

senses to learning.

what we\'e read or

pure of heart.

only of

hearsay,

are willing to listen to the things others

rience, is

found

openhearted truth. There

all

that

magic of experiencing these things ourselves. This kind of small is

for the sideline

ing the

game

of

observer of life

life.

The people who

have hard-earned authority The balance

found when the thinkers also become dedicated players.

165

talk

are actively playis

SIXTH

MOON.

ORIGINALITY AND TRADITION

The group of young mothers who wanted sat quietly as Stor}teller ries

we

explained the

become storytellers manner in which some stoto

became

traditional favorites.

"We

have our favorite stories that bring us memories of what

all

learned from those tales as

we were growing

ever taken the time to think of storyteller

who

Few

of us have

these stories evolved.

The

first

created the oldest of tales must have had a great

talent for originality

have endured

how

up.

to

The old

become

stories,

which taught us ways

to grow,

parts of our Traditions.

"The stories that lacked inspired creativity and originality have

been forgotten because they did not speak

way

That

IS

how

to grow, the purity that

the

of Tradition.

originality of thought that

We

to the listeners' hearts.

keep the goodness that teaches us

guides us in times of trouble, and the

shows

the

human

beings

how

to

con-

m life. We discard the things that no longer make sense, or cannot answer the needs of the People. "When a new idea or story comes along that applies to changing times, we should show our gratitude. These new solutions become important, especially when the story's answers help our young people. As the years pass, this so-called new tale earns being called Traditional, even though the origin is not as old as some other teachings. So 1 never want you young women to forget that your insight quer the challenges

and

originality give birth to

Traditional wisdom."

166

what our future generations

will call

SIXTH

MOON

20

FRUITFUL CULTURES

Thejruits of any culture Lie in the tales they weave,

Giving their inspiration,

Without trying

The

to deceive.

tale that tells of

courage

Invites us to be brave.

The

tale that tells of

Shows The

the reckless

waste

how

tale that tells oj

to save.

consequence

Brings warnings to the wise.

The

tale that asks us questions

Urges solutions we devise.

The

tale that

speaks of tnie love

Asks our hearts

The

Restores our

When With

The

May

to

open wide.

tale that tells oJ victories

human

pride.

these truths are

the greatest of

lessons

woven

human

care,

we can harvest

be answers to our prayers.

Those who weave the stones

Are an inspiration Harvesting the

And

167

to

humankind,

fruits of

wisdom

ojje ring food Jor the

mmd.

SIXTH

MOON

21

TESTING THE TRUTH 3-C

Irreverence

one way that the

is

Divine Trickster,

who

lives inside

CAN TEST THE TRUTHS OF ANY PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION, OR BODY ALL OF us,

OF KNOWLEDGE.

The philosophy,

religion, or

way

of

life

that contains

no humor can-

not survive. The lack of laughter or the ability to have good, clean fun

is

a red flag

truths that IS

warning

we wish

to

that

something

embrace by being

appropnate, cut loose!

If

is

their particular philosophy,

who espouse

the truth of

pay attention, then run

Although most Native Traditions don't have

168

We can test the When the time

the crazy antics of playfulness are not ac-

ceptable to the serious-minded people

lack of laughter

amiss.

irreverent.

and irreverence would be

a

concept

like hell.

for hell, the

close enough!

SIXTH

MOON

11

VANISHING CULTURES 3-C

Human

life

on our planet

orate.

The dreams

legend.

the legends,

die, the basic values of life deteri-

upon

of any culture are based

Not having any

When

shared dream.

a

is

myths, and stones are allowed to

larger-than-life role

the role

models of

models when the

tales

vanish, the following generations of any culture lose their drive to excel.

When

there

is

nothing to aspire

to,

dreams

die hard, leaving

the shared planetary dream resembling a nightmare.

Native American chronicles of oral legend and

Medicine

Stories.

These stories are

myth

Medicine

like

to

are called

our culture.

Through

the revival of our Ancient Teachings, our children are find-

ing their

own

The

Medicines

come

When

come

the

when

alive

the basic values of

heroines

their gifts

harmony and

tales of

forgiving,

—

and

abilities.

honesty, sharing

and

harmonious

living are told

and

retold, heroes

street.

gifi

it

and heroines

would be

Without the

can pass into oblivion.

time to find the myths of your genetic ancestry?

identify with the heroes

wonderful

and

becoming treasured teachers and friends. Wise Ones go silent, the dreams of the young wither,

storytellers, entire cultures

it

and

When

to life,

being replaced by the unhealthy values on the

Is

valor, loving

the Medicine Stories are told.

for

your

that represent

children,

of their roots. Ijyou do not have children, do

It

your

may

teachmg them it

be time to

culture.

What a

the strength

Jor yourself, and see

how

you understanding oj some part of yourself. You you carry the same needs oj today s youth; discovering

those stories can give

may find who you

that

are and where your roots

ing individual.

169

come from

gives strength to

anv grow-

SIXTH

MOON

SWALLOWED SOUNDS Has No Voice was

a

mystery

Medicine People of her Tribe. She

to the

had never spoken. The long years of silence had convinced her famthat she would never utter a word. The child heard and was able communicate through hand signs, but everyone had lost hope that she would ever sing or raise her voice in thanksgiving during Ceremony

ily

to

It

was

certain that

She was born under

Has No Voices childhood had been

a stand of

to bring her into the world.

strange.

willows where her mother had gone

The

hours of her young

first

life

were

when her Tribes camp was raided by enemys war party Has No Voices father found them

fraught with horrible events their nearest

and protected them, losing

One ill.

his

life

in the process.

day, in her seventh winter of

life,

Has No Voice was taken

She had eaten some bad food and was retching. The Medicine

Man was

called.

As Has

No

Voice

felt

her stomach convulse, a curi-

ous thing happened. Sounds came up with the rotten meal. More

sounds came out of her heard the cries of

as the

astounded members of her family

wounded and

smiled, as he explained that as a

sounds, knowing that

if

newborn she had swallowed

speech;

now

170

she

is

to

throw up her

new name when called Has No Fear. a

The Holy Man the

she cried, she and her mother would die.

The stomachache had allowed her

Has No Voice earned

fearful people.

fear

and

to heal.

she reclaimed her

gift

of

MOON

SIXTH

24

HARMONIOUS SPEAKINC Intelligence, built

on profound

the gift that allows any individual to speak with sensitivity,

is

HARMONY. Speaking with truth is

honest with the

more

difficult

used,

When

not too difhcult a lesson to learn

The

art of

because most people

to forget that brutal is

is

Self.

honesty

we never need

sensitivity

is

to

is

who

are honest

down our meaning

partnered with intelligence,

powers of perception

and

not always appreciated.

water

to notice

when one

speaking harmoniously

we

is

a bit

direct tend

If

sensitivity

or the truth. are using our

where we can bring harmony into

potentially upsetting situations. Respecting the vulnerability of

those

who

Ij you

be honest and gentle

trust us to

speaking the truth

in

is

the key to the art of

harmony

have noticed the shocked faces of others when you have been too

abrupt or insensitive, the shoes of others

own manner tion, give

it

might be time

and ask yourself

to

temper your words. Stand

if you would take offense

at

in

your

of speaking. If you are sitting on the other side of this situa-

a copy of this page to the offender Having been the offender and

the offended,

171

my

permission to copy

this

page

is

granted!

MOON

SIXTH

25

ETERNAL FLAWS

The universe at

its

is

flawless, evolving

own harmonious rhythm,

with raw creative force cuiding its every move. The only

eternal flaws in this universe

human bemgs Maybe

tion.

seem

to

that

is

one reason

faith

came

into being.

the overview for ourselves, noticing that the

need

be found in the way

msist on seeing Creation through the eyes of limita-

faith to take

whole

If is

us beyond our limitations. Even that

we

can't see

flawless,

human

we

frailty

has a perfect place in the Divine Plan. Perhaps the Great Mystery's intent

—

trust

was

After cally

to

confound the human mind so we could learn and figure it out!

all,

everything and every force in our universe

balanced and neutral.

It is

the

human

feeling, event, experience, person, or

Maybe through look

to

instead of trying to reason

faith

and

at life as just being.

172

trust

is

basi-

species that judges every

thought as being good or bad.

we can

stop labeling and begin to

SIXTH

MOON

26

DEFEATED BY ACE?

Her

old bones creaked

And

her pace was slow,

But her smile was hlindingly bright.

Her mind was

And

sharp,

her voice was kind,

Her manner was a

true delight.

The world had changed In the winters she'd

known,

But she bore their weight with pride.

She shared her wisdom

And

passed the goodness on,

Using her love of life as her guide.

She did not bow Using

life

to time,

as her stage,

She sought each mornings joy,

And

If

we

let

embrace

she was never defeated by age.

go of our vain atteny^ts the idea of our hearts

nally reahze that attitude

173

is

to

hide the wmters

we have

passed,

and

and mmds beingforever young, we may fi-

everything!

MOON

SIXTH

11

EMPTYING THE BURDEN BASKET

Deep

m the

woodlands

that

surrounded the vast

series of lakes,

Moon trudged up the last hill that led to her Tribes camp, carrying wood for the fire. It was not the wood her family would use, It was wood for another family whose members had fallen ill. The Night

muscles

in her legs

were trembling with the

effort of

having made

seven such trips on this day. She was cold in the pale afternoon

autumn winds

sun, with the late

nearly freezing the perspiration

on her body.

When

she arrived

camp, she was met by her Grandmother

at

and Grandfather. Their pained expressions told her

that she

was

going to hear something she might not be happy with. Grandfather

approached Night Moon, so she mustered the to adjust the

burden basket

spasming muscles would

full

ple ful,

to talk.

and never once did you ask

who were

still

wood and

her strength

stood as

tall

as her

to the

needs

allow.

"Granddaughter, we need of many,

of

last of

You have seen

for help

from other young peo-

healthy You have always been independent, help-

and resourceful. That makes us proud of you, but you have You are the only re-

forgotten the Great Mysterv's lessons of balance.

maining member of our family

We

want you

many humans

to

remember

here, so that

you need others

to share

shameful. There are learn hejore

how

many

to receive.

you become

174

who

that

has not died from the sickness.

you

we could

human. The Creator put

help one another. Saying that

your burden of helping the many different

to

is

not

humans are forced to empty your burden basket

ways

Are you willing

ill?"

are

that

SIXTH

MOON

THE OPEN MIND

The mind that contains no fixed judgments KNOWS authentic HUMILITY. Th E MASKS OF SELF-IMPORTANCE DO NOT CONTROL THOSE WHO ALLOW OTHERS TO SPEAK THEIR TRUTHS WITHOUT ANY OVERT OR COVERT CRITICISM. Th E HUMAN BEING WHO HAS THIS TYPE OF OPEN MIND IS DEVOID OF CARRYING OR DEVELOPING ANY TYPE OF SUPERIOR ATTITUDE.

Have you ever noticed

that the people

who

hold others in contempt,

using condescending behavior, are unable to hide their

critical

opin-

Have you ever noticed that making others wrong for theirs, attitude? Have you ever noticed that

ions and must voice their contempt?

those

who

espouse their

always carry

beliefs,

a self-righteous

who speak softly, being open to new ideas and are

those

generous with their praise of others,

are

at

Is it

time to see

how open your mind can become, by

judgments? The reward oj

175

peace with themselves?

this

kmd ojheahng

is

casting aside

authentic humility.

your

« -« ^

T^

*

r

^

Jim

^^

^

'

Jitf

A.

^

\

-/

,

^«

[4;i«

-':

.

Mhok ojCrc^:

..

.

„.

..

