November 22- November 26 Week 43 /72
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.
I acknowledge, honor and give thanks
to those who brought me into this life of richness and beauty
to those who steward the earth and provide me with nourishment
to those who harvest wood, cotton and metals providing me with shelter
to the craftsman and laborer who create things to ease my work
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.
I stand feet firmly planted
rain wets my cheeks mixing
with tears of gratitude
for all of creation
surrounding me and flooding
all of my senses in a wave of wonder
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.
standing on the edge of the lake
I acknowledge the waters before me
some risen from underground springs
some having streamed across the landscape
some fallen from the sky
all flowing, flowing, flowing
someday slacking my thirst
someday tasting salt
someday rising back into the sky
to ride dark clouds to another shore
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
I stroke the surface of the lake with my fingers
shattering the reflections of the sky
peering down into the cool November waters
where leaves cloak the bottom of lake
vainly I search for minnows now grown
but they have moved into deeper waters
I send thanks to them on the ripples
circling out from my fingers
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
most green beings are resting now
they shouldn't be wakened and so
I sing a soft lullaby as I pass where
trilliums, tiger lilies and milkweeds once stood
then bow with remembered gratitude
to the quiet garden beds whispering
thanks to dried sprigs of sage and thyme
releasing their flavor as they break
beneath my tender touch
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.
preparing a harvest meal is an act
of filling one's soul with gifts of others
hubbard squash and spinach
grains milled into stuffing flavored
with herbs grown and dried with care
cherries preserved and poured into pie
accompanied by tea leaves
coffee beans roasted
and mindful bites
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
given of harvest and seed
stems of browned leaves lay prone
Calendula, Comfrey and mints
paying homage to the soil that nourished them
Echinacea, Chamomile, Tulsi and Bergamot
storing energy beneath the ground
as cloves of garlic are tucked
hopefully in the still unfrozen ground
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
acrobatic squirrels on bird feeder wires
curious chipmunks taking quick side glances
mischievous voles tunneling everywhere
songs of wrens, raucous calls of jays
aquatic reconnaissance by beavers
birdbath frogs all sizing me up
giving me joy as I earn their trust
and welcome them to our shared home
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
long stretches of
rain-streaked bark
unique leafless individuals
stand silhouetted against
cerulean sky blue memories of
spring buds followed by
young yellow-green leaves
then welcoming shade on a hot summer's day
an autumn of seeds dangling in bunches
all engulfing my mind with gratitude
as I take in one elongated breath
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
our shore was graced
with the presence of two eagles
majestically perched
one on the tip of a willow
the other tucked in an oak
preening and calling songs
of the thermals to each other
while a tiny Carolina wren
perches not two feet from me
tipping her head side to side
flicking her jaunty little tail
up and down and then
singing a song that
dreams can be built on
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
a strong wind is an easy reminder
but noticing the slightest of movements
stirring the air is the most powerful
can you feel the exhale of an ant
that joins with the chirp of the bird
the motion of my arm and
the splash of mallard landing
out on the lake building and building
into a gale force wind capable of fueling
fires thousands of miles from here
Now our minds are one.
Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
it is important to feel
the rolling rumble of thunder
work its way through every cell
shaking reminders
of fragility
of forces
of the dangers
of tipping the scales
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
my skin knows
true happiness when bathed
in the warmth of the sun
just as the blade of grass
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
the waxing gibous moon
grows ever so slightly
in the evening sky
making good company
for sending dreams
out on rising tides
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.
I step outside seeking Orion
who brilliance transports me
deep in galactic time
the vastness of life swirling
around his belt then flying off
into blackness sprinkled
with worlds yet to be born
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.
soil, rock, wind, rain
earthworm, mountain, eagle, lake
sun, moon, stars, time
teachers all
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
in the moment
senses attentive
life flowing in
healing sent out
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way. Now our minds are one.
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