The Earthkeepers

On Saturday we danced our 8th Earthkeeper Dance in our 13th year of ceremonies at the Indiana Dunes. We came together in gratitude of Creator, Mother Earth and the Ancestors. We began our prayers on the beach of Lake Michigan, and the winds laughed at the ambitious schedule that had been set. And as we stepped into the waters, the schedule dissipated, and we purified our bodies and Spirit, preparing for the ceremonies that were yet to come.

(Photo’s by Vera)

As the song John taught us, “We dance, we sing, we pray, ei cheeco Mantiou” resonated on the wind, we entered into Sacred time. We stepped into the circle honoring those that have gone before us…

(photo on back of dance T-shirt)

 …and began our work to prepare the way for those who are yet to come.

We shared with love, laughter and tears as we honored the Ancestors. And Creator, Mother Earth and the Ancestors responded by helping us do the work we had come to do.

Each of us experienced the dance differently because it mirrors or reflects that which is within us. And through the grace of Creator, that which is in need of change and healing makes itself known, giving each of us an opportunity to transform and be in joy.

In the weeks to come, be mindful, as there is work the Ancestors have yet to fulfill. Be attentive as tests may come and you may experience your “buttons being pushed” so to speak…pushed so you might transform and be in joy. This is the way of ceremony. Go within and know.

May Creator bless our journey on this Sacred Hoop.

Hugs, Tracy ~ Each person is responsible to find the truth they have come to learn on Earth. We share what has come to us. Take what you want…leave the rest…we share because it’s time. May each person come in-sync wih Mother Earth so each may find their Ways.

The children’s honoring ceremony is very dear to my heart. It is a time to turn to the children and express not only our affection for them, but to help them begin to realize that we see purpose to their lives. With our acknowledgement of this, we hope that they will also begin the process of finding within themselves that sense of purpose and direction that will carry them through the difficult times ahead of them and will glorify and enliven all the wonderful experiences of life that are still unrevealed to them.

This is not an easy process. It is best to take a full day to work with the children and the adults who are supporting them. Often the children feel that the ceremony is really for the adults and not for them. This is partly right and is not to be denied. The trick then is to establish a positive link between the ceremonial activities and other activities that they enjoy.

Camping, games, and free play are important. A wide range of ages is helpful, because it is like a chain of understanding… each age group relating in some ways to those older and younger than them. 

We have seen positive results with red rover red rover, crafts - key chain making with putting prayers into them and other craft work to bring out creativity. Having the children take over the drums worked. Having a very focused teenage leader was very productive for the children’s talking circle.

The honoring dance is based on a simple fact. The children will be the ones to touch the future, not us. It is their future we are deciding every day. Though it is up to them to make of it what they will, we are leaving them the starting point which will define their world view and influence their decisions for the rest of their lives.

In this way, during the honoring dance, the alter or tree which is the central part of the dance is touched only by the children. The adults touch the alter by touching the children. This can be a very powerful image. A very telling comment on one of the very compelling facts of life. 

When we talk about the past and future minds, we are referring to the fact that so much of our time is spent contemplating and contending with the past or planning, worrying, or dreading the future.

It is important to understand that in both cases the power to change always lies in the present. Our lack of awareness of the present will rob us of golden opportunities to absorb the joy and uplifting quality of the world around us. To do this we have to have an open channel to the energy of living all around us. Sorrow, regret, disgust, hurt, jealousy, anger, all sap us of the energy to see, taste, touch, FEEL the moment with all our senses and with all that we sense is us. Worry, dread, hopelessness, and hope can all turn our attention from the blessings we are receiving every moment of the day.

Drumming, singing, dance all help to strip away the dark smoke of our illusion… it is the illusion of being in the past or future. In addition, acceptance of the past will release us from that past. Faith and releasing total control will free us from the future. In the present we can let our energy flow into everything we do or everything we experience. In that way, our essential selves, the part of us that is sincere, exuberant, confident, and committed will produce the future one present moment at a time.

— John Armbruster

With great sadness, I report that John Hopkins, son of Cynthia Hopkins, left this life recently– he was 43. Cynthia, who led the Sedona Encampments after John Armbruster hit the road in the early 90’s, is offering a memorial ceremony on Saturday, June 30th at 3 pm in Camp Verde, Arizona. If you would like more info, please call Cynthia at 928.567.6855.

The summer solstice arrives tomorrow.  I offer a few words John wrote years ago about the summer solstice:

Summer Solstice

The Solstice time is a time of intensity and passion. It is a time of extremes.  

The summer solstice is the Midsummer’s Night energy. It is the longest day of the year. Sensuous, even oppressive energy of the Sun. Unrelenting. It is a time when the planet is bursting with power. Overflowing with lifeforce. This is a time for celebration and release.

Many of the Sun dances occur around this time. The power of the Sun being strongest. In lower latitudes they are held earlier.

The Long Dance is good to be held around this time. 

One ceremony we have done over the years is a nature’s Spirit Dance, where everyone dresses up as a plant or animal. Strong drumming, passionate songs, and lots of clowning are appropriate.