-.

in

pp-

The bridge offorp^eness tahes us across the abyss o( selj-imposcd separation

and i*€ learn

to gh'£ ai^'ay

our hwn and pain. Then the Eardi Modier

wdcomcs us home diraugh transformain^e tears and shcms us the heahng path

to wholeness.

176

SEVENTH

MOON

FINDING LOVE WITHIN >e

/

taste the

Red Earth

And acknowledge my humanness. IJeel the urge to create,

And my

spirit soars

Like the spirahng hawk. I

touch the

warmth

OJ Grandfather Sun So

my

heart will

Never grow Then

cold.

turn to the center

I

OJ my Sacred

Space,

Entering the Silence,

To rediscover the Eternal Flame of Love.

The Great Mystery placed the Eternal Flame of Love living thing. This flame

is

the connection that

glue that holds Creation together selves

and share

to be,

we assure

it

with

that

all

When we

makes

in the

us all family

will not

and

grow

life

forms

human

heart.

She teaches us how

intimacy as the guidelines for late to others in this

and what we

are,

179

right

cold.

Loves All Things, the Clan Mother of the Seventh Moon, guides us search of the

the

touch that love mside of our-

of Creation by respecting each

our hearts

center of every

all relationships.

to

m

use respect, trust,

When we

learn

how

the

and

to re-

manner, we can turn and face ourselves, loving who

becoming our own

best friend

MOON

SEVENTH

ALL ARE LOVED A$ FAMILY

Grandfather Sun shines on even- creed and his light to

one vanety of

Moon marks

race.

He does

not limit

one area of land. Grandmother

tree or

the passing of seasons

and

directs the flow of the tides

Child of Earth. The Mother Earth nurtures even.-

for ever}-

thing and

gi-\-es

hfe

abundant

to all

lumg

of the Earth Tribe. Father

Sky

houses the clouds, the thunder, the lightning, and the hfe-gi\ing rains.

The

and creatures

stones, plants,

Sisters are here to teach

motion so

set these creations in

their places in this family of All

It is

time to honor

resources.

We

this gift

to

all

are

our Brothers and

Two-legged humans could find

Our Relations.

ojfamily by

takmg our roles as Guardians of our

are being asked to become the gentle caretakers that the

Great Mystery intended us

coming

who

us about being human. The Great Myster\'

an end.

It is

to be.

time.

The separation of

Now we

must face

the Fourth

World

is

the enemies that dwell

within our hearts. The enemies of hatred and bitterness strangle our spirits

and harden our

hearts, telling us to cast aside the

wholeness. Loves All Things shows us that

one race

—

the

180

Human

Tribe.

we

dream of planetary

are one planet, one people,

SEVENTH

MOON

BURDENS OF THE SPIRIT WORLD

After Dropping the Robe and accepting physical death, the only burden human spirits carry with them into the spirit world isthe emotional pain

that they created by refusing to share their love with others during their physical life.

Loves All Things, the Clan Mother of the Seventh that every lives

is

moment

of physical

life is

precious.

Moon

Cycle, reminds us

Each human being

in

a rare living treasure that could instantly cease to he in our

This Clan

granted.

Mother teaches us

Tell

others

never take any person or relationship for

how much you

and companionship every they are gone. Regret

is

appreciation every day.

181

to

our

lives.

appreciate their love, support, humor,

day. There

is

never necessary

no turning back the clock after if

we

live

our love and show our

— SEVENTH

MOON

FOUNDATIONS

Foundations are the building blocks of ural world. Foundations

come

in fours.

all

the four parts of a plant, the four seasons, air,

earth, water,

and

fire.

have a foundation in order

The foundation ents that

things found in the nat-

The four cardinal

directions,

and the four elements

Ever)thmg we build

in

our

has to

lives

to sur\ave.

of any successful relationship has three ingredi-

must be present

—

respect, trust,

and intimacy. These three

cornerstones of the foundation bring the fourth ingredient into being. That fourth element

is

unity or working together for

unity When we employ the common goals, then we have

idea of

created

the foundation for love.

Love All Things, the Clan Mother of the Seventh that loving relationships revolve

Moon

Cycle, teaches us

around these jour elements, creating the

circle

of these relationships, assuring that the union will stand the

time.

When we

continue

through our devotion

that cannot he eroded.

182

to create respect,

to others,

and

trust,

their well-being,

intimacy,

tests

oj

and unity

we have a foundation

COMPASSION >c

Compassion has felt

the

burden

Of a body wracked with pain, Has wandered on and

And

off the path.

then returned again.

Compassion has borne

Of senseless,

And known That

life

and agonies

the fears

presents as

tests.

Compassion has been Cjyingfor comfort Facing

the brunt

brutal jests,

all the

the lonely child,

in the night,

demons alone

And praying for the

light.

Compassion has known

the struggle

Of healing bitterness and Refusing

to

hate,

pass the poison on.

Walking through freedom's gate.

Compassion has been Every

the face of

human pain and sorrow.

Compassion has held

the

dream

Of horizons and tomorrow. Compassion knows no judgment,

Having walked

all

And praises

weary warriors.

all

roads in time.

For the mountains they have climbed.

183

SEVENTH

MOON

CASUAL CALLOUSNESS

Children played near the racks of drying meat where their mothers

worked

a short distance

day and the cool

much work

to

river

away preparing

hides.

would have been

women

be done. The

It

was

a hot

summer

a blessing, but there

was

talked as they worked, but one

was boasting.

wasn't talking; she

Loud always bragged about her family, and her manwomen. She never thought about how her comments might be seen as making less of others. Her casual calSings Too

ner irritated the other

lousness tended to create a separation between the ally

worked together very

well,

women who usu-

mutually admiring one another's

families.

Grandmother Blue Feather was watching from Cottonwood

tree, listening to

the shade of a

Sings Too Loud, watching the effect of

her callous words on a young mother whose only child had been

made

Grandma

fun of by the casual, negative comments.

proached Sings Too Loud, asking her

to follow the

Old One

ap-

to the

Women s Lodge. At the lodge. Grandmother Blue Feathers eyes as she

spoke

to Sings

"Don't you see callous

filled

with tears

Too Loud.

how you

are hurting

your

sisters?

You have been

and unkind. Your words have cut the bonds of the

Sisterhood in two. that these

women

Creator gave you a to sing the praises

hold gift.

for ever)'

member

of this Tribal family?

Sings Too Loud, and that

of the goodness

you

gift

The

should be used

see in everyone. That praise

the love that holds any circle together."

184

Circle of

Why would you work so hard to destroy the love

is

SEVENTH

MOON

8

WEDDINC 5ON0

Sing

to

me,

my

husband, of days long gone.

OJ nights beneath a melon moon with Firelight flickering gently

Love's reflections on the

And

I

and

tipi walls.

Dreamwalker,

will sing to you,

Of sun-filled mornings, the call of doves,

My heart awakening within

the protection

Of your strong arms, greeting

And

we

together

Of those who

For we are

remember

will

their way, gatheiing the goodness

and returning

all that

.

.

.

Reflections of the quest for

And

spirit

will

our

.

Force

That forever exists

185

lives

always be

A part of the Within

life

or

within the breeze.

to that end,

For we

their love to the land.

has ever been and

All that ever will be

The

the songs

rode the wind before us.

As they made

Of the Earth

the day.

infinity.

.

.

.

.

.

are blessed

SEVENTH

MOON

PRODUCT OF LOVE

While the

river

moved

over rounded stones and Nighthawk circled

young mother whispered

in the twilight, the

who

suck-

and took root

m my

to the child

led at her breast.

"You are the blessing that heart,

for nine

You

one.

little

moons.

gave

It

many hours

toiled for

fell

me

sings!

that

you

The love

I

stars

my body

joy to

to give

Mothers magnetism drew you

"Now

from the

rested inside

and

carr)^ the

carried

I

burden of such

you birth and,

finally,

his.

I

want you

bear your father

He has

lent

me

his courage,

walked many "In you,

and

my that

trails

know how my heart He has

to

and

are

he has

am with

life

1

see

my

as Sacred

186

my

filled

that

he

gentleness,

with joy There

each day with song, brings

—and

all

is.

to share his

my heart with

have entwined

heart with desire,

Together,

we have

have faced each challenge heart-to-heart.

his cunosity In you,

fills

I

see his courage, his determination, his laughing eyes,

desire to Uve

endunng you

I

I

1

the stuff of dreams.

is

as well as his tears.

and he has respected who

love.

the Earth

into your Earthwalk.

are here,

walked the path of strength and has been strong enough

dreams with me,

you there

Mountain.

will forever be

—

is

a love

my

compassion, and

between your parents

a lightness to

our

steps,

remember always

I

want you

a

product of that love."

to

and

is

as

that

SEVENTH

MOON

10

GENTLENESS

Gentleness has melted

Many a

hardened heart,

Warming away

the

numbness,

Giving love a brand new

start.

Gentleness brings comfort, Like a soft

summer rain,

Cradling each weaiy child

From

the

hunger and the pain.

Gentleness smiles upon

Those who try

to

meet

Every challenge

in the

Without bowing

to defeat.

path

Gentleness comes to nurture those

Who have forgotten how to sing, And

with lovmg

Their

lives

arms

encircles

with healing dreams.

Gentleness walks a Sacred Path

Tenderly through the years,

Comforting every soul

And

187

in need,

through caring, dries their tears.

SEVENTH

MOON

11

CONTENTMENT

Contentment comes from an inner serenity

whole person. The Ancestors spoke of this

Walking

When

in Beauty.

people are

at

that permeates the

state of grace

and

called

it

peace with the world, the

inner peace that they carry shmes, allowing

all

who

see

them

to rec-

ognize their contentment. In the to

modern world where accumulating material things seems for contentment, we often see that material suc-

be the standard

Many

cess does not bring serenity

people discover that vanity

beauty, jewelry does not indicate a persons worth,

does not being

at

reflect a

not

and haughtiness

persons social rank. Contentment comes from

peace with the Self and with

tions to the

is

all life,

honoring one's connec-

whole without judgments.

Contentment

is

Cow's Medicine, teaching us

to find the joy ojheing,

rather

than the joy of having. Where would you find the truth about your personal contentment

found

in

being?

if

you were

to

make a

list

of what gives

you

the joys

SEVENTH

MOON

12

SEARCHING FOR THE OTHER HALF

The human

race

is

always searching for love, belonging, companion-

ship, approval, touch,

and genuine

caring.

human

These

desires are

present in every race, creed, sexual preference, and gender. For any

human

embark upon

to

must be

that quest, there

union. The mate that will walk with us through

down

cycles of

to find.

My

life

and

will

the desire for of the

all

be our trusted companion

is

up and

often hard

Elders called this special person the other half, or the

split-apart.

Every relationship teaches us about ourselves courage to look within, to see

how we

how we

if

we have

the

can learn from others, and

can heal the parts of our personalities that struggle against

union or unity In the most personal sense of the word, raw creative energy

our

is

released

when we come

split-apart. This

because

we

union grants us the potential

learn to trust in the

trust ourselves

may be many,

into alignment with our other half,

power

of love.

and our mates, divine union

the road

may be

long, but the

is at

not a lost dream, but

love

is

is

do

great things

learn to

hand. The lessons

human need

always eternal. The Great Mystery reminds us that is

to

When we for

union

is

this

kind of union

rather a tangible reality This

dream of true

given as a blessing to those

who

are willing to seek for their

other half, never denying their desire for union, and never losing sight of the hearts goal.

189

SEVENTH

MOON

LOVER'S QUEST >c

Blue thunder, night rain,

With echoes from Bring

the

pyramids

to

me home again.

Within these magic mountains,

A part of me remains, While another part goes searching

For a lover without a name.

Through misty realms of other dreams His

memory

is

my

quest.

