Tag: Great Spirit

Elder's Meditation of the Day August 13

Elder’s Meditation of the Day August 13

“A bit of sunshine, a drop of rain, a puff of life from the Great Spirit as He gently breathed upon that spot, created the Native Americans. They were well formed and agile, copper colored and proud.”

–Harriet Starleaf Gumbs, SHINNECOCK

We are made in the image of the Great Spirit. A long time ago He breathed life into our ancestors. He made the Indian strong. He created a Warrior. Our ancestors created more warriors. We have been tested throughout the seasons and we are still here, stronger than ever. It is good to be Indian. We are proud of ourselves and our ancestors. Mostly we are proud the Great Spirit has never forsaken us, and continues to guide us.

My Creator, let me live my life today in a way that would make my ancestors proud. Let me remember each month that I am here to serve You. Today let me conduct my life in a way that also would make You proud.

Elder's Meditation of the Day August 12

Elder’s Meditation of the Day August 12

“With one mind we address our acknowledgment, respect, and gratefulness to all the sacred Cycle of Life. We, as humans, must remember to be humble and acknowledge the gifts we use so freely in our daily lives.”

–Audrey Shenandoah, ONONDAGA

The sacred Cycle of life – the baby, the youth, the adult, the Elder. Let us respect all directions, the four directions of the Grandfathers; let us respect their power. Let us remember we belong to the earth, the earth does not belong to us. Help us to be respectful to all the gifts You have given us.

Oh Great Spirit, help me this day to be humble. Let me not attack anything in deed or in my thoughts. Let my thoughts focus on the beauty You have created in all things.

August 12 – Daily Feast

August 12 – Daily Feast

Time and space mean nothing to friends. They find each other again and again, to share the things that are important – and a great many things that are ordinary, everyday events. Tsu na li I, friends or close ones, forgive us whether we deserve it or not. They know how easy it is to get off center. But they have high hopes for us – maybe even higher than we have for ourselves. We are at our best when someone chooses to be that kind of friend, to make allowances for our lapses of memory – for no other reason than precious, loyal friendship. It is a quiet, peaceful and dear relationship that never grows old and never ends. Being such a friend is a sweet and blessed responsibility.

~ The Great Spirit has smiled upon us and made us glad. ~

KEOKUK

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days’, by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Elder's Meditation of the Day July 16

Elder’s Meditation of the Day July 16

“Grandfather says…you must not hurt anybody or do harm to anyone. You must not fight. Do right always. It will give you satisfaction in life.”

–Wovoka, PAIUTE

The question one should ask themselves is: Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? If you want to be right, this is a request from your ego. If you want to be happy then this is of the Great Spirit. The only meaning anything has is the meaning we give it. Maybe we should develop a philosophy of: Today is the last day of the rest of my life. If this were true, how easy it would be to let things go – how easy it would be to forgive.

Oh Great Spirit, let me live today as if it was my last. Let me express Your joy and be happy today. Let me see the joy and honor of living on the Red Road.

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – February 17

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – February 17

“Silence and self-control permeate the entirety of our lives.”

–Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA

The Creator gave us all the Red Road and on this Red Road we are required to think and act in a spiritual way. To make sure I conduct myself according to the Red Road, I must make sure I develop my self discipline. Self control works best when we pray for the courage and power t do the will of the Great Spirit. We are here on the earth to do the will of the Great Spirit. Sometimes, we must battle ourselves to do this.

Great Spirit, help me to have my self-control guided by spiritual ways.

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – February 7

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – February 7

 

“I can tell you that understanding begins with love and respect. It begins with respect for the Great Spirit. All things – and I mean ALL things – have their own will and their own way and their own purpose; this is what is to be respected.”

Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE

 

Everything on earth has a purpose and is designed special. No two things are created identical. Sometimes in our minds we have a picture of how things should be, and often what we see is different from what they really are. When this happens we often want to control how things are, making them act or behave according to our picture. We need to leave things alone. God is running all things. How do we do this? In out minds we tell ourselves to love all things and respect all things just as they are. Accept what we cannot change.

