As we welcome new people into the Sacred Hoop, we thought John’s words about smudging would be beneficial.
We return to the first teachings, where it all begins in ceremonies as we embark on a new cycle of the Medicine Wheel. As the Medicine Wheel is the circle of lessons that each of us must pass through on our journey, may we honor the lessons learned, so we might see the gifts of growth that each upcoming direction will offer us as we…Step into the Circle.
Smudging
Smudging is a purifying ceremony that occurs at the beginning of most ceremonies.
We use the smudge to take time with each person. It gives them some personal attention and honors their part in the ceremony. More importantly, it is an opportunity for the smudger to transfer his/her meditative state to the participant. (Smudgers should prepare themselves carefully.)
Smudging marks the beginning of the ceremony for the participant. It is a precise beginning and is very satisfying because of that.
It is important to remind the group that they are not being smudged because there is anything wrong with them. It is just that we take on the cares of the everyday world and smudging is done to allow us to release the everyday and honor ourselves by spending some time with the Earth and our Creator. It marks the beginning of our “sacred time”. We make the effort to release outside thoughts and focus ourselves on this very special time of ceremony. ~ John Armbruster
Hugs, Tracy - take what you want…find your truths…leave the rest. I share because I care.
So many of you have asked to join us in our family earthkeeper ceremonies so Dave, Tracy and Janisse invite you to join us as we continue down the ceremonial trail in Appreciation of Mother Earth and the Ancestors who ride the winds.
We dance in balance of those who dwell in the Within…beyond the illusion…home of “All That Is”, purple, seven…and place of inner reflection where the sacred hoop is made whole, and you are shown the medicine that allows you to know your place in the Sacred Hoop.
If you are unable to join us in person, please join us in Spirit.
Date: Saturday, September 30, 2006
Time: 4:00 pm set up circle — 4:30 pm Ceremony begins
Place: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Dunbar Beach near the town of Beverly Shores (see directions below)
Bring:
§ An open heart, happiness, pleasant thoughts, and rattles.
§ Sacred item that represents your within, to be placed on an altar, symbolizing your prayer for this ceremony.
§ Blanket may be needed to sit on in the circle at times and you can bring a chair as well.
§ Chooch (Pipe) carriers may bring their chooch.
§ Dress appropriately for the weather and ceremony.
We will be eating at a local restaurant afterwards for those who might want a bite to eat.
We thank our friend, John Many Voices Armbruster, for teaching us Earthkeeping Ways.
Any questions contact: Dave, Janisse or Tracy - email address: youncedjt@verizon.net
Directions to Dunbar Beach: 1) starting at Interstate 94 and Indiana Highway 49 (Chesterton exit) go north on Highway 49 about 3 miles to US highway 12. 2) The exit to US highway 12 is on the left, turn left onto exit, then bare right onto US highway 12 going east. 3) Travel east on US highway 12 about 5 miles to the stop light at Broadway Street. 4) Turn left (north) onto Broadway and follow road to Lake Michigan. 5) At Lake Michigan, turn left (west) onto West Lake Front Drive and take it to Dunbar Avenue stop sign. 6) Turn left (south) onto Dunbar Ave and start up hill. You will see the parking lot on the right (west). The ceremony will be directly north of Dunbar Ave on the beach at Lake Michigan.
This Saturday will be the 7th Earthkeepers Dance, number 7, which represents coming full circle. In honor of our completing the Sacred Hoop, the group decided that no one person would be the Ceremonial Leader this year. It is the year of the Ceremonial People with each of us being our own Ceremonial Leader for this dance.
My goodness, has it been 7 years since John lead us down this dance road?
As I walk down the memory “driveway” recalling how the Earthkeepers Dance got started, I thought others might enjoy the tale, so…….
Danceprints in the Driveway
In June, the Year of our Lord, 2000, a rag-tag group of Earthkeepers attended the Illinois Sundance….John Armbruster, Diane Adams, Caroline Eberline, Danielle Ferrette, Patty Freehling, Tritia Hamilton, Kathy Lima, Karen Martin, Mike Milewski, Dusanka Mitchell, Thayne Oppelt, Sondra Riccardi, Larae Smith, Dan Wenglarz, Saffira Windsinger, and Dave, Tracy and Janisse Younce.
While this collection of old friends and new arrivals prayed together, a dream was seeding. Unwittingly, this gathering was witnessing the start of a miracle. While Spirit brought forth songs, a humble drummer boy beat to the rhythm of Mother Earth. His respectful beat merged with the Sundancers feet as they prayed for the People.
As he drummed, bits and pieces of an Anishinabeg Elder’s vision kept working it’s way into his awareness. Visions he would ponder over for the next week. When John Many Voices Armbruster returned with the Younces to La Porte, IN, on June 25th, to his humble sanctuary on wheels, he noticed the sun-bleached van was in stark contrast to the dark pavement of the Younce’s driveway. “Balance”, he thought. “If only we had balance on Mother Earth.”
Then the Vision emerged. In this modest driveway, his fingers started sailing across the laptop. “The Earthkeeper’s Dance for Peace is a remarkable opportunity for people to create ceremony which can change the world,” he started. For a week he kept up this vigil, rarely stopping to eat, drink or sleep.
The Younce’s watched in awe as the flicker of light grew into a Sacred fire. Finally, it happened. On a driveway, in a small Midwestern town, the Earthkeeper’s Dance for Peace was born. At Insights, on July 2, 2000, John unwrapped it’s swaddling clothes, and laid the infant at the feet of his contemporaries, introducing the newborn dance to the caretakers who would help it grow.
Not long after, John got in his van and drove away…..leaving the caretakers wondering (and scratching their heads), how would they help the dance mature enough to be ready for it’s Coming of Age Ceremony in only two and a half months…………and the rest is History.
I can remember the days before John left. He spent hours pacing the driveway, phone glued to his ear, talking to the small group of Ant Clan caretakers, helping them with the task that was ahead. Who was to know the many lessons (darkness) and successes (light) that would ensue as the child grew. But, Ahhhhhhhhh……….isn’t that what Balance is?
Happy, Happy…Joy, Joy!
Hugs, Tracy ~ at peace in the wilderness, but heading back to civilization soon