His arms so strong, his heart so hold,

Would bring me

And

though

War cries 1

I

to

my

rest.

hear within

my mind

before the ancient flames,

hear the murmurs of love songs

As

I

sing

But can

it

be our paths shall meet,

Only

to cross

Or is

it

that

and go on alone?

our spints are bound,

And our hearts,

190

too,

Dreamwalkers name.

each others homes.

SEVENTH

MOON

14

THE BLESSING OF

The Great Mystery took of Creation.

The

HUMAN TOUCH

the breath of

spirits of the

life

and blew

Two-leggeds, the

it

into every part

human beings, were

given freewill and intellect so that they could learn about the tangible world in their

own unique ways. The Maker of All Things put the human beings, and that flame cre-

Eternal Flame of Love inside the

ated a deep longing in them. This longing for union and for love was

coupled with the blessing of human touch, all

sensuality, sexuality,

and

physical sensation.

This

gift

of love contains the blessings of procreation, physical

communication, nurturing, pleasure, and sensual touch. Physical love

is

a sacred part of being

human and carries with it

of Divine Union. To abuse this intent.

of love

is

to

dishonor the Creators

To sexually shame another, or to misuse ones desire

pling through force,

union. The Ancient tile

gift

the reflection

is

to defile the blessing of

Ones understood

191

for

cou-

touch and

that this misuse of sacred, fer-

union could bring scarcity and hard times

the guidelines of respect, trust,

human

and intimacy

to

anyone who broke

SEVENTH

MOON

LOVES ALL TH INCS

me ho^^' to love my human fear; Teach me all the joys of life

Mother, show

Beyond

Beyond

the \eil of tears.

me find the pleasure of

Let

A lovers gentle hands; me know the wisdom of

Let

Respect without demands.

Oh, Keeper of For^xeness, Teach

me how to see

Beyond

the petty judgments.

human dignity.

Supporting

I

will learn your

Of Mother,

Medicine

lo\'er, friend.

Teaching others

And broken

how

to love

hearts to mend.

Moon

Loves All Things, the Clan Mother of the Seventh that to

lo\'e is

a many-faceted jewel that gives humans the strength they need

meet the challenges of

through

all

ditionally,

and

to

go

Cycle, reminds us

of the barriers is

a

lifetime's

to the next

cooperation

—

Cherishing one another, and working

ue show our

work. WTien

level

is

ine a lo\ing environment,

willingness to stretch

of life's dance with others,

the equal desire to grow in unity

bridled creation. Desire

192

life.

we have created that keep us from loving uncon-

—

is

we grow.

the foundation for un-

the first step of Creation. If we desire

we imite

it

to

This act of

manifest in our

lives.

and imag-

SEVENTH

MOON

16

HEART DRUM

When we

have made our desire

passion for hfe, the find joy in the

drums

for

union known by reclaiming our

of our hearts call out to others.

ment, others are drawTi to

us.

The

gift

that kind of happiness.

when

The heart drum

there

is

excite-

of a positive point of \iew

sure magnet that creates a curiosity in others

not be denied

When we

commonplace, meeting each day with genuine

is

a lightness in

who want

is

a

to discover

pla\ing a melody that can-

our steps and a twinkle in

our eyes.

The ^Ancestors

When

a

called this state of being

person walks through

life in this

Walking

in

Beauty

joyous manner, he or she

has found union within the Self and can share that love with others.

That persons heart spirit of the

drum

will call to others

who

When we

are

down, we can change our

hearts' sad

finding things to admire and appreciate about our

our \iewpoints to gratitude, we

Our full

heart

can recognize the

happy hearts song.

drum cannot

of praise.

193

call

will not

lives.

melody by

By changing

draw negative people

sad or miserable souls to us

to us.

when

it

is

.

•^^NXl TRUSTE

FRIEND

D

You touched

my heart

and it sang of a song longjorgotten.

You spoke

to

me of dreams,

and I allowed you a pan of me

to

that

You opened a window

dlawing me

know

was painfuUy shy. to

my soul,

be myself

to

and the wind came to cleanse

my fear of intimacy with the fragrance of cedar

Your waMng stick

left

trachs across

the tTcnls I follow in

Andno\%' 1

—

my drean^,

am reaching beyond that memory, into the distance offuture.

Wondering when

.

.

the lea\es will change,

and when \ou wiR

194

return.

SEVENTH Ml

.

.-.y^L-cL.

grainjrf insais

sTir:

i

7*^^ Tytilgtpr ;>

:incrw!£

iT"^

rocs 'ir

f z-^iTDf

:

:'""'

'i?(f

r

Tnjmgn^kTTu'J

&«!rr

J^ cni re i fn^r .

•r "-./

.

-:

•kiTnrtKr

f!::

.

ccDCidJ^ lias fcmd

x./~. i/'--

:

:*ir

yc.

MOON

SEVENTH

19

SAVAGE PASSION

Buried deep for

life.

brace

m the heart of even* human

To love and

life

to

to its fullest

is

a savage,

wanton passion

be loved, to go beyond su nival and

—

to

em-

these are the primal drives of the heart that

allow us to continue, even

m the

face of

all

opposition. These feel-

become suppressed in so many humans that the passion of primal, lo\ing instinct has almost come to extinction in many sophisticated nations. Some call this passion animalistic. The ings have

Ancestors called

grims on

life's

it

the Force behind Di\ine Creation. Todays pil-

road can choose to give

it

another

Loves All Things, the Clan Mother oj the Seventh

name

Moon

the pitfalls of losing the wanton, savage passion for

that complacency has replaced our love of

our lives cannot he improved.

life

life.

rven' rime

We forget how many

times

—

love.

Cycle, shows us

She reminds us

we

believe that

we have compro-

mised parts of our personal aspirations and dreams. By not loving ourselves

enough

to

keep the dream

abilities, rejecting

tled

we have

our personal

lost trust in

away, the raw passion of creative force disappears in fragments, mir-

roring every part of our It

alive,

our tenacity and strength. Wlien our dreams are whit-

may

life

dreams

that

we have

denied.

he time to love yourself enough to reclaim those

dream and

to

196

lost

parts of your

reawaken your savage, wanton passion for life.

MOON

SEVENTH

20

THE GIFTED ONES

A person who can take feelings in others,

those

who

is

the ordinary

and illuminate

often called a creative genius.

it,

invoking deep

The Ancestors

carry that talent the Gifted Ones. These are the

call

human

beings whose hearts are open to the flow of the inspired myster}' of Creation.

Once a persons heart creative flow

is

is

opened and they discover the wonder ojhje, the

available.

As long as

the heart stays open,

it

is

filled to

overflowing, because the constant river of Creation flows through that person's entire being. tice,

They can then create from pure joy, and with prac-

they can hone their

skills to

thing they choose to create. in love,

make

Some

masterpieces of their

but not necessarily with another person.

aliveness oj being a

human

lives

called this state being in love.

being on

this

It is

and anyIt is

being

being in love with the

wonderfld planet, grasping and

claiming the potential joy in every act of life Is

it

time for you to open your heart and to Jail in love with being

197

human?

SEVENTH

MOON

PUPPY LOVE

Before a

human

feeling, there

being becomes

comes

c\Tiical.

a special, first love.

deep abiding emotions

that a

hard-hearted, or lackmg

For adults

young person has

to

discount the

another

for

nally insensitive. That hurt can turn a heart cold, causing in

it

is

crimi-

to rebel

an unhealthy way Yes,

it

may

not be time for the young person to indulge in

thoughts of sexuality and marnage, but the well of feelings should

be honored. The mistake some parents make love.

They may even discount the choice

made by making damaging and

is

that the

laugh at puppy young person has

to

ugly remarks about the child's sweetheart. This

gives the offspnng a

whole

is

set of

new

Moon

Cycle, reminds us that

feelings of mis-

trust.

Loxes All Things, Clan Mother of the Seventh

some of the adolescents.

greatest romances found in legends were between passionate

The

sensitivity

the adults responsibility.

grow up

in this

modern

It

it

is

takes to handle a situation with delicacy

is

already very painful for young people

to

culture \\ithout adults using jaded callousness to

and

time for you

stamp out

heartfelt innocence

remember

the special feelings that you encountered duiing your first love?

198

loving expression.

Is it

to

SEVENTH

MOON

22

PARENTING WITH LOVE

Our parents make

the saaifice

Of providing through

the years.

Tending their precious offspiing,

Through the joys and the

tears.

Being caring and generous,

And

then having to he stern,

Giving

Of the

all

the guidelines

lessons to be learned.

The bumps and the The

vigils

illnesses,

through the night,

Endearing hugs of innocence, Givingparents such

Then finding Duiing

delight.

the balance,

the rebellious teens,

By teaching common Yet allowing

them

sense,

their dreams.

Parenting children with love Is

a

Yet

test

of hopes

and

fears.

produces a rare treasure

That we can respect and revere

199

SEVENTH

MOON

23

THE COLD VACUUM OF REJECTION

Any time that one human being forms a bond of caring with another, there are energ\- lines that connect the two. Seers are aware of these

golden filaments that go from one person

to another.

These Imes of

connected through the heart and navel areas of the bod\

energ\- are

Although most people are not aware of the energetic connections. they can be

felt

as emotions.

When a person cares for another and is rejected, it can be devastating.

The

energv' lines act like a giant rubber band,

one end, they

and when cut

at

slammmg into the other person's body. There pam when the energ\' lines implode into a A vacuum is created when the feelings are only prerecoil,

can be actual physical persons sent

belly.

on one

side of a relationship.

The examples throughout

histor\- of

people dNing of a broken

heart are applicable here. Energ\' lines have recoiled, wxapping

themselves tightly mside the physical body, disallowing the to flow. In

some

life

force

instances, the rejection can be healed naturally over

time. In other instances, physical illness

may

follow. In all cases, the

healing process requires tenderness and compassion, untangling the hfe force

from the imploded

lines of energ):

volved determines the rejections impact and

Kncfwing this, can siti\ity'

we learn

when we deal with

and-run

to

ability to

who care for its,

in-

wound.

use compassionate communication

others

tactics that reek of cowardice?

loo

The depth of caring

and sen-

instead of using the cut-

MOON

SEVENTH

24

ABUSE OR LOVE?

In

matnlmeal Native American

riage blanket, leave

and hunting

community

gear,

Tribes, a

woman

could tear a mar-

outside the lodge with her husbands clothing

it

and the relationship was

no divorce

property,

courts,

over.

No

questions, no

and no worries about

fur-

ther abuse.

Today, things are

more complex. The custody

of children, the

monetar}- support, the home, and the fears of not being emotionally

supported by friends or family have taken their xAbuse of any kind, toward any family

tolls.

member,

is

common,

a

but unacceptable, illness in our world. The courage to change those situations

is

found when people love themselves enough

to say,

'No

more!" The fear of future consequences must be balanced with the

understanding that unless the pattern of allomng abuse nothing gets healed. The understanding needed person (and possibly others) are

lowed

is

is

that

changed,

ones own

time an abuser

at risk ever}-

is al-

to continue the behavior.

Ever)' dignity,

human being needs to

and an abuse-free

life.

To

ings of self-rejection, self-hatred, to love the Self

is

realize that they are settle for less is to

and unrelenting

worthy of love, harbor the

denial.

The

feel-

ability

earned every time a person makes the decision to

break the pattern of abuse.

Are you willing

to love

ward yourself or at If your life

is

the

yourself enough to say no

to

to-

hands of another?

abuse free, are you willing

to

be thankful for that blessing,

serving as a healing example of courage for others?