 

Great Spirit, teach me the value of respect and help me to accept people, places and things just as they are.

February 7 – Daily Feast

February 7 – Daily Feast

 

Always remember that certain circumstances are not ours to alter. We make the most of them and go on. We can only be examples, never controllers of other people’s lives, other peoples children, other people’s circumstances. Some would have us believe we contribute to harsh events by doing nothing. But some of the best work, some of the deepest caring and doing is not physically evident in the beginning. Help of any kind must be wanted and recognized before it can do any good. Too much help where it is not appreciated can make even a good person helpless. We have to be wise in our giving, and particularly wise in what we withhold, because it may be what we withhold helps the most.

 

~ We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit made them. ~

 

CHIEF JOSEPH, 1873

 

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days’, by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – February 4

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – February 4

 

“We say there is a right time and place for everything. It’s easy to say, but hard to understand. You have to live it to understand it.”

Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE

 

The Elders tell us there is a right time and a right place. Don’t plant seeds in the fall-wrong time. One way we find out about the right time and right place is our experience. If we are lucky, we have a few friends who will share their experience; this will help us too. The best way is to let God guide us. Only He knows the right time and the right place. So we need to pray and ask Him for guidance.

 

Great Spirit, show me patience so I can live in the right time and right place.

Good Saturday Morning My Beloved Family & Friends!

Yesterday wasn’t one of the easiest days in my life. But I will be the first to admit, that when the cougar did pass it was a relief to me. Don’t think me cruel, please. I was with the cougar from the time we picked him up to the time he passed. When we picked him up, I touched him and the Vet asked me if I thought he would make it. I shook my head no. I could feel then that his injuries were to much for him to recover from. The Vet gave me tons of pain medications to soothe him. Toward the end nothing was soothing his suffering. I try my best to take his pain. I managed for a while but eventually it grew so strong I couldn’t stand it. I was exhausted and I put his head in my lap. He opened his eyes and looked at me. I told him, it was ok to leave this plane now. For him to end his suffering, his tolling was over, he had had a good life, now it was time to go home. With those words, I could see the light slip out of his eyes and feel his last gasp. His spirit was gone. I was weak and wore out but I still cried. He had a beautiful soul, wild and full of wonder. The places he had been, the things he had saw, seeing the world through his eyes was beautiful. The men came in the enclosure and picked me up. Then they proceeded to wrap him up properly and with dignity.  After I had time by myself, I had recovered some. We gave our mighty friend the burial he deserved. He passed on to the Summerlands in peace and comfort. His great spirit is now at rest and in a place where only love exists.

I don’t understand people at times, well most of the time. I would love to be able to walk up to the person that shot the cougar. I would put my hand on their shoulder and give them a taste of the pain that the cougar suffered. If they could feel that pain, they would never pick up a gun for the rest of their life. Perhaps if we could walk up to anyone thinking about killing anything whether it be animal or human and give them a taste of the dying’s suffering, they would change their minds. Put down the guns and never think about killing again. For them to know such pain that they can’t stand, no pain pills or shots will relieve, the only thought running through their head is the thought of just dying. But they can’t, they suffer and suffer. That would be the greatest deterrence against hunting, mass murders and homicides the world has ever seen. A pain that won’t stop, all you can do is wish for death but it never comes. Let those people who pull the trigger know how their poor, helpless victims feel. See how it feels to be on the other end of the gun. Realize what the victim goes through and most of all the people left behind.

Is there no hope for this world? Has it grown that cold and callous? Is there nothing that we can do before the world goes over the brink of insanity? This is our year. It is the Year of The Witch. It is our time to unleash our Powers and do what we are suppose to do. Help mankind in spite of itself. It is our time to make the difference. We have stood idly by and kept quiet, we have seen what a mess mankind has made of the world without us. Now it is our turn to clean the mess up. Time to restore goodness and kindness to the World. Time to let the Goddess’ love shine once again upon us all. Time to show the world what it is like to know Pure Love, Pure Kindness and The Goddess, Herself.

