You are on a well worn path in a forest of large majestic redwoods.
The moonlight glimmers on the moist fronds of the dense ferns that
border the trees. You can smell the damp moist soil and decaying
leaves under your feet. The moon and stars blanket the evening sky
above. You are dressed in a white velveteen cloak that shimmers in the
moonlight. It is early spring and the air is slightly cool still but
you are comfortable in just your cloak.
In the distance you here the beating of drums and barely audible
chanting in a language you are not familiar with. There is a slight
hint of sage and cedar wafting in the gentle breeze. As you near the
edge of the thicket you see the warm glow of a bonfire. The sacred
scents are stronger and the drumming and chanting louder. As you step
from the trees you see that there are 5 figures dancing around a
bonfire in a small clearing in the midst of the forest. They suddenly
stop dancing and drumming and look in your direction. As they again
begin their drumming you see yet another figure coming towards you.
She is dressed in a white buckskin dress and moccasin boots. The beads
and feathers on the fringe of her dress dance in the gentle breeze.
Her black hair hangs long and loose about her waist. Not saying a
word, she holds out her hand and you take it. As you near the fire,
you see that the five figures dancing about the fire are men dressed
also in buckskins. Four of the men have painted faces, one in yellow,
one in red, one in black, and one in white. The fifth man's face has
symbols in all four colors on his face. The young woman brings you to
the edge of the circle where the men have stopped dancing, but the
chanting continues. She picks up a smudge stick of cedar and sage and
begins to smudge you with using a feather to push the smoke. She then
paints your face with yellow, red, black and white. As she turns to
go, the man with the yellow painted face steps forward and asks you to
sit next to him at the East of the circle.
He picks up a beautifully carved pipe and loads it with tobacco. There
are many animals carved into the pipestone bowl. The begin by offering
the smoke from the pipe to the five directions, as well as above and
below. As the pass the pipe amongst themselves it in turn comes to you
and you take your turn also. They begin chanting again, but softly. As
the sage and cedar fill your nostrils, the chanting and drumming fill
your head and heart and a vision comes to you.
An eagle appears before you where the fire had moments ago been. You
hear the eagle speaking inside your head, "From the East, we begin to
seek knowledge, the direction where everything is fresh and new. To
greet the sun and appreciate the potential for new learning
experiences. The new day that enables us to see the miracles and
harmony of the Creators creations. Take this wisdom and keep it in
your heart."
You find that you are now seated at the South of the circle next to
the man with his face painted red. A mouse appears where the eagle had
just been. You hear mouse speaking inside your head. "From the south
we experience growth, the direction where everything in life is
replenished and in full bloom. To taste the ripe fruit of appreciation
and not take what we have for granted. Take this wisdom and keep it in
your heart."
Again, moved in the circle, but this time you are seated in the West
next to the man with his face painted black. A grizzly bear stands
before you now, you hear her words inside your head. " From the west
we encounter reflection and spiritual insight, the direction where
dreams and visions allow you to go within and appreciate yourself and
your Creator. Take this wisdom and keep it in your heart."
As you are now seated next to the man with the painted face of white
at the North of the circle, a buffalo appears before you. Again you
hear the words of the animal spirit before you as you. " From the
North we experience purity, the direction where the secret to many
cures are found for healing. Like the white snow that resembles the
white hair of our elders we honor wisdom. Take this wisdom and keep it
in your heart."
Now you are standing in front of the man with the symbols in the four
colors of the directions. He points to the circle and you suddenly are
aware that this is not a circle but a Medicine Wheel, each man
signifying a sacred direction, the fire representing the center, Great
Mystery, Spirit. He is still speaking in his own tongue but we are
able to understand each word. "Each of us is deeply connected to
everything that exists and therefore we are a critical part of the
sacred medicine wheel. Because of this interconnectedness, what we do
to other life forms, we are doing to ourselves. This is the Law of
One. The wheel can give us visions for our life. True visions benefit
all our relations on Mother Earth, not just human relations, but all
the beings in all the kingdoms. Take this wisdom and share it from
your heart."
He turns back to the wheel, the others once again stand and begin
dancing and chanting. The young lady that accompanied you here appears
and again takes your hand. As you reach the beginning of the path home
at the entrance of the forest she presses into your hand a small
doeskin pouch and turns to go. As you step onto the path, you glance
back and see not but redwood trees and ferns behind you. Turning back
to begin your journey home you discover that you are back in your own
yard, the sun beginning its slow ascent. You sit down to look at the
pouch in your hand and discover that it has a beaded design of the
Medicine Wheel with two small feathers dangling decorating the
outside. At each compass point are the sacred animals representing the
four directions. You open the pouch and find that it is quite empty.
You realize that it in fact it is a symbol of life. It is up to you to
fill it with love, light, and beauty. As with life, what you put into
it you will also receive. We as the pouch, have marks on the outside
but it is what is inside that counts. Begin now to fill the pouch. You
are ready to embrace each day with love and trust and begin now by
greeting today with a prayer of thanks as you sit and watch the day
begin.
Lady Kiya
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