201

abusive behavior

SEVENTH

LOVE

MOON

AND ENDEARMENTS

The preparation

for the wedding was underway as all the Tribal Members prepared food for the feast, cleared the Ceremonial Circle, and donned their finest regalia. It was a joyous time because the couple, which would jump the fire together, were loved by ever\-one. Finally the time arrived when the couple approached the fire to-

gether.

The Holy Man smiled

two held

for

one another and

as

he recognized the love that these

for their

community Endeanng words

of appreciation for the support of their families were spoken

by the

bride and the groom. Then, each took their turns at speaking to the other, expressing their

jumped

the

fire,

enduring promises of union. Together, they

hanging

the Eternal

Flame of Love

that dwelt in

each together as one.

When he flected

returned to his lodge

on the events of the one had done

this

Holy

Man re-

day. In his pensive mood, one memor)'

kept on returning to his thoughts.

what

late that night, the

today.

No

other couple had ever done

They spoke

the individual terms of

endearment and the usual promises of commitment and devotion. Their eyes had glowed with the love they held for one another.

was

It

that

made

Sudden

this

What

couple seem so different?

came

realization

to the

Wise One

like a flash of desert

lightning! This couple pledged the Medicine contained in their love for

one another

to the

magnitude of their

202

community, sharing with

love!

all

the People the

SEVENTH

MOON

26

DESIRE FOR A LASTING LOVE

Is

there a love so enduring.

It

can pass the

tests

of years?

Is

there a heart so forgiving,

It

can heal beyond the tears?

Can Is

there be a lover

willing to

The

and

trials

who

embrace the passion

With an equal grace? Every heart has these questions.

human Jeels

Every

Wanting a Will

it

love

it

revere.

fade with the years?

That potential If our hearts

human

we can

be a lasting love?

Or will

Every

these fears.

and intimacy.

Respect, trust,

being

is

lies

within us.

will persevere.

given the opportunity

to

learn

and

to

grow through

relationships. These relationships begin with the selj to the Self, then ex-

pand

to include

grow

to include friends,

and

a mate and family Erom there, the

the universe.

The key

ingness to be flexible

unrelcnimgLarc. will grow.

How

today?

203

IS

co-workers,

It

all

to all these

and grow. Love

may grow m

human

circles of relationship

beings, nature, the planet,

growth processes

is

will last as long as

a diffcrcnl

wav from

its

found it

is

in the will-

tended with

fust intent, hut H

the Eternal I'lame of Love being nuf luted in \out heatt

SEVENTH

MOON

BALANCING OUR SEXUALITY

To DENY one's

sexuality or to

BECOME A SLAVE TO PLEASURE

IS

In the Native American Earth.

ITS

PHYSICAL

IMBALANCE.

way of life, we understand

that

we

are of the

We are given human bodies and eternal spirits so that we can

expenence the balance between the two.

human

If all

human

species

beings were to deny would become extmct.

the drive to procreate, the If all

humans were

to

deny

the need to be touched, to be hugged, or to be pleasured sexually

we

would become hard-heaned robots. On the other hand, if all humans were to become slaves to the physical senses and sexualit); we would never be free enough to discover the unlimited worlds of our mfinite spints.

Discovering the pleasures of physicality and spirituality by bringing both into balance allows

humankind

to experience

heaven

human form. To love the truth of being human is to see that human beings were created in wholeness and perfection. The Great Myster}' did not make any mistakes when humankind was created. If we leam the balancing acts of being human, without iudements. we can have it all. and Earth

inside of the

104

SEVENTH

MOON

28

SEDUCTION OF THE SENSES 5C

Relationships that are based on mutual respect, trust, and intimacy are enduring. All

human

beings have the potential to find and de-

velop these types of relationships,

own shortcomings and

their

In the beginning of

if

many

people have learned

ducers. To seduce another's senses is

work through

any relationship, the use of discernment

necessary In todays world,

other wants to hear

they are willing to

allow others to do the same.

how

to

is

be se-

by saying what one thinks the

an act of dishonesty To behave one way

in

order to attain another's trust, while denying one's true intent or nature, is

an

act of cowardice.

The

labels

human beings have

affixed to

these behaviors are social climber, gold digger, user, seducer, yes-

man, home wrecker, scam tragic

misuses of

human

artist,

gigolo, groupie,

and so

potential defy explanation.

forth.

These

The ultimate

lessons of allowing ourselves to be seduced by our senses, or our

longings to be accepted, admired, or loved, are often very painful.

Honesty

in all relationships begins within. If

ward ourselves, using by examining our traits) in

Is

a tunc

others

to

self-respect, self-trust,

we

are loving to-

and honest intimacy

intents, discerning these traits (or the lack of these

becomes an easy

task.

examine whether you have ever been seduced or have been a

seducer through your lack oj honesty with the Self?

205

EIGHTH

MOON

YOU CAN HEAL 3-C

There

nothing that has been done to you or that you have done to

is

yourself that the Great Mystery and the Earth Mother cannot heal.

She

Who

Heals

is

the

Clan Mother of the Healing Arts, who teaches us

about the miracles ojhealing. There

is

a force greater than our

derstanding that suggests that the desire ful than

to live

any medication, operation, or healing

one's connection to the

to heal

art.

is

human

to all living things.

un-

more power-

To give up

is

to forget

Creator and the Earth Mother, as well as

promise of healing that was given

207

and

this

MOON

EIGHTH

HEALING MISSION 3-e

Before the Two-leggeds and the Creature-beings arrived on the planet, the Earth

Mother decreed

that there

disease

among

healed.

The power of healing any

would be no

illness or

the ones with physical bodies that could not be illnesses

was given

to the Plant

People.

The creatures were given

instinct so that they

them when they

would know

which plants were going

to heal

Human

watch the Creature-teachers

Tribe

was

learn from them.

told to

The human beings learned

The

felt unfit.

for a while,

in order to

and then,

in

arrogance, they adopted the idea that they were superior to the other creatures.

The Earth Mother frowned, because natural world her

human

brought upon themselves. Relations. all

the further

children strayed, the Finally,

away from

more

the

illness they

they had infected All Their

The Earth Mother cleansed the natural world by freezing

the sickness

and

started over.

Those who survived had heard the Mothers voice and were willing to respect their plant

Human Tribe

is still

and creature

Relations.

looking for the pieces of the

lost

To

this day, the

healing knowl-

edge held by the Plant Tribe. The Earth Mother and the Great Myster)' have promised that those cures are discover)-. fail

in

They have

our missions

promised

to heal that

to clean the parts of

^08

also

still

there, awaiting re-

to freeze the Earth again

which we have made

our world we have harmed.

sick

—

if

or if we

we fail

EIGHTH

MOON

THE ROLE OF HEALINO 3-:

many unseen factors present when a person asks for a Some people feel they need to keep their illness in order to love. In order to give love, others may need to have the role

There are healing.

receive

of taking care of an invalid.

A

healer or Medicine Person

is

only a conduit for healing. The

Medicine Person has to put aside any personal need

coming from actual work. sent, along

a

to

be successful,

pure heart and allowing the Great Myster)- to do the

The

desire of the sick person to get well has to be pre-

with that persons willingness to

let

go of whatever cre-

ated the illness. The sick person must trust that the Creator can

work

through the Medicine Person, letting go of hopelessness, thereby being willing to receive the healing.

No

healing

is

ever a failure. The only failure

is

in giving a heal-

ing to boost ones self-importance or in refusing to receive healing

order to punish the Self or another.

209

m

EIGHTH

MOON

OATHERINO HERBS 3-C

To gather the heaUng herbs that would be used in her rernedies, a Medicine

Woman would

before

rise

prayers, giving thanks for the day.

touched the plants, she would go

dawn and do her morning

When

the

first

rays of sunlight

to the largest plant of that variety,

asking permission to take only what she needed. That Chief Plant

could give or deny permission by speaking to the woman's heart.

permission was granted, she would pass the

first

If

seven plants with-

out taking anything, in order to leave enough for the next seven generations.

At each plant she approached, she would ask for that plant to give of to

Its

healing power.

If

the request

was denied, she would move

another plant, only gathering those that were willing to give of

their

life

force to help her

early hour, while the

was

at its height.

less life force for

make

dew was

To gather

still

healing herbal remedies. At that life

force of the plant

the heat of the

day would mean

present, the

later, in

her remedies.

The Medicine Woman's respect plants willingness to assist

of the Plant Tribe,

humankind, allows us

to see

and the

why

those

remedies carried strong Medicine. Working with the unified flow of all

things

m the natural world

more potent solutions

210

—

is

one way that humankind can access

reverently, taking

and using

less.

MOON

EIGHTH

WOUNDED

SPIRITS

>c

Oh, you of wounded I

spirits,

offer you a place of rest;

Walk among my mountains.

And climb

to Eagle's nest.

Come swim amid my Or feel my Sit beside

oceans,

desert's fire.

running waters

To reclaim your heart's desire.

Seek

my silent forests,

Or walk my open plains, Travel the deepest jungles 'Til I

you hear my loves

refrain.

am always waiting

To allow each child to heal, To cradle the

And

wounded

teach them

how

spirits,

to feel.

am the Earth Mother, Who loves without regret. I

Tending

Who

all

my

have paid

iii

children,

through tears all debts.

EIGHTH

MOON

DEATH WISH 3-C

The

bitter

young woman could

no more. She had hurt and shame

guilt

that

weighted

and now,

into the world,

take the jealousy that ate her spirit

burden of

the ones she lo.ved. She carried a ever)^ step.

friendless

She had

her hatred

spit

and alone, she cried out

to the

Great Mysier)^. "Great and Eternal Mystery,

m

hate and be reborn

and

that

my eyes be healed.

person around me. ing,

love.

I

I

I

ask that

I

1

may

die to the

have chosen

to see

cannot do

it

me

lifted

wickedness in every

have looked without seeing, taken without giv-

blamed without reason, and shamed others without

poison within

ways of

ask that this hateful burden be

has hardened

my

heart and

regret.

numbed my

The

senses.

I

alone, please help me!"

The Creator

sent the Earth

Mother

to help the

woman who

sobbed, cr)'ing out in her pain. The Earth Mother whispered to her erring daughter, and through the tears the

"Daughter, this

is

not the end;

it is

woman heard.

the beginning.

on the mend because you have recognized the

You

are free

sorrow.

been

You

now

to die a

little

are also free to

available.

Your heart

folly of

is

your ways.

each day, giving away your pain and

be reborn into the love that has always

Your burden has been heavy, but

now you

are

home.

Forgiving yourself, and learning to give caring back to those you

have hurt,

vou

is

rest."

2M

the

way

to heal.

Come

cradle

m my arms, and

I

will give

EIGHTH

MOON

HEALING THE POISONS a-c

Throughout time, with bitterness.

as

We

human

beings,

we have poisoned our

hearts

have poisoned our thoughts with jealousy and

We have poisoned our bodies with unhealthy foods and artifisubstances. We have poisoned our spirits with our lack of grati-

greed. cial

tude. In this sickened state, the this

crooked

We

trail

have

in the soil,

human

race has lost sight of

dumped

chemicals into the waters, buried the toxins

poisoning the Earth, the creatures, and the Plant People.

Many humans

feel

helpless to stop the ravaging that

on the Earth Mother. To

find the solutions,

We

are

is

taking place

we must begin

by being conscious of how we can contribute clean up.

what

has done to the world around us.

to the

at

home

answers and the

being asked to recycle, to reuse, and to be con-

scious of our consumption.

On a personal level, we are being asked to clean up and heal our thoughts, our emotions, our intentions, our old pain, our denials,

our physical health, and our actions.

When we become

personally

responsible for the healing of ever)^ thought, action, intention, and

deed

in

our

lives, the rest

Are you ready? Get out

of the world will heal along with us.

the scouring

powder and decide which kinds

sons in your hjeyou would hke to start on first.