Are you with me?

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Elder’s Meditation of the Day – January 7

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – January 7

“.when we become hollow bones there is no limit to what the Higher Powers can do in and through us in spiritual things.”

 

–Frank Fools Crow, LAKOTA

If we want to be of maximum use to the Creator, we must ready ourselves to do so. If we are to become a channel for His purposes, we must prepare ourselves to do so. If we have resentment, fear, selfishness, or anger, we are not hollow bones. We must be rid of these things. We must change ourselves. We must ask for forgiveness for ourselves and forgive our brothers and sisters. We must keep our insides clean. We cannot use our power in a good way when we have blockages such as hate, judgment and envy. When we are free of these things the Higher Powers can use us beyond our wildest imagination. Then we can really help ourselves and help our people. Only when we are hollow bones can we have an effect on the world.

Oh Great Spirit, remove from me the things that block my usefulness to You. Remove from my day all thinking that is out of harmony with Your ways.

Grant me Your peace and allow me to function as a hollow bone.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for December 11th is The Swan

Your Deck of Ancient Symbols Card for Today

swanCardMED

 

The Swan

The elegant Swan is an ideal symbol of beauty and grace. Its flowing curves and fluid movement give an ethereal air of perfection realized. The Swan’s beauty embodies the feminine (Yin) qualities of intuition and sensitivity. But The Swan does not begin life as a creature who appears to be the creation of divine inspiration. Indeed at birth The Swan is an ungainly creature that lacks any indications of the magnificent being it is destined to become. The Swan’s transformation from ordinary to extraordinary have made it an emblem of discovering the beauty and power of your true self.

As a daily card, The Swan is a reminder of the beauty, creativity and power your true self embodies. In this period it is best to let the real you rule and be known to all–to remember who you really are and what you are really about. The Swan also marks a time when your creative powers may be at their zenith.

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – December 6

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – December 6

“And that, I guess, is what it all boils down to-do the right thing, everything goes fine; do the wrong thing, everything’s a mess.”

–Robert Spott, YUROK

The Elders say every person is born with free will and every person has a specific purpose to accomplish during their life time. When our life is relatively free from obstacles we are walking the path of God’s will. If our life is full of obstacles, we are not doing the will of God. Often, the Great Spirit guides us through a system of coincidences. We need to pay attention to coincidences. If we are aware of these, we often can recognize the path which God is showing us. We need to pray and ask Him to show us the path in terms we can understand.

Oh, Great Mystery, let me recognize the coincidences.

December 6 – Daily Feast

December 6 – Daily Feast

My child, know that you do not follow in the ways of those who experiment in danger. The Great Spirit has given you a mind of your own and it is a good mind, a straight mind, with strengths and vision sacred to you. When your equals jeer and rag and call you a coward, reach down deep in your own mind and know you have gifts and power they will never know about. Never try to explain yourself, but be an example of what you have been taught. Remember if anyone, including an elder, has led you to believe a lie, that you have another Teacher that cannot lie. Hear that voice and listen well. It is grace to you and it will not let you fail.

~ When you say, “Fight!” we shall fight. When you say, “Make peace,” we will make peace. ~

FOUR HORNS – SIOUX

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II’ by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – December 5

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – December 5

“I’ve had a long regard for generational things: pottery, cultural things, participation in dancing, extended family. Only in that way does culture survive; only in that way is culture active.

–Tessie Naranjo, SANTA CLARA PUEBLO

Culture teaches us how to live and it ensures that knowledge about life is handed down from generation to generation. Culture gives us the feeling of belonging. It helps us raise our family in a good way. It teaches us how to treat one another. Culture sets boundaries for societies. We need to develop our culture. If we have left our culture, then we need to come back to it. Culture leads us back to the Great Spirit. Sometimes in our lives, we leave what we know works and experiment with something else. Then we get into trouble. So we need to come back home. Indian people are lucky to have a culture to return to.