213

of poi-

EIGHTH

MOON

8

THE PURPOSE OF MOURNINO

When a loved one dies, we mourn our losses.

In

many cultures,

ple are taught to grieve with near-silent tears because to

apart. In other cultures, professional

fall

families to wail, cry,

members

and

in accessing

Among ing: cutting

off,

peo-

unseemly

are hired

by

bereaved family

their deepest griefs.

Indian People, there have been

ones hair

mourners

tear their hair to assist the

and releasmg

it is

many forms

of

mourn-

blackening ones face with soot, or going

alone to a solitary place and making cuts on the ankles and forearms to allow the

blood

to flow into the Earth Mother. In

ancient custom was to burn

all

some

Tribes, the

possessions of the deceased, never

speaking the persons name again, so that the loved one's

would not be drawn back In

all

cases, the

spirit

to the physical world.

Red Race taught the mourners

and cry

to wail

out their pain and sorrow. The purpose of mourning was to empty the

burden of gnef from the bodies of those who remained behind.

Our Wise Ancestors understood

that grieving

ing process. Talking about sorrow can the tears,

what

IS

Dropped

Wheel

She

and wail out

in the past.

the

Robe

all

the feelings,

The mourner and are

both

free to

was

impound is

a part of the heal-

the burden. To shed

to free the

mourner from

the spirit of the one

go on

who

has

on

the

to the next step

of Life.

Who Heals

reminds us that

if

we

are stuck in memories of the past,

we

can heal through grieving and releasing these sorrows. Then, we are ready to face

our

lives,

214

being present and aware of the Now.

EIGHTH

MOON

RELEASING THE SPIRIT

It is

the

custom among many Traditional Natives

to release the spirit

who has died. This custom was originally used to animals who provided food for the families of hunters.

of any creature

thank the

The hunter would show respect

for the

life

of that creature,

and

re-

turn thanks for the sacrifice the creature made, apologizing for taking

An

its life.

accompany

offering of tobacco, corn pollen, or

a prayer of gratitude

and releasing

that

cornmeal would would allow that

creatures spirit to return to the Creator.

Among our Traditional People, showing deep respect

this

ceremony

any creatures

for

life.

whether the death occurred during hunting or

When

'roadkill."

power role

it

any creature

is

hit

by

is still

done

Respect if

a car or dies

is

today,

showTi

the animal

by

is

a

flying into a

shown by acknowledging the Our Relations. To release the spirits of

line, the respect for that life is

held in the family of All

our creature Relations cousins,

life

by going on

would not be complete. These

hold

honor our

roles as

215

a

all

can then continue

living things,

we acknowledge

and

their purposes.

for the

We also

Guardians and caretakers. As Guardians, we ac-

knowledge the completion of Wheel, allowing

spirits

on the Medicine Wheel of Life.

gratitude toward

in Creation,

without our creature

to recognize that

to their next step

When we show roles they

is

new cycle

that

to

life

forms cycle on the Medicine

be born.

EIGHTH

MOON

10

HEALING PRAYER

Mother, teach

me how

to

heal

Thejeehngs inside of me; Teach

me how

to respect all life

With burgeoning

Show me

humility.

the path

away from

abuse,

Where everything sings of life, Where heartache

is

Of ancient, human Let

my

just a

memory

stnje.

spint be healed

Until dying holds no fear.

Where

rebirth

Bringing

is

welcomed,

me joyous

tears.

These are the things that

For

1

want

to truly

I

desire.

know,

The pathways and healing passage Through the dark night of the

216

soul.

HEALING AND PATIENCE

Patience

is

a quality that is necessaty in order to

We

have any kind of

modern lives and to accomplish as much as possible in a day Yet, when it comes to the body we cannot hurry the healing process. The body repairs ithealing take place.

self at its

own

rate.

are taught to rush about in our

Babies are born in their

ken bones mend when the body cells,

and there

is

no way

a

is

own

time. Cuts

and bro-

new mend

strong enough to produce

human being can

force the

body

to

faster.

In Native tience.

to

We see

American

culture,

we honor any person who

the quality of patience as a teacher that

has pa-

shows us how-

slow down. The calmness that people employ in their day-to-day

lives is a sure sign of balance.

raing, fidgeting, or actively

persons agitation with

life.

When

a

engaged

person has to be talking, hurall

the time, this reflects that

This constant agitation shows the astute

observer that the person has not

come

to a place of healing. Physical,

mental, emotional, and spiritual healing cannot take place without patience and stillness.

217

EIGHTH

MOON

12

HEALING HEARTACHE

my

heart was breaking;

I

looked to find

I

could not stop the pain,

Not

then,

or now. In the place

where

Betrayal stood

My

tears

trust .

.

.

had been,

alone

would haxe

Had I had

.

.

.

the victor

filled

an ocean

.

.

.

the strength to cry.

Privacy appears on

my

doorstep

with the night,

And

with the night comes

my

loneliness

and my fear The Earth Mothers love has made me so tonight

I

will let the hills

and my company

218

stronger,

hold

me

.

will be the wind.

.

.

EIGHTH

MOON

13

HEALINC FRUSTRATION

When IS

and anxiety overwhelm our sense of well-being,

frustration

it

time to take a break. Nothing can be done about the confusion or

the lack of clarity the situation. short,

we

when we

are in the

When everything we

are out of sync with

same environment

touch or

tr)'

to

that created

do ends up

falling

our bodys rhythms, the Thought

World, and the rhythms of the Earth Mother that allow our

lives to

flow with ease.

Healing activity.

That

this type of frustration is is

to say that

accomplished by stopping

we can change

ease of desired manifestation,

all

the chaos, allowing the

by changing our

internal rhythms.

Taking a walk and breathing deeply, calming the senses, and notic-

we can admire about the outdoors can shift our perfeel the new rhythm of calmness flow through our bodies, we will then be stepping into a new point of view, allowing clarity to come. When we see the clear picture of what we want and intend, we ask the Earth Mother to bless that idea or mental picture by manifesting it in the tangible world. When we show our gratitude for new clarity and the manifestation of our ideas, we have ing things that

ceptions.

When we

completed the World.

We

circle

between the Thought World and the Natural

have then healed our frustration by being

in

sync with

we become the connection that brings the two worlds together as one. From this point of balance, all things become possible and we can create at will. both worlds, and

2^9

MOON

lOHTH

14

PERSONAL DEATH AND REBIRTH CYCLES

When we

look

things. All

gmnmgs

at life cycles,

human

m

new address,

how

a

moon

marking

and

rebirth in

life

death cycle

starts a

cycles carry deaths that are

divorce, job change,

cycles plus

fifty-eight

days

two new moon days

—

— two twenty-

prior to a birth-

a Rite of Passage that consists of reviewing the events

this process

m

comes

letting

go of the

in their personal death

if

for

growth and further development hold

people are willing to

have held regarding their

and must be

past.

let

go of any judgment they

These regrets have no place in the

laid to rest,

along with any

personal criticism. Being authentically aware of the ties

dawning

birth.

The opportunities special promise

For

Most

of the day of their birth,

forgetting that they are beginning a rebirth cycle at the sun's

on the day of their

past.

the form of sadness or stress.

human beings do not know that they are cycle. Many come to resent the anniversary'

birth cycle

all

be-

person operates in the sphere of the tangi-

and lessons of the prior year and then some,

death,

many endings and many

or birthday

Every person

day,

fertility,

The changes or deaths can be labeled

ble world.

eight-day

see

These

their lifetimes.

merely changes in

we

beings go through

self- rejection

new

re-

or

opportuni-

placed in our paths requires some work. This Rite of Passage

calls for

fore, forgiveness of others

brace the

new with

a

happy

can begin again without in their lives.

220

and the

acceptance of what has gone beSelf,

and

heart. In this

regret,

a

determination to em-

manner,

all

human

beings

allowing the mystery of life to unfold

EIGHTH

MOON

WHO

SHE

HEALS

me a song

Mother, sing

That

15

my pain,

will ease

Mend broken

bones,

Bring wholeness again.

Catch

my babies

When

they are born,

Sing

my death song, me how

Teach

Show me Of the

mourn.

to

the Medicine

healingherbs,

The value of spirit, The way

I

can serve. •

my

Mother, heal

So that

I

heart

can see

The gifts oj yours That can

She

Who

live

through me.

Heals, the Clan

mankind

that every act of

When we

learn

how

to let

Mother of life is

the Eighth

Moon

Cycle, shows hu-

a cycle or step on the path

go of our need

to

hold on to the past,

to

healmg.

we

heal our

When wc find courage and faith inour fear of future. When wc refuse to mentally

formerly limited potential for growth. side ourselves,

we can

heal

degrade ourselves or another, the mind clears and allows us sent all

—

conscious of everything that

happening

examples of healing the fragments

feel

of

our

in

the

to

he pre-

moment. These are

lives that

need

to

iome

into

When we go beyond the places where we have become numb, life again. When we learn to led again, we can heal.

wholeness.

we

is

221

MOON

EIGHTH

16

RED NATIONS HEALINC PROCESS

There

is

a valuable secret to healing that

is

held by the Red Race. The

Native American people are going through a healing

modern

times.

We are reawakening to what we have

The sacred mountains

are

crisis

m these

always known:

our foundations, the rivers run through

our veins, the trees are our backbones, and the creatures are our teachers. These understandings give us the strength to heal our

hearts

and our

We

spirits of

are learning

two hundred years of shame.

how

our Ancestors' ways.

We

to heal addictions

through the wisdom of

are nurturing the seeds of cooperation

and

sharing that were blown away by the winds of adopting the worst of

mans

the white

and separation

And now we

ways.

that

Divide and conquer

Native

Amenca by

that took

surprise. This idea cut the Circles that contained like all other races, are learning

to heal the splits within ourselves.

and many

are finding that

separation

if

we

own communities.

was an idea brought from Europe

our sense of wholeness. Today we,

how

are being asked to heal the lies

have taken hold inside our

are to heal.

nations on this Earth.

we can no

We

are asking for guidance,

longer continue the ideas of

We are at the same crossroad as all other

We must decide

to

embrace the healing found

m unity that makes us spiritually strong.

Is

today the time for you

humans

as family?

^22

to let

go of the ideas that keepyoujrom seeing

all

MOON

EIGHTH

17

THE SECRET OF

LIFE

FORCE

a-c

Human

beings can survive on ver)'

continue

even

exist

to

Humankind can or spirituality,

live

ill,

and

if

worked beyond

are

reason.

without education or understanding, religion

and

suffering,

disappointment and heartache,

loss of material comforts. But,

die

and drink. They can

to eat

m ignorance of politics and world events. Human be-

ings can endure pain

and the

they

if

little

humans

will wither,

become

they are not loved and cherished as family.

She

Who

that

nobody can

Is it

time to drop the places where you isolate yourself, forgetting to reach

Heals, the Clan live

without

out to those you tmst

It

may

cherish All

the Eighth

Moon

Cycle, reminds us

love.

when you

he time to show others

are

down?

whom you may

have forgotten that you do

them by spending some quality time together

humans'

shown

Mother of

life

force

is

that they are loved.

223

strengthened Is

it

when

time for you

they are demonstratively

to give

or to receive a hug?

EI6HTHMOON

18

HEALING THE WILL

The heart of every human holds Thejeehngs and the dreams

Of deepest

aspirations,

Freewill's creative esteem.

The urge toward higher purpose, The drive

to create from grace,

Unhmited power of expression, The potential of the human Yet, the side

race.

roads are many.

Blighted by denial

and fear,

Refusal to express the feelings, Until

numbness blocks our

tears.

Lost in our machinations, Yet craving release from pain.

Surrender

may

not

come

sweetly,

But the will can be regained.

The sacredness of being

lies

In feeling all that appears.

Without applying judgments To the joys or

to the fears.

Trusting every emotion as

Something we created

to feel,

Then expressing every feeling, Allows the

224

will to heal.

EIGHTH

MOON

19

HEALINO HUMILIATION

Humiliation is the one event in human life THAT BECOMES UNFORGETTABLE. Th E LOSS OF HUMAN DIGNITY ATTHE HANDS OF ANOTHER CAN BE FORGIVEN, BUT

IT

IS

RARELY,

a person.

Medicine Person, or teacher can do

shaming another has people

when

dealt

many

they are vulnerable

world has been fraught with It

never seems to happen

self-criticism.

coming from

We

a

is

it

for another.

blow throughout

Consciously time. Kicking

a tactic of insensitive bullies.

behavior since

when we

its

are feeling strong.

al-

this reflection,

internally,

may

most

Smoking Mirror, which our inner thoughts The key is to notice that if we stop beating ourthe bullies in the world don't pick on us. The

the Great

when we show mercy toward ments,

It

self-doubt and

are dealing with our

lesson of losing our dignity through being humiliated

right to be,

The

inception.

own

project for us to see.

up

FORGOTTEN.

can heal the need to experience

ways happens when we

selves

this

EVER,

human dignity is something that No healer, psychologist, doctor.

Healing humiliation and loss of

comes from inside

IF

ourselves. Deciding that

is

learned

we have

a

supporting that right with kindness, instead of judgnot

make us

forget the incident, but

it

will allow

forgive ourselves. Forgiving others by thanking them

what we were doing

to ourselves internally allows us to sec the op-

portunity to change our mental patterns and heal.

225

for

us to

showing us

EIGHTH

MOON

20

HEARTSTRINGS, THE THREADS OF

LIFE

>z

When Wood Song was

captured by the brutal warriors of another

Tribe, she trusted her family to find her.

The nightmarish days

dragged into moons as she was marched southward on food.

The cold nights without her

little

water or

The beatings and forced march were wearing her body the comfort of a blanket chilled

out.

more than

body Finally

died,

Wood Song came

numbing her

after that, she cut

hearts threads

to a place

where the hope of rescue

senses and killing her desire to

one more heartstnng

became

frazzled

Each day

live.

that kept her tied to

and frayed by the

loss of

life.

Her

hope and

knew that those too ill to continue were left to die. One morning, Wood Songs fragile body was released from the hemp knots that tied her to the hostage in front of her and rolled down a rocky, cactus-covered embankment. The vultures circled, constant abuse. She

and her

lips

bled from lack of water. The weakened heartstrings

broke, one after another, leaving her on the brink of death.

Wood Song was

about to cut the

last

heartstring to her family

with the thought that they had not loved her because she was just a

when

girl child,

her

lips;

it

was

a

shadow crossed her face. Something splashed on Opening her eyes, she saw the tears spilling

salty

from her big brothers threads of

life

face.

Loving arms encircled

were restored. She would survive and

her,

heal.

and the

She would

go home. She knew that she was loved. The heart hardened by abuse

was gone, being replaced with her Medicine, the healing song forests,

played on heartstrings of love.

226

of the

EIGHTH

MOON

21

THE PERSONAL CREED

There

is

a valuable healing tool that can assist

making

the

volition

and with our own

The values

most of their

lives.

all

human

This tool allows us to

integrity.

that each individual

This tool

wants

to live

is

by our own

live

the personal creed.

by are not immutable.

When we see that something needs updating, we simply do sonal creed can give us focus and allow us to see

process because

We

can see

it

does not focus on

how a

beings in

it.

A per-

as a healing

life

don'ts.

personal creed could be of assistance through

the following example:

To the best of my ability

intend to respect

I

—

all life.

1

choose

to

be account-

my decisions. intend to support Elders and children with my time, my resources, and my

able for

caring.

I

1

choose not

to judge

choose to speak the truth choose to learn from ings.

I

choose not

If living It

result

I

1

my mistakes and shortcom-

to revile or to

criticism or to reject

you,

myself or others.

in all situations.

abuse myself with

my human growth process.

with a personal guideline that affirms your integrity appeals to

may

be time to

make a personal

creed that you

feel

good about. The

could allow you to gain added fixus and mtegnty, supportmg the

way you choose

227

to live

your

life.

MOON

EIGHTH

12

THE AFTERMATH OF BATTLE >z

In the aftermath of battle,

W^en cruelty has counted coup, And weary

hearts are broken,

And wounds need seeing to. There comes a song ojmourmng.

That sings of things that died.

The

loss

Killing

of innocence and of trust.

human

dignity

and pride.

Abuse and shame, used as spears.

Can wound every human

soul,

In the aftermath of this battle,

We see

the countless

human

The malady of human

And what Is

it

tolls.

cruelty.

has done to us

all.

reason enough for inventing

Human illness and numbing walls. The final

battle of each spirit

Is in finding

the courage to heal,

Facing the fixture with bravery. Banishing abuse, while learning toftel.

Each tangle with these shadows Yields aft'agment ojthe whole,

Until

we can count

Over

the

228

the victory

dark night ojthe soul

EIGHTH

MOON

23

THE MALADY OF INDIFFERENCE

In a

world where we have been blasted by every kind of sensory per-

ception, stimulus pollution has taken the sense of

what disturbs them, due

mon occurrence. More and more

people have

and

we

lost

being a com-

to these horrors

frequently,

the ravages of crime, domestic abuse,

Many

its toll.

defer, as a society, to

We

insensitivity

must

re-

alize that locking our doors, ignoring these terrors that besiege the

senses, does not stop the intrusions.

The malady

and apathy has forced some

of indifference

to turn

away, while others build an excess of emotional armor that tends to

turn their hearts cold. The fear

is

masked by those who

through the use of security systems and only traveling

are affluent

in "the better

neighborhoods."

Changes take place when healing solutions concerned

citizens.

Having

courageous individuals seek borhood. Volunteering

to

cast off the

a difference in a

ference. Assuring the adults of

our

own

sensitivity

we

life

tomorrow and

that

caring,

we

care

to

own

indif-

enough

to re-

are healing our

dropping the armor of

jaded senses and changing our indifference to

229

young persons

our youth. By using our time today

guide young minds and personalities,

habilitate

by

are carried out

indifference, these

to better the conditions for ever)' neigh-

make

offers alternative paths for

masks of

— making

a difference.

MOON

EIGHTH

RENEWAL THROUGH THE DREAMTIME >z

In

many

to a

cultures, out-of-body journeying

persons sense of well-being.

moved from spirit.

The

the physical body,

letting

Some people

Spirit

shifts again,

bringing renewal to the entire

being experiences body death, the same jour-

accomplished without the need

is

cle.

spirit to

When the traveling spirit returns to the body,

body

human organism. When a human ney

renewal

to bring

go of earthly concerns that allows the

travel is a learned skill.

the energ)' in the

used

is

When journeying, all stress is rethe mmd, the emotions, and the

to return to the physical vehi-

believe that their spirits go to heaven, nirv^ana, the

World, or paradise. All of these concepts are mduidual ways

of labeling

what

world, where world. The

my

all is

Elders called Dreamtime.

The nontangible

pure energy, exists as a parallel

membrane

that separates these

worlds

to

our tangible

is ver}-

thin

and

can be accessed with practice. Elderly people,

where they

are,

ney

effortlessly

the

need

to

who go

do not have

m

and out of remembering who and

to practice. Their

to jour-

because their bodies are worn out, not holding on to

be in tangible reality This

which should not be judged

as

through

is

a beautiful

bad because

experience crossing over without spiritual renewal,

230

spmts choose

letting

fear.

go of a

it

When

Dreamtime

state,

enables the Elders to this

journey occurs,

worn-out body,

is at

hand.

MOON

EIGHTH

.

25

UNQUESTIONING FAITH >z

The innocence of unouestioning faith has instigated many a miraculous cure, befuddling some of the most valued sci enti fic minds, how can any human being refuse to believe in miracle healing when presented with absolute physical evidence^ There

no way

is

to present to science the repeatabiUty

tablish test results

when, against

all

happened. In the cases where unquestioning

mountain of tumors

in a matter of a

needed

to es-

odds, a miraculous cure has

few days,

faith I

has removed

a

have actually heard

comments from the medical community directed at the healed What is w/rong with this picture? Aren't we supposed to want everyone to be well? Does it matter how it happens? Can we afford to limit our human resources by inangr}^

individual.

sisting that healing

can only occur through one specialized avenue

or group of people?

She

Who

Heals, the Clan

Mother of

that self-importance blocks us

the Eighth

Moon

Cycle, reminds us

from ever attaining unquestioning

faith.

Without self-importance, people can acquire the faith of knowing that

when

their gifts will be used for the highest good,

the time

is

right.

The goal

of having a healed world can then be accessed through cooperation, but

never through competition.

If your

need

to

be acknowledged has kept you

from sharing something that could be of value, ask yourself courage the

to heal

by embracing unquestioning

answer? Or does

my

ego fear that

contributing to the answer?

231

I

will

faith

Do

and become

I

have the a

pan

of

never be acknowledged for

EIGHTH

MOON

INTUITION

26

LEGACY

S

>c

There

is

a place inside us

Where we If we

feel

what we know.

act on that intuition,

Doors open, urging us

to

grow.

The legacy of inner knowing

Comes from Great Learning Is

Mystery's grace;

to trust these feelings

a talent we develop and embrace.

Ultimate trust of the

And

Self,

inspirations guiding

Allows humankind

to

light,

develop

The rare gifts of second

sight.

When we embrace growth potential, Feeling

Then

—

with

all

that

we

are

—

^^

the legacy of intuition

Allows us

to

reach for the stars.

Nothing outreaches our senses,

Nothing

We serve

is

too hard to attain.

the truth through healing

The limitations our minds contain. Intuition

is

born from

All the senses that

Then

reflecting

we can feel.

implicitly trusting that

knowing

Gives the guidance that allows us

232

to heal.

EIGHTH

MOON

11

HEALINC OUR DEFENSE MECHANISMS Z
c

Placing untold value on the needs of the next Seven Generations the

way

of the wise. Preparing for

tinuance of

knew

life

abundant. Returning thanks

these things

by those

shows gratitude

who came

would be enough

Sciixng

Sun V\^oman,

the

to

who

Ancestors

for the blessings that

who

were shared

in

order to assure that

provide for your family today.

Clan Mother of the Ninth

us the value of conservation

those

to the

before us, taking only what they needed. Those

Ancestors protected the Earths resources there

is

tomorrows needs insures the con-

and reminds

Moon

us to share

are in need. She asks us to be mindjul

Cycle, teaches

what we have with

ojhow we can

serve the

other Children of Earth. Is

It

tinu to volunteer some of your time, or share some of your food, or

recycle

some clothmgyou no longer wear?

Where can you conserve energy? Where can you

use less

and

recycle

more?

How much

are

you embrace change.

237

you committed

the truth of

to the survival of

your answers?

every living thing?

If not,

it

may

Can

be time for a

UmINTH moon

3

ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT TOMORROW 3-:

The

little

mushrooms were pushmg through

the

mosses

m

the un-

dergrowth, signaling that the autumn rams were bringing the time

Two Clouds was teaching the young women of her kinds of mushrooms were edible, and

of gathering.

Clan

how

how

to

know which

to collect

them.