Creator, thank you for the culture. Let me live it today.

December 4 – Daily Feast

December 4 – Daily Feast

Early December has rich earthy color that stands for strength and durability. Hundred-yea-old oaks stand guard over a multitude of younger growth and bear the brunt of cold winds and heavy snows. The little creeks hollow out from rushing waters and refill with sand and stones washed down from the hills. Everywhere are signs of longevity and power. Huge boulders tilted on end or covered by moss and lichen harbor the fox and possum. Regardless of how cultivated the land may be in one season, it returns to nature in another. No time shows nature’s raw strength like winter – and few things have to be hardier than people.

~ The Great Spirit and giver of light…..has made the earth and everything in it…. ~

PONTIAC – DELAWARE

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II’ by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – November 29

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – November 29

“Life, the circle, a measurement with no beginning and no end.”

–Phillip Deere, MUSKOGEE-CREEK

The circle teaches us how the Creator made things and how to live. It teaches us how we should look at creation. Life travels in a circle. In the East is the baby, to the South is the youth, in the West is the adult and in the North is the Elder. Then we return to the Earth Mother to start the cycle again. We observe what is `around us’ from the center of the circle. This develops our point of view. We must be careful not to become self-centered.

Great Spirit, let me observe life from the circle’s point of view.

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – November 28

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – November 28
“People say that crisis changes people and turns ordinary people into wiser or more responsible ones.”

–Wilma Mankiller, CHEROKEE


There is a saying, conflict precedes clarity. The Medicine Wheel teachings say, in order for something to change it must first go through a struggle. When a crisis enters our lives, other powers are there to help us. We will learn some lessons. Will I honor and respect the next crisis?


Great Spirit, if a crisis occurs today, let me learn the lessons of wisdom.

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – November 26

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – November 26

“In our traditional ways, the woman is the foundation of the family.”

–Haida Gwaii Traditional Circle of Elders

We must pay attention to the role of the woman in the family. She is the heartbeat of the family. She should be respected and treated in a sacred manner. We should listen to her guidance. We should help make her role easier by helping with chores or just telling her how much we appreciate her.

Great Spirit, I ask you to bless all the moms.

November 26 – Daily Feast

November 26 – Daily Feast

The Tsa la gi (Cherokee) sense change. He doesn’t take it from the world not does he hear it from a voice comes from a man. But when he stands by the flowing stream with arms outstretched, the voices speak. The wind has lifted high above, barely touching the limbs of autumn trees, but it has in it a voice that calls us to be ready for change. It is not an imagined thing, not a lower-spirit voice, but a true message from the Great Spirit to stop looking at hardship and fear, to prepare. A spirit of firmness comes in this call, but it is sweetness as well – a sweetness that heals all the wounds of centuries. It asks all the people to stand together in the true sense, and then they will never fail.

~ Remember! I have warned you to beware…. ~

PACHGANTSCHILHILAS – DELAWARE, 1700s

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II’ by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – November 23

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – November 23

“We’re sitting on our blessed Mother Earth from which we get our strength and determination, love and humility-all the beautiful attributes that we’ve been given. So turn to one another; love one another; respect one another; respect Mother Earth; respect the waters-because that’s life itself!”

–Phil Lane, Sr. YANKTON SIOUX

Our entire point of view can be altered by making one change to align with the principles of the Great Spirit. Let’s say we decide to become respectful. As we become respectful, our attitude will change. We will automatically draw into our lives knowledge about the other principles of the Great Spirit such as love, appreciation, trust, beauty, peace of mind. By focusing on these principles, we will let go of selfishness, self centeredness, self pity, dishonesty and fear. You focus on respect, you get respect; you focus on love, you get love; you focus on the Red Road, you get peace of mind.

Great Spirit, let me learn the lessons of respect.