One young woman was filling her basket with every edible mushroom she could hnd. Two Clouds noticed and stopped the women, asking them Clouds began her

to

'"We can never

be none

a circle so they

assume what tomorrow

dren and their children. will

form

left to

If

we

take

We

is

how

the

will bring for

mushrooms we

we took

a balance in the natural

flocks of

will

all

our

chil-

see, there

unfair advantage of the

to us today.

we cannot always and the

Then Two

might discover that our great grand-

children died of hunger because

"There

talk.

continue the generations of food that can be

foraged from the forest.

bounty given

could

lesson.

see. If the buffalo

world that we can sense, but

keep disappearing, and the deer

winged creatures change

their migration patterns,

our generation survive? In assuming that there will

ways be more than enough, we have forgotten responsible for what

tomorrow

holds.

If

we

that

we

take without giving

something back, we have robbed tomorrow of the energy for renewal."

238

al-

are ultimately

it

needs

NINTH

MOON

4

TOMORROW

A PROMISE OF >z

The promise Creator gives us

Comes with every new The

of breath, the

gift

day,

gift

of life.

Opportunities in a vast array.

How

do we count our blessings,

Through the choices Is

Or

can bring?

life

through joyjul lessons?

it

the fears to

which we cling?

Are we learning For the

to

show

victories over

By honoring

We grasp

gratitude,

human pain?

the feeling choices.

the will we've regained.

Can we change our focus, With no need

to

defend?

Acknowledging joy and sorrow. Without judging foe or friend?

Tomorrow promises

the fullness

Of every human way

How we

to

master each challenge

Determines our balance reflecting

239

know;

—

how we grow.

MOON

NJNTH

INDIAN GIVING

The concept time.

Our

of Indian Giving has

been misunderstood

a

cook

pot, a lodge, a stone, or a tree.

given to another, the person receiving that the gifts mission.

pose.

If

The use of

sion of ser\ice contained in that object

When this occurs, ing

it

to

is

the purpose

another person

who needs its

it

its

pur-

and mis-

dishonored.

or will use

it.

Then

purpose and be able

to

gift,

giv-

the use-

complete

mission. If

is

gift,

it

a gift is

must understand

gift

the giver has the nght to reclaim the

fulness of the object will ser\'e its

When

the object given determines

the recipient does not use the

hvmg

Whether

thing and inanimate object in our world has a mission.

be a sweater,

long

for a

Native American Ancestors taught us that ever)-

a

person has

perfectly

all

nght

many

to take the

someone who needs warmth,

Setting

is

honored

Sun Woman,

blankets and another person has none,

it.

as

the

unused blanket back and

it

it

to

In this way, the blankets gift, of bringing

having been useful

to

humankind.

Clan Mother of the Ninth

us that ijwe are not using something

pass

give

it

Moon

and others are

Cycle, teaches

in need,

it is

time

to

on so that the usefulness of the object can be honored. One way

we can prepare for tomorrow usefulness of anything that

140

is

is

by making sure that we never waste the

needed today.

_NINTH MOON

t

THE VALUE OF MEMORIES

The precious moments The warmness

still

linger,

remains,

Old friends and fond memories,

A

shelter from the rain.

The richness of memories Invites laughter to return,

Banishing the stormy

skies,

and concerns.

Petty problems,

Reach deep within your memory, To a shining

moment

in time.

Retrieving every sentiment.

To reclaim the sublime.

The value of our memories Is

a store of wealth untold,

A

smile on a cloudy day,

And

Setting

afire to feed the soul.

Sun Woman,

the

Clan Mother of the Ninth Moon Cycle, teaches

us that dwelling on difficulties can

Sometimes we need before

we

weaken our problem-solving

to shift gears, to recall

happy

abilities.

times, or to take a

return to the challenges in our paths. The value oj Jond

found when we use

the simple technique of focusing

ries

is

that

gave us joy. The mental gears switch from

we can find balance, challenges.

241

fi'eling

refieshed

walk

memo-

on something

effort to relcixation.

and having a new approach

Then to

our

—— MOON

NINTH

RESPONDING TO NEEDS

In ancient times, of etiquette

among

Native American People, some of the rules

regardmg responsibility

to others

were

Never look into another persons lodge when passing by respect that family's privacy

Never touch another's belongings without permission not even a child's possessions.

Never

let

the children, Elders, the sick, or the infirm

go without food or

care.

Never withdraw your allegiance given

to another,

especially in times of need.

Never

forget the acts of kindness

were granted when you were Take action when a

and support

that

in need.

crisis situation

warrants your

response. Act in silence unless directing others necessar)'. Less talk

is

prevents chaos.

Never do anything that would hurt the Children, Elders, or Life Givers (women). Never

offer ad\ice unless

Unwanted

it is

asked

for

by another and

assistance can defeat another's purpose

determination to do for the

Always ask what

is

Self.

needed, and then

listen to the

answer

Give of the Self and be generous with your material

When

gifts.

giving, always be mindful of the recipient's

dignity

and

ability to receive.

These simple rules of thumb are considered proper responses the needs of others

—being

willing to take action

242

respectful, generous, kind, honest,

m times of trouble.

to

and

NINTH

MOON

8

LICHTNINCi CLASS

The young man walked the desert with

his father,

was bent into

curious expression

a

it

when

for the

The younger warrior

tracks that could bring food to the family.

stopped, picked something up, and held

hunting

up

to the sun. His face

his father turned to see

him. Silently the young one walked to his father and, holding out the object, shrugged without speaking.

and took

his son into the

The

father smiled a big smile

shade of a nearby mesquite

tree. In

order

not to scare any nearby game, the younger warrior had been careful

not to speak. In reverent whispers his father explained. "This

IS

mark

the

of the Fire-sticks.

love to the Earth Mother, the bolts of

making

this red glass.

they share for

all

\4others blood

It is

a

mate

who

symbol of

Sky Father makes

the sands of her body,

their love

and of the

faith

tomorrow's. To find this rare drop of the Earth

is a

good

Thunder Bird along with you

a

When the

fire hit

will

thing.

It

carries the

the promise of the Earth

Medicine of the

Mother

to

bring

match your wisdom and your Medicine. The

passion and love between you two will equal the love that the Sky Father has for the Earth Mother.

^4B

MOON

NINTH

TOMORROW

PROMISE OF 3-C

The promise of tomorrow

Depends upon

We

honor

all

way

the

the blessings

That are ours today.

Can we hear

the voices of

The children yet unborn?

Do

they call to us with gratitude,

Or do we hear

their scorn?

Are we so wrapped up That we forget

to

in

taking

give?

Wasting eveiy resource that Allows the future

Have we

killed the

Of tomorrows yet

Or

will

to live.

we

promise

to

be?

stop the plunder

Of our greed's

insanity?

The children of the future, Sing out in the night.

Their song asks for mercy,

A release from their plight. We can make a difference, We can show we care, By honoring

Offire,

244

all

the blessings

water, earth,

and

air.

MOON

NINTH

FIGHTING FOR

10

LIFE

If we do not fight for life, we will never count the coup

of living well. Fighting for for life

life is

not through violence. Today,

we

are

asked to

fight

through the way of the peaceful warrior. The way to claim

our personal rights of living well

is

by walking through

life

as peace-

makers, turning away from malice, revenge, bitterness, en\y, hatred,

and

negativity.

When

these traits are not present,

we can

naturally

celebrate our lives with joy.

The

bygone days stood

soldier of

at

the edge of his circle

faced the threatening forces outside. Today, the peaceful

stands the

at

and still

the edge of his or her circle, turning with courage to face

enemy

and

warnor

within.

to heal,

We

fight for life

our personal

coup on the well.

245

issues.

when we

We

are willing to confront,

are then counting the victor)'

internal negative forces that can

keep us from living

UniNTH moon

11

AUTUMN DAWN The

earliest

pink of dawn crept across the Valley of Miracles.

Dawn

greet the

fire to

of fiery leaves,

Star.

mergmg

The flames sang out and met

in the

first

I lit

a

the colors

rays of sunlight, uniting the red

scrub oaks that walled the canyons with the magical valley below.

Although

I

could not see his

face,

Grandfather Sun's rays

peaked above the eastern slopes, setting the western ridge on v^th the warmth of his

coming from

their

the singing waters of

Four and valley,

light.

mud

The

starlings

nests high in the

began

their

cliff face,

fire

dance of life,

looking across

Golden Earth Creek.

a half million years ago, the glacier

had made

this

followed by the melting ice that cut snakelike ribbons

through the Earth Mother's body, creating the creek bed, giving the 'Water Spirits a all

that

had gone

of nature, silent led,

my

home.

1

became

before. There, in

the witness to the

my silence,

heart cried out, "Life

is

good!" As

if

they heard

scream, the Raven cawed, the Eagle fiew over, the

and we were one.

246

wonder

of

listening to the songs

fire

my

crack-

NINTH

M

MOON

ACCEPTING WHAT

When a

Native American offers a

accept what

have is

much

is

being offered.

A

material wealth, but

IS

gift

of

what

is

available

is

or a meal,

it

is

very rude not to

Native American person

you may be assured

rich in the things that cannot be

gift

OFFERED

measured with money

offered with generosity,

it

may

not

that he or she

When

a

should be gra-

ciously received with gratitude. If

a

person were to refuse the

ered a slap in the face, bringing hospitality or generosity.

Indian

trait that

many

gift

or meal,

shame on

it

would be consid-

the family

The natural sharing

of

all

who

that

offered the

one has

is

an

other cultures cannot or do not understand.

Receiving graciously honors the host family The family's invitation alone shows guests that they are welcome and invited to share.

cs^

f

mz

In the profound darkness, I

touch the face of the star-filled Medicine Bowl.

The night sky opens unto

me

Creation courses through

my woman form.

The pulsating

light

.

.

.

of stars dance,

animating the male within.

My

senses scream with aliveness.

Exploding stars light the fires

that border this path

of rapture,

The

womb

still

becoming.

oj night sky beckons,

the silent birth of that

which

has not yet taken form.

Diving deeply into the Void, without any comfort or guarantees, I

learn to trust the eternal process.

The beauty of emergence that

I

a mystery

can joyfully endure,

knowing

248

is

that

it

will bring

me home.

NINTH

MOON

14

FORCING THE BALANCE 3-:

The

fire

ate, yet

of youth

is

impetuous, spontaneous,

fearless,

coldness, hardened hearts,

and lack of daring.

Fortunately for humankind, there are Elders passion of youth, tempering

Ones

and passion-

untempered. The passing of winters can bring cynicism,

refuse to

cower

they refused to

bow

ter attitudes of the

in the

it

who

cherish the

with the wisdom of age. These Wise

shadows of lost dreams.

to hopelessness, refused to

On

their paths,

adopt the lacklus-

masses, and stood in the aliveness they saw in the

natural world.

Only the bold and the brave seem aliveness they carry. fiery

They hold

to

be willing to honor the

the secret of forging the balance of

passion and ageless wisdom. They lead through living and

sharing their spontaneous perspective, never expecting others to

low The promise

of

tomorrow

is

viduals, because they drink the beauty of

all

that

life

has to

sharing their aliveness and thanks for that nectar ever)' every day

249

fol-

secure in the hearts of these indioffer,

moment

of

MOON

NINTH

WOMAN

SETTING SUN 3-C

Keeper of tomorwws dreams,

Mother of the

star-filled night,

Show me how

truth.

And

light.

bring

to live my my dreams to

Teach

me how

Livmg

the truth

my

to use I

Discovering

all the

WTiere

and shadow

Let

light

me

parts of

Upholding

all

For creatures,

I

Sun Woman,

and

stones,

trees.

in the sunset,

in the rain;

me

Through your

who

will be,

of natures laws

you

see

I

hear you

You teach

Setting

me

blend.

sing the song oj future

With concern Jor what

Mother,

will,

find within.

the

inner knowing heart's sweet refrain.

Clan Mother of the Ninth

Moon

Cycle,

is

the

Guardian

holds the changing dreams of tomorrow. These changing dreams are con-

stantly in motion

When

and a

human

state offiux because of the shifts in

human

conscious-

collective

changes and grows, the potential for future ex-

contract

and

refuse to heal the negativity within us, the future

potential implodes. Setting

Sun

Woman

ness.

pands

the

m kind.

If

we

mentation of the Self can

We do

have choices.

We

result in

reminds us that separation and frag-

dismal consequences for future generations.

cannot change others, but individually we can reclaim

our wholeness. Every individual comprises one equal part of the whole. When

we

heal our lives

and cherish

positively affect the future.

Is it

the wholeness

time

to

we have personally

low you by making your healing choices today?

250

attained,

we

provide for the generations that will fol-

MOON

NINTH

WHAT The

will is the

IS

THE WILL?

emotional body. Intuition, gut

and sense of perception the will to live,

we

we

are

all

are talking

we

about willpower,

talk

16

is

will.

When we

about desire to heal and recover.

first

is

look

at

When

and determi-

step of creating anything

and the next step

decision,

knowing,

feeling, inner

by our

are expressing the desire

nation to do something. The the next step

directed

is

desire,

taking action.

If we have lost our desire, we have lost our will. On any level human experience, we can discover the places where we cannot seem to make decisions. Because we've been wounded in these

of

areas, we've lost the desire to create or to take action regarding these

personal issues, leanng us feeling helpless or hopeless.

Human

be-

ings can lose parts of their will ever)- time they experience trauma or loss

and go numb.

in place,

will

we have

When we

locate feelings that hold hopelessness

located an area of lost will.

by feeling everything we blocked

moving

the feelings

and

letting

We

them go

after

The numbness disappears, and we experience

Setting

Sun Woman,

Keeper of

Will.

can reclaim our

we

feel

them

She promises us that tomorrow

fully.

a return in energy.

Clan Mother of the Ninth Moon Cycle,

the

lost

the time of the incident,

at

will

arnve

in fine

is

the

form,

ij

we do our inner work today. The process oj preparing today for the future also includes the idea

generations yet unborn.

ojwhat we intend

If

we heal

to will, as

our

the dysfunction today,

legacy, to the it

will not

be

passed on as an unwanted endowment. The next Seven Generations deserve a better world,

and

so do we.

numbed your

and

lost

251

feelings

Is

it

time to locate where you have

parts of your will?

MOON

NINTH

WHAT

Wl

LL

17

HAPPEN?

5-:

What will humankind do

if we awaken to a new, tangible world where freedom of choice is no longer an option, having been forgotten IN ANCIENT TIMES? IF HUMANITY CONTINUES THIS SENSELESS SEPARATION OF BODY AND WILL, MIND

AND

SPIRIT,

MALE AND FEMALE, WE WILL ALL

DIE

OF

SHEER stupidity!

The one

we

gift

given to even-

human

being

oftentimes override our true desires

tween the

lesser of

freedom of choice still

a choice.

ity to

choose,

two compromises.

is

will

Yes, there are places

and so or

mental pnsons by

we have impnsoned

the will

The Great Myster)' reminds us

fusing to free our will

252

is

deciding not

to he.

die."

and

be-

where

But there

is

demmg our abil-

—choosing

helplessness, hopelessness, stubbornness, miserable.

Yes.

—our —by choosing

limited to "do such

When we make

freedom of choice.

is

instead the

fear that

make us

that the alternative to re-

MOON

NINTH

PICTURE OUR

18

TOMORROW

3-:

Paint a picture of tomorrow,

With gentleness, Tinting

it

all

in

your mind,

with feelings,

Eveiy emotion of humankind.

Be willing

And

eveiy heart.

to feel

the desires

it

contains,

Including exeiy nuance,

The joy, as well as the pain.

Dont The

forget to use all colors,

pastels, tints,

and

hues.

That represent the wholeness

That Great Mysteiy can imbue.

Then

sculpt the shapes of destiny.

The patterns great and small

Weaving dark and Yet,

unfolding within the

But what

is

All.

the difference

and yesterday's?

In this world, Is it

light in unity.

the final ingredient

That changes our former ways?

and allowing

Reclaimed

will

Makes

tomorrow

this

Unbound freedom Illumination

253

.

.

.

.

.

.

stand apart.

of expression.

the victoty of the heart.

NINTH

MOON

SHARING FOOD 3-C

When

gathenng and hunting were the main sources of food

for the

Ancestors, planning ahead was of the utmost importance. Winters

were hard, and many starved used

to store

if

the spring

and summer were not

what would be needed during the cold moons.

among Native People for cenmany lessons. The understanding is that honor and integrity insist that all members of the Tribe are fed, never allowing anyone to go hungry. It does not matter who Sharing food has been a tradition

turies.

grew

The

It;

act of sharing food has

gathered

shanng makes

it,

food

is

to

be shared. This

is

Another lesson sharing teaches us

is

if

selfless sharing.

the food runs out,

hunger

we

hunted and cleaned

Trusting the Creator to provide for the needs of everyone

one lesson of that

it,

the Tnbal Circle strong.

—equally

we must be

instead of

some

are taught to consider the

willing to share the

eating and others starving.

whole instead of just the

mediate family, we have partaken of the our hearts with the sacredness of shanng.

254

burden of

When

Self or

im-

feast of spirit that feeds

LIVING THE TRUTH

Self-deception harvests the

dubious rewards of perishing at the hands of every act of deceiving the self. That

far-off feeling of loneliness

selves

from li\dng the

long that

truth.

we no longer

comes

tually,

Many

illness of

people

Many

to those

people

tell lies

the

is

moment we

lying to me.

myself for

I

my

255

the mirror,

we have

who

tell

a

spiri-

refuse to be honest with themselves.

big

tell little

lies to

white

lies,

justifying their

bolster their insecurities.

Many

because they fear punishment. In every case, the

force, eventually

ing this malady

m

way home.

hands of self-deception are life

exiled our-

wasting away into nothingness, perishing

people allow themselves to

reasons.

when we have

have deceived ourselves for so

recognize the face

long road to walk on our

The

can come

When we

at

work, creating fantasies that claim

destroying the individual. The

being honest with the

decide to

tell

Self.

first

step in heal-

Living the truth begins

ourselves, "Its okay for

won't punish myself for choosing truth. willingness to change."

I

me will

to quit

honor

f NINTH MOON

21

WHERE DOES TIME

The

little

boy

sat at his

LIVE?

Grandfathers knees, winding

horse hair round and round his thumb.

up from blending

When

a

length of

Grandfather looked

the mixture for his pipe, he observed the

young one spoke. take for me to grow tall

little

one's sense of frustration. Finally, the

"How many moons

does

it

like

my

Why

do

cousin Big Bear, Grandfather?"

moons

"Well, almost double the

you

you have

that

lived.

ask, child?" '1

want

make time

to

be able to ride

pony and hunt.

a

hurry. Grandfather.

Maybe

1

I

just can't

should go

visit

seem

to

time and

ask for help."

Grandfather fought the chuckle that rumbled

in his belly

and

looked as stern as he could before he replied.

"We cannot not hold

It

find the place

back or push

it

where time

forward.

We

lives, little

one.

We

can-

Two-leggeds are given the

task of learning respect for the seasons that pass.

We

are asked to

make every moment and deed of our lives important and sacred. Tomorrow will never come, bringing us joy, if we forget to find the contentment of today" Pointing to the young one's heart, he said, "Let us find the place

where the joy

of this

will last for all of

256

day

lives,

your young

and we

lifes

will find the

tomorrows."

happiness that

^IKT'H MOON

^^^^^^^^^

11

POSSESSING TIME

Humankind can only

possess time by being

aware of the actual moment we are EXPERIENCING. In THAT MOMENT, WE ALL STAND fully

IN

THE SACRED

HUMAN

PRESENCE, DEDICATING

AND

OURSELVES TO THE CONTINUATION OF SHARING

CREATING THE SACREDNESS OF OUR COMBINED

HUMAN

POTENTIAL.

WE WELCOME AND BECOME

THE ETERNAL NOW. Nothingness gives birth

to all things, to totality,

Now. Without

the ever-present

it,

we

and

to

Oneness

in

are lost in the illusions of

time and space, without direction or desire.

There

is

a

reason that

no concept of time.

It

many

so-called primitive peoples have

allows them to be fully aware of

all

worlds

that exist within the natural world. Timelessness supports their abilities to

journey into other

gible forms. Since they

trying to possess

Becoming

it

realities

made

do not need to

— they have

of energy, rather than tan-

alter,

control, or

forever.

the eternal, through living only in the

given the primitive

human

257

moment

has

beings of Earth a major advantage: They

never worry about past or future; living only authentically free.

make time

in the present,

they are

n

MOON

NINTH

DESPERATE CHOICES 3-C

Panic-stiicken, out of breath,

Ancient ancestors stood at

He died

Although he could not

out in the night.

What can

To understand

Faced with

who can

do,

I

my

my

I

trust,

plight?

weakness,

Confronted with

my

shame,

his side,

see.

Their silent forms pointed the way,

Great Mystery heard

his plea.

Gentle arms reached out

Allowing wracking sobs

to

There's no sense in excuses,

Words of comfort opened

There's no one else to blame!

Healing the hopeless image

I've lost

my

it

too late for

need

I

to

know

me

to

Doubt haunted

Demons To count

bottle

bhck

A

many years

ago,

the alley way,

this soul as their prey.

went crashing, against the wall,

light dispelled the

gloom,

Amidst the smell of alcohol. being

—

refused his tomb.

258

That

man

With

his

stands

tall,

for all to see,

the truth!

of fear stood ready

One human

his will lo live remains.

change?

Desperate choices filled the dark.

A

inside.

^ven away my youth.

And Is

his heart,

faith in myself;

That night passed, I've

him.

to subside.

defiantly

warrior

spirit reclaimed.

"ww-fwmsW' CHAINS OF EMPTINESS z
z

Desire sets the stage for

The decision

to create,

Setting the will in motion,

Using our passionate

traits

To weave our webs artfully,

To draw upon our dreams,

make

To

And

it

all tangible.

it

with esteem.

lace

When

viewing our creations,

We may

then choose to change

The perspective or alignment. Adjusting the depth or range.

When

the

web of our

creation

Breathes our dreams alive.

We

can see how our passion

Allows our visions Therein

lies

Of human

to survive.

the secret

creation at Us best,

A dream contammg passion Will endure

—

then manifest.

289

MOON

TENTH

25

CREATION AND

$E

LF-AWARE N ESS

s-c

Self-awareness

is

nothing more than facing the Great Smoking

Mirror that reflects rored

of Ufe, seeing the parts of Self that are mir-

all

m others. These parts of the Self come m every form and with

every contact that recognizes

how

we have

new

the former Self into a

The

in the natural world.

to capture these

images and

to use

creative person

them

to recreate

potential.

Whether we observe other people, or nature, or scenarios from thing can teach us hov^ to grow. erate, or a role

create a

havior not

model we want

new awareness

to be, as well as

Smoking Mirror reminds son. These

human

to

within the

to reflect the best of

want

When we see

beings

be

like,

Self.

we can

We

everytol-

use these examples to

can alter our patterns of be-

who and what we

are, noticing

what we want others

us that everything that

who

life,

behavior that we cannot

what we do

to see in us.

we

notice everything they

perceive

come

The Great is

for a rea-

in contact with

know

that there

is

a reason for every experience. The Mayans were right

when

they said,

"I

am

290

another one of yourself."

TENTH MOON

..^

16

^'liHtSSS^*^

LOVING THE SPLIT-APART z